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<DIV><FONT size=2>Greetings from Centurion Stella-</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2> I use a flat rectangular shield which is 24
by 36 inches. This resembles a Celtic scuta. My most durable shields have been
made of "Baltic birch" or "Arctic birch". A 1/4 inch thick board has 5 layers, a
3/8 inch thick board has 7 layers. I use aluminum u-channel on all the edges to
protect the wood from splitting. The u-channel needs to be covered with hose or
leather to keep it from damaging your oponents swords. I attach the edging by
drilling small holes every two inches and lashing the edging on with waxed
cord.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2> I like the wooden shield because it is more
like what a fighter of my time would have used. However, lots of people do
prefer a metal shield as they last for a long time. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2> In service, HE Stella</FONT></DIV>
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style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A href="mailto:sdickers@ix.netcom.com" title=sdickers@ix.netcom.com>Scott</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A href="mailto:elfsea@ansteorra.org"
title=elfsea@ansteorra.org>elfsea@ansteorra.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, December 15, 2003 10:34
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Elfsea] Fighter shield
question</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>HELP,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>I'm new to SCA and in the
process of making my first shield.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>I'm thinking of making a
"heater style shield" and would like input</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>from those of you that are
experienced in shield making and in the</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>use of a heater style shield.
I have read a couple of articles on this</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>shield and have a few
questions about the style.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>1. Is this a good beginners
shield?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>2. The patterns I have seen
for making a shield blank of this type</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003> <FONT size=2>say to
use 1/2" plywood cut 24"X 26". This size in length
seems</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2> a bit to
short and in my opinion and would not give me the ability
to</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2> fend
off </FONT> <FONT size=2>attacks to the upper leg. Would extending
this length</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003> <FONT size=2>to say 32"
maybe 36" be acceptable?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>3. I have read references to
making the shield with a slight amount of </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003> <FONT size=2>curvature
to it, in the order of about 2" to 3". The reference</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003> <FONT size=2>stated
that a slightly rounded shield is better than a flat one.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003> <FONT size=2>My
question is, is this true? I don't mind taking the extra steps
to</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003> <FONT size=2>do this
provided there is a benefit. Hey, I think a slightly
rounded</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003> <FONT size=2>shield
looks kind of neat anyway so I'll probably do it anyway
but</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2> would like
the opinion of those who are experienced.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>4. Last but not least, would
it be advisable to strengthen the edges</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2> with small
gauge steel to increase the life span of the shield?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>Well that's it for now. I
would like to add a world of thanks to all of those</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>of you that have been so
gracious enough to talk to me the past</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>few weeks when I got
interested in SCA. Thanks to the guys at fighter</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>practice for letting me join
in game. Armand, Ceatta, Brigit, Stella,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>thanks for your
encouragement. There are more here I should thank</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>but I cant remember all your
names. I apologize for that, and with</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>time will remember all those
names. Thanks again all.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2>Scott</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=836540219-15122003><FONT size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<P></P>
<P></P>
<P>
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