Woodworking, Blacksmithing and Leatherworking - Making a Viking Round Shield and Testing it

Biggest project and video so far! If you wanna make a shield like this look at forums at how to do the planking, the way I did it is not historically accurate.
Thanks for watching!
Social media:
/ make_ncreate
Email: [e-mail]
Disclaimer: I am by no means a professional. Anything you see in my videos may not be the best/smartest/safest way of doing it.
This video is copyrighted and my property and cannot be used or redistributed or published without my given permission.

[@MakeNCreate]

Just gonna leave this comment here because it seems like some people didn't see what I wrote at the end of the video. This is not a historically accurate shield: Steel boss is too wide, wood is too thick, there is not evidence that they used double layers of wood, shield is too heavy. And probably a bunch of other stuff. *I knew all of this when I was making the shield* however the thing is, when you are making something for the first time (in this case a viking shield) you are most likely not going to get it right in the first place. So with that in mind I just made a cool looking shield, with a mix of historically accurate and non-historically accurate techniques. *Everything I learned during this project I'm gonna add onto the next shield I make which is gonna be more historically accurate*. Cheers!

[@ianblatherwick4438]

Make N' Create. Non the less i would pay at least £160 for this fine craftsmanship

[@GunsNRoosendael]

SPRING STEEL NAILS THO??? :D -jk

[@dirtydan179]

Make N' Create How did you learn about knifemaking and sheathmaking? I'd like to know

[@dirtydan179]

forging aswell

[@MakeNCreate]

self taught

[@jeffbaum9852]

"Eh, got a couple pallets, some twine, a spring, an old bed sheet, a cooking pot, and a giant dog treat... I guess I'll make a shield!" Beautiful work! Not many people could see anything being made from the materials you used, much less a shield. Quite impressive.

[@taihlagameraus5769]

I like it how you called it a dog treat because that ain't leather

[@javanbybee4822]

taihlagamer AUS it’s rawhide

[@roblogified]

Funny enough, rawhide dog treats are the most economical and convenient way to get rawhide wraps. You soak them overnight in warm water, then unroll it, cut the strips how you want them, and they will dry in place wherever you affix them. They'll reharden and constrict, too, so they're perfect for edge lining a shield

[@tdub1776]

especially a hecka awesome shield like this

[@Fallenangel_85]

You forget a huge and well supplied workshop.

[@Lardthetard]

After watching practically all of your videos I’ve decided that I really like this kind of content. I’d love to see more from all different kinds of creators but no one else really makes content like you do. You’re so unique and cool and I really appreciate you.🙂

[@morganhughes3601]

DatNumNumVids Have you seen Jimmy Diresta he’s been on the site for years and has hours of content similar to this...

[@Lardthetard]

I haven’t yet but I’ll check him out thanks!

[@MakeNCreate]

Jimmy is one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to editing. However over time I have more found my own style of sped up editing. Thanks!

[@Wolf-ny6bz]

#*Explanations/.exe /1.03#*congratulate+feeling.exe /1.04#*Feelings /1.05#*(appropriate feelings) *smiley face.exe /1.06#*send.exe

[@mike_the_trap]

Hey dude, if you really like these stuff, you should check out this chanell: AWE me.They are a profesionall team of blacksmiths and they make weapons from popular movies, games and anime.

[@09jt1]

Tank you. Really nice piece of film. I enjoyed it very much. You show every step, without get boring, no music (thx god for that), make amusement shortcuts and, most important of all, you seemed to have fun. Jag ser fram emot nästa film. Tack

[@Oracle_]

You absolute madman, you made your own nails... That's awesome, time consuming, but awesome!

[@MakeNCreate]

haha! it totally didn't take me 4 hours to do. Thanks!

[@GreatSmithanon]

Northmen Nails are actually pretty quick to make, especially if you use a die set. Once you set a rhythm it isn't too hard to knock out a fistful of them in 15 minutes, not counting the time it takes the steel to heat up.

[@TheDarkalkymist]

nails are easy, but traditionally work for apprentices

[@omarawesat545]

What, A, MADLAD!

