Please make parts 2-100! Spears do not get enough attention for the amount they were used historically!
@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz
5 жыл бұрын
'Oh. Yeah swords are so cool and awesome and blah blah blah' Eveyone had a spear, not everyone had a sword. (I'm generally generalizing and in generally right)
@marlonbryanmunoznunez3179
5 жыл бұрын
@@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz You are generalizing a bit but not by much, you are most certainly right. One of the reason besides coolness for the cult of the Sword in literature and movies is because it became an aristocratic weapon, given the fact that you need training with it to be proficient at it, a luxury that a poor peasant (or any not professional warrior for that matter) would not have.
@chestfullosixes5808
5 жыл бұрын
Yes I agree. The spear is a symbol of the ancient world wars across the globe !
@marlonbryanmunoznunez3179
5 жыл бұрын
@@chestfullosixes5808 The spear is the greatest killing weapon in history. By the way I found ironic that this short 20 minute video contains probably more information, that many poor peasant levies ever received before going to battle in real life.
@chestfullosixes5808
5 жыл бұрын
@@marlonbryanmunoznunez3179 Mmm also we need to keep in mind the spear was also a hunting tool used by the lower classes to fish and kill game. So peasants may of been somewhat proficient with the spear.
@fsmoura
5 жыл бұрын
How To Use A Spear, Part 0 - _Grasping the Context_
@Thaumogenesis
5 жыл бұрын
Getting a handle on things.
@Yao-fz6ie
5 жыл бұрын
Working that thick, meaty shaft.
@aliceakosota797
5 жыл бұрын
Get to the point
@chaos_omega
5 жыл бұрын
Part 9 - Polishing the Head
@Oblong-Orange
5 жыл бұрын
Working the shaft
@IZokoraI
5 жыл бұрын
Yes! Please expand on this kind of topic. As you said it was the core of warfare for a long period of time, yet it is often neglected often just a sidenote before people begin starting to talk about those fancy swords.
@iopklmification
5 жыл бұрын
I'm writing a "fantasy" novel where the technology level is basically pre-colonization America just so I can focus on spears and their usage ;)
@barebius
5 жыл бұрын
@@iopklmification I'm not sure but isn't native americans used stone, bone and wood weapon without common usage of metalls? Ofcourse this 3 materials are good enough for spears, but adding a metall gives you the veriety of polearms to focus on, including many interesting spears.
@chaos_omega
5 жыл бұрын
@@barebius I think some cultures were working copper before the Spanish arrived. Bronze was probably not far behind.
@lachirtel1
5 жыл бұрын
@@barebius No. They had Macuahuitls in what is now Mexico and Central America which fulfilled the roles of one handed and two handed swords. They also had spear variants called a tepoztopilli, which is very much like a hewing spear (as far as we can tell given iconography and its shape). This could, much like metal spears, pierce mail according to Spanish accounts (they were also very impressed by the Macuahuitl). Here is the citation for piercing armor: "the whole ground was immediately covered with heaps of lances, whose points were provided with two edges, so very sharp that they pierced through every species of cuirass, and were particularly dangerous to the lower part of the body, which was in no way protected." archive.org/stream/memoirsofconquis01dauoft/memoirsofconquis01dauoft_djvu.txt and also "I myself received a heavy thrust from a lance, which completely pierced my armour, and I should certainly have lost my life on the spot if my cuirass had not been strongly quilted with cotton. Thus[Pg 190] I fortunately escaped with only a slight wound, and with my jacket considerably torn" in vol 2 www.gutenberg.org/files/32475/32475-h/32475-h.htm There was also some copper and bronze working (the same source mentions making copper spears), and the Inka used some bronze blades in addition to a kind of mace weaponry.
@glenbe4026
5 жыл бұрын
@@chaos_omega Bronze requires Tin, which is a rather rare metal. For example, a lot of Tin in the European Bronze age came from the Tin mines of Cornwall. Going from Copper to Bronze is not exactly a straight forward path unless Tin is readily available.
@eldorados_lost_searcher
5 жыл бұрын
Matt Easton has a kite shield. Someone make sure that Shad doesn't hyperventilate himself into unconsciousness.
@Cahirable
5 жыл бұрын
Steady on, he isn't wearing a gambeson or holding a longsword. We're not quite in hyperventilation territory yet.
@goldenageofdinosaurs7192
5 жыл бұрын
@Jonathon Dean-I’m also not seeing anything resembling a cape..
@angusguitarhero
5 жыл бұрын
"You reach to the butt, push forward, slide back" - Matt Easton 2019
@moalabs
5 жыл бұрын
but make sure that you have smooth shaft.
