Jonty Posted May 7, 2020 Report Share Posted May 7, 2020 I had one of those brilliant ‘just passing’ chats with a neighbour as I walked past his place on my daily outing yesterday. He was sharpening a small Japanese sword in his garden - this immediately got my 10 year old son’s attention. Long story short, we ended up heading home with a replica Viking shield boss 😀 I’m cheating As i only have ply in the shed, but I’ll accept that in order for us to have a project to work on together. I only had 5mm and it was too flimsy so we started by sandwiching a couple of sheets together. I’d Like to keep it as ‘authentic’ as possible so I’m rummaging around to see what nails etc I’ve got that I could fashion into rivets - it’ll not be 100% but I’m enjoying spending time with the boy, this is our DT and history lessons covered 👍 Not enough clamps! So bricks used Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted May 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2020 Just trying the boss out for size. Next job is to cover the shield with cotton fabric - apparently they did this for additional strength, we also need to get some raw hide to put around the edge of the shield, from what I’ve read the best source of this is an extra large dog chew soaked in water...... every day is a school day 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1066 Posted May 9, 2020 Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 Great project - really need an axe to go with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted May 9, 2020 Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 Fascinating! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted May 9, 2020 Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 Wonderful stuff a Viking axe next? roman sword? it’s all a history lesson 😊👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted May 9, 2020 Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 hello, nice post jonty, i remember when my boys were around that age, had to make all sorts of things, still do now and there in their 40s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted May 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 1 hour ago, 1066 said: Great project - really need an axe to go with that. He’s already asked ! Started covering the shield with fabric - sacrificial dustsheet from the house decorating box. We also made the handle out of some timber from a window frame I replaced last week. With my woodworking skills it’s not hard to make it look rustic and hand hewn! A passing neighbour stopped for a chat the other day and has offered me a load of old hand made nails he pulled out of his house during the refurb - hopefully I can use them as rivets for the boss. I'm really enjoying spending time with the lad and showing him some woodworking tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted May 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted May 9, 2020 Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 hello, looking good so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted May 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 5 minutes ago, oldypigeonpopper said: hello, looking good so far Thanks OPP - I think I’m enjoying it more than my boy is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoBodyImportant Posted May 9, 2020 Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 That’s pretty awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted May 9, 2020 Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 Fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted May 9, 2020 Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 Here’s a simple one just to give your lad a idea 👍👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted May 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 Wow, I’d love to be able to turn my hand to something like that - looks fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted May 9, 2020 Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 13 minutes ago, Jonty said: Wow, I’d love to be able to turn my hand to something like that - looks fantastic! I’m sure you’re capable of doing it just a bit of thought and maybe a bit of instruction when this is over bring your lad for a day in the forge if he fancies learning a bit as long as I survive it 🤭 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted May 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 1 hour ago, Old farrier said: I’m sure you’re capable of doing it just a bit of thought and maybe a bit of instruction when this is over bring your lad for a day in the forge if he fancies learning a bit as long as I survive it 🤭 Thank you - very kind offer!I have a small real ale brewery - I could return the favour in beer..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted May 9, 2020 Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 1 minute ago, Jonty said: Thank you - very kind offer!I have a small real ale brewery - I could return the favour in beer..... Well that’s a fine offer probably best to leave the beer until the end of the day though 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted May 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 23 minutes ago, Old farrier said: Well that’s a fine offer probably best to leave the beer until the end of the day though 😂 Absolutely!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted May 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 Got to painting today - this covers both his art and DT schoolwork! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted May 11, 2020 Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 Put a coat of arms on it that’ll cover history IT. Research heraldry looking good 😊👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted May 12, 2020 Report Share Posted May 12, 2020 Genuinely impressive and not the run of the mill stuff. Nice to involve your lad. My youngest son was to help build our Honda CR500 AF - on a separate thread, but the lockdown has reduced his input to recovering the seat and sticking on the graphics - jobs he can collect from my drive (when passing) and do at home. I was hoping to do a project with my grandson, but the same restrictions have put the kibosh on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted May 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2020 Been a bit busy lately so I’ve only just got around to doing some more this evening. Apparently Viking shields had protective edge of rawhide around the rim. So we drilled holes at 1.5cm centres and bought two of the most mahoosive rawhide chews in the pet shop. Waited till the wife was out, soaked them in the bath til soft, and then cut them into strips to go around the edge. They are slightly different colours and the stitching is rough, but I like that - hopefully it makes it look more authentic. just the handle and the boss to add now, my boy had to go to bed so hopefully we can do that tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted May 27, 2020 Report Share Posted May 27, 2020 It’s coming on awesome the skills you’re teaching the lad are wonderful 👍😊😊 all he needs is a great big cow horn for a drink vessel or a trumpet type thingy that vikings blew and a sheepskin rug to make a waistcoat from 😂🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted May 27, 2020 Report Share Posted May 27, 2020 Yep, you and your lad are doing a grand job on the shield, nice doing things like this with your lad, you do realise that when the other kids see it you may have to setup a Viking village workshop producing shields and all things Viking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted May 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 Finished - and one happy lad! I had some old nails (100 years plus) that a friend pulled out of his house. I used them as rivets to hold the boss and the handle on....... wooden sword next Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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