Cold SteelMedieval Buckler Polymer Shield

I bought this buckler out of an interest in having a realistic but inexpensive shield for training purposes, and this more than fits the bill. I was pleasantly surprised at this product's high quality and how good it feels in the hand. Its weight and portability are perfect: small and light enough to be easily transported and not fatigue the user with use, but thick and heavy enough to block attacks and even be used as an offensive weapon. I'm tempted to use this for training with a punching bag, but in all likelihood, it'd destroy the bag.While clearly labeled for training purposes and use against non-metal weaponry, in a less-than-free jurisdiction, this could be a very affordable and effective option for defending oneself against hooligans under a variety of circumstances.For under $30, I'm very pleased with my purchase.

A great value, solid and pretty light

Super cool came in good condition and worked great for my halloween costume. It's heavier than it looks, so I associate that with it being high quality. I had zero issues with it. The grip made it feel really comfortable on my arm.

this little guy is just awesome. Its so solidly built, out of such tuff material that I've no doubt it'll stand up for as long as my arm can hold it. I bought several of the sword trainers from cold steel as well, and would recommend only useing other polypropelyne weapons against it for the longest life. NEVER USE A REAL METAL SWORD AGAINST THIS!!Paired with the cold steel medieval wiaster one handed sword, you're really ready to start learning the art of sword and buckler fighting, which if you don't have a teacher to show you can be learned from 'Medieval Art of Sword & Shield: The Combat System of Royal Armouries MS I.33.'Most of the bad reviewws of this product were by people who didn't know what a buckler shield was, or didn't read the product discription.Update: Ever had someone swing at you while you try to block with a sowrd? Getting the blade around can be difficult, and you need to read them correctly. Defending yourself with this buckler shield is far simpler then it seems it should be. The shock of each blow is barely notcieable, and the most difficult part of long training with it has been the strength of holding it up for long periods of time. The dome portion of the shield seems to move the force off to the side. The ease of getting your sheild into an adaquate blocking position for any stroke was almost intuitive for our entire group, men and women included, it was almsot instinctual. You should never swing full contact with intent to hit your sparring partners, especially when not wearing padded armor, but we soon found ourselves doing just that, and we just couldn't get past this without doing something more unexpected then the basic strokes. The smaller size makes it far better for getting around to cove both sides of your body and getting your weapon positioned for it's own blows.There is a reason that bucklers and long sword was a civilian martial art, it's very simple to protect yourself, and super fun to play with.Damage to the shield with full force swings from untrained people was a few scuff marks, nothing more, looks like it could stand up to years and years of abuse. We're so impressed with it that I can't find the words to properly express.

This sucker is well worth the purchase. It’s heavy and durable. Imposing and very practical. Sturdy handle, and well-made. It’s not just a training aid. Highly recommend this product.

First of all, as with any CS product I've ever ordered, this thing is TOUGH! Just as demonstrated in CS demo vids, this buckler will take blow after blow after blow with no problems and still be ready for more. It is, of course, a training tool not meant to be used against steel weapons, but against wood and polypropylene the thing is damn near indestructible. It will show it's use, mind you, in the form of light scratches and marks, but these are just superficial damages that in no way compromise the shield's strength. It's also lightweight accurately replicating the the feel of a true buckler and the handle is large enough to accommodate a heavily padded or armored hand.The one potential drawback practitioners of HEMA will face with this buckler is the large dome in the center. According to my friend in ARMA, this is not a desired trait as oncoming blows will tend to slide off the shield and into the wielder (which I have found to be true in practice). However, I would argue that while this may not lend the buckler well to static blocks, it does make it a more effective tool for parrying as the dome better serves to displace and redirect an opponent's attack. One just has to make sure not to redirect said attack into oneself which, admittedly, takes practice but in time it can definitely be turned to advantage.All in all, this is another great product by CS and for the price it's a helluva deal. If you want a training buckler that will take all the punishment that comes with the study of traditional western arms, look no further :)

Awesome shield! Made battle-ready.