REVIEW: Vitus' plywood shields

Trevor · Post by **Trevor** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:32 pm

OK-I haven't posted a photo yet, but I thought I'd post a review for my fiberglass-covered plywood shield for what I've seen so far.

First, communication: Vitus communicated with me several times to let me know the progress. The shield was delivered the day he said it would be.

Second, quality:I really liked the shape of it. Vitus was not kidding that the shape was "Medieval"-it looks just like the real thing! The fiberglass resin was blended into the wood very well-I couldn't tell where it ended. It was very smooth and the gesso covered it up so well I coudn't tell just how much fiberglass was under there.

Price: For $135 (if memory serves) I felt I got a really good deal. I know that fiberglass is a messy, cumbersome thing to work with. There is a good deal of sanding to do on it in oder to get it that smooth, and I know damn well my def fiberglass skillz would have ruined a good piece of plywood.

I cannot wait to get it hung and painted. With the proper paint, a fabric covering for the back, leather enarmes and a guige-this is gonna look just like the real thing.

I will post pics of before and after later.

Jehan de Pelham · Post by **Jehan de Pelham** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:48 pm

Ditto.

John
Jehan de Pelham, esquire and servant of Sir Vitus
www.mron.org

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 10:20 pm

Fiberglass resin is friggin' GROSS. Totally. My big problem now is trying to find a way to heat up my work space so that everything will flow and work well. Gotta buy a monster heater.
Today I started Duke Logan's shield.

Jehan de Pelham · Post by **Jehan de Pelham** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 10:27 pm

There was a thread on pavilion heating a while back. I recommended this one, and still do:

http://www.heatershop.com/convection_he ... 5_vca.html

John
Jehan de Pelham, your squire
www.mron.org

Tarquin Bjornsson · Post by **Tarquin Bjornsson** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:10 am

if you have acess to 220 power, i reccomend a construction heater, works great and only costs about 50$

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:25 pm

Bought a kerosene heater today.

Tristan vom Schwarzwald · Fri Dec 02, 2005 8:13 am

Vitus von Atzinger wrote:Fiberglass resin is friggin' GROSS. Totally. My big problem now is trying to find a way to heat up my work space so that everything will flow and work well. Gotta buy a monster heater.
Today I started Duke Logan's shield.

I hope His Grace will post a picture when he is done painting it...

BdeB · Post by **BdeB** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 8:42 am

V, do you curve these shields in a press or are they flat?

Jeff J · Post by **Jeff J** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 8:59 am

Remember to Ventilate!

Resins + heater + enclosed space = fire or asphixiation.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:38 pm

Some are strap-curved and some are made with a smaller press. I make some near flat, some deeply curved, and some with off-set curves. I prefer nearly flat shields, or shields where my left side of the shield has a slightly greater curve than the right side. This helps with body defense, while giving me a nearly flat side to do Bellatrix-type blocks with.
I haven't posted any pics because I haven't had time to paint up one of my own. That way I could show the blank with gesso, and the end result where the back is covered in felt. Looks awesome.

Felix · Post by **Felix** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 8:25 pm

I got mine at Christmas Tourney this weekend and it is incredible. Way better than my T-6 shield as it has a good weight and the shape and finish are amazing. These shields should last a very long time. I recommend them highly.

Nigel, Duke of Arrochar · Sun Dec 04, 2005 8:57 pm

I was at Vitus' house over the Thanksgiving weekend and got to see his new workshop/ shed. The shields are awesome. I would have walked out with one of his shields but none fit the size I would like to fight with right now. Looking for smaller size shields these days.

The sheilds have a nice, smooth curve without being over curved. Edges are well rounded as to be "rattan friendly." The surface is beautifully smoothed out and gessoed. I will be getting one from him when I head back to Kentucky for Christmas.

The shields are DEFINITELY worth the investment.

Sir Nigel MacFarlane
aut omnia periclitaris aut nihil lucaris

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 1:47 pm

white mountain armoury · Wed Dec 07, 2005 1:59 pm

Vitus, how do the edges hold up? i had a friend ask what i thought, and well i have no thoughts as im unfamilliar with them.
How do you think one would hold up to a twice a week practice with heavy hitters

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:45 pm

Twice a week against monster hitters? I have no idea. I took one yesterday and kabashed on it with a very oversized rattan sword- didn't even seem to dent the gessoed resin. I can't promise anything 100% definite about these things, just like it's hard to guarantee that an aluminum shields blocking corner won't fold over. Like I said before, I have seen them last anywhere from 18 months to 7 years without needed even the slightest repairs. My squire Ingram made one with resin over canvas that had to have some resin forced into a crack with his thumb, and then it just kept going.
-V

white mountain armoury · Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:53 pm

ThanksVitus, thats the type of info im looking for, ill pass it along to the interested party

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:58 pm

I would love to be able to say I know what will happen. But like rattan you can't say what the wooden core will do. I have seen one where the wood had been completely pulped and the fiberglass cloth and resin was still holding the shield shape.

Josh W · Post by **Josh W** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 3:47 pm

Do you only do these in "heater" shapes? Would a 15th century pavise be too difficult?

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 5:00 pm

The compound curves would not be impossible, no....just alarmingly difficult. Why not just use a slightly curved squarish jousting targe?

Ned Chaney · Post by **Ned Chaney** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 5:07 pm

Are you making them blank or with arms on them?

Oswyn_de_Wulferton · Post by **Oswyn_de_Wulferton** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 5:52 pm

Anyone have a picture yet of their shield done?

Thomas H · Post by **Thomas H** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 6:37 pm

Vitus von Atzinger wrote:The compound curves would not be impossible, no....just alarmingly difficult. Why not just use a slightly curved squarish jousting targe?

That's blasphemy that is :twisted:

I know it's awkward but would cutting strips of plywood make it easier to bend rather than curving a whole sheet? this could then be covered in the fibreglass front to back. never tried it, might work?

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:23 pm

It's possible, but the amount of work involved would make such a shield extremely expensive. Extremely.
They come with a coat of plain white gesso, so that you can run a piece of sandpaper over it once, and then start drawing out your arms. The tooth of the gesso is the best painting surface.

Josh W · Post by **Josh W** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:55 pm

Vitus von Atzinger wrote:The compound curves would not be impossible, no....just alarmingly difficult. Why not just use a slightly curved squarish jousting targe?

Hmmm. I'd certainly be open to it. I'm not quite sure what you mean, though. Do you have any readily accessible online pics of what one of these looks like?

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 10:06 pm

http://www.thearma.org/Manuals/187.jpg

A simple, flat-surface shield that slightly curves away from the user- has a "lance rest". Make it flat and get extra advantage in power-blocking. I'm making these for myself right now for display purposes, and for SCA equestrian games.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 10:22 pm

http://www.thearma.org/Manuals/218.jpg

Wielded on the arm with foot lances.