How to make a Viking shield on a budget

Information about historical Viking shields:
members.ozemail.com.au/~chrisa...
www.hurstwic.org/history/artic...
Materials needed:
- Wooden board (linden / basswood, fir, spruce, pine or ash for authentic material, plywood for cheap alternative)
- Carpenter's wood glue
- Nails
- Shield boss
kultofathena.com/product.asp?i...
kultofathena.com/product.asp?i...
- Linen or canvas cloth (optional)
- Raw hide (optional)
Tools needed:
- String and pencil
- Jigsaw
- Hammer
- Drill
- Small anvil (optional)
Steps:
1.) 01:43 - 2:58 Measuring diameter, drawing the round shape
2.) 2:59 - 6:07 Cutting the board
3.) 6:08 - 8:16 Covering surface with wood glue
4.) 8:17 - 9:35 Putting canvas cover on
5.) 9:36 - 11:53 Attaching shield boss
6.) 11:54 - 13:26 Reinforcing rim with rawhide
7.) 13:27 - 15:10 Finished shield
8.) 15:11 Testing
I did not build this shield to look very historically accurate but it does have the appropriate size, weight and handling. It's intended for HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) practice and sparring, so it doesn't have to pretty.
Want to help fund future videos?
/ skallagrim
My Facebook page:
/ skallagrimyt
Music:
Royalty Free Music by audiomicro.com/royalty-free-music and www.jinglepunks.com

[@SODEMO2007]

"When in doubt, make the hole bigger!" -Skallagrim

[@biscuitboyz663]

SODEMO2007 tee hee

[@Peagaporto]

poor kara

[@SamEvansCOM]

SODEMO2007 but not too big;)

[@thomasofsparta6695]

No the hole needs to be tight it's more comfortable then ; )

[@xr9381]

Why just use the different hole, I mean there are two hole next to each other anyway…

[@SableLeaf]

"Give me the sticky stuff." - Kara (2014).

[@rcticfloof]

Crusism "oh yeah, gonna send it right on your face" *silence* "aaaanywayyy"

[@marebbpc]

about the shield boss i think if your really on a budget you could use a steel salad bowl or a dog bold or something like that

[@JaredThorlakson]

I was thinking that myself...

[@germanolivares7072]

It doesn't work, they can collapse after a hard hit.

[@dumbredneck4464]

Marebbpc you can also buy those online for 20$ I know because I’m planning on buying one to make my shield but I’m buying a norse axe first

[@dumbredneck4464]

Good Crusader that’s awesome brother I’m also planning on making a shield for my older brother to have a good day

[@dumbredneck4464]

Good Crusader when I get all the supplies I definitely will that might include a review on the axe but imma tell you it it may take a while

[@maxwellihm5373]

A real viking would just punch through the shield with his bare fist to make the center hole.

[@Cambria358]

***** nice job taking that joke

[@killmypoptart]

***** comment deleted...

[@stefvdv2490]

Jericho Faust yes yes, but a katana would slice right through it. It would just cut the shield in half!

[@loganford9997]

Papa Stef just no

[@stefvdv2490]

Clashing Snow yes it would! Trust me! I've seen Naruto!

[@thorren1633]

Googled "Regular ass nail".... Don't do that...

[@RS-xq6je]

Ahahahaha

[@kpsiex]

You've made me visualise it.. i hate you.

[@Wetcorps]

So you ended up screwing your boss?

[@quinnpascale3912]

I see what you did there

[@Wheels_United]

Wetcorps well played

[@zorgath420]

That's how you get a promotion... Did I just add a punch line to a six year old joke? Yup!

[@SpaceMarineTC]

For the boss I just used a steel bowl I found it then flattened the sides out then pop riveted it on the shield , the bowl I got from a second hand shop also you can chase patters on the boss to make it look more ornate , lol:D hope I've been helpful ( bowl was 3 quidXD)

[@samraynard8570]

"ass nails, that doesn't sound pleasant." skalagrim 2014

[@AvianSavara]

Awesome video, sir! An oldschool larper's trick for the boss piece is to get a stainless steel bowl from your local dollarstore (funnily enough, same place you'd find the rawhide bone) and hammer it up a bit so the flattened underside of the bowl conforms a bit more into a rounded shape (it also makes it look more handmade). 2-3$ apiece.

