[Regia-NA] Re: list-regia-na Raw Hide on Shields

[list-regia-na@lig.net]

My experience with a rawhide is that when using it as a shield cover is to soak it, cut it to fit, punch holes along the areas on the back of the shield several inches from the edges of the hide, and lace it on tight with a thong.  As the rawhide dries and shrinks, it will begin to pull the thong.  If you loosen the thongs gradually, it will not pull through the holes or warp the shield board.  When it is almost dry but still has some give, remove the thongs, trim the edges with an exacto knife, and glue or tack into position. Another method designed to drive you to insanity is to use an electric drill with a small drill bit and drill holes through the almost dry rawhide and board, and then lace the whole on using a double needle shoemaker's stitch.  This is the method that was used in the Late Roman Empire and many of the northern Successor States to replace metal edging.  
Of course, you need to drill holes for strap rivets and position them in place with a little epoxy so they don't move around. If you intend to line the back of your shield with canvas or wool, you will need to glue that into position first.  Some of the folks in Men of the Saxon Shore use ground chalk pigment to put the painted designs on their shields; based of course on historical research.

Pagan