01-05-2008, 10:29 AM
Quote:Can't agree - the menavlion isn't just a short kontarion made of cornel wood (or oak, artzekidia or "another hard wood") - it's also "as thick as hands can wield", and preferably made of a single sapling rather than one of many cut from a trunk.
All of these argue for me in favour of something with longitudinal strength, suitable to withstand head-on shock, which is really unnecessary in a missile weapon.
This reminds me of the "grown timbers" used in wooden shipbuilding. Curved and 'Y' shaped members were cut from parts of trees which had grown to this shape as they had far greater strength than parts of the tree trunk cut to the required shape would have. This improved strength was in resistance to torsional and lateral stress not longitudinal stress. The use of saplings for the menavlion haft still speaks to me that it was meant to withstand lateral stress, the sort of stress produced by a cutting, not thrusting, usage.
Martin
Fac me cocleario vomere!
Fac me cocleario vomere!