Why are some SPEAR HEADS so LONG?

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scholagladiatoria

scholagladiatoria

Күн бұрын

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Why are some historical and ethnic spear heads so much longer than seems necessary?
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#spear #medieval #african

Пікірлер: 562
@scholagladiatoria
@scholagladiatoria 2 ай бұрын
Get 10% off MOVA Globes with code SCHOLA at bit.ly/movaschola
@beepboop204
@beepboop204 2 ай бұрын
the longerer, the more stabbier, you never know when you might have to stab a whale or elephant!
@Intranetusa
@Intranetusa 2 ай бұрын
At what point does a spear end and a sword staff/glaive/etc begin? A Viking hewing spear from the Kult of Athena has a 16 inch blade. Naginatas from the KoA have a 20 inch blade. LK Chen has a Han Dynasty Sha swordstaff with a blade that is 24-31 inches long. Scandinavians made spears and pikes from swords (whether it was actually a sword, who knows?).
@arnijulian6241
@arnijulian6241 2 ай бұрын
Even if a dagger or spear of 7 or or 8 inch's is ample to fatally wound that doesn't mean it takes the target down instantly. Many dagger or spear blade went to about 12 inches which wound skewer an opponent though making an entry & exit wound leading to far more blood lose. Lose a litre or 2 & your ability to stay conscious much less aware is greatly diminished. The Roman Pugio was 7 to 11 inch's in blade that every Roman soldier carried even in the Auxiliaries troops as you want any random combatant to be very lethal threat on the cheap a 7 to 12 inch blade is best till precision fire arms came about. People harp on about swords but most never used them as a long dagger others much the same with more versatility at a fraction of the cost while far easier to carry. Padding under armoured harness & the fact that if shallow wound they will hang around longer is simple fact. The average chest & torso thickness is 5 inches, + armour & padding 2-3 inches + anything parrying in the way even hand another inch being 8 or 9 inches to get though to the other side. Realistically you need a 7 inch blade against a person in armoured harness but only 3 inch will do work but the longer it is in the less time the opponent will have to try & take you with them. 8 to 9 inches may be optimal length for a fighting blade but I could understand why someone would want an inch or 2 more as a tip can chip. You do lose length on a blade in service sharpening in time so 9 inches or 10. Better to have an inch or 2 extra then not? The Romans were far more savvy then people give them credit. They used minimum required & added a touch just to make sure. Just imagine how many times a Roman legionaries Pugio must have been sharpened in the 20 years service if they made it to retirement. I'd imagine an inch or 2 would have been lost to the blade.
@seanmadson8524
@seanmadson8524 2 ай бұрын
These mova globes always look so cool, but advertising on this site has gotten to the point where I expect to hear they're made of orphan skulls or something horrible like that 😅
@Hordil
@Hordil Ай бұрын
As long as they dont have the 9 dash Line, its fine
@ajm2872
@ajm2872 2 ай бұрын
Armed with his girthy shaft and long head, Sir Lïgma Bøhner penetrated every enemy he faced. Every warrior has heard the old "6 inches is perfect" lie, but Bøhner knew that in order to truly blow out the back of your opponent, you must drive deep.
@muffincutting6020
@muffincutting6020 2 ай бұрын
Alright. You win.
@ajm2872
@ajm2872 2 ай бұрын
@@muffincutting6020 🤣
@gangrenousgandalf2102
@gangrenousgandalf2102 2 ай бұрын
He was most famous in his 90 minute skirmish with Biggus Dickus, who utilized his megoblatta longipennis to spread his germ
@erikreber3695
@erikreber3695 2 ай бұрын
Lmao. *dips fictional hat* g'day sir!
@SilverSquirrel
@SilverSquirrel 2 ай бұрын
"Anything beyond five of six inches is useless." Schola Gladiatoria
@grechdania
@grechdania 2 ай бұрын
"As I explained in the video, which I linked down below." I wonder how KZfaq permitted that video...
@allendowning470
@allendowning470 2 ай бұрын
That's not what my girlfriend says.😂😂😂
@DrVictorVasconcelos
@DrVictorVasconcelos 2 ай бұрын
​​@@allendowning470You can rest safe now that research has shown that the average size range is 10-15 cm, depending on the country. Just ask her whether she'll play those odds 😂
@AirLancer
@AirLancer 2 ай бұрын
@@DrVictorVasconcelos Gonna KMS...
@B..B.
@B..B. 2 ай бұрын
​@@DrVictorVasconcelosnow depending on the country I can be superior to the entire media of that country. Neat
@404Matt
@404Matt 2 ай бұрын
walks into a house full of swords and sees a globe. "Wow! What's that?"
@isakjohansson112
@isakjohansson112 2 ай бұрын
😂
@Ystylesbaby
@Ystylesbaby 2 ай бұрын
“If you’re worried about people grabbing your shaft “ .. Matt Easton
@n0tthemessiah
@n0tthemessiah 2 ай бұрын
Always a legitimate concern (or wish?)