@drsimonwyatt
5 жыл бұрын
eminently quotable
@paulpeterson4216
5 жыл бұрын
"You know where the Butt is, reach for the Butt"
@FactoryofRedstone
5 жыл бұрын
"If you are about to do it, reach for the butt"
@RagnarLodbrok1
5 жыл бұрын
Be careful, your opponent might try to grab your shaft.
@Mythestopheles
5 жыл бұрын
The spear is my favorite weapon, so I am very interested.
@amphionification
5 жыл бұрын
Mine too
@ostrowulf
5 жыл бұрын
In formation I am thinking you may have just stuck to the overhand, as even his tossing up and down method would likely hit the next guy or shield. Also the limits imposed by your sheild are increased by having another person beside you with a sheild, especially in a sheild wall.
@waaaaaaah5135
5 жыл бұрын
Mine as well
@danieltaylor5542
5 жыл бұрын
What really happened was that Lucy asked Matt to trim that tree and this is how he did it.
@gregchambers6100
3 жыл бұрын
Excellent lesson. Thorough and concise.
@laenole9999
5 жыл бұрын
Nice video Matt. You and others might be interested in Christopher Matthew's "A Storm of Spears: Understanding the Greek Hoplite at War" (Kindle version is $11 US). It extensively discusses the grips seen in Greek art. It turns out the overhead grip is predominately used on shorter spears than the Hoplite spear. The hoplite used the spear in the underarm position and the low position. The low position is one handed from below the shield essentially (as mentioned in at least one other comment). Also the spear you used would not be used by a Hoplite (at least usually) . The hoplite used a spear of your length with a counterweight on the back end. The counterweight put the balance point much further towards the back. The book also discusses various stances used. Also the findings of Australian re-enactors are discussed for massed spears. Matthews also has the book "An Invincible Beast" that discusses the use of the even longer Sarissa with a small shield. I have just started the book but it looks to be written as a detailed account of the phalangist's panoply and methodology. Kindle version $13 US.
@pizdamatii5001
5 жыл бұрын
thank you for the recommendations.
@laenole9999
5 жыл бұрын
@@niemandkeiner8057 ? I am just quoting a well researched book with a ton of references to historical and archeological data. Have not finished 2nd book but it is as well documented.
@pizdamatii5001
5 жыл бұрын
@@niemandkeiner8057 "Still convinced that historical evidence is wrong?" what do you mean?
@TheChiconspiracy
5 жыл бұрын
Thrand showed how Matthews' testing and theory was flawed. kzitem.info/news/bejne/yo-snmuarWKaq3Y
@schwertschwinger
5 жыл бұрын
Hi, I wrote at university about greek warfare. I made an experiment and beside that, we made a try how you can change the spear position. How can I send this to you?
@Talematros
5 жыл бұрын
I am curious of the results as well
@steven_003
5 жыл бұрын
I'd send it to him via email.
@iopklmification
5 жыл бұрын
Have you tried sending him a Raven ?
@TheBaconWizard
5 жыл бұрын
Liked for visibility :)
@SuperFunkmachine
5 жыл бұрын
Put it on Academia.edu.
@andersbenke3596
5 жыл бұрын
For most of the viewers of this channel this might sound ridicolous, but as someone who watches mr Easton to learn about weapons, history and so on, I was actually quite suprised at how very tall spears are. I knew, of course, in theory, that they were quite tall, but I have never seen it in person. Hell; that is about two Eastons.
@PSquared-oo7vq
5 жыл бұрын
Similarly, I was surprised that a spear that long could be used one handed.
@delboythethird1200
5 жыл бұрын
Unfortunately, such a spear is really difficult to store and move. I have a 7 foot halberd and moving it around is very difficult
@BlacktailXD
5 жыл бұрын
This is the type in content I enjoy the most! Please more like this!
@Bad_spark
5 жыл бұрын
The original spear holding video is what got me started on this channel!
@bretalvarez3097
5 жыл бұрын
When handling such a long and thick shaft one should always work on their grip and technique
@geirnp
5 жыл бұрын
Point it forward towards the enemy or else they might charge forward and grab your shaft.
@TheMylittletony
5 жыл бұрын
@@geirnp As long as they're careful with the head.
@KickyFut
5 жыл бұрын
😂😂
@paavobergmann4920
4 жыл бұрын
...and make sure it is splinter-free!
@johnnysrensen5148
5 жыл бұрын
Great video. The spear is a fantastic weapon and is usually my first weapon until it is time to close in. I use twirling quite a bit in duels but almost always the launching method in formations. Once my spear was knocked away while launching so it is a bit risky but a shield bash and a quick draw of my axe saved the day.
@Jcod_
5 жыл бұрын
I think something that you didn't mention in this video that is quite important for context as to how you would move your spear is something like pike formations, where not just the first line of soldiers would be fighting. You'd have successive lines all with their spears forward making it an even tighter space for maneuvering your spear.
