Unbalanced Scutum

[RUBICON]

I have recently bought a scutum which was made for me. I will edeg it and paint it but when I stand and hold it, the top continually rocks back towards me. The hand grip doesnt seem centred putting a lot of pressure on my wrist to firmly hold it level in front of me - is this common?

When holding the scutum, should it stay balanced parallel to my body or should it rock back towards my body?

I would assume some training and fitness holding the scutum may make a difference, but as it is, I think I would end up throwing it away in battle out of sheer frustration!

D D

Any suggestions on where I can get brass edging or who could produce it?

Also, what colour can I use for RED to make it less bright and give it some battle worn authenticity. Bright red looks so "new". Wouldnt want the barbarians to think

"check out the newbie in the frontline!"

Cheers

[Marcus Mummius]

Salve,

Most of the time you'll want to brace your shield with your left shoulder and left leg. So it's no problem when it rocks back a little to your body at the top! This is the shield position you're looking for. I don't know why you'd want to hold the shield in front of you verticaly

The Romans loved bright colours. I think the barbarians would think: "that man with the bright shield must be a very succesful warrior if he's able to afford such an expensive bright paint".

Vale,
Jef

[Ironhand]

Best of luck with the problem. Perhaps it can be weighted in certain areas to balance it out, much like balancing a car tire (though it no doubt would be easier with a round shield).

[Ironhand]

"The Romans loved bright colours. I think the barbarians would think: "that man with the bright shield must be a very succesful warrior if he's able to afford such an expensive bright paint". Quote

Or maybe they would think "He must not use that beautiful shield very much. Perhaps it should belong to a true man, instead of wasting away in the sun while its owners corpse is eaten by ravens."

I don't think I'll be promoted any time soon. Pissed off Roman pride again. hock: :twisted:

[RUBICON]

Hahahaha yes I can see that the barbarians would think " stay away from him his shield his mark free...he must be too good!

Well holding it out in front vertically for balance reasons not defence reasons... surely an easy target... D D

thanks for the advice...bright and hold shield closer to body! Oh and look confident!

[Primvs Pavlvs]

The Romans loved bright colours. I think the barbarians would think: "that man with the bright shield must be a very succesful warrior if he's able to afford such an expensive bright paint".

Or the could have thought he was a fashion designer/interior decorator! hock:

[Gaius_Calvus]

As to brass edging, I am not sure where you could buy it ready made, but I edged mine in brass using the instructions found here:

http://www.florentius.com/scutumedging.htm

I have attached a photo of my scutum. I used .020" or .5mm brass sheet for mine, cut in accordance with the instructions from the website.

I bought a 20cm x 20cm piece of steel, 3/8" thick, for a cheap price to make rounded corners as well. I used square corners on mine, and made a rim for another member of our legio with rounded corners using this jig.

I also have a large number of photos of the process that might be helpful.

Regards,

Edge

[Decimus Apollonius]

Nice Scutum Gaius. If you ever feel froggy could you post those pics and a brief description of how you did it here: http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewforum.php?f=55


It would be a great topic to add

[Gaius_Calvus]

I sure will -- probably next week. The photo credits go to Matt Lukes, since I used the techniques he taught me. He sent me the photos and I used them to do mine. :wink:

Edge

[Decimus Apollonius]

That would be great thanks Edge!

[RUBICON]

Very nice Gaius. It loosk great! I'm looking forward to those pics


Why do our partners when having photos put their hands on our bellies?

[Gaius_Calvus]

In order to remind us how much our waistline has grown since we married them? :lol:

[Hibernicus]

The balance can change..

factors:
.. material the umbo is made from and its size.
.. edging material
.. covering material: hide and or cloth
.. reinforcements on the inside, metal or wood?
.. reinforced hand grip?

Also: the size of the hand hole and umbo's "bowl" affect how you carry it and determine whether or not you can pad the upper edge of the hand hole and pack the bowl with padding.

If you feel the urge to wave your scutum about resist! Keep it close and tight. In a pinch your can rotate it 90 degrees and fight gladiator style.

[Marcus Caecilius Avitus]

The depth of curve on the shield is a big factor. The deeper the curve, the more the shield will roll into your shoulder (and away from you shin). The reverse being true of a shallower curve. I say this from experience of over 10 scuta made to date with varying degrees of success on the curves. Got it sussed now tho'

I wouldn't say that this lack of balance is wrong though, it's just a feature of the scutum and in any case, with a cross handle there is no way you can use it in a combat situation without bracing it.

I'd get used to it before making any drastic changes that you might regret.

[A_Volpe]

yeah - The shield is going to rotate until your wrist gets used to holding it as straight as possible, but, as had been noted, you can brace the sheild with your elbow and your knee.

Have you tried flipping the shield around? If it is slightly imballanced, let's say "top heavy", then simply flipping it upside down may help counteract the rotation.

Although, having it roll onto your shoulder is much better than having it roll onto your knee or your shin, esspecially when marching...Ouch!