@Ystylesbaby
@Ystylesbaby 2 ай бұрын
@@n0tthemessiah it certainly is. (Yes it is??) hahah.
@dulio12385
@dulio12385 2 ай бұрын
You should always lubricate the shaft for those occasions.
@YeeLeeHaw
@YeeLeeHaw 2 ай бұрын
I shall take this advice the next time I go to Thailand.
@whynottalklikeapirat
@whynottalklikeapirat 2 ай бұрын
I worry CONstantly
@Asertix357
@Asertix357 2 ай бұрын
Anybody else notice the axe in the background just chilling there, rocking back and forth gently?
@ArkadiBolschek
@ArkadiBolschek 2 ай бұрын
That axe is living its best life
@Sophocles13
@Sophocles13 2 ай бұрын
Lol. Gives real Final Destination vibes
@BlackSoap361
@BlackSoap361 Ай бұрын
It’s bored. It’s thirst for blood remains unslaked.
@demoths
@demoths 12 күн бұрын
As an axe enthusiast, I can confirm they are often restless after a while of remaining bloodless ☹️
@PalleRasmussen
@PalleRasmussen 2 ай бұрын
Admit it, you did it just for the innuendo.
@ThunderPanzer
@ThunderPanzer 2 ай бұрын
12:51
@codycarter7638
@codycarter7638 2 ай бұрын
My thought as well…..
@michaelmoorrees3585
@michaelmoorrees3585 2 ай бұрын
Wouldn't be a Scholagladiatoria video without any.
@WhichDoctor1
@WhichDoctor1 2 ай бұрын
i mean he is right, more than 5 or 6 inches of penetration isn't needed most of the time
@karllambert2350
@karllambert2350 2 ай бұрын
Context
@markkodryk829
@markkodryk829 2 ай бұрын
“This is not a spear. THIS is a spear”.
@MDTrucker
@MDTrucker 2 ай бұрын
Sir crocodile Dundee
@peters7196
@peters7196 2 ай бұрын
That’s not a spear. It’s a spoon
@RachDarastric2
@RachDarastric2 2 ай бұрын
T.rexes were secretly around during the medieval period and the longer spearheads were actually for hunting them. They tasted so good they were hunted to extinction.
@Asertix357
@Asertix357 2 ай бұрын
I've heard they tasted like chicken, but with a texture like beef.
@RachDarastric2
@RachDarastric2 2 ай бұрын
@@Asertix357 Makes sense.
@KonguZya
@KonguZya 2 ай бұрын
One of the top ten dinosauruses
@toddgardner2826
@toddgardner2826 Ай бұрын
I think they called them dragons back then 😅
@davidblair9877
@davidblair9877 2 ай бұрын
I believe that there’s a Byzantine account of John II Komnenos showing his lance to a visiting Crusader lord. The Crusader was extremely impressed by the length and girth of the weapon. Indeed, he doubted that he could manage such a mighty lance. John II’s stature and prowess was most impressive to all who saw it. (I’m not even joking, some 12th century scribe actually wrote this)
@Jordan-wv2xz
@Jordan-wv2xz Ай бұрын
Further proving that innuendo, intentional or accidental, transcends time itself.
@janickjorgensen2964
@janickjorgensen2964 2 ай бұрын
I think there's a significant reason why the Maasai Spear you showed at 10:03 was thrown with the large tip in the back, and that reason is Aerodynamics. The large tip of the spear also acts as a tail fin when thrown with the smaller tip pointing forwards. This way the center of pressure is far to the back so it flies straight even if it was thrown imperfectly.
@The_Judge300
@The_Judge300 2 ай бұрын
I 100% agree and intended to make the same comment while watching this video.
@demoths
@demoths 12 күн бұрын
Yup. He held it with the narrow end forward and the blade back, and my first thought was "oh, it's a big dart"
@urseliusurgel4365
@urseliusurgel4365 2 ай бұрын
The Icelandic sagas mention 'hewing spears', presumably long-bladed spears suited to making cuts.
@tykjpelk
@tykjpelk 2 ай бұрын
Proto-glaives and proto-halberds. The Norse sure loved their polearms.
@hulking_presence
@hulking_presence 2 ай бұрын
@@tykjpelk yeah but why though? It's like every culture has preferred weapons and tactics. Scandinavians love hit and run tactics, risky endeavors like raids or conquering a weakened country. Polearms fit well into it because you don't let your opponent come close but you have the ability to kill him with one powerful strike (kind of like raids). Also they're famous for their extremely polite societies, and now while they're being invaded by foreigners, they actively seek to not engage in any conflict. On the other hand italians always loved republics, closest combat possible and shorts swords/daggers from principes to arditi. There's definitely a genetic inherent component in there.
