Another DIY Targe

[KiltedKnome]

Jamie, thank you for the explanation. Preserving a tradition and honouring the positives of the past are good things.

It looks good on you, and I am sure it will look good on the wall for your Burns Suppers.

Do you mind posting instructions on how you made it? While I don't think I would make a targe, it does give me an idea for something else I want to make.

Thanks.

[toadinakilt]

One last reason is that it keeps alive a tradition.

Targes, from my understanding, were not mass produced for sale. Instead the individual would make their own shield. I couldn't help but think about the men who in centuries prior crafted their shields as I made mine. As they worked I wonder if they boasted about their skills in battle? Did they pray? Did they think about their own mortality and hope that their shield would be good enough when things really counted in the heat of battle? When they were finished and satisfied with their work did they hang them in a place of honor in their homes?

There is little practical need of targes in our modern day world, but the process of making one brought a little part of history and my heritage to life.

I think that made it worthwhile

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

Love it. These days, doing just about anything by hand can get you thinking that way.

[MacHenderson]

Amazing! Love them both. This is something I want to try some day.

[Tiny]

but what will you do with it? It is not a typical "lets-walk-down-the-street" accessory.

Depends on the neighborhood you live in. I'm guessing the guy with the targe walking down the street is less likely to be mugged. They would already think your crazy.

[macshorty]

Wow Jamie,
They both look great. The fact that they are both hand made is amazing. I wish I had the time and the patience() to make one.

[Mark E.]

Good looking piece. Dare I ask what you used as your core material? I am planning to build one myself, and after "testing" a few out, have decided to wait until I was more familier with the process, and the expection of their durability in battle.

Original plans were to laminate 2 layers of 3/8" quarter sawn oak on opposing grain directions-tough stuff, and available in the old days. For my outer leather, 6 or 8 ounce skirting hide-or possibly rawhide? On the back, a piece of hair on stag or roe deer, under which, at the arm, a piece of lambswool for padding. Was planning on using a chunk of a broken sword for the spike, as opposed to just a "spike"-again, availability.

Do you use yours? I would like mine to be able to withstand a pistol shot (at least slow it down), musket ball (again, at least slow it down), and action of axe and sword.

My ideas on shields are fairly limited to the early era, so...Any help is appreciated!