FAQ What did historical shields weigh and how heavy should my training shield be?

[@Jack-Noch]

Just finished making my second shield, it's 5 kg and 92cm in diameter! Pretty heavy but I still manage, but the boys with 10 kg shields!? Yeah maybe if you are Hafþór Björnsson you can use that... I think a Roman scutum weight around that but they are made to be pretty stationary. Thanks for the videos! Skål fra Norge!

[@codyallison8093]

The military mantra is "train as you fight". If you want to build speed and endurance, do that in the gym. When training with a weapon and shield, use the stuff you're going to fight with.

[@natetaylor9002]

Historical Viking shields were around 7-8 lbs. When you factor in context, the light weight makes sense. Raiders travelling by longboat, then travelling at a face pace TO and then FROM their raids.

[@Sheepdog1314]

thank you

[@Tsurukiri]

Optimal shield weight and diameter selection is an interesting topic for sure, very similar to sword length and weight selection. The strength and stamina of the warrior plays a role, and so does the technique with which the shield is to be used. The general rule could be the same as for the sword: light enough so that it does not affect your timing in the fight.

[@sithlord.6668]

well made, thank you a lot!

[@front-a-little4448]

Great video. I think the misconception of super heavy / thick shields might come from the lack of access to primary sources like the original shields you've shown (or later examples e.g. from Marburg) and original text sources about the construction of shields and therefor the experience of proper replicas. And let's face it, the materials are expensive nowadays and not easy to come by. I'm trying come up with a better word than "reinforce" because I really think we should put more emphasis on the bond of butted planks and a raw hide cover. This combination is after all what makes the shield durable and sturdy, even with planks as tender as 7mm, and this needs more attention.

[@alexandermartzok_vikingcombat]

Good points, but I wonder on what the first estimations with very heavy weight based on. Just some wild guess? Thats an interesting to wording. Yeah, I agree that its the combination of the wood hard structure with the resistance of the hide which make the shield so durable. But I do also lack a better word.

[@masonmp1889]

maybe saying bond together would work or even bgind together

[@oddthearcher7555]

Excellent video, very interesting. My combat system requires the thicker 9mm ply as a minimum (some people use 12!) But I use a smaller 78cm diameter to be able to use the shield actively.

[@alexandermartzok_vikingcombat]

Thank you very much! I mean, I get that there are more intense line fights than here in austria and you may need thicker shields depending on dane axe/two handed spear force applied but 12mm is a lot. In line fights you can get away with the weight if you work close to the body with the shield but how do they manage it in single combat?

[@oddthearcher7555]

@@alexandermartzok_vikingcombat poorly in my experience, or with very little movement of the shield. Our system is not super intense, certainly not on the level of say moesgard and definitely not wolin. I think a lot of people have been doing it a certain way for a long time and are set in their ways

[@yogi2638]

Really good job made there :)

[@nuancedhistory]

A lot of those weights seem high considering you can get the massive Roman rectangular scuta down to 4.2 kg if making them *exactly* the same way as the originals.

[@alexandermartzok_vikingcombat]

Good point. But that's the data we have, only estimations. And since many reenactment folks runs around with more than 5kg, I see less than 4.5 as an absolute win.

[@nuancedhistory]

Sergio is making my Nydam shield so I'll let you know what the final weight on that one turns out to be. It's the 83cm one with the cinnabar paint.

[@alexandermartzok_vikingcombat]

@@nuancedhistory Sure, that would be interesting!

[@nuancedhistory]

​@@alexandermartzok_vikingcombat well if it's any help, my Byzantine 70cm shield weighs 6kg because Oleg decided to face & back it with 3-3.5mm thick rawhide...

[@alexandermartzok_vikingcombat]

@@nuancedhistory Wow, well thats a lot of rawhide! At least it will last for some time! :D