Making A Viking Round Shield

After I made my Viking Bearded Axe few weeks ago, my wife asked me to build her a Viking shield.
And when I asked about the design, she simply answered that she wanted Lagertha's Shield from the TV show "Vikings". We both love this show...
So, that's what I've been making this week. I used 25mm/1 inch thick pine and the shield has a diameter of 74cm/30 inches.
For the boss, I used aluminium as I don't have a bog torch or a gaz forge to anneal a sheet of steel that large.
It was my first time dishing metal and it was pretty fun.
I know the shield is not historically accurate and 100% exactly the same as show in the TV show, but my wife likes it, I like it, so I hope you will too :)
You can now support my work and videos on Patreon. Every dollar helps : / theredsmith
Thanks for watching ! :)
Music : Lord of War by Petite Viking
Find me on
my website : www.theredsmith.com
Facebook : / the-redsmith. .
Instagram : the_redsmith
Twitter : @the_redsmith
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Thanks for watching

[@bobbiedimick8132]

That is beautiful! I would use that shield proudly!!!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you Bobbie. Much appreciated!

[@Radoslaw33]

Leather + wood + metal + The Redsmith = awesome viking shield , great work

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you Sir ! really happy you liked it.

[@lutherhgrindstonemtn3456]

Another great job from The Redsmith! Enjoyed watching your videos, also learn alot of neat tricks of the trade! Thanks and take care!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you ! I'm always to share techniques / tricks ;) Take care too !

[@douglasfathers4848]

WoW that shield turned out awesome . :)

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you very much!!

[@williammoore6953]

I have watched over a dozen videos, I pick up a little bit from each one. Making my first shield now from 3/4" reclaimed Oak flooring. Used draw knife to plane 1/4" off the backs of the planks so far. Looking to go from 1/2" in center to 1/4" at edge... I am only getting started :) Thanks for the video.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

My pleasure. I hope your build goes well!! Thanks for watching.

[@blueninety]

beautiful display of skill!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you!

[@vegardthedude3754]

Maybe you Should try to make Harald Finehair's shield!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

It's on my list :)

[@mikleman996]

Nice making the boss! glad you didnt just buy one ^-^

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you! It was a lot of work but totally worth it :)

[@HS82782]

This looks AMAZING, good job once again

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Soukie _ Thank you very much 😊

[@HeathKnuckles_Tasty_Timber]

Excellent build Red! That looks awesome!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you Heath ! :)

[@maryannhicks7829]

Awesome shield

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thanks a lot!

[@anonymoususer480]

I wish I had taken the time to learn woodwork from my dad so I could create amazing things like this

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

It's never too late to learn!! You can still do it now!

[@tomsdreamshopworx]

Cool! I love watching you form the metal centerpiece.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Tom's Dreamshop Worx Thank you Tom. Making the shield boss was very fun. 😊

[@lagrottedubarbu]

so cool... wood, leather, metal as a super Viking's fan i'm so jealous, make me think about building one myself :D Thanks for the cool video man

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you Olivier !! I would love to watch you build your version of it !

[@samuelleask1132]

Really good build!!!!!!!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you very much ! :)

[@davestrain1762]

Ridiculous Red!!!! You should go into prop making full time! Sooooo Good1

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you Dave. I may consider that ;)

[@GarnetFluerDeLys]

Great project combining your talents with multiple media. keep up the good work.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you Dan ! Combining material is one of my favorite thind to do ;)

[@shadowcastre]

Wow.. very nice work my friend.. Thanks for the video....

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching. Glad you liked it !

[@samaker4]

That is a pretty hardcore shield! Good job!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you Hugo. Glad you liked it ;)

[@KK-xz4rk]

You should look Roland Warzecha youtube channel. There is great info how to build real skjoldr and how to use it. He also tests it with Thrand vs real sharp sword. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJi4dXeahrx0arM It is really eye opening and awesome practical info.

[@opasworkshop8373]

awesome job my friend as usual. Keep up the good work and keep on creating.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thanks ! Glad you liked it ;) I will !

