Making a VIKING ROUND SHIELD

Learn how to create of a Viking Round Shield, using wood, rope and rawhide, as well as pick up some tricks for making the shield look like it's put together with planks. This shield has been designed with rattan combat in mind for the Society of Creative Anachronism, and is made with a sheet of plywood instead of planks in order to have great durability because remaking a shield when you break it is not as fun.
Making your own shield from scratch can feel daunting, but as long as you work your way through the process and follow the steps you'll see it's really not as hard as you imagined.
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[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Damn, 111,000+ views. Thanks everyone for making this video so popular! I've recently put some rawhide on my etsy store for those searching for some, and I've also put the shield pattern in my etsy store if you're feeling extra lazy! www.etsy.com/ca/shop/DarkHorseIndustyArts

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Oh I certainly understand how they might be very very picky, but they should do their best to group that with some kind of social skills. It's amazing how people treat folks online.

[@danielthompson3405]

Wait what was the guys name Thorvaltson... That's interesting because my great grandfather on my Dad's side of family, his last name before he moved to America from Norway was Thorvalt. We found about his history on that ancestry.com, for the longest time we thought his name was Thorkelson, until we found the truth of his last name.

[@matthewflatt5530]

Could you do a historically accurate shield build ?

[@JourneyInNature]

@@DarkHorseWorkshop Mate don't let them at you, you are thoroughly entertaining. Be proud of your skills. The people who bag you are wanna be's. Regards Baz.

[@libertario1277]

Using this shield properly is not very easy

[@daisyhenry-antonio5246]

Great video. I have been trying to plan on making a shield with my two boys. Since our families old shield on grandads wall was lost. And my older brothers have ZERO interest in our family history. I guess it's up to me to teach my boys...thank you so much. The videos you share help me continue family traditions. (My grandad always worked on leather too)

[@kristinfrostlazerbeams]

Awesome! My friend made a Viking shield for me for my birthday. I know he put a lot of time into it, and this video made me appreciate it that much more! He put some metalwork on it. Metal fringes it and makes an almost perfect compass. It has blue and white on it symbolizing the sea and the air. Nice work!

[@RaZGriZx86]

'don't cut your hand off' great advice, sir.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

There's always more than one way to do something. There's a few variations on this shield that I'll be making a follow up video for.

[@xxmickeymoorexx]

best advice for any woodworker. cut along the line, dont cut your hand off. just found the channel. good stuff man. thanks

[@icegoddess1308]

That's my favorite line from this whole video

[@sunnystroud220]

I would love a specific tutorial on how to knot the rawhide onto the edging. That seems to be my hangup.

[@TheCharlie994]

Yes, or the link to this sewing pattern. I suck at sewing.

[@UmBungo]

Karol there are entire websites and books on how to stitch, as well as videos on KZbin. I’ve only been following leather craft for a few days with the intention of taking it up as soon as my tools arrive. The information is there is is you look for it ☺️

[@Duane_Grabert]

This is the shield Alec Steele needs to make after his viking sword is done. The pattern in his engraving on the upper and lower guards are close to the pattern on your shield. Great video.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

This video crossed 50,000 views recently, thanks everyone for taking interest in it!

[@sacredxgeometry]

If you're seeing this comment, This is the video. With some micro-adjustments, this particular rendition is the perfect way to make SCA battle-ready shields. Enough tampering with trying to line up 6-8 planks of wood and doing a ton of extra work. This video makes it quite simple. Again, there are some variations you can get into when it comes to rawhide and "coverage", such as using two people to perfectly stretch wood glued canvas over the top of the front face, which you can then paint. I think this is the best way, and is merely just one added step to the video. But this video is downright excellent compared to the other 6 videos I've seen on this topic. Look no further.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

LETS GOOOOOO!!!

[@dimitri-petrenko]

One of the better viking shield videos :)

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Thanks, I'll do a follow up video soon showing other ways of doing things.

[@dimitri-petrenko]

Valhalla Knight Why?

