From: bq434@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael A. Chance)
Subject: Re: Shield durability
Reply-To: cpg3078@swuts.sbc.com (Michael A. Chance)
Organization: Somewhere in St. Louis, MO
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 92 13:19:55 GMT


In a previous article, Balerick says:

>As my 'shield' I used a scrap piece of 1/2 thick 4 ply  
>construction grade plywood (the really cheap stuff).
>The 'target' was propped up so that the blow would strike
>perpendicular to the edge.  The strokes were basically
>downward, and the target could not move so the damage
>was maximized (a shield held would 'give' under a blow
>and some of the force would be absorbed, lessening
>the damage). Several blows were thrown with each weapon,
>both nominal (ie. a 'good' SCA combat blow) and a
>maximal blow which was 180 degree swing with almost all
>my force.
>
>Weapon #4 - Two handed wood chopping axe
>weight 5 lbs
>length to mid grip - 24 inches
>penetration : nominal - 1 1/2 inches
>              maximal - 2 1/2 inches
>
>The axe probably wasn't a very good indication of the penetrating capabilities
>of a poleaxe due to its thicker cross section (note that this makes it good
>for splitting logs, but lousy for ripping through plywood).
>
>cheers,
>Balderik

Two years ago at Pennsic, during the packing up on the Monday morning
after, Sir Robert FitzHugh determined that the bottom leading edge of
his plywood heater-shaped shield was to far gone to salvage and tossed
in the rubbish pile.  A few lads from the Calontir camp across the
street saw it, at first wondered why someone would throw out a good
shield, retrieved it, and then discovered why it had been pitched.  They
then decided to have some fun with it, and proceded to hack on it in
much the same manner as Balderick described, with pretty much the same
weapons and results.  I saw them flailing away at this used shield, and
decided to get my favorite toy and have a go.  My pride and joy is a
replica Danish axe which I purchased from some guys from Southdowns at
Pennsic some 7 or 8 years ago.  It's about 48 inches in total length, a
typical bearded axe style with about 9 inches of cutting edge (measured
along the arc of the edge not the cord).  I've never weighed it, but I
guess it's about the same weight as the two-handed firewood axe
Balderick used, maybe a little lighter (though that could be due to the
really *sweet* balance it has!).  The head is iron, and the edge is
tempered.  The main difference is that it has no wedge to it.  It's a
constant 1/4 inch in width from the edge to the haft.

Since I don't keep an edge on the blade (it's used at a lot of demo for
kids), I fully expected it to sort of bounce off the shield.  I start my
first swing with the head on the ground behind me, and put just enough
force into the swing to get it moving and stay moving.  Almost no body
strength, and no final "umph".  The swing was aimed at the face of the
shield, not the edge.  When the blade hit, it didn't cut into
the shield.  It blew a hole out of it!  About 12 inches by 4 inches,
right in the center of the shield.  This was exterior grade 1/2 inch
plywood.  Talk about surprise!  I was impressed.

I tried another swing, the standard SCA 90 degree arc type.  I used the
same force that I'd use in SCA combat for a killing blow.  Result:
another 12 by 4 hole next to the first one.

To be fair, I did strike a blow on the edge of the shield, and the
blade penetrated about 4 or 5 inches from the edge.  This one was also a
90 degree arc swing.

Obviously, the edge of a shield can take more punishment than the face
can (tho' I don't claim to fully understand the physics).  I'd always
wondered about the story of the guy a Stamford Bridge who held off the
Saxon army with just a Danish axe.  After seeing what one can do, I'd be
a little leery about rushing the guy myself!

Personally, I believe the stories about the effects of polearms on
shields, and tend to have a very healthy respect for them, even SCA
ones.  The forces involved can get tremendous.

Mikjal Annarbjorn
irl Michael A. Chance
Barony of Three Rivers, Calontir
Barony of Shattered Crystal, Midrealm
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca