Thank you!

I usually the same thing (protecting friendlies from enemy spears/halbeards) if there are more of them on the opposing side. I don't shorten the grip, this allows to mess with enemy weapons while they are still in idle position, that's easier than catching their stabs

Yeah, getting entangled really sucks. I try to avoid it as well if possible.

I think the effect is rather minimal. My steel one is significantly heavier, but I feel that making cuts is still quite doable with that steel one if you hold it in the halfway grip. A big thing that makes it work for me, is that just like with almost every other weapon, cut with the expectation of hitting something (halberd or person). Meeting resistance should allow you to continue into a thrust from a cut. It would be a bit slower with steel, but the truly big difference would be in safety. These rubber headed halberds are quite forward weighted already, but still quite light, so you can control them on a cut. There's absolutely no way I feel I'd be able to stop my steel halberd when I cut with it.

Sounds like a fun idea. I'm still thinking how to simulate being in a melee with that, without actually being in a melee (because you need a lot of people and your setup time for each exchange is quite long).

I am quite happy with the Cobra as a compromise. For living history I'll be happy with my helmet, but for intensity I feel a lot safer in the mask and the cobra has the added benefit of having a pretty clear distinction between hardshell part and mesh, so it's clear to me what is 'helmet' and what is open.

@@VirtualFechtschule Thank you for your response. I will perhaps do as you, work slower and technical stuff and experimental technical stuff with the sallet, but go with the mask for the high intensity variation. I have not considered the idea of having the mesh play the "open" part of a helmet and it's an interesting one. Thank you.

The sword is an excellent back-up weapon as it´s easy to carry alongside other equipment.