Because you can never have too much ancient weaponry in your armory, Youtuber and metalsmith Freerk Wieringa produced a replica of a Viking shield. That’s awesome; now make me one. That shield would look fantastic next to the medieval suit of armor I also don’t have but want.
Freerk begins by hammering the convex iron boss (or umbo) for the shield’s center, which protects the shield-bearer’s hand. He also forges some nails for the job. He then joins some wooden planks, cuts them into a circle, and covers that circle with a wrap of canvas. Lastly, he paints the shield, stitches a rawhide edge to its circumference, and adds the boss. The result? A shield I’d be happy to carry into battle any day. Provided that the battle is live-action role-playing and not an ACTUAL battle.
While I certainly admire Freerk’s shield-building initiative, I half expected him to construct the piece using only Viking-era tools. I mean, he forged his own nails, but then he uses an electric saw and planer to cut and smooth the wood? They didn’t have those 1,000 years ago! I’m sure they wish they did, but they didn’t. Hot running water, too.
[via TheAwesomer]
With over 17 years of writing experience, Jonathan has had a passion for all things tech-related, ever since watching Inspector Gadget as a child. He's disassembled countless appliances and managed to put a few back together, and one still works. When not writing, he can often be found playing video games or accidentally hurting himself in the garage.