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

+Dimitri Petrenko I just decided to delete comments that were ridiculous. People just like to troll sometimes. Heh

[@TheCobrasDen1]

welcome to youtube. as you get more popular you will have to deal with negative comments more and more. even negative posts help your channel more than people not commenting at all. boosts channel activity. love your haters.

[@TheCobrasDen1]

love your haters.

[@andrewlerdard-dickson5201]

Well l am pleased to notice that someone else made their Vikingr's shield almost the same way l made my own over 10yr's ago. Without any tutorial's, l based mine on those of the Gokstad skibet....making out of plywood it's 31 1/2" inches or 80cm in diameter, marked with 8 plank board's using a carpet knife, just as you have done. Then added the hole's around the edge's 1' inch in, by 1 1/2 apart. Then stained the back in a Baltic Pine colour once dry l then stained the outter edge in a Walnut stain along with where the rear handle bar and and nail's would finally be placed, and also the gap's between the plank's, giving the wood a kind of antique look and then painted the front of the Gokstad shield black. I Also went the extra mile and purchased from "Talerwin Forge" here in Australia a 100% accurate Viking shield boss and nail's, as well as the not too well known metal Gokstad shield spatulate terminal's to the handle that where found in the bedchamber of the Gokstad skibet.... finally finishing the project with a leather shoulder harness with buckle and strapend also from the Gokstad skibet discovery. Skal !

[@l.bickford4898]

Loved this video, Jess. Can't wait for Part 2. This is one of your best.

[@Lunamagpie33388]

hi! please, do not ever skip any step you consider basic xD like you said somewhere in the video, that you included a step to just save the whole process... please have mercy on us, newbies, and do indeed include all the little details, even if you consider them obvious:D I see now it's an older video, but still enjoyed it :)

[@tudoemprata]

The rope on the edge of the shield felt great. It surely blocks sword blows efficiently. Beautiful Viking shield. Congratulations for your work.

[@derrickdaugherty3445]

I just found your channel and have been binge watching. I finally had to comment to say nice cap, SP is playing in the background right now. Thanks for putting all these videos out, they're extremely helpful and inspiring!

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Glad youre enjoying them :) I miss that hat

[@metal-lm6ue]

The rawhide stitching is great❤

[@thecakeredux]

This is amazing, thank you so much. I've long looked for something to hang up my wall and this just made the decision for me. Excellent video, amazing result.

[@acrock67]

This is the best video of the process of making such a shield that I have seen until today! Thank you, man! Great job)

[@ChrisTheSparky]

The 7 dislikers must have been raided by Ragnar

[@woodslore8537]

bilzup or they built a crap shield and took an arrow to the knee.

[@trentvanness4869]

how funny 😐

[@tyronicusmaximus4230]

Harlaus is still mad suno got captured while he was busy eating butter

[@wendellthomson8817]

Probably some Frank

[@igneous061]

uhm or noticedsome stuff he did wrong....like not covering shield with canvas or some other sort of cloth material.....

[@aniya8759]

Almost gone mine done! Rope glued on, leather cut... punching today and starting to stitch.

[@cutsrosescents4950]

I prefer to stain my shield with the menstrual blood of a Nordic Queen collected in a skull cup from my enemy. But a dark cherry stain from Walmart works good.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Probably for the best.

[@joejoelesh1197]

How much menstrual blood does she have?!

[@proudtitanicdenier4300]

+Joe JoeLesh You've got to save it up

[@kristinfrostlazerbeams]

🤣💇‍♀️ Off with her head!

[@gordonchapman222]

😂🤣😁PMSL! 👍

[@pablocanterna3242]

Excellent work, the best I've seen on KZbin. Congratulations.

[@baltsosser]

For a more precise cut a friend and I used a router, some aluminum stock, and made our own circle cutting jig for about $10. That jig let's you cut on the Baltic Birch plywood easily.

[@MandaloretheSavage]

what a beautiful wall hanger but the dragon knot work is breathe taking

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Thanks!

