FINALLY got around to making my targe.

**Nighthawk** · 28th October 10, 09:25 PM

I have a friend who's brother used to a lot of leather work and got bored with. I ended up getting his left over leather... which had sat in a basement for 3 years and was so dry that it was nearly useless! I spent 3 days and half a bottle of oil restoring the leather to a point where it was supple again. Only thing I think of to use it on was a targe, which I have been meaning to make for some time anyway. So here it is!

It got some combat use blocking flying Beanie Babies!

**Bugbear** · 28th October 10, 10:14 PM

Whack!

**Nighthawk** · 29th October 10, 06:28 AM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

Whack!

Block!! Retort!

**BLHS209** · 29th October 10, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

Block!! Retort!

Counter - Thrust!

Neat looking and was surprised to see the fur on the "back". I was thinking it would be just hide / leather.

Chris Shepherd

**artificer** · 29th October 10, 06:40 PM

Good on you!

The fur backing is very (as I understand it) authentic. To help the leather lay flat you should have wetted it down. Oil only goes so far with veg tan (which I'm assuming this was). Give it a good casing, then temporarily attach it to the back. After it dries, you can remove it, dye it, and then re-attach the flat leather.

It looks quite nice, and I love your shade of green. It certainly seems strong enough to defend against a hail of beenie babies.

**Nighthawk** · 29th October 10, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by artificer

Good on you!

The fur backing is very (as I understand it) authentic. To help the leather lay flat you should have wetted it down. Oil only goes so far with veg tan (which I'm assuming this was). Give it a good casing, then temporarily attach it to the back. After it dries, you can remove it, dye it, and then re-attach the flat leather.

It looks quite nice, and I love your shade of green. It certainly seems strong enough to defend against a hail of beenie babies.

Yeah, I did that... Notice that there is a crack in the face. That happened after I cased it and laid it out.

As to the fur, I have a goat hide that I plan to use on my next one. I have seen so many examples with fur on the back that it seemed most correct- and I like the look! And yes- it most certainly worked against the beanies!! At least Jo was impressed...

**Bugbear** · 29th October 10, 07:38 PM

MMMMM, mummy leather. I'm hungry now. :food-smiley-002:

**Nighthawk** · 31st October 10, 12:29 AM

I think I may have to make a targe that matches my dragon scale bracers. That dragon had a lot of hide and I have plenty left over!

**Squeaky McMurdo** · 31st October 10, 01:02 PM

*pets the back of your targe*

**Stratherrick** · 31st October 10, 03:19 PM

Good effort!

I love the colour too! The most original since I saw a ginger bodhran drum made from the skin of the maker's dead Red Setter dog whilst visiting Traquair House!

Slainte

Bruce