[@gabrielp9646]

Man, I have a bunch of friends who always do their own nails, and most of them are not even really into working metal... xDxD

[@sandyfraser100]

first class workmanship.faith in your own work.was part of your life back then.not just a lump of wood.some armmour was made this way many years ago.trust in your workmanship is all..... thankyou for this demonstration my friend.

[@mancamiatipoola]

I really wanted to see a viking wooden shield being made and i watched several videos, but this one just captivated me immensley! You are such a talented young man! I wish i could be your apprentice! Been working with computers for many years, but for a few years now i have a yearning to learn a practical profession with my hands. I guess i'll go into wood working. TY for making this beautiful shield! Crafting your own nails was above and beyond anything i have seen in a crafting video. You are truly an artist in many forms and materials. PS: i played Skyrim soundtrack music in the background because it seemed appropriate.

[@kaylynxup]

I'm not sure what I loved more- Watching you smith your own pieces, that you used a giant rawhide for leather, or the way all the noises turned into cute sounds when you sped up the video.

[@ignaciosomptin5390]

I fell asleep ten times during this, awesome but too relaxing. Omg, I can't belive I got one like, thanx

[@morbode]

your comment at the end was apt about making a more historically accurate one since these were designed to trap weapons by failing in predictable ways instead of repelling them! Great work!

[@pheonixmann1114]

I love viking and Norse style metalworking and woodworking and leather working. Some because most of my family was Vikings in scotland long ago but mainly because it looks awesome and works. I got really excited when you posted the picture. Thank you for your hard work, inspiration, and ability to put smiles on people's faces

[@recarnatedkronor4806]

Pheonixmann111 so totally not true if you’re family were Vikings

[@denystrygub66]

it was the saxen in scotland the viking moved in at west england and isle of man and york

[@FrogClyde]

@@denystrygub66 Some vikings settled in Scotland, Ireland and Orkney Islands, so it is possible.

[@momentomori231]

Du bist der erste den ich sehe, der ein bisschen historischen Charakter einbringt. Super Sache 🤜🖤🤛

[@RubyVulpix713]

Now test it against a dragon’s fiery breathe

[@chesterpanda]

That’s how you get sent to Lumbridge.

[@-Bile-]

You have no idea how pleased I am that you aligned the faces properly.

[@marcsenteney3160]

Historical or not I am sure you had a great time building the shield. You applied skills not everyone has and did a fine job! Well done sir!

[@samuelabe8308]

Historical or not... it stops arrows

[@howlinsg1968]

Das war ausgezeichnet Handwerker! Sehr gut Gemacht!Absolutely fantastic - almost therapeutic to watch.Gruss von Van Diemens Land

[@Mona-kg6hy]

13:46 haha cats being cats :) love the work, looks awesome!

[@MakeNCreate]

Thank you!

[@gaiasguardian205]

The best part tho? I got a cat food ad right after that.

[@AbdulMalik-un9bb]

All I can say is wow!! He has major skills. I believe if we went back in the days without power, he would be one of the few that would actually survive. Again, amazing!!

[@jarrettbegley3727]

i love the way you edit your videos. it makes them even more entertaining. It also shows your sense of humor with out you saying any words.

[@zaaltchkuaseli]

Amazing work. As you were creating the shield I literately felt the soul of Scandinavia, its craftsmanship and blacksmithing. I've been specially fascinated when you used Runic inscription "The Mask Stone". Bravo !

[@falakr2547]

8:44. The Japanese aluminum foil ball IS useful for something...

[@bonfiredevil3755]

Prod 276 lol

[@RikkiTheRose]

if that would have been aluminum it would be flat

[@cruelfish4824]

... You're not very smart are you? Workhardened aluminum that is solid can take one hell of a beating. Yes steel is better for the cause, I don't know what that ball is made of but if it was aluminum it would not deform in the slightest from that.

[@djajtreszelo9534]

CruelFish it is kind of ironic in a sad way that calling a person dumb because not getting the sarcastic joke. Also i guess it is stainless steel ball.

