REVIEW - Mad Matt's Bucklers

[Gregoire de Lyon]

I placed an order with Mad Matt's armory on November 9th for a 16" buckler with edge roll and mounted handle for SCA heavy fighting and a square target with edge roll and mounted handle for SCA fencing. I made it very clear that these items were needed as prizes in a tournament to be held on January 13th 2007 and that I must have them by that time. Matt told me that it shouldn't be a problem and placed me in the queue right away. Both arrived yesterday nicely packed in and looking dead sexy. (Pictures to be posted)

As alluded to, both of these items are to be given as prizes in an upcoming tournament. I will be proud to give them away in the name of my barony.


The Heavy Buckler:

The buckler looks FANTASTIC. This is a hand hammered, hand dished, hand edged buckler in steel. The hammer marks are nearly imperceptable. In my opinion, this buckler looks better than the Mandrake bucklers - more organic and less machined. The weight is a bit high, but not prohibitively so. The handle is made from a hammer handle. This is a bit awkward as it sets the hand back from the center of gravity of the shield and it is a bit big around for *my* girlish hands. Also, it tapers, so there is an up and a down to the buckler. This is easily solved. The biggest criticism I have of this buckler is the depth of the dish - as it stands now (especially with the current handle) the end user will be required to wear a full gauntlet on their shield hand to safely employ this shield in SCA combat. I am skeptical if there is enough room between the handle and the center of the boss for all gauntlets to fit. Not a show stopper, but something to defintiely be aware of.

Score - 7/10.

The Fencing Buckler:

Wow! If I could steal this item and keep it for myself, I would. The size is perfect, the weigt is perfect. The look is spot on. Here the handle is a large garage door handle riveted to the back. It does not look out of place and Matt chose a style that is nicely rounded and neither too large nor too small for most people's hands. I have no criticism of this item what-so-ever.

Score - 10/10.

Matt's communication was fine, he responded within a day of all emails sent. I did not receive any progress pictures or a notification when I was at the front of the line. I did not ask to be notified and since these were standard buckler designs, I'm not sure that such attention was really merited. When I asked for a status update I was given a prompt reply with factual information.

I was offered a variety of shipping options including an express delivery. Shipping from Canada to Michigan is surprisingly high. This is obviously not Matt's fault, but something to take into consideration when ordering from a foreign armorer.

I would certainly be willing to do business with Matt and Mad Matt's Armory again in the future.

OVERALL SCORE - 9/10

[Gregoire de Lyon]

Heavy buckler



Fencing Buckler

[Henry of Bexley]

I really like mine. Just need to redo the handle so that it sticks out enough to get my finger gaunts behind it- my fault, not the makers.

If you want a buckler, he is definitly who I would recommend.

[Mad Matt]

Thanks for the review. Glad you're happy. The bucklers are now available in 16ga as well as the 14ga which is what you got.

I'm doing the handles different now. Basically a piece of pipe with the ends flattened the middle partially flattened to make it oval and bent a little so it sticks out a bit.

If I could make them deeper I would but any time I try to go deeper then that I rip a hole in the thing with my hammer (I dish em with a 10# sledge).

Mind if I steal your pic of the round buckler? It's better then mine.

[Gregoire de Lyon]

Feel free!

[Oswyn_de_Wulferton]

Hey Matt, what is the price for rolled edge, 16ga. 12" buckler? I have a kid in our YC program that likes the feel of a centergrip, and this is the best alternative for something her size.

[Mad Matt]

Hi it's $85. Including hand rolled edge and steel handle.