Vandrefalk Forge started in 2013 and manufactures the finest bespoke shields currently available on the market today. We use traditional methods and designs; each and every shield is produced entirely by hand with care and attention to the smallest details. We're based in the ancient landscape of Wiltshire, 15 minutes from Avebury, Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long barrow and two minutes from junction 16 of the M4.
We supply to the film industry, museums and living history organisations and groups; we supply to re-enactor and LARP groups. We retail and sell wholesale, producing shields for 'Jelling Dragon' in York and one of our shields was used in the Heroes exhibition this summer at the Yorvik Centre.
Our historical Viking and Anglo-Saxon shields are made from planked wood, glued and cut to shape by hand, the handles and boss are all hand beaten to shape and hand riveted to the shield, using hand cut washers wherever required. The face of the shield is covered with canvas or leather and painted in traditional designs or as requested by the customer and the back is stained and sealed with oil. Some of our shields are then weathered. The shield is finished with a leather edging, stitched into place using artificial sinew. and the final touch is a wood and leather handle fitted.
We also offer a shield built to the same standard for re-enactors, but using 9mm Marine plywood for strength and longevity. While we can produce museum quality shields, we know not everyone wants this and so produce a budget range of shields using flat steel bar for the handles and spun bosses. This saves on cost but the shields are still built to the same standard and attention to detail.
That said, because all our shields are made to order, even our budget models are custom - the customers choice of size and colour, whether the boss is polished or blackened can be chosen at no extra cost, and then extras can be added to the shield as desired - copper rivets, carry strap, etc.
Occasionally we have off the peg shields too but best to drop us a line about these to see what we have at the time. We also make Kite and Heater shields too.
However, we do more than just shields - we have a comprehensive range of swords, helmets, and armour available at all times. Our range of Runes, Pentacle shelves and Awen shelves were commissioned for the Hedgewitch Cooks group and are also on sale in The Henge Shop, Avebury. Always happy to discuss commission and custom work, just drop us a line. :)