[@thesacred2677]

Thank you

[@tetsubo57]

I've been thinking of doing this with a trash can lid and Yield sign for a post-apoc look.

[@gjigaqaquj]

lol i got that idea too, i was on a trail and i passed a garbage lid and it looked like a small viking shield!

[@tetsubo57]

Laglemamu'g Gjiga'qaquj I made one out of a Stop sign already. Crafting with Tetsubo: Post Apocalyptic Shield

[@tetsubo57]

mwal tus Already done: Crafting with Tetsubo: Post Apocalyptic Shield

[@BeenieBomb]

This post was a long time ago, but you should check out nonlethalbychoise! He makes armor and swords and shields just like that :3

[@statehome2116]

TV

[@DaveDoingDaveThings]

I went to the hardware shop and asked the assistant for "regular ass nails" and got thrown out. haha, just kidding, cool vid

[@icecreamdaycatlin8896]

wife: "oh yeah give me the sticky stuff" skallagram: "oh yeah right in your face" XD

[@rnd.0m458]

Icecreamday Catlin ha!

[@drakesomerset129]

Icecreamday Catlin ha!

[@Farkmetal]

He was like please? Later?

[@vincenzobrennan3305]

i guess I'm kinda off topic but does anyone know of a good site to watch new movies online ?

[@morganronnie9056]

@Vincenzo Brennan lately I have been using FlixZone. You can find it by googling =)

[@sandukan1001]

Could you also make a video on how to make a practice sword? would be Really interesting to see how you would make one since you know what is historically accurate.

[@velazquezarmouries]

sandukan1001 I made one myself with a little help of some forging knowledge and a homemade forge

[@violethawthorne5351]

Came for the tutorial, stayed for the innuendo.

[@Balltrocity]

When working with plywood that delicate I would recommend adding an extra layer of plywood at the rim, and double up on the rawhide. Not exactly perfectly accurate, but more durable for practice without requiring much more material. In fact with some fancy cutting you probably have gotten this with the materials if it was planned from the beginning.

[@Aramis419]

"Poor man's rivet" That's a good thought - thanks for the tip and the video!

[@minimalmike1410]

7:39 "give me the sticky stuff" "right in your face" LOL made my day thanks

[@WastelandSeven]

Yeah, I noticed that too. That "escalated" quickly. LOL

[@MrAllanstevns]

I think its good to note that in viking duelling rules, it was common for each duelist to enter with 3 shields, which could indicate that they didnt expect a shield to last through a complete duel.

[@jacobw5460]

This is the video I discovered you on. Crazy to think it’s already been 5 years.

[@TheBaconWizard]

Hey Skall.. I am sure with great care, materials and craftmanship, a shield could be quite a lot more sturdy than this, but if you remember from the Viking Sagas, opponents in duels regularly would be equipped with 3 shields. And now we know why. In my mind, this also gives a different than popular idea of how a battlefield would look. Also Major risk of your weapon getting stuck in a shield leaving you vulnerable.

[@liamrinehart2116]

Skallagrim an actual Viking shield would be mad with multiple strips of woods placed together, for strength and availability.

[@Skallagrim]

I know, that's why I called this a budget shield. Here is a more accurate version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZSVqp1mbLitqck

[@FabianoCruzAnimations]

Where can I get a gauntlet like that Skal?

[@Skallagrim]

fabri-armorum.com/english/?id=rukavice.php

[@FabianoCruzAnimations]

***** Thank you!

[@soundgod3106]

7:40 so sexual my odin

[@axoshlotl2255]

Mmm.... sticky stuff

[@CringeConsultant]

"My odin" by Odins beard what are you saying.

[@ulfricstormcloack4066]

@@CringeConsultant "by Odins beard" by the eye of Odin what are you saying

[@CringeConsultant]

@@ulfricstormcloack4066 By the gods... what say you man

[@nomadthewise2493]

I was considering making a shield but didn't even know where to begin so this video helped A LOT. Thanks skall

[@solider691]

"Come on give me the sticky stuff", "aha, right in your face". I'd just like to say when my dad walked in my room he thought it wasn't shield making..

[@WeaponCollector]

Nice one Skal, great work, came out great. Mike.

[@Magmafrost13]

I cannot thank you enough for giving both imperial and metric measurements.

[@EnfieldP53]

Thankyou - good useful advice and the testing proved the integrity and function of the shield.

