Shields and red fighters...

[The Lost Celt]

Idea was sprung from a response Forkbeard posted awhile back, basically saying most of his fighters are trained red and buckler of some sorts.

Been thinking about that a lot, I made a buckler to fit a bracer when I was new, and it twisted alot - I dismissed it as worthlesss but looking back I'm wondering if there's something I missed.

I'm wondering if it's possible to strap the upper arm (bicep area) for an effective buckler on my offside shoulder.

Way I figure, elbow would be the part that gives it stability if I got hit I'd assume but I'm not sure how to fit it. Since I fight mainly polearm, I can't let the pommel or the shield get caught together and choke up my movements. My default response is switching to a small sword or dagger using the pole as a shield for these reasons, but I can see the value of a small shield.

I'd fit the shield to hold a blue sword and default to that when necessary, It'd be easier to draw that way when it come's down to it. Sure I can't really protect my legs but I'm familiar with footwork by now:)

I'm just not sure how to hang it, I'm an experienced foamsmith, but I haven't had to build a shield in several years (mine is about 9 years old) - and boogie boards are hard to come by in my area. Any ideas into making this a reality are truly appreciated.

[Orazio Valori]

Why not place the lower strap around your bicep and the upper strap across your chest and under your opposite armpit, as though you were wearing a single spaulder?

I imagine you won't be able to make this shield rise too high above the shoulder joint though, unless you don't mind it catching you in the face every time you raise your arm. Fortunately, it would probably be high enough to make the difference.

[Poo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRW7gpYR ... re=related

6:55 there's a glaive weilder who looks like he has the same thing you're talking about. It looks to me like a slung shield.

[Ard Ri Cade]

You should be able to find Boogie Board at Wallmart.

Your little sheet there says your from Ohio. As long as it's not deep southern Ohio, your Wallmarts should be the same as mine. I have also seen them at K-Mart, Sams, Any pool place, Toys R Us, etc.

[Kurgan]

No matter if you use all foam or make a cored shield, I'd say just use elastic bands or something you can adjust (velcro/belts) for the straps of the shield. Position them so one fits below the bicep near the elbow joint and the other high up by the shoulder joint. That should provide enough support and might only take a little adjusting between battles. As far as attaching the sword I'd say again use elastic or fashion a leather sword frog like this so its fit is snug but won't catch if you have to draw it quickly.

[The Lost Celt]

Why not place the lower strap around your bicep and the upper strap across your chest and under your opposite armpit, as though you were wearing a single spaulder?

You know that occured to me the next morning, I think I'm going to do that.

Going to build it more along the lines of a bauzeband but basically the same thing.

You should be able to find Boogie Board at Wallmart.
Your little sheet there says your from Ohio. As long as it's not deep southern Ohio, your Wallmarts should be the same as mine. I have also seen them at K-Mart, Sams, Any pool place, Toys R Us, etc.

Heh, I guess I should rephrase that - haven't seen the thick foam ones in awhile, most of em I've found are polystyrene and like to melt with dap - haven't tried Toy's R us, will give that a look. * didn't seem to carry them anymore last time I looked.

As it were I'll have to build thin, I only have 2in clearance for my shoulders range of motion, not sure if I'd have room for a sword sheath but I'll figure something out.

Thanks for the ideas guys.

[Arrakis]

Going to build it more along the lines of a bauzeband but basically the same thing.

Huh?

[Poo]

I'm thinking he means that it will curve over his shoulder... Like an unbreakable piece of armor

[Bortas]

Ahh.. so a solid rerebrace shield thingy?

-bort

[Poo]

Ahh.. so a solid rerebrace shield thingy?

-bort

yeah.. except, against the rules.

[Orazio Valori]

Curving up over his shoulder to fit him like armor probably wouldn't do much good because of a lack of articulation. I doubt it would resemble armor that much.

[Poo]

Curving up over his shoulder to fit him like armor probably wouldn't do much good because of a lack of articulation. I doubt it would resemble armor that much.

oh well. I'm excited to see the result either way.

[Rizel]

I dunno if a buckler strapped to the bicep or forearm would be more effective, but I think a strapped buckled on the forearm is something I'd much rather prefer.

[Bortas]

Ahh.. so a solid rerebrace shield thingy?

-bort

yeah.. except, against the rules.

Nah.... not if it is the only shield he carries, and like I said... solid.

