Instead, as with other medieval fighting traditions, there are a variety of tactics and plays at a variety of distances that seek to provoke the opponent into making an injudicious change of guard so that you may strike them without also being hit at the same time. Many of these techniques from medieval sources such as Fiore de Liberi's late 14th century fighting book describe how to use the spike at the butt-end of the weapon to threaten your opponent and thereby force an opening.
An image from the late 14th century Italian fighting book by Fiore de Liberi, from Wiktenaeur.
In this video we examine two different styles of spike that can be added to our regular polearms, in this case our Burgundian Poleaxe. Take a look at all of our polearms here.
As always, our swords and other weapons are entirely made by us, by hand, at our shop in Minneapolis, MN. Sword blades are hand ground of 6150 carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 50-52 Rockwell. Polearms are 4140 carbon steel. All of our products are made to look, feel, and function just like the historical originals on which they are based.
Arms & Armor is dedicated to quality and authenticity. For over four decades we have worked with museums, collectors, and scholars to develop a deep understanding of European weapons; knowledge we use to make products that exemplify the finest qualities of the very best historic pieces. When we select historic items to reproduce, being pretty isn't enough, they have to move with grace and beauty, and beg to be used when in the hand. These are pieces that feel as good as they look, and that work as well as they feel. Our mission is to craft items that recreate the look, feel, and function of the best historic originals. Whether you are a Collector, Curator, Reenactor, or Historical Martial Artist, we will work with you to create the sword or other weapon of your dreams.
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at events including Longpoint and Combatcon, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985