Twist core budiak

Battara · 31st October 2009, 06:02 PM

IT is more a lance than a throwing spear.

A. G. Maisey · 31st October 2009, 08:19 PM

Andrew, I will not go so far as to say I hate Ebay. In fact, I have very little to do with Ebay. However, I will say that there are elements of the Ebay experience that I distinctly dislike.

On the design of this spear head.

To my limited understanding this tang is faulty design.

A spear head that is intended for thrusting should have a tang of sufficient length to allow it to withstand the transverse forces of human body weight. You can see this design feature in spear heads from Jawa and Bali, and also in some European spear heads.

Also, a spear head of this size would require a very big, strong man to use it. Think Big Arni body type.

Considering the superb craftsmanship found in this spear head I am inclined to think it may have been created as a display piece, either purely for display, or for some ceremonial purpose.

Rick · 31st October 2009, 11:18 PM

Often this was dealt with by a heavy brass ferrule of some length reinforced with heavier rings strategically placed .

A. G. Maisey · 1st November 2009, 12:12 PM

Yeah, I can see how a rigid ferrule like that could add a lot of strength.

In the old Javanese fighting spears there was often no ferrule at all, the place of the ferrule was taken by a cord binding, so naturally you needed a nice long tang.

But still, this is pretty solid sort of blade. Stick it on the end of a six foot shaft and I don't reckon you have something that could be moved around quickly by anybody except a very, very strong man.

And a whacking great heavy blade in a spear doesn't really do the job any better than a small light blade.

I think I might be missing something here, because to my mind, something like this has no purpose other than some sort of display.

Spunjer · 1st November 2009, 01:47 PM

it's not as bulky or heavy as you might think. on the average, i've seen kampilans and battle krises heavier that these budiaks. with shaft exceeding 7+ feet, it's actually well balance. this, coupled with a shield, makes a formidable weapon.

Battara · 1st November 2009, 05:01 PM

Spunger is right and there are old pictures of Moros doing war dances with these spears.

A. G. Maisey · 1st November 2009, 08:35 PM

Yeah, I guess you'd have to handle it to really understand. I'm just comparing the apparent mass with what I know, and this spear is certainly different in many ways from what I know to be effective weapon design from a few different places.

31st October 2009, 11:18 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Often this was dealt with by a heavy brass ferrule of some length reinforced with heavier rings strategically placed . Attached Images Last edited by Rick; 31st October 2009 at 11:29 PM.

31st October 2009, 06:02 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	IT is more a lance than a throwing spear.

31st October 2009, 08:19 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Andrew, I will not go so far as to say I hate Ebay. In fact, I have very little to do with Ebay. However, I will say that there are elements of the Ebay experience that I distinctly dislike. On the design of this spear head. To my limited understanding this tang is faulty design. A spear head that is intended for thrusting should have a tang of sufficient length to allow it to withstand the transverse forces of human body weight. You can see this design feature in spear heads from Jawa and Bali, and also in some European spear heads. Also, a spear head of this size would require a very big, strong man to use it. Think Big Arni body type. Considering the superb craftsmanship found in this spear head I am inclined to think it may have been created as a display piece, either purely for display, or for some ceremonial purpose.

1st November 2009, 12:12 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Yeah, I can see how a rigid ferrule like that could add a lot of strength. In the old Javanese fighting spears there was often no ferrule at all, the place of the ferrule was taken by a cord binding, so naturally you needed a nice long tang. But still, this is pretty solid sort of blade. Stick it on the end of a six foot shaft and I don't reckon you have something that could be moved around quickly by anybody except a very, very strong man. And a whacking great heavy blade in a spear doesn't really do the job any better than a small light blade. I think I might be missing something here, because to my mind, something like this has no purpose other than some sort of display.

1st November 2009, 01:47 PM	#5
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	it's not as bulky or heavy as you might think. on the average, i've seen kampilans and battle krises heavier that these budiaks. with shaft exceeding 7+ feet, it's actually well balance. this, coupled with a shield, makes a formidable weapon.

1st November 2009, 05:01 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Spunger is right and there are old pictures of Moros doing war dances with these spears.

1st November 2009, 08:35 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Yeah, I guess you'd have to handle it to really understand. I'm just comparing the apparent mass with what I know, and this spear is certainly different in many ways from what I know to be effective weapon design from a few different places.