ANST - shield covers

[Dennis Grace]

Salut Cozyns,

Lyonel aisai.

Stefan inquires:

>1) Do you have a particular glue recommendation? A wood glue? Something
>more waterproof? I guess I'm thinking of the recent Gulf Wars and a few
>other events. There often is not space in the tent to store a shield.

You'll have to ask one of the fighters who uses a wooden shield what 
glue s/he prefers.  I use spray-on adhesive.  Since the edges are held 
down securely by the edging, the glue just keeps the cloth against the 
face.

>2) You said in your first message that you glued the cloth to the 
shield
>and then painted it. Have you ever tried painting first and then 
glueing
>the cloth to the shield? I'm wondering if that might be easier, 
>particularly for complex heraldic designs.

It's actually easier after.  The shield holds the cloth taut, flat, and 
still.  Painting on unsecured cloth (I just did this on a fighting 
mantle) is more difficult. 

>3) After you glue the cloth to the shield, do you coat the cloth with
>anything? more glue? gesso?

I suppose you could, but it might make the shield a bit glossy.  I 
don't.

>4) From your description, you apply the edge hose after the cloth. I
>think I've seen some shields where the cloth is applied over and
>around the edge tubing. I can see where this would have the advantage
>of hiding the ugly mundane tubing. I remember when I made my first
>(and only) shield, I took care to go buy more expensive heater hose
>rather than using old garden hose for a better appearance. If this
>cloth covering can eliminate the need for this, then that cost
>savings could be applied to the cover.

I supply the edge hose partly because I'm lazy.  My device has a gold 
bordure.  Rather than paint the thing, I put on yellow edge hose.  I 
agree with your statements about the aesthetics of the edging.  Of 
course, to pur the cloth *over* the edging, you need a stouter 
glue--probably a good contact cement.  Test your cement on a scrap of 
cloth *before* applying it to your shield.  Some glues will change the 
color of the cloth.

>5) Do cloth covers work on all shapes of shields such as rounds? I
>know that I've seen them on heaters and kite shields.

They should work fine.  I believe Erik Wulfriksson used a cloth cover on 
his round.

Personally, for a round or oval shield I prefer a different treatment. 
Some of the An Tiran knights use a facing of cedar slats adorned with 
copper symbols and edged with rawhide.  

Along similar lines, one of the sturdiest heaters I've ever seen was 
1/8th inch aluminum covered entirely with a piece of rawhide.  

>6) Do you just tuck the cloth over the edges of the shield and perhaps
>glue it? Or in the case of plywood shields do you staple or tack it
>down?

I tuck the cloth over the edges and put on the edging hose.  The cord I 
use to secure the edging also helps keep the cloth in place.  I may not 
have mentioned, one of the advantages of cloth covers is that it 
minimizes the actual amount of painting if you use a sturdy twill, 
linen, or trigger in your principal background color.

lo vostre por vos servir
Sir Lyonel Oliver Grace

postscriptum -- Stefan, are you subscribed to the Ironrose list?  They 
trade some interesting tidbits there.


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