[@VitorJTekkRodrigues]

Nice weapon, Mr. Romans! It bended on a Plywood shield! LOL

[@VitorJTekkRodrigues]

PsylomeAlpha I know, I know! I just couldn't pass that out without making fun of it! xD

[@MikitheCCfans]

Today we learned that the gladius is not for thrusting a shield xD

[@kraze4kaos]

The raw hide idea blew my mind!

[@sniperofbuffalo]

Thanks, Skall. I've been looking all over for a tutorial like this.

[@skaruts]

I dare you to build a crossbow. :)

[@brandonfoley7519]

Jeorge sprav built one

[@holycutkeep]

7:39 "Give me the sticky stuff!" "Oh yea right in your face" thats what she said

[@johnhill4263]

Thanks you for posting this video , it was a good reference in my own Viking Shield project.. also in PG , BC

[@vikingmike97]

Thanks for this video. Very easy steps to making a Viking shield.

[@VelicoFides]

Poor Gladius :(

[@caktalfraktal]

Is that sparing room part of your house? Awesome if so.

[@ShinKyuubi]

This was a cool video since I have wanted to make my own shield myself and to be honest I would have NEVER thought of using the rawhide dog chew toys like that despite how many dogs I've owned in my life so I really like that little cost effective outside the box thinking you did there.

[@VelikiHejter]

That is fantastic, I've been planning to make a shield for quite some time, original plan was to make caetra but viking shield is more my size, thank you!

[@TheMachineMother84]

I like this guy... he even sounds like a viking

[@Slender_Man_186]

He's pretty much a Weeaboo, but for Vikings.

[@rdwaldofeastanglia4327]

Never realised Vikings spoke with American accents

[@CyprinusCarpioDiem]

He's Norwegian

[@WeedStriker]

Naturemanguy92 Thought he is Canadian

[@lukas-kevynmuller6697]

Weed Striker Norwegian living in Canada hahaha

[@FaizalYacob]

The sword stuck to the shiled. This will be a disadvantage to the attacker. Now I could see how the Viking shiled is such a succesfull tools in a fight/war. thanks for sharing.

[@a__asnow6402]

please correct your misspelled words

[@FaizalYacob]

Adra Adam The sword stuck to the shield. This will be a disadvantage to the attacker. Now I could see how the Viking shield is such a successful tools in a fight/war. thanks for sharing. . . . Happy?

[@a__asnow6402]

much better...

[@kevgmei]

You can just copy your corrected comment, edit your original, and paste to replace it.

[@Odood19]

Nice music choices, loved the tutorial. Thanks Skall

[@cetate93]

Excellent tutorial. Very clearly shown steps.

[@SAsgarters]

Nice. :) Would have used birch plywood, just because of the enormous difference in quality (at least over here). I've found that spruce is completely unsuitable for any sort of project where it doesn't end up completely concealed, because it cracks and chips naturally. Then again, my experience from using plywood comes from building reptile enclosures. ;) Also, you could use a paint brush for spreading the glue and depending on the type, thin the glue with water. That's really clever getting the rawhide from dog chew toys. All the sources I've thought of have been expensive as hell. I've had plans to make a shield at some point. Haven't been able to decide whether to make a scutum or a heater. :D Not that I'd use it, I just want to personalize it and hang it on a wall.

[@BlakeRTyler]

I'm totally going to make one of these, but with white canvas and paint it. Then it's going on the wall with my Del Tin 2104. I might use it while doing some backyard cutting, just to get a feel of what it's like to cut while holding a shield.

[@SAsgarters]

Blake Tyler Neat. :)

[@aaronjaeger6861]

I tried getting my rawhide from rawhide bones, two years ago, but it was completely unsuitable for making a rim with.

[@blacksilkblacksilk]

Glad to see you are finally able to pimp your toolbox. Back in the day you where a pretty nefarious builder and I am looking forward to more of these clips. by the way I think that, when extrapolating viking traditions, it would be well within viking tradition to use cheap available materials for training weapons, and to use power tools when available. I am curious though if one layer of cloth is going to be enough. Way back I had a bad experience involving an axe and a one layer shield. But who knows. (and yes I am gultiy to comment before watching it all, sorry) take care silk ;-))

[@Skallagrim]

One layer seems to work pretty well but I should have covered the inside as well.

[@wulfhartspirit]

I really like that you teste it after you got it all done.

