Rawlings Synthetic Bucklers

[Dangermouse]

Hello Chaps

Some images of the Bucklers we propose to manufacture. Prototypes are going to to be very expensive to produce so please let me know if you have any likes/dislikes before they are made. I'd like to take the prototypes to FightCamp.

Bucklers are 12" dimameter.

Weight - about half the weight of the steel equivalent. We can probably get to 2/3 the weight of steel if required.

Images show both handle configurations. The community is so divided as to which handle is favoured - we have made them interchangable.

The handles are shown in their cheapest form. They can not be manufactured from solid plastic because of warpage when cooling. We can get a cover made to clip to the back of the grip to round them off more but will cost more as it is an extra part. Would people pay an extra couple of pounds for a rounder handle (which you probably won't feel through a glove)?

[Dangermouse]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Dangermouse]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Dangermouse]

Dave has been testing this design for over a year now and prefers the contoured grip.

The space behdind the boss is roomy enough to get a decent sized padded glove behind.

Those who have played with the early prototypes have pretty much liked them. Weight has been an issue as they were originally constructed from polycarbnate which is favoured for being stron yet "light" which is not what we want from the finished product.

[admin]

They look cool, I'd have to handle them to have a view on the handle options.
Any idea what the target price of these will be?

[Dangermouse]

They look cool, I'd have to handle them to have a view on the handle options.
Any idea what the target price of these will be?

Depends on the material we run with (this can REALLY alter the price). I think that with the economic climate being the way it is people are going to want them as cheaply as possible which could lead to a lighter product - as additives bump the price up.

It would be nice to get an idea what people "would" pay for them so we can try and work to this. Steel bucklers are very cheap these days so we have to try and come in below them.

Target price at the moment is sub £30. How low we get depends on the material used.

[Oli Barker]

I was certainly impressed with the prototype that I used in the Dijon tournament.

Personally I prefer the non-contoured grip - it is more like my favourite steel buckler, and I generally don't feel the need to wear a thick glove on my buckler hand.

[Magnus Hagelberg]

I'm with Oli on this. A straight handle is preferable.

detachable handles?

Grooves to put led weight in the handle-that you could put regular sportswrapping over?
this could get weigth up and let people choose how heavy they want's it.

something like:
http://www.elastocon.se/index.php?optio ... 75&lang=en

or Just take some airgun ledpellets, mix it upp with silicons and jam it in

[Dangermouse]

detachable handles?

Grooves to put led weight in the handle-that you could put regular sportswrapping over?
this could get weigth up and let people choose how heavy they want's it.

something like:
http://www.elastocon.se/index.php?optio ... 75&lang=en

or Just take some airgun ledpellets, mix it upp with silicons and jam it in

Hi Magnus. Yes the handles are detachable and interchangable.

Like the ideas for getting the weight up etc.

[Alex Kiermayer]

These bucklers look nice. I especially like the flat grip.

Do you think you will have prototypes with you in Apelern?


Servus,
Alex

[Dangermouse]

These bucklers look nice. I especially like the flat grip.

Do you think you will have prototypes with you in Apelern?


Servus,
Alex

Hi Alex

I'll certainly have prototypes by then. Whether I'll be in Apelern or not is still debatable - is is clashing with a big trade show that I may not be able to miss...

[Scott Brown]

Weight is a pivotal factor for me. Must get to *at least* leather buckler weights (roughly 2 lbs.) if not wood.

Would have to see/feel grip to have opinion, otherwise straight is fine. Could also try making a grip that is two sided. Meaning, attach it one way and it extends away from buckler, attach it the other way and it pushes hand more inside the buckler.

Edge thickness should also be addressed. Don't want anything thinner than a leather buckler would have.

[KeithFarrell]

Are there any updates on how these are coming along? Unfortunately our steel bucklers are not being very kind to our nylon arming swords, so I would be interested to hear how these are progressing.

[admin]

Yes likewise!

[Dangermouse]

Sorry I've not posted for a while - lots going on in and out of work at the moment

We are getting these manufactured in a different way than we previously planned. The set up cost for the buckler tool is more than for the swords but the demand is much less. As such we are going for a method with a cheaper set up and higher unit cost.

This wont be reflected in the buckler price as we'll absorb it but it will lead to a higher trade price and will limit availability from retailers outside the U.K. who may not choose to stock them. Steel bucklers are so cheap to produce in India - it is hard to keep the price competitive.

Still on track for this year though.

[admin]

I suppose the other option would be to just sell rubber edging tape for steel bucklers.

[Dave B]

There is a product on the market designed for protecting cables from the sharp edges of steel cable trays. It is extruded in a 'U' shape and you just feed it round the edge and glue it on (or some are self adhesive). It's generaly refered to as 'heavy duty grommet strip ' or 'tray edging strip'

It's mostly sold on big rolls but it might be worth someone stocking it and selling it a yard at a time.

I think you can get clear stuff too (possibly under the trade name 'critchley' if people want to preserve the 'historical' look of thier buckler.

[craftyfighter]

I suppose the other option would be to just sell rubber edging tape for steel bucklers.

a coat of "Plasti dip" or "Rhino liner" ought to do the trick as well.

[KeithFarrell]

Thanks for the update!

[admin]

Hmm, thinking more about the low price of steel bucklers (and the fact that people interested in buckler already own them) perhaps this is a case of 'if you can't beat them, join them'? Seems like an edging product for steel bucklers might be the easy and economical answer.