-bort

[The Lost Celt]

I'm thinking he means that it will curve over his shoulder... Like an unbreakable piece of armor

Wondering where you're going with this - or how it's against the rules...

I was fighting in 2000, I'm not some newbie trying to cheesedick the rules.

Built like a bauzeband - meaning I'd create something similar to a bauzeband to hold this thing in place as far as strapping goes, except for my upper arm instead of lower. I can work with the strapping to rest the weight on my shoulder for a pivot and the lower strapping is more of a control thing.

That's simply how I'd hold the shield in place, that's all.

The shield will be flat, not curving around my body, I don't see how different this would be from any other shield. except for how it hangs.

Ironically enough I'd have to take apart my armour if I wanted to wear both (I have about three suits of torso armor I rarely wear, and when I do I'll typically consider it garb depending on the concentration of armor on the the field, it's one or another in my book.)

IMHO I tried a buckler on the lower arm in the past, wanted to twist around on my arm while fighting and I couldn't take it off since it was built into a bracer - this wasn't meant for active blocking, just to buy some time and a little cover so I can get to my backup weapon faster (I wear a blue sword on my back or a dagger)

If you have a solution to keep a buckler from twisting on the lower forarm I'm all for that too, but I'm worried about it catching on my glaive's pommel so that's why I'm considering this route, if worse comes to worse I'll stick with what I know, been doing glaive 6+ years now so I'm comfortable with that, someone just gave me the idea so I'm running with it.

If people are interested I'll post pics, It'll be 2-3 weeks as my work schedule permits before I figure if it's worth a *.

[Poo]

ahhhhhh. good idea!

Don't mind me.

[Orazio Valori]

I apologize for resurrecting this thread, but I remembered it not long ago and am still curious to see the final product, if Celt went through with it. What does it look like? How did it perform?

[Tordek]

I had a though about this, if you were to mount it both above the elbow and below it, have the straps terminate at just 1 point for each strap, you would be able to have full range of elbow motion but with a shield there. Have yet to test this so take it with a grain of salt.

[Big King Jimmy]

I had a though about this, if you were to mount it both above the elbow and below it, have the straps terminate at just 1 point for each strap, you would be able to have full range of elbow motion but with a shield there. Have yet to test this so take it with a grain of salt.

I know what you're trying to say, but you're wrong. Sure, with just 1 point of termination the straps would be able to turn with your arm, but when you bend your arm 2 fixed points above and below your elbow get closer together, not just turn.

[Cade]

Yea, at that point your just getting closer to a backshield. Shoulder shields are fine i guess, but limited because you have move your entire body to block effectively with them unless the strike/arrow is headed right for your shoulder.

bucklers are cool, but i don't like how they mess with my shots. I much prefer a back shield.

[Tordek]

I had a though about this, if you were to mount it both above the elbow and below it, have the straps terminate at just 1 point for each strap, you would be able to have full range of elbow motion but with a shield there. Have yet to test this so take it with a grain of salt.

I know what you're trying to say, but you're wrong. Sure, with just 1 point of termination the straps would be able to turn with your arm, but when you bend your arm 2 fixed points above and below your elbow get closer together, not just turn.

yeah, I hadn't completely thought the idea through just yet, the straps would have to be kinda loose in order to work, but then your elbow would be what supported it so if you locked out your elbow the shield would just flip about.

[Bahku]

It would be had to lose the sheild if it were broken though.

[F.N.G.]

It would be had to lose the sheild if it were broken though.

Not so.

3.5.1. Shields can be destroyed by two solid strikes from a Class 2 Weapon. Subsequent strikes to a destroyed Shield continue into the Target Area on which the Shield is worn.

I wouldn't ever bother with dropping the shield, since it seems it'd be a pain to keep taking on and off. This, of course, implies the honor system in keeping track of the number of red strikes to the shield from opponent to opponent.

[Forkbeard]

I built one of these. It's **** huge.
I'll try to get pictures at Samhain.
It's more for spear than for red weapons, though. It's hard to control when you're trying to swing. It work great if all you do is stab, though. I've only **** around with it a little at practice a little. We'll see how it does at an event.
FB

[Orazio Valori]

I can see how it would work a lot better with a polearm than a red. Forkbeard, how tightly does yours fit to your arm? Like, does it tend to turn a lot as your arm raises or is its position more static?