[@pingolve]

This is exactly how I made my shield. I can give you two tips after using my shield for a while: use and angle grinder to slim the wood between the boss and the edge, to make the shield lighter, and add a few extra layers of cloth. I used 2 layers for mine, and it has had chipping on the flat, but not too much.

[@damenwhelan3236]

if you want to make a boss from scratch.... hahahhahaha.... unless you have a forge. if you have a dog bowl and paitence. message me.

[@badbadbob1]

I am thanking if I ordered the center cap. I would set the cap inside the hole from the back and let the rim screw from the back side as well. Cleaner look and still you can use the screws no one will see.

[@Rynax-]

Lol I gasped when I saw the bent tip of the gladius. Awesome video, gave me some good ideas, thanks :)

[@NorthernForge]

I tend to use a mixture of pva wood glue and water, and soak the linen before placing it on the shield to dry. For the boss I use cut down coach bolts, peened over on the boss side/front of the shield. Doesn't take much effort and looks a lot more authentic. I like that you left half the rim uncovered in order to test the strength.

[@The_Gallowglass]

10:48 I was gonna say, "You can then mushroom out the end to rivet it." and then you did. :D Good man. A regular old smed!

[@The_Gallowglass]

Oh! If you're so inclined, and have one, next time use a ball peen hammer. It will make your rivet be more rounded and uniform. Give it a couple strikes with the flat, then use the rounded peen to mushroom it out.

[@drekastelpa]

Smed=Smiður

[@DruidicRifleman]

OSlatraigh Very cheep way to make rivets for armouring

[@NDjinnn]

You did a great job, I am by no means saying you did anything other than a great job, but consider some other things for you to try (or the other viewers). I've probably made 60-100 celtic and viking style shields. I liked to use "upholstery tacks" there are some strong and nice looking ones. You can also nail them designs for cosmetics and they are also great at deflecting the edge of the sword blows. The are pretty nice rounded over, a better look than a screw and better than a nail. Check those out. Also try using a glue called HH-66 under the canvas than a wood glue over the top of the canvas. If you want to use leather for the whole shield face you can get scraps for cheap at many leather and craft shops. The rawhide is a great touch, I knew one guy that weaved his rawhide and use the weave for the face. Ugly, but interesting.

[@Skallagrim]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[@tylerloving2851]

I love the test at the end, there is a reason why this weapon was used for so long. Center grip something in front of a weapon works. Shields work.

[@victoriansword]

This was fun to watch. I hope you share more projects in the future!

[@lauraschlieselhuber8487]

Am... Am I the only girl here ?

[@tobender4ever]

Nope.

[@NevadaB88]

You are not alone, Shieldmaiden.

[@kameng12]

Nevada Baker you're awesome : D

[@knifesmith1993]

Now if only all girls were into this stuff, cause most of the girls I've met these days are boring.

[@whyfartflame6165]

knifesmith1993 true,very true

[@theRozman88]

If you wanted to do a more durable shield I would put two thinner boards of plywood with the wood grain pattern being on a 90 degrees angle and just sticking them together rather than just one 1 cm board.

[@Ephieites]

Great idea, thanks! And thumb up for wearing protection goggles! Way too many people underestimate the danger from splinters. Allways protect yourself!

[@Czeslaw9426]

I like seeing the saw dust move with the vibrations when the video is being fast forwarded.

[@diegomasiero1784]

OH CRAP, the gladius....

[@IFrozenFireI]

"Right in your face"? That sounded weird...

[@IFrozenFireI]

elmohasaposse I don't think it's that. It just doesn't sound right. "Give me the sticky stuff". "Right in your face". However you look at it, it sounds wrong.

[@Szczur0gniowy]

elmohasaposse It actually sounds weird. Who puts a carpenter's glue on someones face? It actually sounds like a horrible way to die, something a mafia would do.

[@Szczur0gniowy]

lol. You've thought I was serious?

[@statehome2116]

TV 5 TV.A

[@theviking6052]

Lol , I think I just found my answer to why you use the metric system! And man that looks so much easier to do with those gloves . I always use a card. And that nail technique is awesome thank you

[@SkintSNIPER262]

Thanks for the video. It's perfect for a Saga I am doing.

[@diegomasiero1784]

"Give me the sticky stuff" "Yeah right in your face!" Sexual pun anyone?

[@diegomasiero1784]

"[...] And that's how I cut the bench."