[@EpicWorkshop]

Awesome EPIC looking shield Gerald :) Really nice editing and music also, keep up bro :) Have a nice day ~M~

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you mate ! I really liked yours too ! Have a great week-end ! ;)

[@bobnancymiller4931]

The handle would be better in function if it were applied as a separate to the back of the shield. The offset and resulting ergonomic shift of the hand allows for better maneuverability . Something to think about if you make another one .

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

I see what you mean. But it wouldn't be a Viking shield anymore. I think you're referring to a handle nailed to one side of the shield with a leather strap near the elbow, which was used in medieval Europe for others kind of shields, but quite impractical because once partially destroy, it was be long and difficult to let the shield go. The viking shield is easy to grab, easy to let go.

[@Shoerona]

Amazing work! Now you're ready for battle👍

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you ;) Just need to train a little to fight with an axe. I'm more a sword/katana guy ;)

[@AdventuresInDIY]

Epic!! So many great details!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you Chris !!

[@AndyBirkeyMaker]

There was a lot of epic in this one!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you Andy. Watching my wife wear it and wave an axe is epic too ;)

[@AndyBirkeyMaker]

The Redsmith VERY epic!

[@DOCDARKNESSREAL]

Great work Red as always

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you Doc !! :)

[@loadeddog8015]

lovely, lovely work again mate. do shield marking represent a clan or just a decorative addition ? Thanks for another great video 😎👍

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you very much ! It's the same design as the character called Lagertha in the TV show Vikings on History Channel. I don't really know if it represent anything ;)

[@KagedCreations08XX]

Looks great Red

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you very much :)

[@niceunicates8951]

Richtig Richtig geil geworden 😍👌👍 bitte mehr😀

[@TheCyberpsyclon]

Looks great! What is the weight like?

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thanks a lot. I don't know, a few kilos. Not too heavy though :)

[@danthemakerman]

Looks fantastic Red! Great work as always.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thanks a lot Dan !

[@Sarah-db4sh]

Ton bouclier est génial, tu as fait un super boulot ! Je me demandais, est-ce que tu pourrais faire un tuto pour fabriquer un cosplay de Lagertha dans la saison 3 (avec du cuir et tout) s'il te plaît ? J'en cherche un depuis des lustres mais sans succès... Merci d'avance !

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Merci beaucoup. Je vais essayer, c'est promis. Mais j'ai déjà tellement de projets sur ma liste, cela risque de prendre un bon moment....

[@Sarah-db4sh]

De rien, d'accord merci beaucoup, oui pas de soucis prends ton temps :)

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Merci beaucoup :)

[@blueninety]

How difficult would it be to make this from a denser wood like purple heart?

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

The most difficult part for me wouldbe find purpleheart here. Otherwise, same process.

[@danielomar6386]

Great work keep it up!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you !

[@GibClark]

once again Red!!! Nicely done brother ! 👍👍👍

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Gib Clark Thanks Gib !

[@GibClark]

My pleasure !

[@tristonr6562]

amazing work, keep it up

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thanks a lot ;)

[@TheRyano4ever]

What kind of paint is used? ive made myself a wooden knight shield and want to paint it with a nice paint but am unsure of which paint to use

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Any oil based for wood would work just fine. I've used a french brand so I recommend you to go to your local hardware store and ask for wood paint. I hope it helps :) Thanks for watching!

[@TheRyano4ever]

@@RedSmithWorkshop thanks lots cheers :D

[@ESCAGEDOWOODWORKING]

Beautiful Shield!!! I love it!!!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you Eloy. Glad you liked it ;)

[@sarahfara1539]

Beautiful, I love the look of these shields... I would love to make one myself, but I couldn't do that without help :D

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thanks a lot Sarah. That's why I made the video. I'm sure you can do it now you know how it's done :)

[@dragtien2561]

Bonjour, super bouclier mais par contre quel colle utilise tu pour coller les planches ? Car ça a l'aire de bien tenir ^^

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Bonjour et merci ! J'ai utilisé de la colle à bois Tidebond commandée sur amazon. Je la trouve très résistante et pratique à utiliser que la colle blanche disponible en France. :)

