The eighteen dollar targe

**Alan H** · 20th September 06, 05:35 PM

I wanted a targe to carry in the clan parade along with my budget claymore, but I'm not gonna drop $120 on a replica...gorgeous though they may be. And so, in my usual thrifty (read: CHEAP) style, I did the following...

18 - inch plywood circle from Orchard Supply Hardware: $8
Two boxes, 25 per box.... furniture upholstery nails from Orchard Supply: $1.19 each...so call it $2.50

One box, round head brass "brads" with about 150 brads in the box from Orchard supply: $1.50

One cheap "brass" Ha! replacement door handle from OSH: $2.50

24 inches of faux leather material, on sale for $6.00/yard from Joannes Fabric: $4.50

I had some extra wide, poly strapping that I used for the arm strap. I had the brown paint for the back of the plywood. I scrounged some cheap sheet brass I had lying around to make something like a center boss on the targe. Total cost: $18.50

I sanded off/rounded off one sharp edge of the plywood so it wouldn't stress the cloth too much. Then I used about 40 of the furniture nails to stretch the faux leather fabric over the top of the plywood. I trimmed the fabric into a circle about 4 inches larger than the shield, all 'round and then folded it over so that I was nailing through at least 3 thicknesses of cloth.

I shined up the brass and cut a disk out of it, using the bottom of a Dr. Pepper can as a form. I nailed it down in the center with a symmetrical set of the furniture nails. That serves as a boss...

If I'd actually gotten the blasted thing in the CENTER, it'd look a lot better...*sigh*.

I used a couple of random pots and buckets I had lying around to chalk some concentric circles on the fabric and then I spent about two hours driving brass brads into the plywood and fabric in a symmetrical design.

Oh, before I started, I painted the back of the targe brown...

After all the brads were in, I turned the thing over and screwed the "brass" handle in a likely place and then nailed the poly strap on the back in another appropriate place.

OK, it's not the real thing but from 30 feet away nobody can tell, and it'll look good enough hanging on the clan tent, and geting toted in the parade! Maybe we'll get pics of it at Ben Lomond.

**Bob C** · 20th September 06, 05:41 PM

Woodsheal made himself a really nice one, using real leather on the front and deerhide (hair still on) on the back. I've been thinking about making one, too, ever since I saw the plywood circles in the lumber store.

Never considered fake leather. You've got me thinking...

**Livingston** · 20th September 06, 06:44 PM

Let's seen the pics, Alan!

I've been thinking about making one for the last 6 months or so. My wife works in an upholstery shop so I can get all the brass upholstery nails I need. I have some brown upholstery leather I got left over from one of my dads jobs. Just trying to figure out how to make the 10" spike and do the transition from the center boss & make it removable.

**Bob C** · 20th September 06, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by Livingston

Just trying to figure out how to make the 10" spike and do the transition from the center boss & make it removable.

A re-enactor, whom I trust, tells me that there is no historical basis for those spikes.

They look pretty cool in clan tents, though!

**Panache** · 20th September 06, 08:54 PM

Alan,

I have thought about that myself when I've seen the wood disks at Home Depot. Never had the gumption to actually try and make one though.

Good on You!

**Graham** · 21st September 06, 06:33 AM

Thanks for the tips, I want to make a targe also to hang on the wall next to my cheap imitation claymore

I'll see if I can do as good a job as you!

**Livingston** · 21st September 06, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by Bob C.

A re-enactor, whom I trust, tells me that there is no historical basis for those spikes.

They look pretty cool in clan tents, though!

Well there went the reason I had for putting it off

Guess I'll just have to make it next month. Way to much OT till the end of the US Governments fiscal year.

Woodsheal, those are sharp. I think you gave me a new reason to put it off a little longer with the heavy leather for the front.

**switchblade5984** · 21st September 06, 11:06 AM

alan where are the pics!!!!!!!!

hopefully Woodsheals didnt scare your targe........

J/K

**Colin** · 8th January 07, 10:39 AM

Well since Alan provided the inspiration, I thought I should post a pic or two of the cheap targe I made. This was a first attempt and is a wall hanger, so I just used stuff that was laying around. The Baskethilt broadsword is not homemade

I picked it up just before Christmas. It's the first "not just for display" sword in my growing collection.

Please ignore the cord from the camera

**Woodsheal** · 8th January 07, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Colin

Well since Alan provided the inspiration, I thought I should post a pic or two of the cheap targe I made. This was a first attempt and is a wall hanger, so I just used stuff that was laying around. The Baskethilt broadsword is not homemade

I picked it up just before Christmas. It's the first "not just for display" sword in my growing collection.

Pretty good for a first attempt! What I would do with your targe, though, is to add a bunch more tacks to better define the rings or circles in your decorative pattern....