Altamont Ravenard
Explorer
What would be the best way to go about making myself a shield for a LARP? Materials? Technique?
Thanks in advance
AR
Thanks in advance
AR
[LARP] Making myself a shield
- Thread starter Altamont Ravenard
- Start date
Try these links...
Old LARPer myself...
Give these links a shot:
http://amtgard.com:8080/how2shld.pdf
http://amtgard.com:8080/howto.html
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/neroalliance/message/11120
http://www.angelfire.com/yt/ifra/newbie.html#weapon
~ Old One
Old LARPer myself...
Give these links a shot:
http://amtgard.com:8080/how2shld.pdf
http://amtgard.com:8080/howto.html
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/neroalliance/message/11120
http://www.angelfire.com/yt/ifra/newbie.html#weapon
~ Old One
I am assuming you are not talking about using boffers (padded PVC or kitespar), not clubs like the SCA. The two boffer fighting groups I am familiar with are Dagohir and Amtgard, with Dagohir being the rougher of the two.
Basically, the shield consists of a piece of plywood with a couple straps and a handgrip bolted to it and padded on the front and edges with a couple inches of camping foam with a cloth cover. This is pretty durable and will last some pretty impressive fighting with heavy boffers and is the Dagohir and old Amtgard style but it is rather heavy.
More recently in Amtgard, I have been seeing people using a piece of industrial foam as the base. I never got a good look at how the straps and handles were attached on this design, as by this point I tended to fight with a long spear or bow. This design is very light and I would expect is much easier to shape but it is rather prone to breaking. This has led to some arguements between polearm users and sword and board fighters.
Both groups have pretty good web resouces on contruction. Out of curiousity, what LARP are you in?
Basically, the shield consists of a piece of plywood with a couple straps and a handgrip bolted to it and padded on the front and edges with a couple inches of camping foam with a cloth cover. This is pretty durable and will last some pretty impressive fighting with heavy boffers and is the Dagohir and old Amtgard style but it is rather heavy.
More recently in Amtgard, I have been seeing people using a piece of industrial foam as the base. I never got a good look at how the straps and handles were attached on this design, as by this point I tended to fight with a long spear or bow. This design is very light and I would expect is much easier to shape but it is rather prone to breaking. This has led to some arguements between polearm users and sword and board fighters.
Both groups have pretty good web resouces on contruction. Out of curiousity, what LARP are you in?
Altamont Ravenard
Explorer
Thanks for the info, all.
While searching a little on the net, I did come across the Dagohir website. It had some nice info.
Don't know if it has a name. It's on the south shore of Montreal. I have been told to expect about 40-50 participants.
AR
While searching a little on the net, I did come across the Dagohir website. It had some nice info.
Gnimish88 said:
Don't know if it has a name. It's on the south shore of Montreal. I have been told to expect about 40-50 participants.
AR
Turanil
First Post
My suggestion would be to make it as light as possible, especially if it is a large shield, otherwise your arm will tire quickly (unless you are of the Arnold type), and it will become almost useless. Plus it would also hinder you in combat. My short LARP experience has told me that mobility is one of the best thing to win mass melee combat in a LARP, where you use rubber weapons, and count points with any hit at an opponent.
dinsdale
Stalked by a giant hedgehog
Assuming you are in a boffer larp.. I have to agree with the people who have stated that weight is your biggest enemy.
Most of the shields I have seen in LARPS were made out of plywood with the edges covered by pipe insulation and held on by duct tape. The shield could then either be painted or covered in a cloth with an appropriate design/pattern. The one thing to worry about is to make sure that the attachments for the straps and handle are well covered and will be safe to run around with. If the handle is bolted on, for example, you will want the bolt to come in from the front of the shield (to make it safe in that direction) and you should cut off the end of the bolt on the back of the shield and file down as smooth as possible (so you don't hurt yourself).
My favorite design used a boogie board instead of plywood. You can easily cut/shape the shield however you want and it is very safe. Cover the back with duct tape (preferably black or something that matches with the cover to help disguise what it started out as) and add a cloth cover (tied on in back). In this case, the boogie board is strong enough that you can cut a few slits through the shield and just thread your straps through without having to use any hardware. I've seen a few cases of people trying to use regular closed cell foam, but the shields got broken rather quickly.
One other thing to consider is the shape of the shield. Assuming your are in a system that doesn't allow head shots and where all other parts of the body are equal, you want to make the shield longer than you might otherwise think to help protect your legs, which become a prime target. Often, LARPS will have limits on the maximum volume and dimensions of the shield. Within these limits, make the shield as big as possible.
Most of the shields I have seen in LARPS were made out of plywood with the edges covered by pipe insulation and held on by duct tape. The shield could then either be painted or covered in a cloth with an appropriate design/pattern. The one thing to worry about is to make sure that the attachments for the straps and handle are well covered and will be safe to run around with. If the handle is bolted on, for example, you will want the bolt to come in from the front of the shield (to make it safe in that direction) and you should cut off the end of the bolt on the back of the shield and file down as smooth as possible (so you don't hurt yourself).
My favorite design used a boogie board instead of plywood. You can easily cut/shape the shield however you want and it is very safe. Cover the back with duct tape (preferably black or something that matches with the cover to help disguise what it started out as) and add a cloth cover (tied on in back). In this case, the boogie board is strong enough that you can cut a few slits through the shield and just thread your straps through without having to use any hardware. I've seen a few cases of people trying to use regular closed cell foam, but the shields got broken rather quickly.
One other thing to consider is the shape of the shield. Assuming your are in a system that doesn't allow head shots and where all other parts of the body are equal, you want to make the shield longer than you might otherwise think to help protect your legs, which become a prime target. Often, LARPS will have limits on the maximum volume and dimensions of the shield. Within these limits, make the shield as big as possible.
If you are going into a live-combat larp, the folks who run it are very likely to have their own set of regulations on weapons and shields. Find and follow them. If you don't, you may well not be allowed to use your shield.
If they don't have such regulations, I'd strongly advise against playing. Allowing people to whack at each other with unregulated sticks is really a good way to make sure someone gets hurt.
If they don't have such regulations, I'd strongly advise against playing. Allowing people to whack at each other with unregulated sticks is really a good way to make sure someone gets hurt.
Drakmar
Explorer
The way I used to make shields when I was in my re-enactment group (Knights Order of the Lion Rampant - a metal weapons group - armour 1375 +/- 25 years).. I made them using a board of ply.. I would then soak the ply in water with a brick sitting on top of it and something to raise the edges.. this was to give it a curve.
Then.. I would use bolts with rounded flatish heads on the outside and bolt it on the inside.. and cut the bolts short and file them.
Then I would use glue and caleco (cotton fabric) to cover the shield and tack the edges on the backside of the shield.. then I would paint it with the design and then enamel the whole shield.
worked great. I have my shield downstairs.. could probably take some photos if you wanted.
Then.. I would use bolts with rounded flatish heads on the outside and bolt it on the inside.. and cut the bolts short and file them.
Then I would use glue and caleco (cotton fabric) to cover the shield and tack the edges on the backside of the shield.. then I would paint it with the design and then enamel the whole shield.
worked great. I have my shield downstairs.. could probably take some photos if you wanted.
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