@theeddorian
@theeddorian 2 ай бұрын
@@hulking_presence Not necessarily genetic, but more _memetic_. The Norse lived mostly in small-scale communities. Combat was typically between these communities. It isn't until later that you begin to see larger population centers, and they are founded on trade. They have to conserve arable land for agriculture and in southern regions, woodland, wood being a critical resource. So, their tactics are small-scale tactics, raids mostly. This tactical stance recognizes the small populations engaged in the dispute and limits casualties, since a battle won at a high cost of lives could lead to extinction for both communities involved. The sagas give good descriptions of this, along with emerging large unit encounters. The social survival needs dictate tactics more than individuals. More over, for larger, non-literate societies, the storage of social information (who "we" are, what "we" think is the correct thing to do, etc.) is collective, with individuals storing social knowledge redundantly in individual heads. Lose the heads and the information stored in them that tells "us" who "we" are is gone. The smaller the community, the fewer heads it can spare without losing coherence.
@chickenmonger123
@chickenmonger123 2 ай бұрын
@@hulking_presenceSeems like a simultaneously over-broad and yet far too simple explanation for the stated principle. The stated principle in itself also needing to be categorized in such a way as to be comparable between groups of people over geography and time period. Pretending we have a solid group of Vikings, from a particular time, using a particular set of weapons they favor, I suspect their typified government and warfare are only one portion. That there would be any number of potential reasons outside of that, that actually dictated the form of warfare they engaged in, and how they understood it. There is also a give and take as far as those things go. Feedback. One thing changes another, and then that changes the original and at least two other things. But then, that’s getting into anthropology in actuality, not armchair history.
@gwynbleidd1917
@gwynbleidd1917 2 ай бұрын
​​@@hulking_presence ffffuck off with your fascist pseudoscience eugenics, chud.
@harald2101
@harald2101 2 ай бұрын
0:58 i think you wanted to say with a shield
@hazenoki628
@hazenoki628 2 ай бұрын
You didn't know about the plethora of historical documents that show the superiority of dual-wielding spears over using a sissy shield? More spear means you can kill more people, simple logic.
@TheBarser
@TheBarser 2 ай бұрын
Dual wielding spears is underrated
@mikepaz8385
@mikepaz8385 2 ай бұрын
@@TheBarserhilarious!
@underarmbowlingincidentof1981
@underarmbowlingincidentof1981 2 ай бұрын
@@TheBarser Björn Rüther has a video where he dual wields Landsknecht pikes so who knows lmao
@mikepaz8385
@mikepaz8385 2 ай бұрын
Kuddos to Matt for going 17 plus minutes with a straight face!
@Ithirahad
@Ithirahad 2 ай бұрын
Yeh, definitely props to him. I don't think I could go at this for 17 plus minutes without blowing my composure even under under the best of circumstances. Really takes some stamina, that.
@samconduct1356
@samconduct1356 2 ай бұрын
His mental discipline is highly commendable.
@outsideiskrrtinsideihurt699
@outsideiskrrtinsideihurt699 2 ай бұрын
Reminds me of the Swedish sword-spear. Gotta wonder where one begins and where one ends. Also worth checking out are Omi-yari from Japan. They can get very long and were good at cutting. João Rodrigues writes: “…while a [wakizashi] will part a man’s head from his neck, and a lance will do the same, for their blades are such that they not only wound with a thrust but also cut like swords.” ~1604 Edit: just remembered Matt already made a video on Japanese spear types
@treevetales170
@treevetales170 2 ай бұрын
A spear walked into a bar, the barman asked, "so why the long head?"
@johnracine4589
@johnracine4589 Ай бұрын
“I’m glad you asked, and the answer is: context!” Proceeds to rant at the bartender for 10 minutes about various spear design.
@dreadpiratedan
@dreadpiratedan 2 ай бұрын
that maasai spear is awesome. it makes sense to throw with the narrow end because it basically becomes a dart with weighted fletching. i can also imagine it being used like a halberd where they use the narrow end to thrust and parry with, then when there's an opening they bring the blade down in an overhead strike
@SkepticalCaveman
@SkepticalCaveman 2 ай бұрын
A long spear head has a built in back up weapon. If the shaft is broken, you still can use the spear head as a short sword.
@John_Redcorn_
@John_Redcorn_ 2 ай бұрын
Thought the same thing.
@driftwood5809
@driftwood5809 2 ай бұрын
I’ll say it then!…So the massai penetrated bodies with their shafts
@snarl3027
@snarl3027 2 ай бұрын
This is probably the most pun/innuendo filled video on KZfaq. Wonderfully entertaining 😂
@AlgaeGaming
@AlgaeGaming 2 ай бұрын
I thought it was a normal amount for Matt until the 12:32 sequence...
@mikepaz8385
@mikepaz8385 2 ай бұрын
And some of the comments are right up there also! 😂
@josecoronadonieto6911
@josecoronadonieto6911 2 ай бұрын
There's this person comparing english wrenches and they have names like "Wang" "John" and the like and when he said "i brought my friend Tim's 2 inch wang..." I started laughing so hard.
@jerichothirteen1134
@jerichothirteen1134 2 ай бұрын
Well I heard girls prefer a guy with a long spear.
@AF_Poolguy
@AF_Poolguy 2 ай бұрын
Watch the lockpicking lawyer’s 1 April videos.