[@cruelfish4824]

I did not call him dumb with the intent for it to be taken seriously, although intent is rarely understood on the internet, even more so when you're not that great at the language. What I called him dumb over is how he assumed that a solid chunk of aluminum (Hammered foil balls are mostly solid, those that have been hammered enough are pretty much entirely solid) would flatten over those blows. Reminds me of those old looney toons you know? Instantly flattened by a hammer or something :)

[@sofialpaca2563]

Impressive work! I love the use of recycled materials...It shows the importance of well thought construction, and a few good tools over pricey stuff.

[@hijack4661]

Me: Oh great, it‘s gonna be tested. Also me: Pleez, stahp! 😭😭😭

[@franchosanchez2566]

Same...

[@alexwest9015]

Watching this video, I was just so impressed with how resourceful you were, especially using a dog chew for scrap leather!! And making your own nails... now you're just showing off lol. This was such a satisfying thing to watch.

[@17931793248650]

Along with our typical hammer strikes and the rasp rasping, we also get some _moist_ meaty slaps.

[@blackskeletor]

*M O I S T M E A T S L A P S*

[@varalyn9714]

Bookish Cipher I am so incredibly uncomfortable now😅

[@beret4542]

goddam it was satisfying when you took apart the pallet

[@milkeypiemix9683]

I cried a little when you started beating it up

[@Xrisus94]

I've made about 40+ Roundshields and I have gotten alot of new ideas! thank you for the vid!

[@allensadventures3217]

I'm crying. It's beautiful.

[@janekskiba1201]

Your editing skills get better with every video! You are getting better and better at your craft. Hats off to you!

[@bashkillszombies]

You didn't need to cut the entire thing in half and rotate it. The reason there's an edge to the shield is to hide where the grain runs, the chance of the grain being your biggest concern with a shield is near zero. You'll wreck the thing before it'll ever start to split.

[@fabenhailee3509]

I do agree. However, I bet you this shield is strong as fuck. Lmao.

[@delljohnson172]

You could sell it as a battle worn vet..has arrow holes and axe cuts to prove it..Great job sir..really cool too..

[@colinking3314]

I see you all over, criticizing peoples work for no real reason. You not got better things to be doing?

[@Messiah21W]

Very interesting to see! I myself do not have the advanced (yeah, I know) tools and made one together with friends who study archaeology. Main differences: We ordered the wooden planks, we made 6+7 layers of linen instead of 1+1 and used rivets instead of nails. Have to confess that mine is not finished yet, have to sew the rawhide and apply the boss. Very nice work! Greetings from germany!

[@sammygarcia6968]

Wow,it came out real good,good work...👍

[@hizo64HH]

I watched the entire video and let the ads play all the way through because you are awesome!

[@mariow7818]

Well, I learn from you how to make a cool shooting target for my future archery hobby. I know how to make a shield which will protect me from random axe throwing lunatics. Cool job for a first time. I would really like to see historically correct one though. From start to finish with ancient/old tools. Did you see that silent guy building mud houses? I wish to see you in action like him, more work but even cooler finish. Testing was the best. Couse I don't know if used not historically correct replica is valued less after being through a battle or is worth more.

[@wellingtonndirangu5192]

Where do you live man haha, "random axe throwing lunatics". Made my day

[@gannenhinson5966]

You've done it. You have made the perfect video, i love having all these crafting elements in one video. The artistry and the testing were both very entertaining. Yet again raising the bar, another best video.

[@FrenchmanontheRooftop]

I'd like to lodge a complaint about the historical accuracy, No one was holding the shield while testing. Other than that great build

[@CanOfGrass]

It's magic plus hey you never know maybe no one did hold the shields. Can't say is proven because really no one knows what happened for sure.

[@BigRonxxxx]

It's amazing how such basic materials applied the right way can render such a tough product,thank you for sharing all of your work,you never disappoint with every episode,all the best to you and yours

[@marcesqmple3854]

Ron Sanford The problem tends towards the tools, more than the materials. With plenty of tools it is easier, sometimes its the only way. But this boy is amazing, with or without tools.

