The eighteen dollar targe

**Alan H** · 23rd September 06, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by David White

Here is the one I made.

That's gorgeous, David! OK, no WAY am I putting a pic of my eighteen dollar, off-center targe up here! LOL... But now I'm inspiredd to save my dimes and nickels, get some real leather and take some pains to make a real one.

But if you come to the Ben Lomond Games.....

**Sir Robert** · 23rd September 06, 03:39 PM

As one of those weirdos who do the re-enacting I can give you a very good reason why there are very few targes around. Targes were disposable.

As with any other shield targes were to be used until broken and a new one made. It is extreemly un-likely that the surviving targes have ever done anything except hang on a wall.

Example WWII ended 61 years ago, today there are so very few German Stahlhelm-35 (Nazi Helmet) still existant that there is a thriving market for reproductions. Most of the real M-35s that survived the war were used by police,firemen and guards, the combat used M-35s were distroyed in combat, or crushed at the end of the war by the victors. Now go ahead say 400 years and tell me which existant helms are real. By the way the collectors look at the inside to determine wheather or not a helm is fake or not as the fakers can not accurately duplicate something that they have never seen.

Do you see the parallel between targes and helms?

**Andrew Green** · 23rd September 06, 04:05 PM

Absolutely Robert.
Still that shouldn't stop someone from doing the best they can, with what they have available. And perhaps a little embelishment for what the creator doesn't know? Sort of like, "Ok, we're not sure how this was done exactly... but this seems plausible, and therefore is our best guess."

Thoughts?

**switchblade5984** · 25th September 06, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Alan H

That's gorgeous, David! OK, no WAY am I putting a pic of my eighteen dollar, off-center targe up here! LOL... But now I'm inspiredd to save my dimes and nickels, get some real leather and take some pains to make a real one.

But if you come to the Ben Lomond Games.....

damn hes serious!

**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

**McMurdo** · 8th January 07, 10:45 AM

Woodsheal, those are both amazing, not sure which one I like the best. Alan I hpoe you get some pictures uploaded soon it would be nice to see your work, and thank you for the walkthrough, if I ever want to attempt it I will be looking back at this thread.

**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....

**Improv1** · 8th January 07, 12:36 PM

THANKS A LOT! Now I have the targe bug! I have to try and finish sporran #2 and jacket #1 before I attempt it, but BOY do I want a targe now!!!
I never cease to be amazed at the skills and talent of XMarkers!

**Andrew Breecher** · 8th January 07, 01:22 PM

Alan, an easy way to centre the design for your next targe is to trace around the circle of wood onto a piece of paper, cut it out, and fold it in quarters. Now you have the centre point, and four axes. Lay the paper on your targe and prick through the centre fold with an awl or a nail. You can plan the design on the paper, and transfer the entire thing over with the awl. You can plot concentric circles by placing a nail through the centre hole and draw around it with a pencil on a length of string.

Andrew.

**David White** · 8th January 07, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

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....

I agree Woodsheal. I had very few on mine, then I was home alone one night and started adding more. I was up till 0 dark 30 till I got done, what fun. Colin, just have fun with it and do what pleases you design wise, btw, I think your targe looks pretty dog gone good!
Where did you get your basket-hilt?