I've seen a couple of posts on the Bel forum about making punch shields out of playwood. As you know my first two shields were wood cored punch shields. The first one was a 20 inch buckler with a gate handle grip. It wasn't plywood and as such cracked when stomped on. My second one, which my son now uses to good effect, was like 1/2" or 1/4" (can't remember) plywood. It was an SCA oval scutum with a steel boss. I took the steel off and foamed it up.
Plywood punch shields have a little more weight than a coreless punch shield, so it'll take a stronger hit to make it move out of the way. However, it will move and can snap back against your hand. Have had that happen. When your grip and arm are stronger from using it, this will help keep it firm. Also a plywood punch will move more readily than a plywood strapped shield when kicked/kneed or Templared, and this may keep it from cracking more easily.
Anyhow, the thing I noticed about the Bel shields that were under discussion, and I will enclose some pics of one of the shields, is that they are using a countersunk metal boss. The one in the picture is using a stove top drip pan for the boss. The boss and core are then covered in a minimum of 3 layers of blue foam. This is an idea I wouldn't mind using, however, in Dagorhir, would such a countersunk metal boss be legal for use???
Enquiring minds want to know. Pics below...
Here's the other shield, looks the same, but it looks like he put more foam on it.
Konradr (the one who makes Smithy smile sometimes)