@GeoGyf
@GeoGyf 2 ай бұрын
The Contus (Eastern Roman Lance of the Clibanarii Cataphracts), the Nezak (Sasanian Lance of the Persian Aswaran Cataphracts), both Lances are similar, 3.6-4m in length & had a blade length of 23-37cm (9-15 in). They were an evolution of the Parthian Kontos, they were used two-handed & they were capable of cleaving 2 men in half. Later the Easter Romans used the Kontarion single-handed & couched under the armpit. The Kontarion of the Eastern Roman Skutatos (plural Skutatoi, infantry spearmen) had a length of 3.5-4.2m (usually 4m) and a blade length of 45 cm (18in). It was used with a shield. Later the Kontarion was lengthened to 4-6m (called the Long Kontarion) and it was used with a strapped shield.
@gillesmeura3416
@gillesmeura3416 2 ай бұрын
A long spear blade may deter your opponent to try and grab the shaft?
@Eklar
@Eklar Ай бұрын
Yes, it can protect you from being forced into a swordfight if the enemy is coming too quickly.
@willemakkermans4067
@willemakkermans4067 Күн бұрын
What if they're coming from behind though?
@siestatime4638
@siestatime4638 2 ай бұрын
I need a longer spearhead to help compensate...
@julietfischer5056
@julietfischer5056 Ай бұрын
I think I remember a sword vs spear fight in _Dragonslayer._ The protagonist, armed with the spear, defends himself from one of the King's men.
@sitrilko
@sitrilko 2 ай бұрын
I was literally thinking that question last week playing Bannerlord!
@josecoronadonieto6911
@josecoronadonieto6911 2 ай бұрын
Mount and spear: lancelord
@sitrilko
@sitrilko 2 ай бұрын
I am a simple man and cannot lie - I love my cataphract lances long.
@josecoronadonieto6911
@josecoronadonieto6911 2 ай бұрын
@@sitrilko i prefer using a 2-handed sword myself, there's a tier 4 blade with the longest reach
@danguillou713
@danguillou713 2 ай бұрын
-What, only five inches? -Oh you’ll feel me! Long Kiss Good Night
@ianbruce6515
@ianbruce6515 Күн бұрын
My dad fought in North Africa in WW2 and was issued that humongous 1907 bayonet. He was trained to boot the enemy in the chest after transfixing him--in order to retrieve the bayonet before the next guy got you. He felt that the length was impractical--but the psychological effect of a bayonet charge with those long bayonets flashing in the sun had some value. Those long bladed spears might have a similar effect. He did, however, admire the officer who had them advance at a walk with their rifle butts in their shoulders, working their bolts and continuously firing as they advanced.
@gussie88bunny
@gussie88bunny 2 ай бұрын
Matt's guessing game: - Long edged head harder to grapple. - Looks mean and scary. - Secondary tool function doing camp life cutting chores. ..... that's all I've got.
@Eddythebandkid
@Eddythebandkid 2 ай бұрын
One reason might be ease of repair. If you have a 12 inch spear head that breaks in half you just have to regrind the tip and then you have a standard sized spear head.
@eduardocavalcanti4193
@eduardocavalcanti4193 2 ай бұрын
These type of head spears are massive and very cool
@marting1056
@marting1056 2 ай бұрын
Dragons! sometimes you need longer blades...
@doratheexploder286
@doratheexploder286 2 ай бұрын
I have 2 african spear heads that are ridiculously large, the bigger one is 74 cm long with the socket, just the bladed part is about 57 cm. Weight is around 750 grams. The other one is around 450 gram, and 50 cm with socket. Only thing I can imagine they are good for is large game, like buffalo and elephants, giraffe etc.
@patryan9682
@patryan9682 2 ай бұрын
I had heard that the back end of a Maasai spear was used when practicing throwing it because throwing it with the front end would damage the actual spear head.
@seanmadson8524
@seanmadson8524 2 ай бұрын
Basically a lawn dart with a sword instead of fins on the back, so I could see the spike end being intended for all throws, and the sword end being for close combat
@markthompson4027
@markthompson4027 2 ай бұрын
The Cold steel Samburu spears According to lynn is used that way.
@The_Judge300
@The_Judge300 2 ай бұрын
I think this is 100% incorrect. Throwing this spear with the sword end first would be TERRIBLE as the huge bladed sword part would make the sword steer off course extremely easy. It would act as a wing and increase the most minute imperfection in the throw by VERY much. With the sword part at the back on the other hand, it would reduce the effect of imperfections in the throw. Just as you see with arrows and darts.
@patryan9682
@patryan9682 2 ай бұрын
Most of their throws would have been up close (at one time you could find a video of the Maasai doing a lion hunt on KZfaq) also I was told this when I bought my lion spear at a Maasai village in Tanzania from one of the Maasais who lived there.
@patryan9682
@patryan9682 2 ай бұрын
And if one is hunting a lion they would want the end that causes the most internal damage to be used and the back end with the spike would fall towards the ground and maybe dig into the ground to prevent the lion from coming at you.
