Overall, the buckler shields are offensive protection options that have been in use since the early Middle Ages and were rendered obsolete by the widespread availability of firearms. Close combat with bucklers employs assaults and blocks that necessitate the separation of sword and buckler; this is the second tradition known as open combat.
Bucklers are most commonly composed of a face, boss, and handle. The face was most commonly circular, although it might also be square or curved to form one or more spikes at the edge. It would often be bent to redirect blows. The hand is usually partially inside the boss. The boss may be rounded for crushing strikes or, more commonly, include a spike that allows one to snag a sword or hit an opponent…
What Makes Buckler Shields Unique?
Shields are useful when you may be attacked from multiple directions. However, massive shields impede the holder’s ability to use their own weapons. With most larger alternatives, you can’t simply attack from the offside or even perform an angled swipe from the sword side without pulling back the shield..
Wooden bucklers provide substantially less coverage, but in exchange, they provide movement and far less limitation on what the arm may do. Their small size also allows them to be produced from heavier, more rigid materials, such as different alloys, without becoming too heavy to use.
The steel-tipped boss and strong leather edge may let you deflect punches and even launch counterattacks. Furthermore, you will try a variety of buckler-sword combinations—these shields are a good option if your fighting style is energetic and aggressive.
How to Use a Buckler Shield in Combat?
In sword mastery, the buckler acted as an extension of the arm, forming a coherent unit of defense and attack. This allowed buhurt knights to battle at close quarters while protecting themselves from slashes and thrusts, potentially exploiting weak places in the guard.
Buckler’s shields were valuable because of how they were used in close combat. Unlike larger shields, the buckler can be utilized not only to passively block assaults but also to create openings and increase a wielder’s offensive capabilities.
The sword can be held directly towards the opponent, with the buckler in front to shield the hand and forearm, ready to defend against any oncoming blows. You could also hold the buckler shield and arm in front, with the point inclined up and the shield positioned to defend the lower body, ready for defensive or offensive action.
With the sword held vertically down in front of the body, a practitioner maintains a defensive position that can be quickly transformed into an offensive maneuver.
Choosing the Right Buckler Shield for Your Needs
First, after purchasing, ensure that the buckler is raised deeply enough to allow your hand to float away from the metal’s surface; you should be able to pass another gloved hand between the hand, grasping the handle and the metal’s back. Second, make sure you’re wearing a glove with a lengthy cuff or installing a padded rim.
During a forceful parry or block, the rim may spin around and smack you in the forearm, causing nasty bruises. Look for a handle that is similar to a sword grip. Ideally, you want an ovular grip, similar to a sword, so you can feel the angle of the buckler. Additionally, this sword grip handle lowers the amount of flipping around in your hand during a forceful parry.
The ideal lightweight and nimble shield is often designed specifically for large fights and numerous shield disciplines. Your buckler shield is meant to increase your mobility while providing reliable battlefield protection.
With a diameter of 30 cm, this shield offers the ideal balance of comprehensive coverage and agility. Though the 10 mm thickness keeps it lightweight and increases resilience, the buckler’s edge is tempered with 4 mm leather to provide extended longevity even in the most extreme conditions.
Caring for Your Buckler Shield: Maintenance Tips
Similar to sunlight, rain generally doesn’t affect buckler shields, but excessive water might cause the foam near exposed strapping to soak and distort the contour of your shield. This is particularly crucial if your shield includes leather accents on the strapping or edge.
Never forget to remove your shield off the field. Furthermore, because water expands when it freezes, snow can also be a problem for all shields. This shortens the lifespan of your shield by stretching the foam and, consequently, the dip. Your shield should be kept somewhere dry and cool.
When a component of the shield breaks, or a rivet bursts off, it’s a good idea to glue the affected region. Shields, like in contests, will accrue damage over time. This is a slow breakdown of the foam around the edge, which can make the paint appear fractured.
However, if something comes off or is seriously damaged, glue and paint will fix the problem. Use a wet sponge to paint combat damage using acrylic color pallets, then wipe the area clean with a paper towel.
