Kilt or celtic weaponry...

[billmcc]

David White,

I really like the dirk in your picture! Is it a custom blade?

[cormacmacguardhe]

All I have right now is a battle axe. Working on making my own targe.

[billmcc]

what are the usual diameters of targes?

Usually 19 to 20 inches in diameter.

[Pour1Malt]

If you need two claymores at a wedding they might ought to close the bar a bit earlier

nay... we use them tae get TAE the bar! HA!


really.... this is hae they arr used...

[macwilkin]

The Tartans Authority has a nice article about the Targe here:

http://www.tartansauthority.com/Web/...s/Weaponry.asp

Happy Reading! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

[David White]

David White,

I really like the dirk in your picture! Is it a custom blade?

Yes it is, The dirk was made by Michael "Tinker" Pearce.
Thanks

[David White]

Usually 19 to 20 inches in diameter.

The one I made is 18". Has anyone ever seen the portrait of Lord George Murray ca. 1740? His targe is very small. I'd like to make one that size.

[Big Paul]

Here is Lord George Murray.

[Big Paul]

Basket hilts are cool! I was desgining one in my head, here are the materials: Damascus Steel Blade, Ebony Handle, Blued Steel Basket and Fittings with a Black leather sheath with Blued steel fittings.

That sounds like a stunning sword!! I would love to see it when it comes about!

[Woodsheal]

What do you do for the edge, just stretch the cowhide around?

I rasp and sand the edge of the wood so it's rounded and smooth. The front piece of leather I cut so it's a few inches greater in diameter than it needs to be. I then make 1 inch triangular cuts around that diameter, so that it ends up looking like a big circular saw blade.

I then thoroughly wet the leather all around its diameter to make it pliable, then begin pulling it over and nailing it to the back. I do this by nailing at opposite sides of a "clock face" if you follow me. I.E., I'll pull the leather over and nail it at the 12 o'clock position, then 6 o'clock, then 9, then 3, etc. This will result in it being more uniform and not bulging or bunching in spots.

When it's all nailed around the back, and the leather has dried and tightened into place, I trim off the points of the "sawblade" I mentioned earlier.

The thinner back piece of leather can either lie under, or go over the nailed back front piece. The former is easier; the latter is the method seen on most originals. I also put padding - usually wool fabric - under the back leather, too, doubly thick under the arm area.

Most originals are 19" in diameter....