Nicely edited with slow mo impacts, that allow us to see what's happening, but doesn't bog down the flow. Those spears are so fast ..... it's a flinch-off! Entertaining and informative, thanks, Gus.

Great job guys. My one observation is that your default distance is within measure, well within the striking distance of your foe. If you took a step further back so that either of you has to move forward in order to reach the other, it would eliminate some of the hits you are taking. With the spear, standing in measure and slugging it out is not always the best option. This is why Marozzo's partisan and rotella always ends plays with a backward step.

Thank god for the editing which indicated who struck when and where. seriously, it is telling how quickly experienced fighters find a way to hit home and a good indication of why historically formations of soldiers might have spend hours staring each other down rather than simply charge en mass.

My last words would be: ''Don't tell my family I got hit in the 🏀🏀''

@MichaelGThomas

Жыл бұрын

True story!

From my experience the two best pieces of advice for using spear with shield is to keep your point from extending much past the edge of your shield (So the opponent can't manipulate it), and to use your elbow and torso as points of a lever on the shaft of the spear to control your spearpoint. I've had the most luck against opponents if I use light prodding to make them launch an attack and give me an opening rather than try to force a hit. Using that tactic basically anyone without a shield is pure meat for the spearman and it gives you the best chance of getting around the shield of someone who has one. I do love that at least someone is doing spear and shield, far FAR too few people even attempt the single most common melee weapon combination in human history.

I love the editing :) Your videos guys are great case studies :)

Nice.

Very nice. Greetings from Spain.

Cool!

You've played around with both strapped and bossed shields over the years - in those experiences do you have any interesting observations to make about the differences/strengths and weaknesses of each approach? I honestly find that little subject fascinating

@MichaelGThomas

Жыл бұрын

I prefer strapped, though there are clear benefits to both. Strapped is stronger in defence, puts less strain on parts of the arm. Punch grip allows a more dynamic fighting style, with greater degrees of movement.

Gread fights guys, after 20 years of 2 handed spear dueling in the SCA ,im really interested in trying the 1 handed spear and shield.

@tsafa

Жыл бұрын

I've tried it, the full size spear ends up being too heavy and slow for one-handed use. You have to shorten it, and which case you lose much reach advantage. In most cases you end up holding the spear near the middle for balance. I good part of the weapon is behind you not being used. Of course with matched weapons it's a fair fight, but in a melee against full-size Spears being used with two hands it turns out to be a disadvantage.

@tsafa

Жыл бұрын

I have seen lots of people successfully use short spear and sword in single combat, as a two weapon form. Even winning tournaments.

What did you guys use for the shafts and tips?

@MichaelGThomas

Жыл бұрын

The shafts are actually really cheap grow sticks for trees. Steel cylindrical core coated in plastic. The tips here are mocked up foam and gaffer tape. Though light header heads would also work.

As someone with a unique interest in spear and spear/shield fighting, where can I get resources for learning advanced techniques and the tools to practice in a safe manner? I own a spear and discovered quickly just how heavy that weapon can be and my worry is that it would be rather easy to accidentally injure a sparring partner even with a blunt or rubber tip.

@AcademyofHistoricalFencing

Жыл бұрын

That is a tough one. For a start, there are barely any resources on it historically, the only written sources are from the 16th century with the interest in reviving all things from antiquity, and so there are sources such as Marozzo with his partizan and rotella. In terms of training tools and practice methods, well the best thing you can do is find a good HEMA club. Very few ever practice with spear and shield, but many will help and enable you do so. So yeh, try and find a good club and practice whatever they are teaching, and in time you can look to pursue the spear and shield.

@partydean17

11 ай бұрын

​@AcademyofHistoricalFencing would they be put off by someone trying to use spear and shield and ask me to go with a sword?

🙂

I've tried it, the full size spear ends up being too heavy and slow for one-handed use. You have to shorten it, and which case you lose much reach advantage. In most cases you end up holding the spear near the middle for balance. I good part of the weapon is behind you not being used. Of course with matched weapons it's a fair fight, but in a melee against full-size Spears being used with two hands it turns out to be a disadvantage.

@melanoc3tusii205

7 ай бұрын

History would disagree - in great part, I would speculate, on account of the constant presence of bows, slings, and other dedicated missile weaponry, but also likely because the two-handed spear wielder in a confrontation is in risk of getting their opponent's thrown spear through the ribs.

@TemenosL

12 күн бұрын

I've followed your profile for a long time, tsafa, but I'm not sure what point you're making here RE: the video in general. If a spear intended for one-handed use is "too heavy" to be used for one hand, then it is likely over-constructed. This is a pretty common problem; x person interested in y era of pre-modern fighting goes out and buys a shaft, usually an ashwood cylindrical dowel to the wanted length, let's say 7-10', and to turn it into a usable spear, they shave off enough wood on one or both ends to affix a blade, be it a safe practice blunt one of rubber, or steel for reenactment, or a sharp. Then they call it done. Most likely, instead, most spears had some amount of tapering and shaping the shaft. You can do this to maneuver the point of balance, but also just to lighten the thing and keep it nimble. I have a roughly 8' ashwood shaft that I bought as cylinder. After having made many, many passes of sanding, delicately shaping the entire shaft, the difference in handling is night and day.

5:08 bonk

At yes, que tip fencing, a hema staple