[J. Lee]

Some writings on ottoman military, including "The Enemy at the Gate: Habsburgs, Ottomans, and the Battle for Europe" mentions ottoman sipahis slashing western pikemen's spear tips with their sabres. From what I can recall, similar account also appears in Charles Boutell's book about history of arms and armour. Are there any primary sources supporting such claims?

[Lafayette C Curtis]

Can't remember any, and just like similar accounts--the Roman cavalry riding across the Macedonian front and breaking the pikes at Pydna comes to mind--I prefer to put this in the "highly dubious" bin. It might have been done by desperate individuals or small groups but I strongly doubt its overall effectiveness as a deliberate tactical device.