@AdlerMow
5 жыл бұрын
Matt, I think that a spear used with shield normally would have buttspike. Here is why: 1. It changes the balance further back, closer at the hand, making the point nimblier, kind like a rapier. 2. If the head broke off or bend, you can buttspike instead. 3. Can be used to kill fallen enemies as you march over them (greek did it) 4. Can be used defensively, if someone comes from behind, or if the head get knocked to the side as a counter-attack. This is very useful against multiple opponents, as they will try to surround you. 5. The buttspike protects the other end making it harder for the shaft to split at the end. 6. Can be used to stick a spear on the ground, so you can free your hand temporarily. 7. A buttstrike thrust with the buttspike will add a LOAD of context in your video, Matt! Please Matt, make a video on it!
@bakters
5 жыл бұрын
It seems to me that the only real reason for a buttspike is your #1, that is it changes the balance point. All the rest are side benefits, for the most part. One comment, though. A counterbalance does not make the point nimbler. Actually, it makes it more sluggish, because it increases the angular momentum of the weapon. Since you always grip a spear at or near its balance point, adding weight to any end will make the weapon slower. It doesn't work like that with swords, because you don't grip them at the point of balance, so adding weight can make them nimbler by virtue of moving the balance point closer to the grip.
@ulflidsman3064
5 жыл бұрын
Very interesting. One understand why the spear ruled the battlefield for thousands of years. Relativly cheap and simple to produce and at the same time quite easy to learn.
@Gilmaris
5 жыл бұрын
I used to be of the opinion that underhand grip was best for spears, thinking it was more versatile. However, Thrand's video on the subject convinced me that the overhand method was better in most situations.
@GianmarioMarrelli
5 жыл бұрын
WOW this series will be extremely cool! Hope to see something more about overarm grip cause i really cannot see how effective it can be
@stephena1196
5 жыл бұрын
Am sure Thane Thrand has videos on effectiveness of overarm grip.
@Kaylielffxi
5 жыл бұрын
Great video! Eager to see the other parts!
@joelkelly169
5 жыл бұрын
Very well done. Having trained with the spear a lot I was taught that less flailing about with it is the best. As you pointed out bringing your point off line leaves you open to your opponent stepping up and hitting you
@SuperOtter13
5 жыл бұрын
I'm sure someone else posted this already but Thrand did a video on this topic of changing grip. Very happy to get your view of this topic. Thank you Matt! Keep up the good work. Cheers!
@jamespatterson7809
5 жыл бұрын
Extremely interesting and informative display. I only recently found this site and very much enjoy it.
@carloparisi9945
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Matt, with a spear in two hands, the best method is sliding forward, as you've shown, but there is another for when you can't, that is still narrow spaced: I slide the back hand to meet the leading one in the middle, I change just over the point, like in sabre, then the former leading hand goes back as I change profile. If you want, I can make a response video, just need some time to do it.
@rolfs2165
5 жыл бұрын
Please do. :)
@valkoharja
5 жыл бұрын
Another useful video. Thanks Matt.
@Samael16661
2 жыл бұрын
I always thought it was weird that Lindybeige advocated against overarm use, but the formation and throwing arguments as well as just gravit doing your work for you convince me that the ancient depictions arent unrealistic
@danielalexander8402
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you for making this video. This topic was contentious in a DnD game I played a few months back. I'll keep this on hand for future reference.
@michaelross1464
4 жыл бұрын
I appreciate the guy talking about the most deadly weapons for hundreds of years talking about getting an "ouchie". Joking aside, another great video. Thanks
@Fluffy52600
5 жыл бұрын
Spears are my absolute favorite weapon!! I'd love to see more of this.
@LastRightsZero
5 жыл бұрын
This man knows how to handle a shaft! XD
@markstockford9109
4 жыл бұрын
You have a nice back garden Matt.
@horuslupercal2385
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video, Matt! Big fan of spears and spear history here, so this (in addition to the usual sword content) is very welcome 👍
@30Salmao
5 жыл бұрын
9 foot = 2,75 meters I use a 225 cm spear every sunday, your spear definetly doen't have only 2,50 meters, Matt. Cheers man. Loved your video. Very needy these days. Not much videos on spear and kite shields (amazing combination tho, I use kite shields always).
@hawkname1234
5 жыл бұрын
More spear stuff! Great video Matt.
@michaelfurgessons2896
5 жыл бұрын
One of your finest videos please do more! It has advice and tutorials it has history and i especially loved the fact that it was in nature,it looked so right and pleasant. Now as a Greek and a spear fanatic i do tend to believe more on the underarm use since i do not understand if one were to use it over arm then why not have a significant counterweight at the end (nothing fancy just a blob of steel) and take full advantage of the length. I just find the idea that in a massed formation with such long weapons only the first and marginally the second line used them wasteful.