[@BigRonxxxx]

Marc i understand what you are saying,but in this case it was just impressive laminating the wood and cloth together with glue and applying the rawhide to the outer ring stitching the boards together with the rawhide makes the total package much stronger than if you would have done it in most other ways of assembly,all the best to you and yours

[@marcesqmple3854]

I agree, wood is such an underrated material

[@MakeNCreate]

Thank you!

[@tapanilofving4741]

next do a Finnish seax called "Väkipuukko"!

[@carwynweller2295]

Tapani Löfving hey what does it translate too? (English)

[@tapanilofving4741]

Väki means "people" or "group" nowadays but it can have slightly different meaning in the old language. Puukko means "knife" or "blade". I don't know is the word related to Väkivalta which means violence, valta means "power" when the word is used alone. Was this complicated enough?

[@bloodypine22]

Tapani Löfving It also might be related to the word "Sotaväki"

[@bashkillszombies]

Finns are asian, they wouldn't know what a seax is. :P

[@tapanilofving4741]

I think we are less Asian than you Swedes are arabic ;)

[@hb4095]

U must have the patience of a god. For the making & also the editing. Sick video .

[@homemadehistory7537]

Very nice Hobbit door:-)) and very resistant. If you are interested look for the book " viking weapons and warfair" They show tables with original mesurements. Realy interesting . Nice job. Will it ever see a shild wall?

[@MakeNCreate]

Thanks brother! let's hope not!

[@joshbertolasi33]

This was an absolutely beautiful video to watch. I can't even imagine how much something like this would cost to buy. The work you put into this was great! I really enjoyed watching this video thank you!

[@ИраТолькова]

It's good to see the woodprix has new instructions to save my money and energy to build it.

[@noahjacobsmith2961]

Fantastic to me!

[@ИраТолькова]

@@noahjacobsmith2961 Awesome Noah. I'd love to help you

[@ven0m145]

Just confirms how much craftmanship goes in to making shields,even in modern times its hard,but back then it was so much harder

[@eibbor171]

take days just to get it cut to shape lol

[@bf9434]

can you make a roman shield the roman shield looks so cool

[@mihalydrotar14]

All my respect is yous , the more i watched the more amazed i was. Great job !!!

[@cookiefacestudios1793]

Put it on 2x speed and you got a video of flash making a viking shield

[@zoichikanoe6242]

Those were anyway heavy as shields. The purpose is to block the hit by absorbing the force too, so you need it a bit heavy. I made a couple of heater shields, the heavies is around 3kg. So a round one with the same height is obviously more heavy, then you have the metal plate at the center. Said that, what you did wrong is the central metallic plate, too thick, it looks 3mm thick, 1.5-2mm max would lighten your shield greatly and due to its shape, still able to sustain great hits. Historically not everybody had access to the best dried seasoned hardwood, so the wood is fine. Great work, especially the painting job.

[@khajmi]

Why you damage it after the beautiful work?? 😱😨

[@karbypatt505]

I do not have the kind of patience like this man right here

[@geschiedenisthijs]

how to basic productive edition

[@redh4087]

This is so cool! My dad and I made our own shield much like this and it was cool to see how something like it would hold up

[@pauln2661]

Five seconds in........ Build a pallet breaker tool! Forty seconds in ... prybar. Use the prybar for the nails. Three minutes in... Dowels. It's a shield and the glue isn't going to hold up to the punishment. Four minutes in ... ah, you alternated direction of the boards thus the wood fibers. That will give the strength glue alone would have given. Nine minutes in... A hardy. a Hardy fits into the square peg hole on the anvil and helps you xut off metals. Ten minutes in... Shape the nail heads in a former (swage) then forge the points. You will be happier with the results. Nail formers are still available for sale. Seventeen minutes in........ Drill holes for the nails. You're making and using them as rivets. Make a small bowl shaped former (10 mill) heat the rivets up to straw color. Drop them through the hole in the boss and the shied together. The pointed end into the former and hammer same with the rounded head of the ball peen hammer. Alternatively, drop the rivet through hole into the former, the position a second former built like a chisel with a concave (bowel) tip. This will give you round heads on both sides. Eighteen minutes in ..... Mark your spacing and use your drill. A drill bit for wood will zip right through that rawhide. Nineteen minutes in ... saddlemakers stitch. I like it! Wrap the cord around some dowels to give yourself some good grip the pull them tight. Twenty one minutes in... Field testing! Brilliant! Twenty four minutes in... Great video, Great build. Well done!

