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Post by vlad4th on Apr 18, 2019 6:53:20 GMT
I was recently looking at a 11 and a half inch spear head. I wanted to know what the average length of a spear shaft was and if it would be appropriate to make my spear about 6 or 7 ft in length. I do not want it too tall or i would have storage issues but still want it to be a correct and effective weapon. I will be making the shaft my self.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Apr 18, 2019 7:20:01 GMT
About 8 feet is most typical. Most were between 7' and 9', not counting short javelins. (Based on non-Viking, e.g., Anglo-Saxon, finds, too.)
7' is OK for a heavy head. Generally, the longer the spear, the lighter the head. Long bladed heads, winged heads, etc. are usually on the heavy side, and 7' is good.
Use a thin haft. 20mm is fine. Don't go ever 25mm/1" diameter. If the socket diameter is more than 1"/25mm, you can shorten the socket to reduce the diameter.
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Post by waxbytes on Sept 18, 2019 4:42:21 GMT
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Post by legacyofthesword on Sept 19, 2019 2:45:16 GMT
Awesome, thanks for posting. I wonder what the reason for the tapered butt is....
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Sept 19, 2019 4:47:47 GMT
That kind of taper is normal for spears designed mostly for throwing (i.e., javelins). Not so usual for spears with big heads like this, which are often tapered from butt to head, or middle tapered both ways. While I said "not so usual", big-headed spears with this javelin-like taper are around, e.g, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/316461 |
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Post by legacyofthesword on Sept 19, 2019 17:00:50 GMT
That kind of taper is normal for spears designed mostly for throwing (i.e., javelins). Not so usual for spears with big heads like this, which are often tapered from butt to head, or middle tapered both ways. While I said "not so usual", big-headed spears with this javelin-like taper are around, e.g, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/316461Interesting, thanks. What's the function of the taper? |
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Post by MOK on Sept 19, 2019 20:17:01 GMT
That kind of taper is normal for spears designed mostly for throwing (i.e., javelins). Not so usual for spears with big heads like this, which are often tapered from butt to head, or middle tapered both ways. While I said "not so usual", big-headed spears with this javelin-like taper are around, e.g, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/316461Interesting, thanks. What's the function of the taper? Mostly balance and durability. Tapering the shaft one way or another is of course the simplest way to change its mass distribution (and flex!) to suit your needs, meaning here mainly stability in flight, and in a projectile most of the stress of impact is concentrated right behind the head (which is why bolts and arrows, too, are often thickest right there). |
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Sept 19, 2019 20:33:58 GMT
As already said, taper from head to butt is, for throwing spears, about stability. Getting the centre of mass forward of the centre of drag. The taper, for an ideal smooth and straight haft, also gives better airflow and less drag (look at Olympic javelins).
For a thrusting spear, it has the disadvantage of shifting the centre of mass forwards. And the advantages of a strong haft at the socket, and a secure grip when thrusting.
Taper from butt to head is all about balance, shifting the centre of mass towards the butt, so that if you hold it one-handed just behind the centre of mass, you get more reach for the same total length of spear. Two-handed, holding it near the butt, it keeps the head end light, which lowers the rotational inertia. Also lets you have a long spear without the head sagging under its own weight. The disadvantage is that your grip is less secure when thrusting.
Taper from the middle out to both ends is good for one-handed use. Doesn't shift the point of balance back as far a taper from butt to head, but lets you have the thickest part of the haft just in front of your grip, so you get the secure grip during thrusting as well as reasonably good balance, and low rotational inertia (the light butt also reduces the rotational inertia).
Since wood grows tapered, head-to-butt and butt-to-head taper don't need anything done to the wood - just take your coppiced pole, bark peeled off, and shape the end for the socket. Taper from the middle both ways means you need to taper the butt. If you want a more extreme than nature provides taper, you also need to do some shaving of your haft.
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Sept 19, 2019 23:20:41 GMT
I'm wanting to make a funny comment on this so bad that it's about to kill me, but I'll shut up and be nice.  This is a family-oriented website, mind you.  |
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Post by demonskull on Sept 20, 2019 12:08:16 GMT
I'm wanting to make a funny comment on this so bad that it's about to kill me, but I'll shut up and be nice. This is a family-oriented website, mind you. And here I've been waiting days for Christain (a Texan) to chime in.  You just ruined my day ! |
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Sept 20, 2019 23:25:39 GMT
I'm wanting to make a funny comment on this so bad that it's about to kill me, but I'll shut up and be nice. This is a family-oriented website, mind you. And here I've been waiting days for Christain (a Texan) to chime in. You just ruined my day ! Okay...you win. All the 'butt-to-head' and 'head-to-butt' stuff was just too much. That, and one other little phrase put me on the floor rolling. I'm sorry, but if a newbie stepped in on that, they'd have a heart attack.  ------  ------  |
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Post by demonskull on Sept 20, 2019 23:40:26 GMT
Why thank you sir, You saved my night ! |
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Post by MOK on Sept 21, 2019 1:27:00 GMT
Got wood for spears?
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Sept 21, 2019 1:43:45 GMT
Only if you shave your haft. It helps the taper. .... |
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Sept 21, 2019 1:46:19 GMT
Okay...done with this...I'm out. (Until something else funny as hell comes up. ) |
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pgandy
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Senior Forumite
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Post by pgandy on Sept 29, 2019 13:57:56 GMT
WLE is having a sale on staffs. I saw one at 8½’, I hate to think of the shipping cost on that one, especially international. wle.com/collections/staffs |
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Sept 29, 2019 21:53:37 GMT
Great deals there, and some really interesting stuff in the 'weapons' pages. A bunch of it I didn't know even existed. |
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This is a family-oriented website, mind you. 
You just ruined my day ! 
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