@AleksandrKramarenko
5 жыл бұрын
At some point the spear becomes too heavy to be able to use one handed. So, you want to be careful with the counter weight. Plus, a counter weight is not always necessary. A longer spear, like the one you see in this video, has a lot of counterweight already and is already at the limit of what you can wield one handed. There were moments in history where spears had been used by just more than the first and second line at the same time. It was done with pike formations in the ancient times and later again it was done from the late medieval period until the 18th century. It took a lot of training and effort to get it right. So, I'm guessing that's why it was not done for most of history. You say you are a Greek spear fanatic, so you should know from the ancient Greeks that it's practically impossible to use spears underarm in a formation containing shields. That's why I don't understand why you say "you believe more" on the underarm. Like Matt always says in his videos: context is important. Underarm has its uses, it's great for one on one or in formations that contain no shields, but it's horrible in formations with shields, which is what the most common type of formations were throughout history.
@michaelfurgessons2896
5 жыл бұрын
@@AleksandrKramarenko Of course i know about the pike formations. As it applies to the counterweight i did not mean it on this 2.7 m spear but more on the 2m hoplite spear by having the counterweight you do not need this 1m long protrusion on the end which even overhanded would still hit sometimes with the second lines spear. The fact that you see in ancient vases 70% of the time overhand use does not necessarily mean it was the case ,on the same vases you see them riding dolphins to battle. And on most of those vases you see dueling in which the overarm makes more sense for the throw. As it regards actual battles,we do not have any treatises so we DO NOT know how they did it,you may be wrong i may be wrong. But i do believe they were practical men and would have seen a better tactic than wasting half the spear overarm. Tactic like possibly first 2 rows underarm for extra reach (u can use underarm the shields are circular)and next 2 or 1 overarm to protect the first rank when the enemy came close so their shorter range would be an issue. If now like Mat you propose than underarm you cant inflict damage to the enemy due to their shields ,to that i retort then how did the pikemen (using it two handed but in the height same as with underarm use)deal damage and win the hoplites in many battles?
@AleksandrKramarenko
5 жыл бұрын
@@michaelfurgessons2896 I agree about the size and counter weight. The spear in Matt's video seems a bit too long for one handed use. Know that I'm strictly talking about "regular" spears used with shields, not pikes. Pikes are used quite differently, after all, and I agree with you on pikes. We may not have any treaty describing spear use in formations, but we have people who've tried it out. Here are some problems they point out with the underhand grip in a formation: 1. You can only attack to the front and somewhat awkwardly to the right because you have little space to move the spear left and right. 2. You cannot attack an enemy that moves past your tip because there's no space to move your spear far back in an emergency. 3. Your enemy can constantly see your spear sticking out and can therefore plan and manipulate it more easily. 4. You are holding a long stick at its end, allowing the enemy to easily push it aside (it's like a long lever). You said that with the overarm grip you waste half of the spear. Overarm might not get as much reach as with underarm, but you can get almost as much. You semi-throw the spear, catching it, then semi-throw it back to the ready position. That way, you can then also put a lot more force into it compared to underarm, which is important for piercing armor. You can attack left and right easily, which is important because in formation fighting it's how you get the most openings. If the enemy moves close, you can still attack him up close with the regular stabbing attack. The enemy doesn't know where you are going to attack because your spear is held back in the ready position. The enemy cannot as easily push your spear away because your spear only comes in his range when you make a thrust. There are also many other small things. Check out the following two videos: On Scholagladiatoria: "Spear and shield - overarm vs underarm" On ThegnThrand: "Overarm Vs. Underarm Spear in Greek / Spartan Phalanx : Thrand's Spear Sliding Style Tested" They point out how both grips are affected by formation fighting.
@Dominator046
5 жыл бұрын
I. Love. This video. When I do anything spear in reenactment one-handed, I do something largely identical to the 'toss' method. Except, I don't really toss it. I loosen my grip as much as possible, down to about two fingers - my middle finger and my thumb. Then I accelerate the weapon upwards to offset motion via gravity as much as possible. Finally I release the middle finger so I can worm all of my hand around the shaft - using the thumb as a guide and cradle - so I can reseal my grip as quickly as possible. This enables me to maintain my point /mostly/ on line, and - most importantly - it reduces the amount of time my weapon has no point of mechanical leverage at any given time. It has the same drawbacks as the 'toss', but I feel it's a highly streamlined, and less vulnerable form. The same issue of 'messing up' is still a factor, but it's not a factor of 'catching', as much as it is finger-dexterity and flagging grip. I see this as less of an issue, but I could easily be wrong. EDIT: This is identical to what Matt does at 19:23. Just practiced and done to my preference.