[@GabrieleAlf]

Thanks for the video. For securing the shield boss I use large nails that I cut 4 cm from the board and then I press down on them with the angle grinder (with the heavyest iron grind blade). The nails heat up pretty quickly and then mushroom like a... mushroom. The wood can singe a little (you can water it before grinding),

[@adamsummerford5698]

Cool demo, I found this looking for what I'm going to use for a handle in one I'm working on.

[@RikkiTheRose]

Historricly it would be better with rawhide and historricly they did not have plywood xD so the layer of linnen or hide was essential for a shield fit for battle

[@RikkiTheRose]

easyest source of rawhide* not cheapest. attaching linnen after the flattening of nails would be a good start xD

[@ameno21]

Poor sword :(

[@Skallagrim]

I bent it back into shape in about 20 seconds. No big deal.

[@TheBaconWizard]

***** hmmm, what else are you making??? I am not fooled. Buckler?? there's another handle and boss.

[@Tyler_Lalonde-]

TheBaconWizard probably but don't forget about Cara. she likes shields to.

[@TheBaconWizard]

Tyler Lalonde which might explain the smaller boss, yes

[@CaraDanaellea]

TheBaconWizard I specifically have a thing for arm mounted shields and that small boss is even too tiny for my hands... at least with lacrosse gloves on ;)

[@TuberGreg]

I've made a few shields in the past and some things I've learned: -Get a cheap paintbrush and cut the bristles down to about 1.5" to spread the glue. You'll get a more even disbursement and it can be reused. -Heating up your nails, even in a campfire, will give a more medieval look to them. Also, use a peening hammer, instead of a flat hammer, to peen the nails after cutoff. Shield making is a rather fun project, your first was a grand success.

[@MeleeTiger]

I personally like to use hand tools when I can, this was a good video either way of course and I'll keep this info in mind for the future.

[@sneakyvanquisher]

I don't like seeing that gladius bent.

[@Skallagrim]

It took me 20 seconds to bend it back. Not a big deal at all.

[@LionsTigersWhoWins]

***** But real shields are made out of tougher woods. Plywood is sorta shit for a shield.

[@LionsTigersWhoWins]

Okay,cool did not know that.

[@hyuugaamida]

***** Hoplons were not metal shields. They were primarily wooden with a bronze edging or occasionally a full (thin) layer of bronze on the face. Even in the Middle Ages this is the case. Bucklers are generally the only functional shields made entirely of metal as the small size compensates for the weight. You're right about the scarcity of resources though. It's much more practical to make shields and other disposable weapons largely out of wood and reserve materials like steel for swords and armor.

[@KainYusanagi]

Lizardleo As I noted above in another post thread, cheap wooden shields were actually favoured by many a warrior because whena blade bit deeply they could disarm their opponent or pull their opponent's guard wide open, leading to an easy kill. Hardwood shields were fo more when defense was the priority, rather than utilizing both hands towards the killing arts. Pavises are a good example of a wooden shield that benefitted from being made of hardwood over soft.

[@ErikHoevenberg]

god that is the uglyiest shield i have ever seen but it is functional i guess... also if you get your sword stuck in that shield you are pretty much fucked

[@Goku32112]

It was made on a budget after all :P

[@KainYusanagi]

BloodTempest The thing is, cheap pine shields were favoured by many a warrior BECAUSE weapons could bite deeply into them- when they did, it was easy to wrench them from your opponent's hand, or to twist it out of the way and open them for an attack of your own, or similar tactics. Oaken shields were for when defense was the priority, rather than utilizing the other hand as an opening-making tool.

[@DeadMeat991]

Very instructive, I might try it. Thank you.

[@huonheta7395]

hi just a tip i picked up the other day, if you get a 3" PVC pipe cut a line lengthways then cut off 1" 2" 3" sections, they make awesome clamps, that would do the trick for you hide application, and cheap, love you channel by the way, awesome content, good honest well thought threw info, Cheers

[@youmaus]

After you and your crew sack a remote Christian monestary of unarmed monks you will be able to afford a better sheild........:-)

[@beezlbobdestraint6869]

I'm vegetarian, so what could I use instead of rawhide?

[@Skallagrim]

Beezlbob Destraint I wish I knew... I'm vegetarian too but this is one of those cases where I simply cannot find a good alternative.