[@travisciha1773]

This is the first time I have come across this video and or you. I'm still not sure what to say, very rarely if not ever do I leave a comment, but man I just sat thru that and was inspired to want to put my love for old gear of war and creatitive side to some fun ideas I've had very very much enjoyed this video!

[@ashminty9295]

To think people had to make these without power tools.

[@boobookitty7556]

Good stuff sir. From craftsmanship to video edit/style I liked it a lot. Thanks

[@nomellameshomerollamamehomer]

5:30 how does it sound when a shield laughs?

[@varalyn9714]

Alien ToFresco sounds like me laughing when I’m sick😂

[@jeffrawker8839]

Amazing attention to detail best I have seen ever!

[@Vikey36]

me after watching this video: *smithing 100*

[@Galdozino]

cool detail hitting the leather in the end! really nice work did you in this shield!

[@tactical_slime4608]

2:23 Emergency alert spotted

[@InfiniteDirt]

This was a very entertaining watch and a very well made shield!

[@orang357_gtgrowtopia9]

OMG YOU HAVE CET CEN I SEE YOU CET PLS? JUST 1 VID FOR CET PLS

[@Tipi_Dan]

It was super fun to watch. The end was kind of like Burning Man. I made a shield too--- Romano-British cavalry. Completely different techniques. Also too heavy. Great wall hanger, though. I'm going to make another one too--- Germanic migrations period--- correct the inaccuracies of my first one--- hopefully. One can only learn by doing. If you take the process far enough it becomes "experimental archeology". It's the doing that is important.

[@GreatSmithanon]

Needs less wood, more leather, and a smaller boss. Might also want to heat treat and temper the boss. A leather covering for the sheild was rarer among the vikings, but tooled leather shield coverings were used to such terrifying effect by the Scottish that the English attempted to ban the ownership of Scottish Targe shields, which are essentially just a viking round shield with a spike screwed into the boss.

[@bloodypine22]

Targes are strap shields, viking shields were center gripped shields. They are completely different.

[@NeonLightedDreams]

I love the video! I just discovered your Channel and this is the only one video I've seen thus far, but there was just one minor thing that bugged me. You went through the trouble of making your own nails to hold on the boss, but then you used Modern Nails to hold the handle. Evidently, using square nails in that application would have been difficult, but a recommendation I would like to make would have been that once you had the Modern Nails cut to the right length, to take them out and flip them around so that the modern head is on the user side of the Shield, so that the hammered rivet style was on the face of it. none the less, you've inspired me to start making again! Thank you!

[@mistermister5957]

My tipe of ASMR

[@wilgar]

This is the most Entertaining and somehow emotionally satisfying video I have ever seen on You Tube. I am...Impressed!

[@erich.marks0]

8:45 haha! c'est quoi cette méthode ?!

[@lydhos1649]

xD

[@David-vz7nd]

Méthode viking ancestrale

[@Know-Expert]

Terrific craftsmanship, historical or not! Well done!

[@lazygizmo]

Why spend all that time making it just to beat it up? I'm genuinely curious what your opinion is on it.

[@durdlelord658]

This man is a man among men, treating full planks of wood like legos

[@osfrajyllandogdanmark1090]

Det er da nok sejt

[@ellis.j.weasel157]

Shield maiden! Bring me my shield!.... No not the oaken one the one forged from pallet wood !! Only teasing! Looks cool!😎

[@O_Ryodan]

Now we know that painting is not your forte lol

[@MakeNCreate]

Ouch!