@jamesfrankiewicz5768
5 жыл бұрын
For one-handed, switching from underarm to overarm, you can just keep the thumb forward, without changing hand grip. Compared to overarm with thumb to the rear, you loose a little thrusting power as well as the option to throw, but you have a bit better tip control and maintain more options for parries (example: rightward wrapping drop parry followed by an underarm counter thrust). You also lose a little bit of mobility towards your right, but that's your buddy's sector (when in rank formation), or you can just drop back to underarm (without any threat of losing grip) for thrusts that need to be aimed more to the right.
@Werwutz
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for that video, i'm highly interested in spear fighting and i love every second of content i can get my hands on as there is not much of it to be found
@desastermaster2010
5 жыл бұрын
You should praktice as many ways to change grip as possible, so that you re able to perform them all - depending on the situation. I like your way of explaining !
@temperededge
5 жыл бұрын
On switching from an under to overhand grip, it's a bit hard to explain but try starting with your weapon arm extended then perform a switch as you pull the weapon and your hand back and up. You'll naturally find it easier and quicker to roll the weapon in your grip.
@Psiberzerker
5 жыл бұрын
2 Handed, it's important to discuss when, and why you want to switch hands. In a built up area with a lot of cover, or just trees, you can use them as cover, instead of a shield. Especially defensively, I've done this spear-hunting feral hogs (With a Boar Spear) Obviously, you want your forward shoulder on the side with the tree, corner, wall, or what have you. So, you have relatively free motion around it, and should you have to fall back, the spear can follow you, still pointed at the enemy as they come around. (This is why they had staircases set up to turn to the left going up, and the right going down, to benefit the defender, not the attacker.) Just as with a rifle shoulder transition.
@geronimo8159
5 жыл бұрын
Great video. Really makes you realise how intimidating a spear was.
@jancello
5 жыл бұрын
And a short comment on the "twirling" of the spear to change grips: that's actually the way lancers (the modern ones) did it on horseback, because there is more space, only one hand available, and one cannot afford to lose contact with the shaft because of the motion of the horse.
@timothyissler3815
5 жыл бұрын
That's a lovely backyard you have, Sir Easton.
@vegapunk100
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for making sense
@Eupolemos
5 жыл бұрын
Yes! Have been waiting for this for years. More on spears, please. Thank you for this video :)
@bobkov4924
5 жыл бұрын
You can still maintain the same grip while just raising it above your head to deliver an overhead spear thrust. Your knuckles would be facing skyward, you can then maintain a lower grip on the spear and use it to thrust over shields or at targets in the 2nd line. This wouldn't be switching to an overhead grip exactly, but would allow you to perform an overhead thrust without changing grips or stance.
@simonmorse1785
3 жыл бұрын
I have read (Peter Connolly) that Ancient Greek soldiers would size up the quality of the opposition by how well (or badly) they changed the grip on their spears.
@philippgnoyke
5 жыл бұрын
A potentially more secure way to quickly change grip with a single-handed spear would be a variant on your preferred throw-and-catch method, where you don't throw it (or only lightly) and instead rest and balance the spear on your extended thumb while rotating your hand around. Works best for me when changing from under to over-arm position and becomes a tad more slower and inconvenient the other way round, since you have to bring your thumb to the underside of the shaft first.
@ElDrHouse2010
5 жыл бұрын
the catch is the most optimal one. you have risk but its absolutely worth the speed and space it takes.
@timothyyoung691
5 жыл бұрын
thank you matt ive been waiting for a video like this for years
@ryanaegis3544
5 жыл бұрын
As far as grips, I consider overhead an offensive grip because it has gravity working with the weight of the spear in the thrust down; the underhand grip I consider more defensive as one can parry a thrust from this position like they would in fencing, circling the shaft around the thrust catching it and pushing it to the outside. As far as transitioning, the first gladiator scene from the classic movie Spartacus comes to mind, where, at the end, a Roman guard jumps down into the pit, holding his spear underhand but tip up. As he lands, the butt of the spear hits the ground, he lets go, slides his hand down to the correct place for throwing, and grabs the spear again in the overhand to throw it at a gladiator. It all happens so fast and so fluidly it just seems like the way to always do it. But, it definitely takes space to turn that spear vertical to horizontal or back, and if anyone is in front of or behind you, that rotation is near impossible. I expect once in formation, changing holds is not done, and the hold is based around the shield height (high or low) and the shield height is determined by the formation and strategy. Until that formation breaks, there is little opportunity or reason to change grips. Perhaps the formation and shield height has more or less something to do with if it is a boss-grip shield or a strapped shield. I heard that in ancient Greek fights Hoplites deaths were rare, that the line formation tended to hold except at one point, the right end. As the shield was held in the left hand, the left end was covered, and the right end of the line was exposed, so opponents would form these solid disciplined walls and then try to outflank one another. Once one side succeeded, they would kill whoever was on the end, and the losing side, recognizing that is was just a matter of time before they all died, would retreat, and thus very few actual deaths.
@KnightlyNerd
5 жыл бұрын
Interesting to note that cave paintings and photographs of indigenous peoples show a preference towards a single hand over arm grip with a spear, regardless of a formation. Maybe the overran grip offers even more advantages.
@andreweden9405
5 жыл бұрын
The illustrations of spear fencing from the Gladiatoria collection(1430s) are my favorite.
@jyriolenius4584
5 жыл бұрын
You can move from the under arm position to up high without changing grip if you angle your body a bit more sideways at the same time. A quick tryout with a stick and it feels you can stab quite hard and accurately from this position, although in a more restricted angle. While you'd be giving up the option to throw, you'd gain the possibility to threaten from high position without fiddling with the stick and loosing grip. Something to consider.
@rumpelstilzz
5 жыл бұрын
Two thoughts of mine to add: I (rarely, not regularely) do some spear-and-shield sparring. First one: For switching underarm to overarm, I do prefer the version you showed the first, like a little throw - but with one tiny but important difference: I keep touch between fingertips and shaft, to minimize the danger of losing the weapon. However, the second can be exploited by the enemy to disarm you, plus, the other way round, switching overarm to underarm grip, is more dangerous not just because of the acceleration effect you mentioned but also because you do not get a second chance to grip the weapon if you failed. That you get when changing underarm to overarm. Second one: I remember illustrations (I can't find them right now, and due to lack of equipment never tried myself) where several cultures - I especially remember a picture of some african warriors maybe zulu? - using spears in combination with an underarm-strapped shield, gripped directly behind the rim of a shield with concave sides, which allowed the warriors to trade a bit of awkward usage of the shield for slightly limited two handed use. I'd love to hear or read more of that, seemed quite useful to me.
@GoldenChild27
5 жыл бұрын
Love the spear technique videos, keep them coming!!!
@mina7572
5 жыл бұрын
Could you do a video on how a 20' Sarissa would be handled?
@iopklmification
5 жыл бұрын
Nah the comment section will NOT be able to withstand such a majestic shaft
@michaelfranciotti3900
5 жыл бұрын
I feel like sarissas are much more limited in the way they can be effectively handled. Just their sheer size and weight alone makes handling difficult. Also a spear is an individual weapon (that can be used in formation) while a sarissa is more of a unit weapon only. I'm pretty sure nobody would've ever picked a sarissa for a duel. I'm not a scholar or historian btw, this is just my opinion.
@DragonTigerBoss
5 жыл бұрын
@@michaelfranciotti3900 I'm actually astounded that they even worked so well in formation. I think the relative lack of armor of the time period explains it more than anything. Only a helmet, linothorax, and greaves? Just poke 'til you hear screaming, hoplite. Here's a shield.
@mina7572
5 жыл бұрын
@@michaelfranciotti3900 I'm just curious about the specifics of how you would hold it for maximum efficiency and without getting tired. In other words it would come down to precise placement of every body part for my interests. (I'm actually going to be doing a sculpt of a Sarissai in the future so I need the most accurate pose as possible)
@mina7572
5 жыл бұрын
@@DragonTigerBoss I was reading about the Sarissai and apparently there is debate as to if they even had the Linothorax. If that is true I wonder if it is for the same reason they had smaller and less convex shields...
@dizzt19
5 жыл бұрын
Concerning the one-handed switch, I'd say the riskier flip takes up more space in a formation, possibly bumping into the person to your right. The shield-assisted way might be practiced to make it faster...
@kingofswords3036
5 жыл бұрын
So first of all im not a Expert. I learned about how to use a spear (with shield )by fighting different wepon fightingClubs (HEMA , Kendo, Hambo-jutzu, Eskrima) and getting my a** kicked until i was better because ther are no spear and shield groups. Normaly i go only for the lower grip bacause i only do 1v1s but if im getting chased in the corner or a Wall and cant get out effectivly forcing me to go in the overgrip I extend my shield arm to the Opponent with a 45° angel . Make a small sidestep to my right( my spear-arm) and using the uptoss If i can change back I extend my shield to the Opponent ( flat) Get my Spear to show the Opposit way of the Opponent ( showing my shield side of my body ) and trowing it down caching it with my armpit und Hand Super cool Video i Love Spear und Shield and Love to See Part 2
@tonyhind6992
4 жыл бұрын
I own a 7ft spear. They are great weapons.
