In Brandon Sanderson's fantasy book "Words of Radiance", there are special empowered swords that will cut through anything except for special empowered armour. An unarmoured character uses a helmet dropped by one of these warriors as an improvised shield to protect himself while fighting against those swords. In my opinion, it's one of the best scenes of the book.
Helms being used as shields is a very old tactic. There's mention in an East Roman treatise, I forget the century but I think it was the 7th or 8th century? Wherein the former soldier writing said treatise mentions that helmets should all have long spikes, not only for intimidation but if you are bereft of a shield for any reason, your helmet can be used as one, either for use as a normal buckler or using the pronounced helm spike to punch and impale the enemy. It's in the book 'Four Byzantine Military Treatises' for those who might want to read of it.
When the helmet is not already on the head, it might serve as buckler in a pinch. As an engineer I´d go for there is only one way to find out: put it to the test. You got helmets, swords and skills for it. As for the celebratory video: The fighting in high heels may have been a little premature. I´ll be looking forward to a surprise though. And I really wish you success with reaching the milestone soon.
Yes, testing it might have to be the way, just to be sure. My poor wrist!! I am sure a surprising and fun celebration will somehow find a way into my brain. Need to figure that out soon!
Dive right in!! Interesting though for an improv shield. I think the biggest issue is the grip, could see your fists getting banged up potentially, but as an emergency shield, could certainly help. Maybe do a makeshift handle by sticking a broken haft/handle through the straps and twisting it to lock in place, that might work as a handle to make it more effective in the short term.
I think that if you have an open-faced helm (especially if you're wearing it, with the strap fastened) it would *not* be wise to exchange the protection it can give to your head. Also, I.33's way of delivering cuts while defending the sword hand depend a lot on the buckler's maneuverability, I think that the weight of the kettle helm plus the awkwardness of a floppy handle might interfere with that. Maybe Bolognese or Destreza have a way of adapting it, considering that the buckler remains away from the sword hand... but I highly doubt it.
I certainly wouldn’t do I.33 with a kettle helm as buckler so I agree with you there. I could probably make Bolognese work until I sprained my wrist from the weight. Ooops. So yes, I agree, doubtful.
I’d choose head protection of course. But this certainly a “can it be done” theme rather than a “should it be done” and when we talk heroics and fiction…
I always imagined it like taking it off a nearby rack, or from a guard who left it on the table while sleeping. In a more comedic setting perhaps the protagonist knocks the helmet off a guy who then surrenders or as a show of mercy and they keep the helmet as a buckler for a bit.
Improvised Armor! Neat! Ideal? No! Better than nothing? Maybe? I think you'd want to do something closer to the larger shields of "keep it in one place" versus the buckler techniques. Then again, I don't know much about this lol. Cool idea!
You’re right about it, treat it more like a larger shield, just hide behind it, create distance, din’t get too fancy. The more people comment, the more I want to try it. Which requires effort I may not have energy or time for. Yet.
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In Brandon Sanderson's fantasy book "Words of Radiance", there are special empowered swords that will cut through anything except for special empowered armour. An unarmoured character uses a helmet dropped by one of these warriors as an improvised shield to protect himself while fighting against those swords. In my opinion, it's one of the best scenes of the book.
Ooo, that seems like a great scene. I knew someone has had fun with this idea before. Very cool and thanks for sharing that!
Helms being used as shields is a very old tactic. There's mention in an East Roman treatise, I forget the century but I think it was the 7th or 8th century? Wherein the former soldier writing said treatise mentions that helmets should all have long spikes, not only for intimidation but if you are bereft of a shield for any reason, your helmet can be used as one, either for use as a normal buckler or using the pronounced helm spike to punch and impale the enemy. It's in the book 'Four Byzantine Military Treatises' for those who might want to read of it.
Oooo that is very cool. A random idea has basis! Actual text to support it! Thank you for sharing that.
When the helmet is not already on the head, it might serve as buckler in a pinch. As an engineer I´d go for there is only one way to find out: put it to the test. You got helmets, swords and skills for it.
As for the celebratory video: The fighting in high heels may have been a little premature. I´ll be looking forward to a surprise though. And I really wish you success with reaching the milestone soon.
Yes, testing it might have to be the way, just to be sure. My poor wrist!!
I am sure a surprising and fun celebration will somehow find a way into my brain. Need to figure that out soon!
Dive right in!! Interesting though for an improv shield.
I think the biggest issue is the grip, could see your fists getting banged up potentially, but as an emergency shield, could certainly help. Maybe do a makeshift handle by sticking a broken haft/handle through the straps and twisting it to lock in place, that might work as a handle to make it more effective in the short term.
That’s a great idea. Broken haft as the handle for short term use. Brilliant! Now to break a haft and try that? Haha
I think that if you have an open-faced helm (especially if you're wearing it, with the strap fastened) it would *not* be wise to exchange the protection it can give to your head. Also, I.33's way of delivering cuts while defending the sword hand depend a lot on the buckler's maneuverability, I think that the weight of the kettle helm plus the awkwardness of a floppy handle might interfere with that. Maybe Bolognese or Destreza have a way of adapting it, considering that the buckler remains away from the sword hand... but I highly doubt it.
I certainly wouldn’t do I.33 with a kettle helm as buckler so I agree with you there. I could probably make Bolognese work until I sprained my wrist from the weight. Ooops. So yes, I agree, doubtful.
The question is would you choose to have head-protection or an awkward buckler?
I’d choose head protection of course. But this certainly a “can it be done” theme rather than a “should it be done” and when we talk heroics and fiction…
Picking it up might be faster than putting it on. There might be situations for the awkward buckler.
I always imagined it like taking it off a nearby rack, or from a guard who left it on the table while sleeping. In a more comedic setting perhaps the protagonist knocks the helmet off a guy who then surrenders or as a show of mercy and they keep the helmet as a buckler for a bit.
Might have to give it a try with my kettle helm sometime!
My assessment is it will work for five seconds and after that you may sprain your wrist, so do be careful. ;) but still try it!
Improvised Armor! Neat! Ideal? No! Better than nothing? Maybe? I think you'd want to do something closer to the larger shields of "keep it in one place" versus the buckler techniques. Then again, I don't know much about this lol. Cool idea!
You’re right about it, treat it more like a larger shield, just hide behind it, create distance, din’t get too fancy.
The more people comment, the more I want to try it. Which requires effort I may not have energy or time for. Yet.
The trick is to wear a shield as a helm
So I should build a shield helm. Hrm. ;)
Oh man, I need to WAY up my buckler game first, but there is literally nothing in the SCA Parrying Aid rules disallowing using a helmet as a buckler.
Difficult moments call for creative solutions! If there’s no SCA rule against it, the. It’s valid!
@@LaurenDangerShaw I have a new goal: get good enough at normal buckler to see how well a helmet compares
A lighter helmet than the one I have might be helpful. I suspect so, anyway, easier to move about. My advice, for whatever it’s worth.
Improvised weapon, like the first rock they grabbed.
Improvised and hopefully successful! It’s a lot of metal to psh around but it should hit like a rock. Clang!