Staff weapons -- myArmoury.com

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 04 Sep, 2003 7:05 pm Post subject: Staff weapons

I've noticed that there isn't much discussion online about the quality of replica staff weapons, and I don't see these important weapons represented in many collections of replicas. I know swords are the first love of most of us, but the dearth of polearms seems strange. I mean, I would expect folks to be writing things like "well, the CASI black bill is OK, but the Vince Evans black bill is sublime." Are these weapons so simple to produce (relatively speaking) that any old replica will do? Are they more difficult to evaluate than swords? Since they're inexpensive compared to swords, do they simply lack the flash value of fine replica swords? Are there any great polearm manufacturers out there? I know Albion and Lutel have some interesting pieces. MRL used to offer a nice assortment of polearms, but now lists only a few. Do any of you folks have a favorite replica staff weapon?

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

I think one of the issues is that quality polearms are not easy to create. In fact, getting a historically researched, properly balanced, correctly proportioned piece takes a fair amount of time to create. I also believe that the consumer market is typically not understanding of the effort required to get the three-dimensional subtleties correct, and so isn't able to adequately value these types of things. This leaves a tremendous amount of polearms in the lower-end range, but few higher end makers who are willing to get involved in this niche.

Case in point: I recently saw a Lutel Lucerne type hammer being sold by Art Elwell. He mounted it on a custom-shaped shaft that he cut down, faceted, and prepared. The resulting piece was fantastic, if not just a tiny bit heavy. It was worth every penny of the (roughly) $350 that was being asked for it, but I still was unable to pony up the cash for it. And that's just too bad.. great piece, and I wish I could have managed to get it.

Björn Hellqvist · myArmoury Alumni

I agree with Nathan that polearms seem to be hard to recreate. I handled a few of the CAS Iberia/Hanwei spears and halberds last year, and they were totally off the mark! The halberd felt more like an overgrown axe, and didn't invite to the play that a real halberd does. And the spears... ugh. I own two spears, one a light Viking spear with a head made by my brother, the other with a (now discontiuned) Del Tin head, both with shafts made by me. Polearms are less "romantic" than swords, and I think most collectors of repros add them rather late, after stocking up on the "cooler" weapons. My own collection, which I plan to include an example of each major weapon type from the Middle Ages, is lacking both a halberd and a poleaxe. Another problem is shipping. It isn't easy to ship a 8' weapon, and if the heads are sold separately, many collectors hesitate to make the shafts themselves. So it is a Catch-22 situation of sorts.

Sean Flynt · Posted: Fri 05 Sep, 2003 6:34 am Post subject:

So we're waiting for public knowledge of and demand for accurate polearms to catch up with the growing public knowledge of and demand for accurate swords (one assumes that the amount of available information and the modern smith's skill will increase accordingly). Bjorn, I think you make an interesting point about how good weapons invite use. I wasn't all that interested in polearms until I handled a friend's replica halberd. I have no way to judge the quality of the piece, but it just felt great in my hands. So now I want one and have found it difficult to find stats and descriptions of historic examples. In fact, myArmoury.com is the only place I've found an historic example like the modern replica I handled.

Roger Hooper · Posted: Fri 05 Sep, 2003 9:14 am Post subject:

I'm kind of surprised no one has mentioned Arms and Armor's pole arms (see A&A poll-axe below). Although I've never held one, I'd guess one would have a hard time finding a better crafted weapon. Could someone who actually has an A&A polearm give us a critique?

Björn Hellqvist · myArmoury Alumni

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

The poleaxes from Therion's (imported from Czech Arms and Armor) are nice. They handle beautifully, although they don't have a butt cap. I have been very tempted to buy one, except that recently Therion apparently has had problems getting shipments from them on time.

http://www.therionarms.com/reenact/weaponry.shtml

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Sat 06 Sep, 2003 11:42 am Post subject:

Most sword collectors are initially attracted to the subject because of some kind of romantic/idealistic interest. Let's face it, there aren't a lot of stories about gallant knights pulling war hammers out of rocks, or being given polearms by water faeries. Historically the polearm was quite often the preferred weapon, but in modern terms they just don't have the allure of the sword.

In a way the polearm is much like the sword, in that it seems deceptively simple yet is a bit complicated in design and construction. Creating more authentic staff weapons would require more research and effort by the maker, which would increase the price. Most collectors will not hesitate to pay high prices for well made swords, ask them to pay similar prices for staff weapons and I expect that many of them would balk, since they lack the preceived cache of the sword.

I just don't think there's a big enough market for high end polearms to make it worthwhile. Too bad.

Björn Hellqvist · myArmoury Alumni

Next time I order from Lutel, I will probably order both their poleaxe and a German-style halberd. I'll have to mount them myself, and probably make butt-caps, but at least my collection will grow with two weapon types.

Stefan Toivonen · Posted: Sun 07 Sep, 2003 2:15 pm Post subject:

Björn Hellqvist · myArmoury Alumni

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

So I'm curious, where do you guys keep the pole arms you have/are planning to get. I've got enough of a chore finding a place to stash all the swords around here.

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Sun 07 Sep, 2003 11:10 pm Post subject:

David McElrea · Posted: Sun 14 Mar, 2004 1:53 pm Post subject:

Björn Hellqvist wrote:

Chris Holzman · Posted: Sun 14 Mar, 2004 1:56 pm Post subject:

James Aldrich · Posted: Sun 14 Mar, 2004 3:14 pm Post subject:

I've had the A&A English and Italian Bills for quite some time. The English seems to me a creditable individual combat weapon as well as mass/shock infantry implement. The Italian, by virtue of its length and balance, is more of a formation weapon.

I'd like to have the Knightly Pollaxe someday.

As for storage, I have some unique solutions. Pictures on request.

JSA

Jeff Johnson · Posted: Sun 14 Mar, 2004 5:34 pm Post subject:

Carl Croushore · Industry Professional

I've always been an admirer of axes, maces and hammers - especially the Bec de Corbin (Raven's Beak). I own a Francesca, and I am going to order an axe from Lutel very soon (thanks for your assistance on that count, Bjorn!).

Just the other day, I took a chance, and went for my "dream weapon" (non-sword dream weapon, that is), and won at Ebay auction an MRL Bec de Corbin for $76.00 + S&H. That's about 1/2 what MRL is selling them for. They have a hardwood pole (oak or ash, not sure which) and a butt cap as well. The only thing they lack are the side spikes, which I may forge myself and add later on.

Peter Johnsson has a beautiful Bec de Corbin viewable on his Website, labelled as a Lucern Hammer. It is simply remarkable, and if he reads this, I'd love to know how much he's asking for one if requested. It is simply my favorite non-sword weapon!

Cheers!
-- Carl Croushore

Joe Fults · Posted: Sun 14 Mar, 2004 8:22 pm Post subject:

I've seen some A&A axes but don't own any. The pieces felt durable and solid if memory serves.

Joachim Nilsson · Posted: Mon 15 Mar, 2004 4:08 am Post subject: Re: Staff weapons