The example in this video is rubber tipped so as not to cause serious injury. The speed at which it attacks is incredible. Although slower, the full weight metal headed spear is is amazingly quick when used well.
@@XxVonMullerxX makes a lot of sense. I just expected the shield to confer more of an advantage compared to having both hands on the weapon. I think we don't often see two-handed spear with no shield in hostorical pics, I wonder how come. I imagine the missiles are a big threat, but even then a lot of shield designs you see spearmen carry both in the classical and the iron age seem primarily melee shileds... its really nice to have this kind of experimental data :)
@@konsyjes The period we try to stick to is 900 - 1100, missiles are not widely used in England at this point until William I brings a European army with him in 1066. In an open skirmish where all body parts are valid targets the speed of the double handed spear is a huge advantage and the leverage for parrying and guarding are strong. The single handed spear is hard to control once laid aside or set in a bind. Although wat we do is based on historical techniques, this is a sport and therefor what we do is much different from say HEMA.
@@XxVonMullerxX i see. right. I imagine that lateral rigidity that the extra hand gives is very important. there wasn't a lot of archery, huh. Why do you think that is? Seems like a fairly simple weapon... but oh, and also, so why do you think there are so few historical depictions of this "loadout" when it is clearly effective
@@konsyjes Ill be honest, I just don't know. I've had discussion in the past with various people and come to no conclusions, it could be that the Saxon and Scandinavian warrior culture simply didn't hold the bow in high esteem as a warriors weapons. Spears are certainly thrown and on the Bayeux Tapestry you can see Saxons throwing "Maces" and spears in reply to the Norman arrow and bolt shot. The double handed spear has many advantages in speed and power but you are very vulnerable unless your part of a mass. A shield allows you to resist strikes and hold ground without exposing your torso to strikes, without it you have to parry or move back. One mistake and your done for as you can see in the vid, I get run down plenty of times and end up entirely vulnerable to my opponents strikes. The thing to consider is what we do is a sport and although there is the risk of injury these are not sharp, were they sharp all the fighting would be much more tentative.
Very cool! Have any of your people tried using slightly smaller shields? They seem to be too heavy to be wielded properly, as you can't seem to move them far enough away from the body to properly block attacks from odd angles.
The size of the round shields are based on historical examples, the kite (Tear drop shaped one) is about 25% smaller than it should be. Unfortunately, they are heavy as the are used over and over. The size is important for larger engagements where Dane axes and more spears are involved.
this that type of video that will be randomly recomended to everyone in 7 years
I hope so!
I didn't expect 2-hand spear to be so effective vs spear and shield
The example in this video is rubber tipped so as not to cause serious injury. The speed at which it attacks is incredible. Although slower, the full weight metal headed spear is is amazingly quick when used well.
@@XxVonMullerxX makes a lot of sense. I just expected the shield to confer more of an advantage compared to having both hands on the weapon. I think we don't often see two-handed spear with no shield in hostorical pics, I wonder how come. I imagine the missiles are a big threat, but even then a lot of shield designs you see spearmen carry both in the classical and the iron age seem primarily melee shileds... its really nice to have this kind of experimental data :)
@@konsyjes The period we try to stick to is 900 - 1100, missiles are not widely used in England at this point until William I brings a European army with him in 1066. In an open skirmish where all body parts are valid targets the speed of the double handed spear is a huge advantage and the leverage for parrying and guarding are strong. The single handed spear is hard to control once laid aside or set in a bind. Although wat we do is based on historical techniques, this is a sport and therefor what we do is much different from say HEMA.
@@XxVonMullerxX i see. right. I imagine that lateral rigidity that the extra hand gives is very important. there wasn't a lot of archery, huh. Why do you think that is? Seems like a fairly simple weapon... but oh, and also, so why do you think there are so few historical depictions of this "loadout" when it is clearly effective
@@konsyjes Ill be honest, I just don't know. I've had discussion in the past with various people and come to no conclusions, it could be that the Saxon and Scandinavian warrior culture simply didn't hold the bow in high esteem as a warriors weapons. Spears are certainly thrown and on the Bayeux Tapestry you can see Saxons throwing "Maces" and spears in reply to the Norman arrow and bolt shot. The double handed spear has many advantages in speed and power but you are very vulnerable unless your part of a mass. A shield allows you to resist strikes and hold ground without exposing your torso to strikes, without it you have to parry or move back. One mistake and your done for as you can see in the vid, I get run down plenty of times and end up entirely vulnerable to my opponents strikes. The thing to consider is what we do is a sport and although there is the risk of injury these are not sharp, were they sharp all the fighting would be much more tentative.
Very cool! Have any of your people tried using slightly smaller shields? They seem to be too heavy to be wielded properly, as you can't seem to move them far enough away from the body to properly block attacks from odd angles.
The size of the round shields are based on historical examples, the kite (Tear drop shaped one) is about 25% smaller than it should be. Unfortunately, they are heavy as the are used over and over. The size is important for larger engagements where Dane axes and more spears are involved.
what material are those swords
The swords are Steel. Heavier than historical examples but they take more punishment.