@user-zs2vt5yw3d
@user-zs2vt5yw3d 25 күн бұрын
The little smirk as he says "some spearheads are longer than others" lol.
@tukwilasports
@tukwilasports 2 ай бұрын
Suddenly, I'm again in the back oc the classroom in 8th grade snickering with my lads.
@liamvickerman4745
@liamvickerman4745 2 ай бұрын
A video about huge shafts, big heads and penetration... and it's sponsored by some fancy balls? I mean wow guess you went all out on this one! {Edit: With regards to the Masaii spear the blade might act as a rudimentary set of flights? The Sudanese example the design of that head looks rather functional as an axe as well as a thrusting weapon if not more}
@roydenboom
@roydenboom 2 ай бұрын
My guess at 11:02. The angel of the opponent relative to you. it is far shorter to reach the heart thrusting horizontal through the chest than down through the clavicle or up through the pelvis.
@charlieb4604
@charlieb4604 2 ай бұрын
This is the first time I've seen an ad on a youtube video that I've actually been interested in! I want one of those globes!!! Thanks Matt.
@kirkhansen9473
@kirkhansen9473 2 ай бұрын
Fun speculation based on your last point--another possible reason for having a large head on a spear or pollarm is that it gives you a bigger surface to decorate.
@shionkreth7536
@shionkreth7536 2 ай бұрын
Polearm videos are always super informative.
@jpakkala
@jpakkala 2 ай бұрын
Thank you for the video! Love long-bladed spear heads!
@robertb6889
@robertb6889 2 ай бұрын
Been waiting for this one.
@kyle18934
@kyle18934 Ай бұрын
juat came from the knife video, and saw the comment about spear heads. that community responce is just awsome
@julietfischer5056
@julietfischer5056 Ай бұрын
I haven't yet watched the video. Some years ago, I read that the lugs on spearheads were for dueling with spears. Imagine two warriors going at each other, trying to stab and cut while not being stabbed and cut, catching each other's spears on the lugs, until someone gets in the winning blow. (The lugs were usually about as wide as the spearheads, so they were useless at preventing the spearhead going in too deep.)
@elijahoconnell
@elijahoconnell 2 ай бұрын
1) changes to balance in relation to the other dimensions of the arm like the shaft 2) changes within the dynamics of a bind
@-RONNIE
@-RONNIE 2 ай бұрын
Thank you for the video
@frommagecaseus6799
@frommagecaseus6799 Ай бұрын
5:10, I was not paying attention and believed it was a round shield on a table until he pick it up. 😆
@MikeS10
@MikeS10 2 ай бұрын
the maasai spear was awesome
@eduardocavalcanti4193
@eduardocavalcanti4193 2 ай бұрын
I whish to see more martial arts about the brazilian indigenous people and learn more about their tecnics of your weapons today and in the past like spear, maces, sticks, clubs in the same next size of the european weapons
@ecumenicalheretic
@ecumenicalheretic 2 ай бұрын
Dudes shooting basically tree trunks with massive bows using their feet is cool as hell
@Ki_Hon
@Ki_Hon 2 ай бұрын
The swinging axe in the background is mesmerizing xD
@norbertschanne1943
@norbertschanne1943 2 ай бұрын
with the Massai spear: longer spear-head -> longer fletching (more stable flight) when you throw it with the thin, pointy end... your counter-balancing should apply not only in defending against the spear, but also in using the spear for defense against heavier weapons, such as daneaxes, polearms, muskets with bajonets etc.
@kaoskronostyche9939
@kaoskronostyche9939 2 ай бұрын
Great discussion - as always. Timely too. I just got a long spear head and butt cap and I have two poles differing in length so I can do some experimenting and now I have a better idea of what to take into consideration. Thank you. Cheers!
@Cruxador
@Cruxador 2 ай бұрын
Regarding the Fairbairn-Sykes knife that you briefly mentioned, I recently saw a training video that Fairbairn did, and it struck me that although his knife seems optimized for the thrust, he relies very little on that. He uses it only to kill, but not to wound, and only when confident that he's already won. He emphasized the cut much more. In this and overall, he fights with a knife in a way very consistent with some styles of Jian swordsmanship.
@mmgross144
@mmgross144 2 ай бұрын
The Japanese yawara is a good example of a long bladed spear
@charlesmartin1121
@charlesmartin1121 2 ай бұрын
You mean the Naginata?
@johnswoodgadgets9819
@johnswoodgadgets9819 2 ай бұрын
The long point cross barred spear looks quite a bit like my grandfather's boar spear. It was about eight or ten feet long with a shaft of black locust. The cross bar was to keep the animal from running up the shaft before it died. That could be embarrassing. To my knowledge he never killed a boar with it, but he did kill a black bear with it once. Said he would never do it again, and never elaborated as to why. The metal parts are still around here somewhere. All the wood got burned up in a barn fire about seventy-five years ago.