[@dragtien2561]

The Redsmith Super je vais voir ça, merci ! D'ailleurs je viens de regarder toutes vos vidéos dans le domaine, (hache, ect..) Et c'est vraiment incroyable, toujours à faire des finitions de malade je suis bluffé. J'espère un jour atteindre un niveau semblable. Bref continuer vous faites un boulot formidable ! ;)

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Merci beaucoup. C'est très gentil. Tout est question de temps. Les détails sont ce que les gens remarquent en premier ;) En tout cas merci pour vos gentils commentaires !!

[@BruceAUlrich]

Really cool stuff!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Bruce A. Ulrich Thank you Bruce !

[@Yourtrashmytreasure]

Amazing as usual. Now you will be protected!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you ! I just lack the armor. But sooooon ;)

[@BlackBeardProjects]

Well done mate! :) I really like it :)

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you very much !!

[@klauslouring7635]

Fine shieldbuckle, hand made all the way, but oh My what a heavy shield! Archaeological finds suggest that the thickness of a viking age shield was about 6mm. ( 0.23622 Inch). I'll hate to fight with a barn door like that - sorry

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Good thing I'm not planning on invading England anytime soon with it then ;)

[@atlas184]

Great job but what's it's total weight?

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you ! Ho...don't really know. I will weight it and let you know.

[@berserkpb1301]

I'm wondering for my own build- what kind of tacs are those that you used to attach the rim?

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

It's called Brads. I found them in my local hardware store :)

[@berserkpb1301]

Thank you!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

You're welcome :)

[@LetsPrepTogether]

Amazing work my friend! You got to take care now what to say to your better half now that she has an axe and a shield ;)

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you Alex. Yes, and she knows how to use them ;)

[@virgilbohall6665]

Closest to accurate so far. Nice work, beautiful finished work.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you very much Virgil. I appreciate that!

[@Liam-kh9wp]

I'll be honest I like what you have done here but I feel that this would more be a wall hanger than a practical use shield as it to thick and looks pretty heavy and the wood would splinter easier than a more traditional Viking shield

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you. Yes, it's not historically accurate and it's a wall hanger, gift for my wife. The pine I used is too thick to make the shield light enough to carry into battle, but I don't intend to invade England in the coming months so that's ok. :) Thanks for watching!

[@anthonyhargis6855]

It suddenly occurs to me that I forgot to give you my mailing address! Doh! LOL Incredible, very nice indeed.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Haha ;) Thanks a lot !!

[@anthonyhargis6855]

Of course, my family has a real coat of arms, not that I'm the inheritor of that, but it's a green shield with three silver coins; two on top and one below. How soon can you get started on that? Hehehehehehehe!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Anthony Hargis I take orders you know 😉

[@anthonyhargis6855]

And I'm thinking about it, considering I no longer have access to a wood working shop . . . or the necessary tools! LOL Seriously, you may hear from me next month . . . money's tied up this month. And I'm thinking of something in addition to the shield . . . which will test your carving skills. Mwahahahahahahahaha!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Anthony Hargis No worries ! contact me anytime you want [e-mail] I totaly understand about the money, this lonth has been tough for me too 😊

[@chybz]

Nice work Red ! Is it for your kids or do you prepare for some cosplay ?

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Remy Chibois Thank you Remy. It's actually a gift for my wife. I don't do cosplay but I'm also working on a full set of leather armor from the video game The Witcher 3. Stay tuned 😉

[@christianborgerasmussen4407]

beautiful, what type of blue is it?

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Christian Borge Rasmussen Thank you very much. Around here it's called Emerald blue.

[@itsjakattack]

What was the width of the leather you used?

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

It depends on the thickness of the shield. But it was 5cm + thickness + 5 cm

[@reforzar]

Axe and shield... a helmet next? 🤞🏻

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

+Brian Prusa Good guess 😉👍

[@mebarkus0660]

cool

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

+Master Gamer Thanks !