[@wolfiesara]

I use carbon paper for transfering images onto lighter colored wood. It's cheap and sold in most office supply stores. On darker colors, I use white or yellow transfer paper used for sewing (found at fabric stores and is in a variety of colors). Both work the same way and are cheap. Just slide the carbon paper under the picture but on top of the wood and trace the picture. The transfer paper isn't good if you're virbrating the wood because it's more like chalk, but wipes off easily with a damp cloth if you make a mistake. Both are reusable, and I've been using the same half-dozen sheets of carbon paper for years. Thanks for making this great video!

[@foolishmortal1313]

I was already loving this video so much...and then I see that FLA shirt. Now I know it's a sign! I'll be building my Viking shield SOON.

[@8502rdt]

I'm just finishing up my first ever shield, made using this tutorial. My hole-spacing was a little off, so i ended up with a little lump of leather on the last stitch. Maybe also because i opted for using regular old leather i had lying around rather than buying rawhide. No big deal, though. Better luck next time. I am very pleased with the result, and once it's painted it's going to look real good. Great tutorial, it was good enough that even a knucklehead like me could follow it. Thanks a bunch!

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

You're welcome. Happy to have helped.

[@midgardnc3081]

Thanks for this tutorial! I have since made a shield from this video and its been wonderful in SCA combat. Although half inch is a bit heavy, just gotta strengthen my shield arm!

[@mufffinman4203]

A light shield in war or battle tends to brake :) good for training where as the rope and rawhide edge is for soaking up sword strikes.. also heard the used basswood originally which is a light soft wood to help with weight but the other reason is it wouldn't spilt and would catch axes in the shield binding them.

[@bigirishape]

I have never gotten my rawhide so pliable looking... I'm envious...

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

+bigirishape Could be too thick? I soak it overnight though that's more out of convenience than need I think.

[@MrZombieSkittles]

Hi Dark Horse Workshop, just wanted to say thanks for making the video. It's currently my main source material for my own shield I'm making at the moment.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Awesome. Glad you're getting good use out of it.

[@MrZombieSkittles]

@@DarkHorseWorkshop About how often do you restock your rawhide shield edging in your etsy store? I'm looking for a 99" strip and don't yet want to bite the bullet and buy a full side

[@richardalexander5758]

Excellent work, great video! Thanks!!

[@trentdevlaminck1267]

You make the God's proud with your craftsmanship

[@MochiVsLARP]

You honestly have no idea how confused I was until I saw this XD I've just been staring at my wood disk and future handle wondering what to do for the past day and a half, so thanks ^.^

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Glad to have helped.

[@zsoltliszka8151]

Nice. Nagyon szép, télen megcsinálom a sajátom

[@robadams234]

Getting back into the SCA after more then 10 years and I'm reviving my Viking persona. This video has really inspired me to make a shield in the same fashion that you have. Thank you very much and I look forward to maybe one day meeting you on the field.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

That's awesome. Good luck with your shield. I should have a video up in the next few days on another way to do a handle.

[@robadams234]

Excellent!!! I'd be interested in seeing other parts of your kit as well to get some more ideas. I'm trying to be more historically accurate then I was before and I'm having trouble finding info. Thanks again!

[@dge4560]

Nice shirt man, also one of my go to's! Great vid

[@davemeyers9425]

Thank you so much for sharing. I haven't made a shield in so long I didn't know where to begin. Thanks for helping us all play a better game.

[@liamnguyen-duong3394]

the viking shield look cool and strong

[@icantthinkofausername2605]

Oh damn you made this? I've seen that shield on google images and it's what inspired my own, very cool

[@beans1557]

This is hands down the most gorgeous shield I have ever seen 😂

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[@garroyo23]

This is the best tutorial video I've seen for making these sort of things. Thank you so much!

[@anthonyhall7583]

Awesome work. I still can't get over that you put so much work into it, but used plank lines instead of just using planks tho.

[@theswagonborn4164]

Fantastic! Got all I need to start making my own shields. Just needed a good tutorial! Thank you!

[@ksuhuh]

Awesome!!! By the way, oil painter's advice: if you just rub the back of your design with soft pastel, charcoalpowder or graphite powder, you can actually just transfer it by laying it onto the shield and re-tracing your lines.

[@lostmarimo]

I wish i had the tools and skill for this. it's such a beautiful shield!

