I like the idea of the spear, not for any particular "practical" use around the house or anything but lately I've wanted one for some reason... happens from time to time.
Anyhow, it seems to me there have been 3 major ways to attach a head of a spear to the shaft throughout history.
1.) take staff/tree/sapling and slit end, insert head and lash to staff
2.) create spear head that has a long "tang" and insert into hole bored in the end of shaft
3.) insert shaft into socket that is forged/cast into spear head.
I'm thinkin' about making one, couple, whatever for fits and grins and have been tossing the pros and cons of each type. seems 1 and 2 would have higher chances of breaking the staff since you have weakened it by splitting or boring. The third method I cant think of a good way to make since I don't currently have access (or the knowhow) to forge a socket.
Before anyone brings it up, I don't want to buy a pre-made head from any of the museum replica websites. And I think the cold steel spears, while utilitarian, are ugly since they are stamped and you the socket is not a "true socket" (ie, you can see the end of the shaft if you turn the blade around)
I guess my question would be, has anyone made a spear/bought/used one made from methods 1 or 2 and how has it worked? Suggestions to help strengthen the end. I was thinking of wrapping the end in a rope/fabric that has been soaked in fiberglass resin (kinda like a high tech sinew).
Thanks!
Anyhow, it seems to me there have been 3 major ways to attach a head of a spear to the shaft throughout history.
1.) take staff/tree/sapling and slit end, insert head and lash to staff
2.) create spear head that has a long "tang" and insert into hole bored in the end of shaft
3.) insert shaft into socket that is forged/cast into spear head.
I'm thinkin' about making one, couple, whatever for fits and grins and have been tossing the pros and cons of each type. seems 1 and 2 would have higher chances of breaking the staff since you have weakened it by splitting or boring. The third method I cant think of a good way to make since I don't currently have access (or the knowhow) to forge a socket.
Before anyone brings it up, I don't want to buy a pre-made head from any of the museum replica websites. And I think the cold steel spears, while utilitarian, are ugly since they are stamped and you the socket is not a "true socket" (ie, you can see the end of the shaft if you turn the blade around)
I guess my question would be, has anyone made a spear/bought/used one made from methods 1 or 2 and how has it worked? Suggestions to help strengthen the end. I was thinking of wrapping the end in a rope/fabric that has been soaked in fiberglass resin (kinda like a high tech sinew).
Thanks!