[@ShogunJimi]

classic Red Smith

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

+Shogun-Jimi That's a real compliment. Thanks Jimi!!

[@joevenuti1797]

So I'm taking notes on different shields. I'll take the leather and the nails from this project. Maybe order some spruce.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Good luck with your build :)

[@jpwoodwork]

Awesome Brother :)

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

jp woodwork Thanks my friend !!

[@spencerdunn866]

Alright man you got me im a fan

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you very much! :)

[@EddardStark1987]

Where did you find the leather?

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

In Nîmes, France

[@anasmith8817]

A cuanto los vendes??

[@xtar7786]

How much does it weight?

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

It must weight around 5 kilos / 10 pounds.

[@xtar7786]

The Redsmith Thanks!! Love your build

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Communist Doge Thank you very much 😊👍

[@nyetloki]

What gauge aluminum you use?

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

I used 12 gauge/2.5mm aluminium

[@calebmoore7007]

How much leather was used I am going to build one as a graduation gift for my brother and I am trying to get a materials list

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

It depends on the size and thickness of your shield. What diameter are you aiming for?

[@calebmoore7007]

@@RedSmithWorkshop I was thinking about going an inch thick he goes to the gym a lot so he would be able to carry it with some ease and I was going to use basic Pine wood and did you use basic roofing nails or did you get something different when attaching the leather

[@calebmoore7007]

@@RedSmithWorkshop for diameter I was gonna go with 30-36 inches for diameter

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

For 36 inches, you'll need around 113 inches of leather. The width depends on how you want to cover the sides, but I would say around 4 inches.

[@mebarkus0660]

your création are wery beau tiful

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thank you very much. Glad you like them :)

[@HABU]

👍🏽

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Hassan Abu-Izmero 😊

[@sopsilist2030]

anybody remember hungry hippos

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

I do. But why ?

[@lonniedillon2379]

Yeah buddy!!!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Lonnie Dillon Thank you my friend !

[@marksolheim6188]

Viking shields wee only slightly thicker than 1/4 in. .27" in fact.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

 The Gokstad shields were approximately 7mm (1/4in) thick near the center and were chamfered so they were thinner at the edges. Most surviving shields are in the range between 6mm (1/4in) and 12mm (1/2in) thick, although shields thicker than 30mm (1-1/8in) have been found. Egils saga (chapter 53) says that Þórólfr was equipped with a large, thick shield. Later in the battle, he threw his shield on his back to wield his spear with two hands. www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/manufacturing/text/viking_shields.htm

[@luismartin8117]

buebas tardes me gustaria saber las medidas dek diametro,muchas gracias ,un saludo

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Hola, es de 74 cm de diámetro. Gracias por el vídeo de observación ti. Espero que les haya gustado. :)

[@frankmonagas6217]

pure hollywood

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Exactly

[@Adrian-oe3fl]

can you give the radius of this shield in cm? pls

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

It's written in the video description

[@Adrian-oe3fl]

@@RedSmithWorkshop thank u

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

You're welcome!

[@sawtes]

Lol I recommend building a Viking shield on patreon for your next project

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Lol, now you have it ;) Thanks for watching !

[@okutet]

Grüüt one!

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Mange tak :)

[@workshoponwheels4936]

I did miss the part where you used it

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Workshop on Wheels It's a gift for my wife, so she's gonna use it 😊

[@shakirarafferty878]

That is a really nice shield ...a lot of hard work and though as gone in to that ... however not teaching you to suck eggs but Viking shields were normally no more than 13mm thick ...but as said that is really good job

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thanks a lot. Yes I know. Believe it or not, 13mm boards are more expensive than the ones I used for the build, and as it was for a decorative piece, I chose to go thicker. Thanks for watching ;)

[@Tskimmo]

super pretty work though 1inch thick is massive over kill and would be heavy as shit if you every try to actually use it,

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

+Tskimmo Good thing it's just a decorative piece and I don't plan on taking over the wold with it 😉 It was for my wife by the way and she finds it erfectly fine for her strength. Pin le is very light, even if it's 1 inch thick 😊 Thanks for watching.

