RomanArmyTalk

Finished 2 Pila, Be gentle, these are my first!! Most of my information came from "Roman Military Equipment" by M.C. Bishop and J.C.N. Coulston. Sorry for the poor picture.

Look pretty good Wes. How'd you get them so dark brown in colour?

i likez

Great work Wes
Regards Brennivs

Nice job!

Personally I think the triangular blocks are too long/slender, but that's just me. (I don't think they need to be much longer than the tang of the iron shaft itself, maybe 2-3 inches more than the tang)

Size wise and length look great.

Nice shield too!

I like them! For a first effort, it looks good; here's a laudes for you Wes. What materials did you use? And how is the heft?

Size and heft are really nice...I tossed one across the yard and started to pucker a bit when it looked like it was going to go through the vinyl fence. I really did not toss it that hard and it flew farther than I anticipated.

Wood is ash, and I rubbed it with a water/wood ash mix to color/polish it. It was shaped with a draw knife. Tangs are hardened and oil quenched, as is the tip. I left the metal shaft a bit soft, to bend as the originals.

Thanks!

Wes, did you try my "doubling over the tang end" trick? From the picture, it looks like you did.

Well, far be it for me to throw sand in the ointment, so to speak, and great work, by the way, but I think the 'great voices from above' have decided that the pilum was not designed to bend on impact..... :roll: So you could probably oil harden the iron shaft too, and be quite correct..... 8)

Now somebody will tell me that I am wrong... that this is just another theory bla-dee-bla-deebla....but any way, that is what I think they are saying these days!

But great work mate, my respect to you!

I have refrained from 'chucking my spear' in case I impale something I shouldn't.....mind you, a few less seagulls cant be bad....... :twisted:

I guess I can harden one, and leave the other. That way I will be safe no matter which way the debate goes!!

Demetrius, the trick worked as you said, not sure I got it totally right, but I am pleased with the result. I can only improve with time......theoretically any-hoo

Thanks guys!

You're just more worried about puncturing one of those mermaids that swim around the rig, admit it. Besides, you're probably aware that a pilum won't float, most likely.

Quote:Wes: Demetrius, the trick worked as you said

Figgers. If the two metals stuck together it's as right as it gets.

You can always tie a rope to it, I have 100 feet of 1/8 inch pure linen rope, or Cod line.....In Search of Mobius Dickus??????

Quote:Mobius Dickus

Istn't that an STD?

It wasnt when I wrote it, but it might be now!!

Call me Ishmaelus.......just doesnt have that ring to it......I still think my Roman name should be Dorkus Maximus.....a private joke was I called my friend Testicles (thats pronounced Testi-clees), like Pericles


I am hoping it seems as humorous outside my little circle...sorry, dont get out much.

Testikles is the name of a soon-to-be Greek reenactor down here in Texas. Didn't know you knew him. Hmm. His fame precedes him, I guess.