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

Really?? As IF the Danes, Norse, Celts, Gauls, Goths, etc were all Rembrandts..

[@vanuaturly]

Then do it better and post it to KZbin.

[@ulrichkalber9039]

the painting tells your foes: "fear my Sword, not my brush"

[@inbredfreak4697]

Hate this fucking argument so much "I can't call someone bad at something if I'm not good at said thing". He isn't a good painter, I don't need to have years of experience to see when something doesn't have good quality.

[@SlimSeamus1]

Gotta say, of all your projects this is probably my favorite... Just watched it again... Here's hoping you do make another one sometime...

[@starsixseven9259]

I love that he speeds everything up EXCEPT the last sound in any of the processes.

[@moonrazorking2366]

...after he was done destroying the shield, he went into the trailer and wrecked up the place. He is a true mad man.

[@bbenny9033]

bloody brilliant mate. like just wow. editing was spot on the whole way through, 15:09 was cool and you even tested it to show how it was used to protect. definitely my favourite video of yours so far and would love to see the historically accurate one in the future. keep up the skilled work mate

[@MakeNCreate]

Thank you!

[@borjesvensson8661]

Tip for forging nails. The effective way is to cut almost through the iron bar and then stick it in the nail iron, break of and forge the head. You should be able to make one nail in one heat but i never got further than needing two.

[@landlordrolph3262]

Pretty awesome video, I do recommend that you update the audience on what you are doing. A quick explanation for each part of the build would be great. Thx for the cool content

[@TheReedsofEnki]

Just a side note, with your nails instead of cutting them off, look up clenching. It was hard to watch you making the nails weak by cutting the protruding points instead of clenching them over. It would solve your problem where they loosened up after your 'finishing process' in the yard. Great video and I'd love to see a historically accurate shield made. You've got another subscriber!

[@judgesan9542]

Well done young man people who gave it a thumbs down should have stood behind it then would have given it a thumbs up I`m sure. Everyone is a critic but carry on young sir

[@gems34]

Awww Man, this was such a pleasure to watch :) Your casual detail & editing style with woodpecker sound was just sublime :) Subscribed!

[@shenanigansIRA]

Outstanding idea with the rawhide that is great I would’ve never thought of that

[@ebrahimgakou9910]

I kinda like the way he was being a tad.bit careless at the begon9ng and just throwing stuff around :))) Good stuff

[@belisauros370]

this was great! Im not sure if it was just me, but that boss was huge!

[@darthmalak7539]

ur edits make this way more enjoyable

[@reivercaptain510]

That spring you used to make the nails, it makes great knives. Be careful with heat treat if you try though, they can be temperamental.

[@banditb86]

Love watching you make this (hated to see it tested) I neither have the tools, skill or patients to do something like this...amazing

[@ACour008]

Is pretty good for a first try. One thing I noticed in another video is that the metal boss is attached to handle/strap through the shield. Probably would be more secure as such.

[@cliffordsmeeton4811]

f..awesome video. Hard to watch a "master piece", get real punishment, But it is made, buy a master and can handle touch stuff. U r the man. .

[@Former11BRAVO]

I thought it'd be too heavy, but I love the pattern on the face. Looks great! Wish I had a forge..! 😞

[@greenchiliforge1059]

Making a historically accurate shield is all fine and good, the one you made really does rock though

[@donavanpoulin4718]

Wow. Just wow. Great work. You really took a lot of time in making this and i congratulate you man.

[@dusting1851]

you don't know how happy I was when I saw you using the spring steel for nails, when I saw you squaring it I through you were gonna use it for a handle edit: Freyja approves, apparently

[@BrianTimmonsTX]

Absolutely badass work. Good show, sir.

[@Icehead2.0]

So much work just to show us how its made. Thank you!

[@ricksspringfield45]

Nice work...I like that you actually tested it out.👍

[@jonnysrods]

Nice work! The peening of the fasteners was not enough though. leave a little more material and peen the new end round and over the edge so you end up with double heads. Nice Shield! You have given me ideas for new projects! thank you