Targe work-in-progress pics

**The Thirsty Viking** · 16th March 11, 09:22 PM

Lookin mighty fine, so far, brotha! I Freakin LOVE Zoomorphic knots. I use a lot of them in my Drinking Horns.

Lemme know if you want a custom spike made for that thing. I am pretty handy with a hammer and fire.

**Nighthawk** · 16th March 11, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by The Thirsty Viking

Lookin mighty fine, so far, brotha! I Freakin LOVE Zoomorphic knots. I use a lot of them in my Drinking Horns.

Lemme know if you want a custom spike made for that thing. I am pretty handy with a hammer and fire.

DUDE!! I do indeed!! I had no idea where to get one! PM me- let's work something out!

**greenfordranger** · 16th March 11, 09:46 PM

Looks good Hawk! Incredible work indeed

**watsonclan** · 16th March 11, 09:49 PM

Sweet, nice tooling....

**MacPruette** · 17th March 11, 01:43 PM

Nice work so far NightHawk!

**Nighthawk** · 17th March 11, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by Mike P

Nice work so far NightHawk!

Thanks! Can I ask where you got your shield boss? That's the one element I'm missing.

**MacPruette** · 17th March 11, 05:44 PM

Yes, the boss was difficult at first. I ended up making my own.

I found a hardwood log with even cuts so that it would stand easily, and made a dishing stump. I used a hole saw to bore into the end of it for a nice round hole, then chiseled out the interior of the hole to about 2 inches deep. I got a piece of sheet brass and laid over the hole and with the biggest ball peen hammer in my arsenal, I hammered away until I was satisfied with the shape. Then, using metal snips, I cut off the excess brass leaving a flange around the beveled area so I could nail it to the targe.

The only ones I could find pre-made were for Roman shields. You can get sheet brass from hobby stores, some hardware stores, and even amazon. I usually use 16 or 18 gauge depending on the targe I'm making.

The one I'm currently constructing will have a removable brass spike as well. Pics coming soon.

**Elf** · 19th March 11, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by The Thirsty Viking

Lookin mighty fine, so far, brotha! I Freakin LOVE Zoomorphic knots.

I too love knotwork designs. I use them in my calligraphy whenever I can. Honestly, having looked at the linked thread, I prefer your design to the originals (in my humble opinion). Looking forward to seeing the project compleated.

**Nighthawk** · 19th March 11, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by Elf

I too love knotwork designs. I use them in my calligraphy whenever I can. Honestly, having looked at the linked thread, I prefer your design to the originals (in my humble opinion). Looking forward to seeing the project compleated.

I did too, at first. I've spent a lot of time looking over the original, and the more I look, the more I see in it! Man!! I will never reach that level of mastery! Not in this lifetime, anyway. Maybe in the next, or the one after that. It truely is a thing of beauty.

With that being said- thank you for your compliment! I do appreciate the feedback. The Book of Kells has always been a big inspiration to me. I'd love to see some photos of your calligraphy. I love illuminated text.