@darrinrebagliati5365
@darrinrebagliati5365 2 ай бұрын
Have you seen Kentucky Ballistics recent video on medieval weapons vs modern armor? Any chance of you doing a similar video with 'real' medieval weapons?
@scholagladiatoria
@scholagladiatoria 2 ай бұрын
I have thanks! I think a few other youtubers are already on the case, though from what I could see, there were some issues with those 'tests'... but it was just for fun, so I don't see the need to be too critical :-)
@darrinrebagliati5365
@darrinrebagliati5365 2 ай бұрын
@@scholagladiatoria I've been wanting someone in the sword community to do that kind of thing. While modern armor stops bullets, I think that it's lack of coverage is its main problem. An archer would have multiple targets available that would be absolutely catastrophic. Thanks for all you do for us!
@brittakriep2938
@brittakriep2938 2 ай бұрын
​@@darrinrebagliati5365: Modern Kevlar is basicly a modern material made cloth/ fabric. Weapons penetrating a Gambeston , Rondell dagger for example, also penetrate a Kevlar only vest, especially those, worn under civilian Dress.
@darrinrebagliati5365
@darrinrebagliati5365 2 ай бұрын
@@brittakriep2938 yes and no. Kevlar is a 'plastic' fiber weave that takes a hard impact well. Have you ever seen an arrow vs kevlar? Or did you know that a sandbag will stop a bullet but an arrow will go through it and still have enough energy to injure someone on the other side? Also, just look at the vital areas NOT covered by a kevlar vest.
@robo5013
@robo5013 2 ай бұрын
@@darrinrebagliati5365 A person with a gun has those same unarmored targets, and would be more accurate at longer ranges.
@xandlhofer8029
@xandlhofer8029 Ай бұрын
A spears convienient pointingness and length makes it go further into the enemy helps keeping a healthy distance ;) Regarding the Pilum, right, right all that it does, at some point they did make Pilii with only the Tip hardened, and a led weight attached which when thrown due to enlarged mass would penetrate deeper, though due to not beeing hardened, the Neck of the spear when stuck to a shield or hit a hard surface would bend, this would make it hard to impossible to be thrown back towards the legionaries. I have seen such originals, and earlier fully hardened Pilii as well. The connection between a Pilums head and it's shaft is made in a way, it easily can be disasembled and reequiped with a new metal top part, when salvaged from Battlefield. A spear can have so many functions, it is a fascinating tool for battle.
@freddymcfred17
@freddymcfred17 2 ай бұрын
Good point, I hate it when someone tries to grab my shaft mid fight.
@edward9674
@edward9674 2 ай бұрын
It's not the length but rather how you use it that matters.
@trfinley7076
@trfinley7076 2 ай бұрын
Balance could also be a consideration for throwing spears. A more tip heavy spear is easier to throw accurately.
@robertmedina5850
@robertmedina5850 2 ай бұрын
I like the idea of a short sword, that I can attach to a long shaft and make a spear out of. When I got my cold steel boar spear, the first thing I did before I attached it to the shaft, was swing it around like a sword and then I twirled the shaft around without the spear on it. I thought, “WOW, the versatility of having a sword and a staff and then making a spear out of the two was awesome.” It made perfect sense to me. If I were a mercenary, looking for someone, I wouldn’t want to be as high profile in some situations, like approaching an unknown village, where my a spear point may give me away. I like the idea of approaching a situation like that low profile; with a dagger, short sword, or a spear point I could have neatly tucked away at my side, out of sight and approach the place with what appears to be a simple walking stick.
@The_Judge300
@The_Judge300 2 ай бұрын
Since the boar spear was a common hunting tool in many areas, would VERY few if any at all react on you carrying a boar spear. In all areas where boars and bears roamed, a hunter would carry the boar spear together with his bow and at least some sort of knife as well, often a rather large knife.
@wayneholmes637
@wayneholmes637 2 ай бұрын
​​@@The_Judge300 boar spears are still sometimes used in Germany on wounded boars being held by dogs (which rules out shooting). I have two myself. Of course a large 20-26cm knife is used most often these days but sometimes a spear is just safer.
@surgeonsergio6839
@surgeonsergio6839 2 ай бұрын
12:52 As a very sexy man, I can confirm that this is a very common problem.
@tesmith47
@tesmith47 Ай бұрын
well don, and informative!!!
@Kurochana
@Kurochana 2 ай бұрын
Oh, I remember a comment talking about why spear heads were generally short because they didn't need to penetrate deep. That was in the length doesn't matter for stabbing vid, didn't expect you to have this video ready so fast, well done!
@victorcast2467
@victorcast2467 2 ай бұрын
"and you are concerned about people grabing your shaft" "in a battle your shaft can get snaped" "if your shaft being chopped into is something you are concerned about" Man! Medieval battlefields where indeed a CRAZY place! Very dangerous for your shaft!
@PuffyCataphract
@PuffyCataphract 2 ай бұрын
Matt likes spear so much that he calls shields spears as well
@dennisfarris4729
@dennisfarris4729 2 ай бұрын
They still hunt Boar with Winged spears in some areas of the southern states of the USA. Stopping the hog from running up the shaft and goreing the hunter.
