Making a Viking shield can be a challenging project, especially if you aren't particularly skilled at woodworking or leatherwork. However, with a little research, you can make a stunningly detailed shield in no time at all. In this article, I will cover the material choices you'll need, from Hide glue to wood, and how to paint it to match your Viking era costume. Read on for step-by-step instructions.

Wood

A Viking shield made of wood was a practical and affordable weapon used during the Middle Ages. Its design was based on the equilateral triangle, which formed the basis for medieval weapons. These shields were usually made of seven or eight planks, varying in thickness from eight to ten millimeters in the center, and five to six millimeters on the outer edge. Vikings did not saw logs into planks, but instead split them along the grain. These planks may have been joined by other parts of the shield.

While many surviving Viking shields are made of fir, spruce, or pine, literary evidence indicates that they were also made of linden, a species of linden native to North America. Unlike the other types of wood, linden is lighter and more durable. Some Viking sagas and poems mention this wood type. Its advantage over other wood types is its water-resistant properties.

Leather

Unlike most replicas, a Viking shield is made of a single piece of solid butted plank, with real leather wrapping the edge, handle, and back. Because of the traditional tanning process, the leather was different in quality from other types of shield leather. This leather was used for a variety of reasons, from shock absorbency to blocking blade alignments and deflecting strong cuts. The material of a Viking shield was important to their survival, so the material of the shield was very important.

Whether you are planning on wearing your Viking Shield Leather Belt for everyday use or for formal occasions, you'll have a wonderful accessory to complement your ensemble. This belt is made from chrome-tanned leather with an attractive and durable braided pattern. Its adjustable buckle secures the strap in place. It measures approximately nine inches long and 10 inches wide at the widest point. For best fit, measure your wrist circumference. If you're unsure of how long to purchase your Viking shield leather belt, consult the SIZE CHART and select the length you need.

Hide glue

Hide products were rarely a part of Viking shield construction, but this new study examines the choice of reinforcing materials in South Scandinavian shields. Indirect evidence is found between the shield board and metal fittings, and fragments of hide are present on the board itself. In addition, vague traces of hide glue are seen on shields from the Illerup A deposit. But even this indirect evidence is insufficient to prove that hide glue was used to affix the reinforcing materials.

The most common wood used for Viking shields was pine. Although there are some surviving examples of spruce and fir, the Vikings soon realized that plywood was far more effective. By cutting pieces of wood and gluing them together, they made shields that were resistant to cold weapons. Some texts indicate that shields made of linden wood, or basswood, should have been constructed of this wood. Unfortunately, this wood did not survive to the modern age.

Painting

If you are looking to paint your Viking shield, here are some tips to make the process easier. You should use a good paint. This way, you will have a beautiful, durable Viking shield that is also lightweight and easy to carry. Viking shields often have beautiful edging and carry straps. If you are not sure where to start, you can use a guide provided by Jonathan Pfund. He has many great tips for painting your Viking shield.

Before starting the painting process, you need to gather all of the information you can about the shield's design. Viking shields were commonly round and light, and they were designed for torso defense. Despite their traditional shapes, the shields were essentially blank on the front, allowing you to create your own personal design on them. You can even make them more unique by adding your family crest to the shield or painting them in your team colors. If you are looking to paint your Viking shield, remember to use natural dyes.

Stability

Viking shields date back to the Iron Age. They are constructed of thin planking in the shape of a circle with an iron dome forming the shield boss. The boss is the only part of the shield that survives after over a thousand years in the ground. The boss form varied throughout the Iron Age and Viking period. Bosses are also often found in graves. Whether a Viking shield was heavy or light, its form is vital to the defense of the Viking warrior.

To maximize the stability of a Viking shield, the swiveling motion was critical to ward off any incoming attacks. This meant that the shield was used to redirect force, and even jam attacks. Vikings held their shields with a center grip, which created a pivot point. While the shield can be held in that manner, the wall negates this effect. In single combat, reinforcing the shield wall with the weapon hand is essential.

Weapon retention

The topic of weapon retention on Viking shields could fill a whole book! I will discuss the most important facts and theories surrounding this ancient weapon. It is important to remember that you must be at least 18 years old to purchase this weapon. You will also need to have a history of arms or a background in archaeology in order to purchase this item. Here are some things to keep in mind when purchasing a Viking shield.

The Vikings carried their shields over their shoulders, and it is believed that the fighters would sling them over their shoulders, allowing them to wield their weapon with two hands. The sagas describe examples of this behavior. For instance, when Thorir was battling with the Earl Hringr, he threw his shield over his shoulder to wield his spear. The spear was able to penetrate the shield, but it was not aimed at him.