Speculation
 

Or half informed guess. I am not a stick fighter but I have done some sabre practice. Many moves cover a multitude of weapons to some degree. Apart from using this club to gain a fore arms length and full power to the distal end, perhaps the hide rings work as a stop so in the peak of aggression even more close work can be made by letting the weapon descend to the postion shown. Right up close, in this postion the weapon is still usable as a cosh and you can pick with the spike. :eek: :shrug:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...y/INDIA039.jpg