@johnfisk811
@johnfisk811 2 ай бұрын
And in Europe. My local gun shop also sold boar spears.
@davidsachs4883
@davidsachs4883 2 ай бұрын
If you want to see a long head on a spear google whaler’s lance. The head will frequently exceed five feet in length (over 1.5 meters) extending past the shaft.
@jesseshort8
@jesseshort8 2 ай бұрын
The innuendo was strong with this one.🤣
@crazyquilt
@crazyquilt 2 ай бұрын
The Schola Gladiatoria drinking game: Every time Matt says, "Penetrate," take a shot.
@FortyTwoBlades
@FortyTwoBlades 2 ай бұрын
An additional factor can sometimes be ease of penetration, especially against padded armors, as a sharp head will aid in cutting its way through the fibers on its way in to open a channel, and the slope of the edge essentially determines how aggressive that slicing action is. As the blade length increases, if blade width at the base is held constant there will be more units of edge length engaged in creating the cut, and the material's resistance is essentially divided by those units of edge length. This isn't a major reason for ALL spears, of course, because so much depends on the specific geometry and context of use, but I believe it plays a conscious role in the design of some long-bladed spear heads.
@AmarothEng
@AmarothEng 2 ай бұрын
I agree with your points, and I would also mention, that longer blade (or rather, edge) means it's easier to land a chop, especially against a moving target. With a short blade, you are more likely to hit the target just with your shaft. I'd also highlight that longer blade brings advantages, some disadvantages, but the additional cost and complexity is substantial, hence why we don't tend to see these on every single Joe's shaft, when the conventional head does just fine.
@HobieH3
@HobieH3 2 ай бұрын
I can see binding the edge of a shield with the wing and using leverage and the long head to get "around" a shield.
@saeyabor
@saeyabor 2 ай бұрын
"...if you're worried about people _grabbing your shaft..."_
@andreweden9405
@andreweden9405 2 ай бұрын
"Io son la nobelle arma per nome lança: Principio de bataia è sempre mia usança. E chi me guarda cum mio penone ardito De grande paura deuenta smarito: E se a lo principio el mio debito faço, Azça spada e daga io cauo de impaço." "I am a noble weapon, Spear by name: In the beginning of battle I am always used. And whoever watches me with my dashing pennant should be frightened with great dread. For if in the beginning I make my due, Axe, sword, and dagger will I upset." - Introduction to the chapter on the spear from the combat treatise "Fior di Battaglia"("Flower of Battle") by Fiore dei Liberi (c. 1410).
@ggoddkkiller1342
@ggoddkkiller1342 Ай бұрын
As a Turkish person i found this quite weird. Sipahis would carry at least 3 weapons, a kilij, spear and bow/javelin. After facing knights maces became quite common as well so 4 weapons often. And ofc they had a round shield as well, carrying so many weapons on their horses weren't much of deal but Janissaries were also same often carrying 3 weapons. Kilij was a must then mace/spear/bow/javelin etc as they preferred and also even a round shield, it is entirely different than trying to improve a single weapon like this long spear head concept. I wonder why it was, perhaps because our army was always standing and training constantly so they could specialize in multiple weapons. Sipahis were returning home during peace time like levies but they weren't farmers etc. They were still serving as local security forces so it wasn't much different than a standing army.
@arghapirate2427
@arghapirate2427 2 ай бұрын
0:58 I assume you mean using it with a shield while one handed. The viking spirit on the background was also a bit annoyed by this, because it started swinging it's ax XD
@GreenGnoblin
@GreenGnoblin 2 ай бұрын
yes. One of the biggest issues that I am worried about is people grabbing my shaft.
@maxwellhorne5965
@maxwellhorne5965 2 ай бұрын
I actually was thinking, "Idk it looks cool? No that can't be it...." I think they way you phrased/explained that point makes a lot of sense tho.
@GreytGame-be9wi
@GreytGame-be9wi 2 ай бұрын
Surface area, weight to momentum, , defensive offensive speed, accuracy, versatility and level of skill
@underarmbowlingincidentof1981
@underarmbowlingincidentof1981 2 ай бұрын
3:56 for a second I was gripped by a deep fear before you reminded me horses exist... phew!!! ,:o
@yofu3048
@yofu3048 2 ай бұрын
Don’t you just hate it when people randomly grab your shaft in battle?
@atrior7290
@atrior7290 2 ай бұрын
Having a long blade and heavier spear head can also help when using the spear in a quaterstaff like fashion. The wide 1 handed strike showed by Meyer or other powerful strikes that require lots of space have truely trumendous power, increasing that power with a long cutting blade with some reasonable heft makes for a truely fearsome weapon as it's gaining some amazing power for open field scenarios but stays as versatile as any spear with the benefits of a long blade. Skallagrim showed how a good quaterstaff strike with proper technique can just blow a head appart, I'd be curious to see what a so called hewing spear does when used like this.
