Logo creation

Hey!
Ok guys I know there are a LOT of you with some great crafting skills, and so when I saw my mate attempting to create a logo for the Counter Strike Source Clan we are in I immediately though of you guys. Ive talked to him about it and he's going to try messing about a bit more with it, but says logo's really aren't his thing.
So first off his current work is:

Attachment 404

Now I was thinking
1. on a shield the sheen would never come from top or bottom, but left or right
2. maybe try adding the blood splatter on top of the N
3. how would a lightning bolt look in the middle of the N as opposed to the | | ?
4. how would french script MT or mistral font (word 2007) look on it for the writing?

Basically I would like you guys to take a crack at this and to make it look like a professional logo a company would use. If that means moding it or starting from scratch, then so be it.

Cheers in advance people!!

I shall have a go but missus wants a couple day tomorrow and in lodon monday to friday, so wont be able to start till next week but i shall try for you >.<

ok im back, ill get the first draft of logos done by sunday the latest GF working all weekend so i have free time

Alright mate that sounds great!
As I said there is no real rush as Im just trying to get this done on the side to surprise everyone with.
I'd have taken a shot at it myself, but my artistic skill is severly lacking

ah mate i cant draw to save my life but i have a small skill in photo shop so might as well try

im trying to figure out what the text says, "NOOBS OF DOOM GAMING SINCE (SOMETHING) " i cant read the last bit

Click on the picture, tard.

here are a couple of quick ones

Attachment 425Attachment 426

Ohh those are grand mate.
Any chance of making the shield a little darker, and maybe adding some blood red shading to the N and the orange backing?

here are a few tries but i dont think i did 2 good with the blood.