Knight’s Shield

This is an original design for a patron who requested a knight’s shield to display. It is fully functional defensive armor for various axe, sword or arrow affronts.

The ‘Knight of Sword and Cross Shield’ was created in spruce. The frame was cut and glued, then a design was sketched. Next the design components were chiseled and sanded. Then the shield was stained in Prairie Bench Storybook and finished in polyurethane. The rivets or ‘clavos’ were fired from bolts and the heads were ground. These are to dull the opponents’ blade in battle. A handle was fired and bolted to the back. Finally, the shield is branded and hand numbered.

Designed in spruce. 32″ tall. Finished in Prairie Bench Storybook. #17-03-11-BL

 

Used Wooden Battle Shields

Prairie Bench wood battle shields

We’re still having fun chiseling medieval crests and now—battle weary shields from long ago.  These are designed to look used and come with tell tale signs of conflict.

Prairie Bench wood horse shield 1Prairie Bench wood horse shield 2

256-bl-1-14 Wooden Horse: this shield is in a traditional heraldic shape with notched top edge for resting your lance. The design is a heraldic rearing stallion. The knots in the wood aligned with features of the horse almost like a constellation. This is the fun in woodwork; when characteristics of wood mirror the project it’s a bit magical. Approx dimensions: 32″x20″ with 5% curve. Made of spruce and ‘aged’ iron handle with sisal wrap. All bolts are custom ground. Stained with Prairie Bench Storybook and finished in polyurethane to preserve the shield in its current state without need for future oiling.

Prairie Bench phoenix shield 1 Prairie Bench phoenix shield 2

257-bl-1-14 Phoenix: this is a tribute to a heraldic design on the web which we modified with a crown. A splash of crimson was added in the staining process. This shield is well used with 13 X’s scratched into the shield reverse. Approx dimensions: 32″x20″ with 5% curve. Made of spruce and ‘aged’ iron handle with sisal wrap. All bolts are custom ground. Stained with Prairie Bench Storybook and finished in polyurethane.

Prairie Bench aradia shield 1Prairie Bench aradia shield 2 Prairie Bench aradia shield 3

258-bl-1-14 Aradian battle shield: Where is Aradia? We’re not sure. However they must have had a skirmish or two, because this shield is well used with signs of swords and axes successfully deflected. The handle on this shield is made of hazelnut and includes a leather strap. The front is adorned with eight custom ground clavos. Those are the fancy iron bolts medieval carpenters added to shields and doors to dull the blades of attacking forces.  This is a light, defensive piece ideal for close combat. Approx dimensions: 32″x20″ with 5% curve. Made of spruce and ‘aged’ iron handle with sisal wrap. All bolts are custom ground. Stained with Prairie Bench Storybook and finished in polyurethane.

Prairie Bench shield handle 1