KOA has an ash dowel in 1 1/4" diameter, better than the 1 1/2" diameter closet rod material typically found at lumber stores, though you will still need to shape the ends to fit the sockets, I did this with a power sander in very little time, if you work slowly and create a tight fit then a little glue is all thats needed to keep everything together (along with a couple of copper nails in the spear head):
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Mark Hayes
"The men who once dwelled beneath the crags of Mt Helicon, the broad land of Thespiae now boasts of their courage"
Philiades
"So now I meet my doom. Let me at least sell my life dearly and have a not inglorius end, after some feat of arms that shall come to the ears of generations still unborn"
Hektor, the Iliad
I just noticed which set you bought, I would send it back, the reason I say this is because this was the first set that I bought and the spear head is too heavy and rather large. Just my opinion..
_____________________________________________________
Mark Hayes
"The men who once dwelled beneath the crags of Mt Helicon, the broad land of Thespiae now boasts of their courage"
Philiades
"So now I meet my doom. Let me at least sell my life dearly and have a not inglorius end, after some feat of arms that shall come to the ears of generations still unborn"
Hektor, the Iliad
FYI, the spear was used as the primary pointy-stabby-thingy weapon in conjunction with the shield. Javelins were the thrown weapons (hunting?). I have the bronze set from KOA. The spear is "front-heavy" and hard to control when locking shields and dropping the spear at the "enemy". Most of the other reenactors have steel(iron) heads and bronze spear butts. Blunt the butt point if it is as needle-sharp as mine was. It was deadlier than the point when I got it!
I actually wasn't referring to throwing the spear, though this was done in period, Archaic era hoplites are often depicted with two spears, one would be thrown and the other retained for close fighting, thrown spears are referred to in the literary record though this practice seems to have been abandoned by the Classical period but doesn't mean that spears couldn't be thrown. Javelins were used to great effect in battle by peltasts/light troops.
I was pointing out that the spear head in this particular set is cast bronze and much too heavy, also a bit on the large side for a Greek spear head, I liked mine at first, but the weight and balance are so bad that I decided to purchase a new one in steel, looks better and far better balanced. However, if you are looking for a display piece and like the look of this one then thats fine. It was just a friendly word of advice from someone who has purchased this spear head..which now resides in a bottom drawer.. mile:
_____________________________________________________
Mark Hayes
"The men who once dwelled beneath the crags of Mt Helicon, the broad land of Thespiae now boasts of their courage"
Philiades
"So now I meet my doom. Let me at least sell my life dearly and have a not inglorius end, after some feat of arms that shall come to the ears of generations still unborn"
Hektor, the Iliad
Actually this is the bronze "finished" spear set. They do have an actual bronze version which is beyond what I willing to pay for a wall hanger. I'm sure the actual bronze one is much heavier than this one. In fact the butt spike on my set is significantly heavier than the spear head.
By the way I spoke to a local exotic wood lumber shop in Miami (my neck of the woods) and they have a poplar 1 1/4" round dowel/shaft for a little over a buck a linear foot. They told me poplar is strong enough for martial arts training. I don't know how true that is but if it works I'll let you guys know.
Poplar is a great option (used by ancients - for hoplons as well). My suggestion, however, is go to a flagpole manufacturer. They should carry a 1" diameter X 8' pole that is more period-correct (size-wise) albeit in oak. All you need do is cut off the finial, shape the ends and torch-temper the shaft.
I have a friend who owns a bronze Spartan artifact spearhead from the Persian War period and it fits a 7/8" diameter shaft perfectly. Somehow we have been taught that bigger is better, but I think, once you have tried this thinner diameter, you will be amazed at the difference in agility a thinner shaft affords the wielder.
Poplar is a great option (used by ancients - for hoplons as well). My suggestion, however, is go to a flagpole manufacturer. They should carry a 1" diameter X 8' pole that is more period-correct (size-wise) albeit in oak. All you need do is cut off the finial, shape the ends and torch-temper the shaft.
I have a friend who owns a bronze Spartan artifact spearhead from the Persian War period and it fits a 7/8" diameter shaft perfectly. Somehow we have been taught that bigger is better, but I think, once you have tried this thinner diameter, you will be amazed at the difference in agility a thinner shaft affords the wielder.
What a great idea! I had not considered a flag pole supplier for a dory shaft, 1" diameter is perfect, this site offers an 8' version for $21.70 plus shipping:
The only caveat is that it appears to be varnished, hm, perhaps they would ship one unfinished..
_____________________________________________________
Mark Hayes
"The men who once dwelled beneath the crags of Mt Helicon, the broad land of Thespiae now boasts of their courage"
Philiades
"So now I meet my doom. Let me at least sell my life dearly and have a not inglorius end, after some feat of arms that shall come to the ears of generations still unborn"
Hektor, the Iliad
mile:
