Spear design question

[Jaepheth]

So my random internet tangent for tonight covered spear hunting wild boar.

It occurred to me that a side handle (a grip perpendicular to the shaft; like a nightstick's) could be quite handy in helping thrust a spear and also to hold the wounded target at bay.

My searches haven't been able to find any instance of this feature on a spear. Does anyone here know of, or wish to conjecture, any particular reason(s) why?

 

[smakme7757]

My first thought was that you would have to carve a hole into the stick. Then put another piece of wood through the hole. I guess that could potentially create a weakness in the shaft when it flexes?

 

[JManInPhoenix]

Spear hunting wild boar? Now that it is manly hunting at its best!

 

[Fayd]

So my random internet tangent for tonight covered spear hunting wild boar.

It occurred to me that a side handle (a grip perpendicular to the shaft; like a nightstick's) could be quite handy in helping thrust a spear and also to hold the wounded target at bay.

My searches haven't been able to find any instance of this feature on a spear. Does anyone here know of, or wish to conjecture, any particular reason(s) why?

how would that help anything?

 

[edro]

I can see why you think it would be beneficial for jabbing.
Hold spear in left hand, hold handle in right hand for added jabbing strength. The spear couldn't slide through your hands.

I don't ever remember seeing this variation on a pike either, which there are hundreds of variations of.

For throwing, it would obviously affect trajectory, especially if you used the handle to throw it.

 

[Jaepheth]

how would that help anything?

Allows you better utilization of the palms when absorbing an impact or applying thrust.

 

[lxskllr]

I think that could cause it to torque out of your hand, and maybe break your wrist in the process.

 

[Markbnj]

They won't let you bring an actual wild boar to your next LARP event.

 

[dawp]

don't forget the atlatl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHucpNJ1AKY

 

[zinfamous]

shouldn't you be tossing the spear at those boars?

my recommendation would be to improve your throwing technique, but always carry a medium blade with you, like a machete, to dispatch the charging boar if your initial spear attack doesn't stop it.

maybe even improve your shield technique. I've had success bashing wolves to death, in my pelt-hunting days.

good luck.

 

[Imp]

If all the TV shows and movies I've seen are correct, they never used handles on spears in old times. Must be some reason aside from ease of manufacturing.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

A pistol grip would change it from a spear to an assault spear, you wouldn't be able to own it in many states.

 

[mikeford]

Sheesh, its called a boar spear and the cross piece is because a wild boar will force the spear through its body and kill you before it dies itself. You don't throw them either as boars are covered in heavy hide, so the only way to penetrate is stabbing at close range.

 

[Murloc]

just get an halberd so you can axe it to death.

I guess it doesn't exist because it makes the weapon less flexible, whereas a spear can be held whichever way you want.

I don't think throwing is convenient, boars have thick hide so even if you get it right the first time it can still kill you.

 

[edro]

What I want to know, is how the hell prehistoric man took down mammoths with sharp rocks attached to sticks.

Those mammoths must have been retarded.

 

[lxskllr]

What I want to know, is how the hell prehistoric man took down mammoths with sharp rocks attached to sticks.

Those mammoths must have been retarded.

Overwhelmed by numbers. Humans also used terrain, and would run them off cliffs, and stuff.

 

[Ns1]

don't forget the atlatl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHucpNJ1AKY

Was about to come in here to post this. Why add a handle when you can add an atlatl?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Spears are used from a distance. Boar swords have cross pieces to keep the boar from getting to you.

 

[Drako]

Atlatl FTW as noted above.

 

[Pocatello]

If you like to live dangerously, hunt wild boars with a pig sticker.

 

[BladeVenom]

Allows you better utilization of the palms when absorbing an impact or applying thrust.

But a side handle would put lateral force on the spear, and would be much more likely to break it. Then you have a wounded wild boar coming at you.


If you want to make boar hunting more challenging, use a handgun.

 

[Ruptga]

A spear you use from a distance is called an arrow.

 

[shortylickens]

I recommend a glaive-guisarme.

 

[shortylickens]

http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/95BOASK/BOAR_SPEAR.aspx

In all seriousness I would not recommend a sideways handle. It actually makes the thing more difficult to carry and use.
I do recommend maybe wrapping two key points with cord for a better grip, or even using plastic wrap-around handles provided they have some sort of checkering.

 

[Ns1]

I recommend a glaive-guisarme.

how is that different than a halberd, or just a different name?