[Robert W. Betten]

Ok well I thought I'd take this out of the thread I made about the A&A piece and ask...

...how sharp historically were spears made? and how hard were they typically made in 12th century europe?

I was thinking that we have some folk who have had direct access to museum pieces might have handled some of the better preserved pieces like in the larger armouries in England and Scotland. I find the technical side of how a weapon was historically just as interesting as using the weapon itself.

cheers guys,
Rob

[Peter Johnsson]

My impression is that wide bladed spears were every bit as sharp as swords, that is: as sharp as you can realistically get them. The edge is formed in a curve, more like the edge of an ax than the edge of a knife.
In that way the edge section of wide bladed spears are much like that of swords:
an apple seed section shaped on a thin bevel.
The point is usually pretty thick, more so than on a sword. That makes the first inch or two behind the point having a rather blunt angle in the edges. Think of this part as a very big leather sewing needle.
As soon as the blde width allowes, the edges are honed to a fine sharpness.
Where the blade curves back towars the socket, the edges are as a rule quite blunt, or even "rebated".

Hope this helps.

[Robert W. Betten]

Thanks alot Peter, thats exactly the information I was after...

...I've been wanting to handle some original spears and axes when I goto the UK (not for a while) so I could compare and contrast the techniques of making them in different ages. For personal interest mainly but when I do others may find it just as interesting. Good thing alot of pieces for study are still around today for us to observe and recreate .