Spear ID?

[Titus Pullo]

I like the foot soldiers' spear. It looks like a sound design. Using the shear mass and weight of the spear, I think it may even be able to peirce the armors quite easily; it certainly can peirce one right through the cavity, the trechea area between the colar bones, and the abdomen (inorder to gut someone quite brutally).

This reminds me of the Roman pilums, except they are sleeker in design for throwing to maximise penatration of the enemies' shields and armors. From I can tell you by lookig the pictures of the basic design of the pilums if you throw it right, as the pilum is decending onto the enemies at an arc, it should pick up more speed because of the weight at the front. And the sleeker design allows it to peirce through the air as it travels. I think to throw the pilum correctly (according to my observation of the design) you should think as if you are throwing the metal ball and to try to throw it at the intended target. The ball is also there to add more weight. That's my two cents, so don't take my words for it.

[PUFF]

Some of Thai books mention about "Howk" on elephant 's back. I asked Khun Bancha, an expert/collector of Dahb Thai. He told me that most weapons on the elephant are pole-arms. Beside using as weapons, hey also function as a signal (similar way to flags). Footmen 's spear 's unlikely but possible to be there as a signaling item. Another possibility is "Hawk" refers to "HowkSaad", which means throwing spear. I still need to see another expert for more information though .

[sabertasche]

Guys, I've always heard that male bamboo was used in lances for the British/Indian army as this type of bamboo has no air pockets in it. Female bamboo has the air pockets and was structurally weaker. Can anyone confirm this?

Greg

[Rick]

Originally Posted by sabertasche

Guys, I've always heard that male bamboo was used in lances for the British/Indian army as this type of bamboo has no air pockets in it. Female bamboo has the air pockets and was structurally weaker. Can anyone confirm this?

Greg

I'm afraid this may be a myth ; my Wife is a serious grower of bamboo and says that since it is essentially a member of the grass family this is not possible .
Having said that , the varieties of bamboo are legion in number so as discussed before in this thread I'm pretty sure spear haft bamboo is a particular variety .

[Titus Pullo]

Originally Posted by PUFF

Some of Thai books mention about "Howk" on elephant 's back. I asked Khun Bancha, an expert/collector of Dahb Thai. He told me that most weapons on the elephant are pole-arms. Beside using as weapons, hey also function as a signal (similar way to flags). Footmen 's spear 's unlikely but possible to be there as a signaling item. Another possibility is "Hawk" refers to "HowkSaad", which means throwing spear. I still need to see another expert for more information though .

Since you show a pic of war elephant, I like to mention that elephants were not used as tank to break through enemies' lines because they were difficult animals to control, and when they get hurt, noone is safe...not even your soldiers. they kill everyone insight...literally! Rather, I think they were as vehicle for the king and people protecting him. As you can see, they don't bow and arrows on elephants neither. I think this is because if they make themselves targets, your enemies would most likely try kill your elephants by disemboweling them. They get underneath them after, ofcourse, having to fight through guards, guarding the elephants.

[Andrew]

PUFF, thank you for sharing your experience and information with us! Once again, you have helped answer questions we would only be able to guess at previously.

Please thank your friend, Khun Bancha, for his help as well. It would be fantastic to have him join the forum.