[@beezlbobdestraint6869]

Damn.

[@tobender4ever]

I'm no vegetarian, I love meat. But If you like creative anachronism, the guys that inspired this video mentioned nylon threaded irrigation tubing or aluminium something or other. I can try to find the link if you want, but I don't think metal or nylon/rubber are animal products.

[@tobender4ever]

That last part wasn't sarcasm, I didn't know for a long time that jello was an animal product.

[@progeriahoes2781]

watch ZednoughtAlpha video he uses a type of fabric i think

[@Surielis]

A great video, friend! Looking forward to more!

[@bjornjernskjold8631]

Im making a shield the same way with your instructions We use purple heart synthetics so im sure it will last. You are really awsome man ive been following you here recently amd it has really helped my hema thank you.

[@MrDudu221]

Love the tutorial! Very helpful and gave me a bunch of ideas on how to use the fabric on wood... Amazing how simple but effective this shield is ;)

[@velessnake4501]

I adore that longsword he used for the cutting test.

[@ItsUrChoice]

Awesome! I like how you tested it after! that was the good stuff!

[@PhilBaumhardt]

I love that idea about getting the rawhide from a dog bone.

[@SpikeyNorman47]

I can't wait to see you make some more videos with this shield :D

[@Jumanji1st]

Regarding riveting the cut-off nails. If you drive them through the other way round so that the pointy end you are cutting of is at the boss' side its pretty easy to rivet them. Did this with my first shield I made this way and it still is holding very well. Also if you have access to old wooden cable drums you could use the outside of those as the shield. This stuff is really heavy duty and sturdy and makes an excellent training shield.

[@damenwhelan3236]

cobblers nails is what you use. they have a long point that can be twisted and trimmed before hammering flat.

[@Asertix357]

I used a similar approach in making my own viking shield. Although I went with a 36" width, with only 1/4" thickness to save on weight, and I skipped the canvas because of the mess involved. I also included a shoulder strap on mine.

[@omarcortez3365]

Great video it gave me ideas for making my own shield.

[@user-bj8kj2jn4n]

When we make shields, it's generally a good idea to put leather around the outside so it doesn't get in the way. For the nails in the handle, we them in from the face and bend them back into the handle. If you want to paint it, it's probably a good idea to do it before putting the leather or boss around it. To prevent swords biting into the edge, underneath the leather, we put rope or garden hose around the edge. But we use blunt steel for fighting. To prevent splintering at the back, you can put another linen or canvas cover on the back before the handle, but most of us generally don't worry about it.

[@Cabbolf]

Good stuff, I'd like to see more like this.

[@literallysquidward7170]

this reminded me of my childhood alot... me and my dad would like to make wooden swords and spears and other tipes of medieval weapons. One day we made a viking shield...

[@prestobizmal]

If you want to avoid some of the glue mess, I have found that a spray can adhesive for fabric works great as well

[@earnestolsson2966]

I found this to be helpful in making my own shield on a budget.

[@BenMBass]

When it comes to covering the shield with linen, as a moderately experienced shield maker myself, I strongly reccomend coarse linen, two layers at the front and one layer on the back. The two layers on the front act as a "kevlar jacket" and dissipates a lot of the impact. Normal canvas just rips. The layer on the back stops the shield from kicking out splinters on the back. Makes your shield so much stronger, like, the difference before the shield breaks can actually be measured in years if done well! Other than that, this is exactly the way I make my shields ^^

[@coalcreekdefense8106]

I'm building a shield right now for a friend. The method I read about for putting on the rim is to make a complete loop of rawhide, smaller than the circumference of the shield. Then soak it, stretch it out and put it into place. The rawhide supposedly takes the right shape as it dries and shrinks. Idunno how I'm supposed to stitch it into a loop, but I have some leather working thread and I'm gonna try that.

[@benfarnsworth9224]

You should do a video on viking shield fighting, with the techniques and so forth

[@donaldwohlberg6043]

The poor man's rivets were cool, but that rawhide source is ingenious!! I couldn't tell if that was a Gladius or a Spatha, but that's too bad about your sword tip. Great shield BTW! Very economical. Thx for the how-to video!

[@aitora979]

Great tutorial!!

[@30mmPwnage]

For cutting tests on wooden shields, you definitely need to keep the grain of the wood in consideration. Even when laminated like plywood, it doesn't have the same properties any way you slice it.