On Thu, 28 Apr 2005 05:33:25 -0700, Ralph E Lindberg
wrote:

In article ,
Avraham wrote:

Well, speaking as a guy who has been fighting for 22 years,

I'll raise you a couple years, but agree with the below, plus 3/4 just
plain weighs toooooo much.

plywood
wouldn't hold up at all. A 3/4" plywood shield is pretty much
disposable - it'll last *maybe* a season of fighting. We're really
hitting each other - 12 gauge helmets dent eventually, 14 and 16 gauge
dents pretty much immediately. 1/8" plywood wouldn't even last one
practice. Also, the plastic is made (or at least it can be) to look
like 'period' materials - that would mean laquered steel or leather
that has been waxed or boiled for stiffness. Plywood would look
terrible.
Avraham
huscarl, Calontir (that means I'm a "don't screw with him, it'll hurt"
sort of fighter from the middle of the country)

I also know people that have bought/made this type of armor, the
plastic plates cut the cord and it keeps falling apart. Repairable, but
a pain in the, ah repair time.

As for shields I have had excellent results from the following method.
I take a sheet of 1/8 in door skin and attach (nail) it to a shield
press. Then fiberglass the face. Once it is dry, remove and cut to
shape. Then fiberglass the back and twice more on the face. Lastly round
the edges and fiberglass that.

The shield is lighter and lasts for years (5+ years very active)

PS, I spent time with two of your ex-pats, Earl Cire and Countess
Elizabeth
Are you still up in An Tir? I'm surprised even fiberglassed plywood
stands up the blow strength there. My period-materials laminated
shield does fine here, but I don't know how it would do out there.
Avraham
huscarl, Calontir