@mrdragon5142
5 жыл бұрын
I would love to see functional testing of one-hand-held spears versus mail, gambeson and even against the surface of a variety of shields.
@juhall
5 жыл бұрын
Brilliant presentation....when this series is complete, maybe a dvd compilation?
@Phantomsbreath
5 жыл бұрын
For the two handed spear, I'm a fan of a behind the back pass. Now I use a wushu spear, nine foot and made from oak, and I use a behind the back pass to swap sides, taking one hand off the spear, passing the spear behind my back, grabbing it again with the hand I took off, then replacing the hand it was in. Useful for multiple opponents, as it also lets you quickly adjust your line to a new direction, if you need to. The downside, is that it's flashy as heck, and not as fast. But in a one on many situation, it shines.
@stonemorris2762
5 жыл бұрын
12:32 we need a 10-hour version of this.
@CAP198462
5 жыл бұрын
“Make sure you have a splinter free and smooth shaft” - Easton, 2019.
@AndrewTheFrank
5 жыл бұрын
You mentioned the idea of passing spears forward towards the front line. This had me thinking. If the enemy advanced into you it might be a good idea to have an underhand grip for ease of bracing. Once the enemy is fully engaged the front line could reach up and receive fresh spears from the lines behind them which I believe should be more naturally handed to them in an over hand grip. Also underhand grip makes sense if the spear is held at the base, but in shield to shield it would then make sense for the spear to be short and not 9 feet.
@joshuabarnwell5497
5 жыл бұрын
Nice
@emilfalk561
5 жыл бұрын
fuck you
@WarDogMadness
5 жыл бұрын
@@emilfalk561 that escalated quickly
@Spartan265
5 жыл бұрын
@@emilfalk561 No u
@Psiberzerker
5 жыл бұрын
4:29 First of all, they used both, but predominantly on the March, they held it butt down. As you are there. You quickly flipped it up to point forward, over-arm, but I believe (This is conjecture) they would tend to point it up, under arm against Cavalry, and possibly fighting uphill. Overarm on level ground against other Shields to stab over them. Another point: If they have shields, it's much easier to stab over them, then around them. If the enemy is any good at using a shield.
@b-beale1931
5 жыл бұрын
one handed grip change - the toss but keeping the palm in contact with the haft
@rustinfox6762
5 жыл бұрын
So I imagine someone else has mentioned it but there is a safer variation to tossing it to change grip. Basically while in the overhand grip open your palm and pivot your hand around then just drop your hand to over hand grip. Do it reverse to switch back... Its hard to explain but with a little practice its really quick and definitely more controlled then tossing it.
@CoD4Mike
5 жыл бұрын
Great video again, tho lifting your arm from the "under arm" position to your "over arm" position without changing grip is what I do, if I use a fighting spear, a spear with a about ~2m long and ~3,5cm thick oak shaft. I can still maintain my reach, it is less exhausting for me, it doesn't take more space to do so and my shield isn't in the way, I don't need to awkwardly change my grip and I can therefor change arm positions quickly depending where I want to strike. I can't throw it, but I would argue I don't want to throw a 2m long spear. Thank you for the video and I am eager to see the other parts.
@georgeharrold2986
5 жыл бұрын
I wonder if those more flamboyant and risky methods could also have some psychological value, by intimidating one's enemy with one's skill and bravado. :) Also, ancient history (and ancient warfare) is my special interest, so I'd love more videos on spears and/or shields. :)
@magnushagelberg
5 жыл бұрын
Having watched Tods video on throwing with a string - it would be interesting to see how a fixed leather string would work out in a battle. Ie, if you have an owerhand gripp, you could potentialy throw it with force, in combat, and use the string both for sped and force, aswell as for snatching the spear back, and not loosing the weapon neadless. Interesting take on the mather Matt.
@rapitisioannis
5 жыл бұрын
time to do a demonstration with the Greek Macedonian long Lance, (sarisa, σάρισα) in formation and in a broken formation!
@nate_thealbatross
5 жыл бұрын
I barely used spear, but I change staff just like you do. If you train with staff, the toss change is second nature. I would of course use a full flourish if the enemy were far away and I had time, but in a fight the toss is fastest. Plus plenty of time to practice that on a march.
