Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
History has come up with a variety of different defensive tools, from shields to parrying daggers. But is there still room for improvement in designing something even more effective? I think so, and this one is hard to beat in my mind, at least when it comes to a balance between protectiveness and portability.
It's a modified version of a Chinese Gou Rang (hook shield) and/or a particular, rare form of Indian Madu. The best protection in a relatively small, light, and highly durable design that's not too inconvenient to carry (although definitely not as easy as a small buckler).
Not suitable for historical battlefields, but rather civilian self-defense and formal duels. Would also make sense for travelling adventurers in an RPG or other fantasy scenario.
More about the hook shield and the sword & stick / spear combination (including practical tests):
youtu.be/RXYltNPlMaM
youtu.be/4ns1697Q4wI
Picture credit:
"Packrat" by Ursula Vernon
deviantart.com/ursulav/art/Packrat-10094611
*** Merch ***
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - amazon.com/shop/skallagrimnilsson
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #shield #history #fantasy
History has come up with a variety of different defensive tools, from shields to parrying daggers. But is there still room for improvement in designing something even more effective? I think so, and this one is hard to beat in my mind, at least when it comes to a balance between protectiveness and portability.
It's a modified version of a Chinese Gou Rang (hook shield) and/or a particular, rare form of Indian Madu. The best protection in a relatively small, light, and highly durable design that's not too inconvenient to carry (although definitely not as easy as a small buckler).
Not suitable for historical battlefields, but rather civilian self-defense and formal duels. Would also make sense for travelling adventurers in an RPG or other fantasy scenario.
More about the hook shield and the sword & stick / spear combination (including practical tests):
youtu.be/RXYltNPlMaM
youtu.be/4ns1697Q4wI
Picture credit:
"Packrat" by Ursula Vernon
deviantart.com/ursulav/art/Packrat-10094611
*** Merch ***
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - amazon.com/shop/skallagrimnilsson
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #shield #history #fantasy