@egregiouscharles9702
@egregiouscharles9702 2 ай бұрын
I would suggest with the broad-headed Sudanese spear, if you think of it as a double-edged glaive capable of chopping rather than a spear, you will suddenly see a way it's actually rather economically sized rather than showing off.
@mattlentzner674
@mattlentzner674 2 ай бұрын
Great video as usual, but i feel like there were a couple things hinted at about wide heads that could be explored more. Wide heads could be specifically for decreasing overall penetration.Going too deep is a problem because its that much harder to retrieve you weapon. It's absolutely true that anything over 6 inches isn't going to add much lethality, but 6 inches from a Sudanese spear is going to be way more lethal than one with a small head. Its also going to cut more muscle and be more debilitating. A wide head gives way more opportunity for push cuts when the point didnt quite hit the mark. Cheers
@wolfhead21
@wolfhead21 Ай бұрын
That "Winged Spear" is usually called a "Saufeder" in Germany, literally a "pigs feather", used in the past (and sometimes today) for hunting wild boars. The wings are a guard that is supposed to stop the overpenetration and keeping the boar at bay should you not kill it with the first thrust, since an angry wild boar is nothing you want right up in your face. And as per usual, people often thought that if it kills a boar, it will kill a human so it ended up on battlefields as well. Yours is incomplete though. The shaft should be textured with a leather cover to increase your grip, since the wings might stop the point from going deeper into the boar but not from the spear being run out of your hand.
@bl4cksp1d3r
@bl4cksp1d3r 2 ай бұрын
this is also something to think about in fantasy settings with big monsters: specialised weapon to deal with big, armoured, animals, like dragons, or giant insects. A spear with a long thrusting point, imagine similar to a rondel blade, to pierce through the scales or carapace and far enough into the body would make sense
@nathanrendelman
@nathanrendelman 2 ай бұрын
the importance of being able to pull out after your done stabing with a long headed spear must not be overlooked.
@jonathanclark236
@jonathanclark236 2 ай бұрын
I believe the longer bladed spear serves as an intimidation weapon if I’m a medieval soldier and I see a bunch of spears meant to kill horses coming at me my armors going to need a new set of pants
@timjackson5555
@timjackson5555 Ай бұрын
I have several from my great aunts collection. Hundreds of years old from africa, the rest of them went to various famous museums. Most were long, some were like extremely long four bladed arrows with the opposing blades shorter.
@volkardlokisson6292
@volkardlokisson6292 2 ай бұрын
My hewing spear has, in a cut, gone clean through ballistics simulated heads. There is a LOT of power in that lever! To go through a body only takes a turning of the hips at the blade comes down. Hewing spears, when built correctly (hardwood shafts like ash), are capable of immense cutting power.
@nilsgensert5814
@nilsgensert5814 2 ай бұрын
Possible reason: fencing-like motions like weaving or pivoting around a guard.
@carrdoug99
@carrdoug99 2 ай бұрын
The short hand answer is that long bladed spears are a superior (or equal) alternative to a two-handed sword or Zweihander for every use other than chopping. The winged spear type used in the second or third rank of a shield wall would be deadly.
@stalkingtiger777
@stalkingtiger777 2 ай бұрын
I wonder if having a long spearhead could also be useful when the shaft breaks. You'll be left with a makeshift short sword rather than a dagger.
@brittakriep2938
@brittakriep2938 2 ай бұрын
And when you have not enough Iron/ steel? There are regions being poor of resources, or poor persons, in former times Iron/ Steel was often expensive.
@xxxlonewolf49
@xxxlonewolf49 2 ай бұрын
​@@brittakriep2938sounds like a THEM problem
@Fagerlund_
@Fagerlund_ 2 ай бұрын
I don't know how you delivered this video with a straight face.
@Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
@Rikki-Tikki-Tavi Ай бұрын
A longer spearhead possibly makes it more difficult for the enemy to grab the shaft.
@atrior7290
@atrior7290 2 ай бұрын
Also I have a Windlass hewing spear head, when not mounted on its shaft, the head which is a reproduction of a Norwegian find, is large enough to be used as a sword. And there are archeological finds of birch bark spearhead shieths from the same period as this spear.
@JanetStarChild
@JanetStarChild Ай бұрын
The massi spear being thrown haft-first makes me wonder if the bladed end can function as an arrow's fletching.
@DeanNatheos-eq3hl
@DeanNatheos-eq3hl 2 ай бұрын
A very educational and interesting video thank you and I love the spear. I only know about 20 technique's but I would like to know more have a good evening .
@stefanb6539
@stefanb6539 2 ай бұрын
One possible extra reason for the long blade on the Massai spear: if you throw it with the "shank" end forawrd, that blade should act like a feather on an arrow, thus stabilizing the flight path.
@MultimediaIreland
@MultimediaIreland 2 ай бұрын
That last point has me thinking of the rapier like bronze age swords found in Ireland, impractical but perhaps very impressive in a chieftains hands before subordinates.
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