[@aubreyackermann8432]

It's amazing how much different crafts overlap. The stitching you did with the rawhide would be called a Holbein stitch in embroidery, named for the painter.

[@jamie18thmo73]

That's a beautiful piece of work.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Thanks a bunch. Time to start pumping out more videos here.

[@tashapalmer4519]

Great video. Watched it to help a friend. Wondering now if my boys would like a shield 🤔

[@kingwacky184]

wow that is amazing. I am Swedish and very much in to all this viking stuff. I would easily have paid for a shield like that to be able to have it as a wall decoration or something like that.

[@porkycrook]

Just came across your video and I want to say how good they were and I'm off to see what is going to be my next choice.

[@clshep]

Dude, watching the video was mesmerizing! So much detail and the patience it must take to create something like this....I'd hate to play Chess against you! Well done sir, well done.

[@fernandomingo2398]

Amazing work sir!!

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Much appreciated.

[@outlanderlet2]

just wanted to say thank you for the tutorial it has helped me see other ways of doing this myself now i just need to find those longer rivets to use and ill be a happy camper great job

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

+larry threadgill 3/16" x 1.5" I think. Try jaycee fasteners. Peening rivets, dome head.

[@generaldisarray4569]

awesome video. no pointless rambling or bullshit. looks awesome thanks for making this video

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

+General Disarray Great to hear.

[@kargandarr]

There is a third way to transfer those patterns. Print them out on a laser printer that will print with toner or with a Xerox type machine. Either way the result is an image that is printed on paper using toner. The next thing to do is go outside because you will need to use lacquer thinner to transfer the image. Place the shield on a table and tape the pattern to it. While wearing the right type of gloves use a clean scrap of rag to wet the paper until you are satisfied with the result. The lacquer thinner will transfer the toner onto the wood of the shield so if the pattern is repeated you will need more than one copy of it. Remember that the image on the shield will be reversed from what is drawn so you will have to draw it in a mirror image and you might still have to touch it up before it is painted. There are tutorials here on KZbin that covers the process for this.

[@honkylips9072]

Came out great. Well done

[@kawaiipotato5450]

wow , the best i seen on the internet

[@dumbredneck4464]

I think the gods are impressed also I’m planning on making my shield the same way so thank you but I’m not going to until I get a Norse Axe

[@tsnowfall6532]

Simply, one of the best Viking shield video ever, keep it up man. Your videos are awesome 💪

[@scottwallace3900]

I made my shield(targe) out of a whiskey barrel top .yes it's heavy but mine is up on my wall along with broadsword and a deer skin it's not bad for first attempt but could always be better.you made a really nice job of yours could tell you've made a few lol

[@rafajuszczuk7519]

love your letherworking on the shield rim

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Thanks a bunch!

[@makesquash]

Just a note about wood choice, pine is historically accurate to what Vikings actually used so if you're on a budget it'll do you fine if you're facing it with hide / cloth.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

+Mark Brouillette If I was making something super historical that's great information to have handy. Mine are just built to be tough. :)

[@perrytran9504]

Great video. I'm planning to make my own shield and was a bit disappointed most videos on KZbin either didn't describe the process or made some rather major historical inaccuracies in the design. Nothing is perfect of course, but this video is probably the best one I've found.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Well, I can't say this is historical, probably had canvas over it and on average thinner and bigger. But I like this design and try and keep it periodish. lol...

[@perrytran9504]

​@@DarkHorseWorkshop Yeah I'm not an expert myself, but what I was getting at was the type of videos with funny grips or plywood that they didn't give a "planked" look. Though yeah I guess if you cover it with canvas or linen anyway it won't matter in the end lol Also ironically it seems the ones which were more historical tended to give less detailed rundowns which doesn't really help when trying to piece it together as a rookie. Your description of how to attach the rawhide was very useful to know though.

[@kit0825]

This is absolutely fascinating! Great work and very informative!

[@admirsuljic5026]

by far the best tutorial i've seen...amazing work man!

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

+Admir Summit Thanks, much appreciated.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

+Admir Summit Thanks, much appreciated.

