[John Warner]

But the stipulation is that you may only choose ONE weapon, no backup. Would you still take 2-hand halberd or pollaxe? That is to say, what would you fear more, an opponent having a weapon of greater reach or an opponent with a smaller weapon coming into your guard when you do not have a smaller backup.

[Emil Andersson]

And what would my own armour class be? If I would be fighting in a steel harness I would definately go for the halberd or poleaxe, since the armour would work as an effective weapon in and off itself in a close situation.

[Johan Gemvik]

Do I just have to pick one? They're all my favorite.
I'm just missing various shields from the selection. Some spiked shields wouldn't even need an additional weapon.
I'm also missing the Bar mace?... We have to have a bar mace. And a bill hook.

If I have to use only one weapon, then a two-handed one would be best for all enounters. Probably the halberd is the most versatile and the huge hammer is the most devastating against heavy armour. But the spear would probably do the trick in a pinch even against heavy plate. If it won't go through the plate you can always tangle his weapon, smash his head with the pole for distraction and trip up the legs with it and then spear him on the ground throwing all your weight on it. Or just sit on him and find the catch for the visor.

If I can choose a combination armament then:


(a) unarmored,
I'd go with the single handed sword and the Greatsword for the off hand for defense and bonus offense. Mostly because it's a style very few today know how to fight against effectively, especially those schooled in unarmoured fighting, and it'll psyche out the opponent. You get long hand-to-hand thrusting range combined with the defense of a tall shield, medium range with the single hand sword and at close range you can punch someone unarmoured effectively with the crossguard and pommel. A literal Killer combo at least if you can find a sturdy gauntlet for the off hand. If not, wrap it in heavy cloth against cuts and hope for the best.

(b) leather/linen,
That Boar spear won't be stopped by linen or leather and it can deliver a nasty enough secondary cut. That said, any weapon on the list will do nicely. Just make it your own, and stay sharp and fight dirty.

(c) mail
Single hand sword and pick. Sword to outfence and create an opening for the pick, then use pick to finish. Always keep the pick raised ready to strike for this to work. If you have no pick this would also work with the rondello or the mace.

(d) full knightly plate.
The Hammer, halberd or Greatsword. Either will do, but the hammer will be an instant kill and incapacitating even with a glancing blow. At least I haven't seen any historical armour capable of withstanding it. This is best used with a couple of sturdy squires tackling and holding the opponent down as it's probably slow and cumbersome. So cheat!
If you can't do that, hold it just under the head and at the end of handle and go in sticky to punch with the head at close range for distraction, then extend and smash for end game.

Another way to defeat the full plate is to use the Mace and rondello. Tackle, find a good spot for the rondello and hammer it in with the mace. But this tactic could end badly if the opponend has longer reach weapons and see you coming, especially if you're not wearing armour yourself.


A side note here.
Just the rondello and hidden hand full of dirt or better yet sand, peppers or salt used at the right momend can do nicely too.

[Johan Gemvik]

[Ken Speed]

Well, if I had to choose only one it would be the spear. The spear can more easily transition from a long range hand held weapon to a shorter range weapon (used staff fashion) than a halberd; a weapon I only have a vague idea how to use in any case.

[Jean Thibodeau]

[Shahril Dzulkifli]

I'll pick weapon No. 7 - The Duke of Urbino sword.

[Sean Flynt]

A pollaxe or relatively short halberd is easily shortened to deal with an enemy closing with a knife. Better not to let them get in that range, though. If you have a shorter weapon you have no range options.

[Bennison N]

A Chinese spear.

When you only get one... Why not take "The King of Weapons", right?

[Johan Gemvik]

[Johan Gemvik]

Wait, I have a better idea.
Since we could choose a shield to go with 1-handed weapons I'll take this one:



And this axe, we could take axes yes?




For unarmoured fighting, this poll-axe seems suitable:

[Elling Polden]

In my experience, spears have the advantage over swung polearms in a one on one faceoff. They simply move a lot faster, and can make lightning fast thrusts to the face that a head-first polarm will be to slow to block. (which is why a lot of polearm guards are cue forward...) They are also typically longer. Last but not least, they penetrate flesh like butter, and can deliver bleeding wounds through mail.

Of the hand weapons, sword and shield would be preferable in most circumstances. Swords are long, fast, and above all, flexible; You can thrust, strike, use the tip or the end of the blade, and so on.
The ability to defend and attack at the same time trumphs pretty much everything else. A pick/warhammer would be handy against plate, again combined with a shield.
The only reason not to have a shield is to carry a two handed spear or polearm. In this case a longsword would be a good backup choice though their long blades make them harder to draw in the heat of battle, and you would also want a dagger...

[Roderick Stacey]

You can always slip the shield over your back with the spear or fight with the shield using the Guige to protect your body.

[Bennison N]

[Jean Thibodeau]

Well here are a few pics of my Partizan that I guess would be my " go too weapon of choice ".

The maker Michael Pikula holding the spear gives a good idea of scale.

[Johan Gemvik]

Seems like a very practical and deadly weapon.
I never thought of the cross as anything lethal before but with this one it could be used as a pick/ beek as well as for parrying, binding and stopping thrusts going too deep.

[Jean Thibodeau]