Kilt or celtic weaponry...

[Woodsheal]

is the targe a wood center finished by leather? If not what material did you use or would you suggest? This will be for display only, and not for stopping anything (except for the odd dish if my wife find out about the creidt card bill )

I use half-inch plywood, with thick cowhide for the front face, thin deer or calfskin for the back. Brass tacks in various sizes, and upholstery nails can be obtained at your local furniture refinishing/upholstery store....

[David White]

Basket hilts are cool! I was desgining one in my head, here are the materials: Damascus Steel Blade, Ebony Handle, Blued Steel Basket and Fittings with a Black leather sheath with Blued steel fittings.

Oh, has anyone ever seen a curved basket hilt?

Yes they are called Turgaels. Its from a Turkish saber matched with a baskethilt, Tur-Gael.

[cloves]

what are the usual diameters of targes?

[Bob C]

I don't consider my sgians dubh to be weapons. They're pocket knives for guys without pockets.

I have a dressy dirk and a Claymore that I bought to cut the cake at my wedding. (The pic is not very good)

[Bob C]

what are the usual diameters of targes?

They can be all sizes. Building supply stores often have plywood rounds in stock. A targe is on my list of projects, too. Brian and I had this conversation over pints, one night.

[Iolaus]

I don't consider my sgians dubh to be weapons. They're pocket knives for guys without pockets.

I have a dressy dirk and a Claymore that I bought to cut the cake at my wedding. (The pic is not very good)

That's funny! I used a very large dagger for mine.

[MacWage]

Actually, I had a "groom's cake" that was made to look like an older style painted targe (with the big round boss). Sorry, no pics up anywhere, though I still have the targe/shield that it was based on. The cake was displayed with it flat (duh) and the real shield/targe leaning on the wall behind it.

We cut it with a BIG knife that looked like a dagger.

The bridal cake was traditional, as was the wedding. It was just too hot (mid July in South Carolina) for my Great Kilts/Belted Plaids (all I had 8 years ago).

[billmcc]

I don't have any celtic weapons, but would love a targe, a basket-hilt broadsword and a dirk.

This website has decent prices on the above items (intended for display):
http://www.kultofathena.com/scottish.htm
Has anyone bought items from this company before?

[Iolaus]

I use half-inch plywood, with thick cowhide for the front face, thin deer or calfskin for the back. Brass tacks in various sizes, and upholstery nails can be obtained at your local furniture refinishing/upholstery store....

What do you do for the edge, just stretch the cowhide around?

[michael steinrok]

My best sword is an Irish Hand and a half that is battle ready. Would like to get a nice baskethilt claymore some day. Too busy buying kilts, and toy soldiers with kilts and little itty bitty claymores for the soldiers.