O.K. here are my initial impressions and although fairly complete I may come back to it and add things that I may notice later or forget to mention now as there are so many ways to review this piece: Aesthetics, handling, design intelligence, tactical theoretical use and maybe other things I might forget to cover.
No pics but then go back to the pics that Micheal posted a couple of pages back as they are very representative of what I see in front of me i.e. no hidden flaws that one can see when in hand compared to the pics ..... YES, it look as this good and even BETTER in hand.
First a few statistics:
Weight: 4 Lbs 9 oz.
Total length: 82 1/2 "
Length of head + socket: 19 1/2"
Main blade length: 13 3/8"
Width of main blade at the shoulders/base: 3"
Width 2" from the point where it becomes a triangular point: 1 1/4"
Width of wings: 5 3/8"
Length of short languettes: 7 1/8"
Length long languettes: 15"
Haft diameter flat to flat: 1 1/4"
Haft diameter corner to corner octagonal section: 1 1/2"
POB: 50 " from butt end, 32 1/2" from point, just on the last inch or two of the long languettes.
Hand at the POB or just below the languettes for a little more presence seems ideal.
Wings sharp on slanted back toward the butt, convex appleseed with no secondary bevel.
Main blade is also sword like appleseed with only a hint of a secondary final sharpening bevel, VERY sharp over most of the main edge except for the first inch or so of blade above the shoulder: Only a bit less sharp and transitioning to very sharp gradually. ( Sword/paper cutting sharp, borderline hair popping sharp but with a robust edge geometry ).
Triangular point slightly less sharp for a very sturdy durable point.
Blade thickness fairly thin on the flats with a gradual convex curve to the edges, the very thick central ridge makes the blade very strong but still light for it's size.
The ridge is very thick over the cut out between the wings and the main blade, so the cut out does not represent a weakened area of the design. The corners are subtlety but definitely radiused ( No stress risers ).
The blade is overall light for it's impressive/scary size, but has some substantial meat where it needs strength and is nowhere too thin or light for heavy use.
Distal taper in both the flats of the main blade and with the central ridge, but the ridge remains stout to the triangular point.
Very robust but efficient/optimum distribution of mass where it needs to be strong but light enough and thin enough to optimize cutting and penetration.
The whole spear point makes me thinks of a well designed sword when it comes to distal taper and efficiency.
Handling is superb as it almost feels like a plain wooden staff half it's weight in motion i.e. it floats, it should be lightning fast in use.
Sharp enough that even a light drawcut would be devastating yet strong enough to be able to take heavy use.
The balance is still towards the blade side so that cuts would have real power but it's not axe like or halberd like in presence, it sort of reminds me more of a rapier in handling as a precision instrument and not a blunt force polearm.
The wings are multifunctional: The flat unsharpened front is good for parrying.
The points of the wings can act as sharpened single mace flange and should be able to pierce, hook or tear.
Hooking behind a knee, elbow or neck, side of body seems like other tactical uses it could do well.
Also, the sharpened sloped back edges could also discourage and counter a grab on the spear half by an opponent, or at least make it very risky !
The finish is uniformly flawless, all ridges/bevels are sharp and perfectly strait: Zero, ripples or waves in the finish.
Oh, and again, scary sharp. :eek: :D
The octagonal haft is nicely oiled finished and the languettes are perfectly inletted into the wood but left slightly proud but with comfortably rounded edge on the languettes. The octagonal haft gives a great feel in handling and edge orientation.
The haft seems very strong and rigid and with a nice strait wood grain.
The butt plate is also perfectly fitted and give a strong striking surface, protects the end of the haft and just plain looks great.