[@Alexpascu2785g6]

Do the sword of kings next .

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

It's on my list :)

[@Alexpascu2785g6]

@@RedSmithWorkshop May the gods watch over you brother Skool.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

@@Alexpascu2785g6 😊👍

[@Hobbyrepubliken]

No linnen layer?

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Nope. The many hundreds of archaeological finds from burials and bogs from the Iron Age and Viking Age seem to suggest that textiles were never used to any considerable extent in the Scandinavian round shield tradition, but there is, on the other hand, ample evidence for the use of hide facing. :)

[@MysticalKitty71]

wish i had the tools and resources to make this :D would make an excellent nerd wall ornament

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

You don't need a lot of tool to make a shield like this one. Limited tools and budget is a great way to boost creativity. And yes, it's a very cool ornament. I hope you'll be able to make one for yourself :)

[@fgialcgorge7392]

Why such thick wood?

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Joseph Ludlow That's what I had in the shop at the time.

[@jezzc2535]

Looks great but way to heavy. They where usually like 5 to 6 kg

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thanks!

[@tubekulose]

Mostly only around 3 kg.

[@clearmelody6252]

First off, I commend you on all the work you put into the shield, and indeed think you're quite talented. . . . Now, to be that jerk on KZbin who follows a compliment with criticism, though I hope you don't take it the wrong way. . . First, why, O why would you make it so thick? That looked to be at least a full inch thick, and most real, historical skjoldr were only a quarter inch, at most, often tapering to be even thinner at the edge. Second, why'd you cut the handle out of the main shield itself? Most historical examples have the handle cut from a separate, narrower plank of wood that is riveted to the back. And, that brings me to my final gripe, the fact that you used what appear to be simple tacks, rather than proper rivets for the rim and boss. Props, though, on making the rim from leather, rather than metal like most people probably would have.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

First off, thank you for watching the video and your kind words. Now, to be that jerk, everything is explain in the description of the video :) More seriously, I made it with what I had on hand and as close as possible what I saw in the show. The goal is not to be historically accurate, but to make a prop looking like the one the characters use in Vikings. That's why the rim in made out of leather and not metal and the boss is like it is. I have no intention to fight with it, and every build is a balance between time/cost/realism. A different handle would mean more wood, so more money to put in it. Anyway, thanks for watching !

[@axelschucher647]

why would you possibly want to make a shield that heavy ? or that complicated and yet unwieldy ?

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Because I can carry it effortlessly

[@axelschucher647]

Please advise the total weight of it ? Because just carrying around is not really what the shield was meant for as we all know.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

I don't know. But I don't plan on invading England with a shield and an axe. So it doesn't really matter.

[@axelschucher647]

@@RedSmithWorkshop Well, considering you got the tools and the skills to make a real shield it pains me to see that you only settled for a wallhanger. That is all.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

I understand. It was a gift for my wife. She loves the show Viking and I wanted to make her Lagertha's shield. But the plan was to make a wallhanger from the beginning. Next time I'll make a more fonctional one :)

[@basedViking]

It looks nice but its in no way authentic. The handle is wrong, the face of the shield should be covered in linen and the edges should have raw hide. That being said it would look awesome hung on a wall.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thanks, I guess. As I wrote in the description, I know it's not historically accurate. But as I don't intend to invade Sussex with 8th century Vikings and just want to hang it on a wall as a decoration, I think it will be good enough.

[@andersgustafsson8786]

Alot of work but so far off historical accurate one can be.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Not that far off. And that's what I said in the video description.

[@pantheon9045]

Hopefully just for show. Not a very practical shield.

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Not practical ? Too bad...I'll have to make another one to invade 9th century Europe then...

[@JLo7575]

Very nice shield ! But please..... Protect yourself ! Don't wear gloves with power tools..... 😲😵😱it's extremly dangerous. Tool can catch it and your hand can't go away...... Take care

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Thanks a lot. Actually these gloves saved me a couple of times already. But I agree. I don't always wear them. It depends on the tool I'm using. Thanks a lot for watching and for your consern :)