Plywood Shield vs Broadsword, Katana, Axe, Kriegs. & Hammer

[Harper]

[Kortoso]

Good video!

I think the katana is not cutting so well because the shield is at a slight angle off of 90 degrees; also the curve of the katana increases the angle where it contacts. (Of course, the Japanese didn't encounter shields so maybe that explains the straight vs curved sword question.)

I've done a little bit of Viking-Age reenactment, using just such a shield.
One of the advantages of such a Viking CGR (center-grip round) is that it is very mobile. In contrast to a "target" style shield that is strapped to your forearm, the CGR has a LOT of "give" built into it. Using it, I would deflect and re-direct incoming blows instead of trying to be a wall and "taking it" - even in a shield wall.

It's interesting that actual Viking-Age shields of this sort that are excavated, universally have been found to be very thin, as little as 1/4" thick, and often edged with rawhide. Of course, you're going to be carrying it around a lot, so why make it thicker and heavier than it needs to be?