[@cuhurun]

Really nice job, fella... well done !

[@thatonefox5885]

Great Video Man! Starting my own build this week! You were the Go to video!

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

That OneFox Thanks! Have fun with it.

[@GarderVinther]

Hey dude, i´m a viking, i´m Danish, and nice video

[@everythingisontheone1505]

That was a great video. Really enjoyed it

[@VikingNerds]

Great video. Love the shield design too!

[@michaelbritton277]

I had a question or 2 about the shield. My main one is what is the circumference of the wood itself? Second would be, after applying the rope. What was the total length of the raw hide?

[@dakotamcmahon7597]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing

[@DaneStolthed]

Excellent job, thanks for sharing, your video is best DIY Viking shield on KZbin by far! Big Thumbs UP!

[@FlowerKnight2]

Whoa that's a lot of work. I really want to make one though, I'd love to have it hang on my wall or above my fireplace. I feel like the hardest part will be decided on a color and pattern scheme, haha. Thank you for this video, it really helped.

[@Hercules1-v9m]

Well this explains why the pre made ones are so expensive.

[@canuckknives5746]

Great work! think I might make one once forging season is done here. look forward to seeing more of your work.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Thanks! I have a viking knife sheath video and an alternate shield handle video in the works.

[@realeyz]

BEAUTIFUL work!! 👍🏽

[@jakerollier6180]

I'd like to know how you stitched the raw hide on. I've never done it before and im not sure how I should do it on the sheild that I am currently working on. is there a certain way to do it?

[@wendeln92]

If you watch the video it he shows you exactly how to do it. Use two needles and go from one side of the shield to the other (back to front, etc). He put two holes on each edge and folded the edge under on each side, he did this as he was sewing - put the needle through two holes of one edge, put it though the hole in the wood, put the needle through the two holes on the opposite rawhide edge: do the saw with the other needle) really isn't that difficult. All the stitching will be connected from hole to hole on each side if you use the two needle method - it is a common leather stitching method. If you only use one needle you will need to go over the stitching again to make sure there is stitching between each hole but the two needle seems to work best because the rawhide will be drying and shrinking as you sew.

[@annemariegodden]

So beautiful.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Thank you! 😊

[@rjmartinsantos2616]

This is amazing!

[@cahir_da_boss3728]

amazing

[@SchnitzelL0RD]

Like the design, well done! :)

[@eduardocometta8902]

Espectacular

[@finndalcassian9590]

Awesome work - Thumbs up!

[@CigaresBretagneBusinessClub]

Fantastic job ! RESPECT master !

[@tetsu707]

I am looking forward to more vids!!! Good Work!

[@Makritsya]

3:34 Awww eahhh! Its RACING SHIELD!

[@Rafifcahya]

One more line, it will become slav shield.

[@Fishlord136]

It looks really nice, however, it wouldn't be ready for battle. You probably don't care about this but you could have covered it with linen or maybe just a tarp to make sure it lasts longer and doesn't splinter and break when cut or even just sitting around.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

It's built with Rattan combat in mind, so it lasts quite a while, thanks for your feedback! A couple years of constant use probably.

[@klemmsteinmax3312]

wonderfull! What kind of a dream.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

+Manfred Blum Thanks. :)

[@cameroncameron4274]

always keep your hands behind the cutting edge

[@allebarbi118]

Fantastic!

[@deanransom2350]

This is a cool project. I assume the center 'bosse' can be purchased from some vendor? All that's left is a stability performance test, say...uh...with William Wallace's broadsword or Conans Atlantean sword. Nice work. You rock.

[@dalecarpenter8828]

very nice!

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Thanks, new shield handle video up in the next couple of days.

[@_Mordion_]

Amazing work! Subscribed.

[@chialeux514]

Those who are looking for the soundtrack's music sheet, here it is : Bom bodom bom ( pluck )Bom bodom ( pluck )( pluck pluck )- repeat -

[@Adkiz69]

whow, man that looks awesome!

[@WilliamRoycoaching]

great job dude!

[@alexloweh1]

Great work!!

[@nikemozack7269]

Thank you for the video