Iron shield rim - how to attach?

[Trading-Dragon]

I've been toying with attaching an iron rim to an old round shield I've got. Cut a bit of sheet metal into segments and am now wondering how to best attach it to the ply.

Was considering either blued carpet tacks or solid rivets but I'm not sure if the carpet tacks wouldn't just pop out and the rivets are kinda pricey.

What else could one use?

[nathan]

Please don't, You will hurt somebody with it when it burrs due to hits from swords. It would be banned in any society I have ever been a member of for that reason.

Assuming you don't mind cutting your mates and your society allows it (let us know who they are so we never end up facing it pls), the only way to secure any metal rim is to use rivets through both sides, clout nails are cheap and work nicely (i use them to rivet anything i need), B&Q carries them in a couple of lengths 1\4 the price of rivets (and that assumes you buy rivets by the thousand), blued tacks won't work.

N.

[Trading-Dragon]

Thanks for the hint. Shall try clout nails!

And I wouldn't worry too much - the shield is getting cut down and made into a buckler for late medieval use. And considering that we already allow Uncle Roger's steel heater shields for a bash-about in full tin, a steel-rimmed buckler really doesn't stand out that much.

[WorkMonkey]

Wasn't the sutton hoo's all metal rim secured by stictching and clamped at intervals.

[Medicus Matt]

Just clamped I think, 6 big ones and 12 of the little dragon headed ones.

Same with the Vendel/Valsgarde ones.

But then I don't think they were too worried about scratching someone with burred edges.

[WorkMonkey]

How would a shield rim ever come into contact with someone? Certainly less so than a burred sword or axe blade and they go flying over just about every battlefield.

[Nigel]

Monkey boy you ever fought me

shileds are aggressive things which is why as Nathan says we bann metal edging cos if I gubbe dyou in the mush with one ith may hurt

[WorkMonkey]

Geeet out. You Norman types are armoured head to foot, if hitting each other with a mace doesn't hurt how is a little edge on a shield rim going to hurt. I suppose shoving someone with a sield could cut them, especially on clothed parts. Tin clad wang monkeys should be fine though.

[Trading-Dragon]

We shiny knights are pretty much tinned up allright.

I just noticed something about the buckler I've made though: after using it properly yesterday it's developed some lovely dents in the boss and a few nicks in the leather facing yet the edging is entirely unscratched.

I reckon because of the way you fight with them Vike body shields get more edge cuts than small hand held bucklers. Might even get away with not having a rim on them at all...?

[WorkMonkey]

I have also found on very small saxon buckler sized shields I've used, most shots end up on the boss or face, mainly because you're using it actively, the boss is used to disengage opponants weapons, if it misses the boss, it nicks the face, but you rarely use the edge to absorb the blow like you would a bigger garage door shield.

[Gyrthofhwicce]

I've a metal rim on the facing of my round shield, it's held on with rivets, doesnt burr, or at least hasn't done in the 2 years i've been using it. And anyway in pre battle checks it should be checked for burred edges just like the swords and filed down.

any society that doesnt check for burred edges on any metal implement before battle shouldnt carry on any longer in my opinion.