5 жыл бұрын
In formation, "lock" the shaft between the left upper side of your shield and your chest to keep the point on line and hide the fact that you are changing grip behind the shield or as part of an attack or recover
@PitTark
5 жыл бұрын
Hiya Matt, I think battlefield psychology of a sort was one of the biggest determinate of this kind of thing. Training and conditioning are big factors of course, but I think even trained soldiers would probably favour techniques that keep them safe first and threaten second. Among the relative commotion of the forward line, where two sides thrust and slash at each other en mass an individual soldier would probably pick their moment to shift stance or grip in the safest possible way, perhaps even nesting themselves a step back into their rank for further protection. Sweaty hands, fatigue, fear and jostling only increase the risk factor of any movement that removes the weapon from hand. As a result I'm inclined to believe that soldiers on the hot spots of the line would not risk loss of grip on their weapon and would instead hide behind their shields, exchange grip with greater safety, trust in the relative noise of combat to conceal their intentions and then re-engage as a threat using their alternate grip. I think self preservation motivations like this, where each individual favours their own survival over ultimate offensive efficiency, probably gives us insight into why casualties before one force fled the field were relatively low and maybe even why units break under pressure. If you loose grip on your weapon and drop it the enemy may press your position in the line making you the focus of the attack - which will of course come from multiple angles. You may be unable to retrieve your weapon (the opposition may trap it or even steal it away) and then you or those around you may panic or even break under pressure. Something simple like retrieving a replacement weapon from the ranks behind you, may become much more difficult in these kinds of kinetic situations and even if you win the encounter your fellows may turn to you and pressure you to not risk such a move again - your risking their safety as well as your own after all. Just my initial thoughts and obviously no one can know for sure of course - it was likely all extremely situational.
@ryanweible9090
5 жыл бұрын
until i played the video game "titan quest" i had never even noticed the overarm style. my background was eastern martial arts and they tend to underarm all the way. so i was actually curious about overarm.
@barretharms1432
3 жыл бұрын
And yes the Katana Mahi is my favorite style of sword
@ancientsurvival
5 жыл бұрын
I've always used the edge of my finger/hand as a pivot, and let it "flop" over. It feels very natural.
@AdamCeladin
5 жыл бұрын
Awesome Demonstration Matty !!!
@gundanium3126
5 жыл бұрын
I would love it Matt would do a video on just how the guild system worked. by this i mean like sword smithing guild of a large city during the remissions. I know a bit about it but it seems it was more for the least amount of work for maximum profit.
@papagrizzly7152
5 жыл бұрын
I actually gave this quite a bit of thought. Body mechanics only work in so many ways. And I have came up with. When using a spear with a shield in combat. I think it would be easier to use the underhanging grip. Above and below the Shoulder line for thrusting. The transitions above the shoulder line And below the shoulder line are seamless. And there is Great-Power and reach with over the shoulder line thrusts and below the shoulder line thrust. The fascinating thing is the Grip placement does not change unless you are going to throw it. And it seems that accuracy of the thrust is enhanced .Because the thumb points at the target. In both positions
@Sol-Invictus
5 жыл бұрын
Also over hand allows using the throwing muscle system just without release. Modern humans are pretty good at that motion and we have some evidence that it's one of our evolutionary traits.
@markziff7234
5 жыл бұрын
More flamboyant, not efficient, but so much cooler! Baby waterfall spin.
@spathaecadomum5860
6 ай бұрын
Hi ! I don't know if you had solve the problem of the changing grip underarm or overarm but, practicing spear in HEMA, with gloves, I change my grip the way you change yours at 1:34, when you put your spear under your armpit. It's the most secure way I found and it's quick when you're trained.
@danioshea
5 жыл бұрын
Nice video! I always seem to default to right foot forward, left hand at the back, but that might be just me being used to using tools in that way (I'm very right-handed).
@mielivalta
5 жыл бұрын
I find it that letting go and catching spear is very reliable with enough practice and repetition. It becomes pretty natural movement after a year so of practice.
@gearhead1234
5 жыл бұрын
Great video Matt! Very interesting indeed. Perhaps you might consider doing a video on the axe/Dane axe and with a head/torso dummy to illustrate strike zones. Cheers from America! 🍻
@The_Gallowglass
5 жыл бұрын
Matt loves smooth shafts.
@sullir9397
5 жыл бұрын
I think it needs to be considered how much can really be said about spears. It's my understanding that unlike the treatises on unarmored combat in the civilian setting, battlefield martial arts didn't really get drawn up in instruction manuals. This seems to be the case because Matt only referenced iconography as the main primary source. The whole experiment on what is the safest and easiest way to change grip also indicates how much is not known, and we saw that Matt was basically working out some hypotheses because he believes the iconography to be the best source on how spears were actually used, and wanted to try and work out how it might of been done based on that. I wonder if that video during that fightcamp with Loyd, where they did some experimentation fights between swords and spears, started Matt on this quest on how spears might've been used. Lindybeige was basically recreating scenarios he did with his buds back in his college days where he had come to his own conclusions. Having seen other Lindybeige videos where he's brought up many of the same points, it seems pretty certain to me that his mind is made up on this topic. As for Matt and my self however, the conclusions of that fightcamp video don't sit right--there had to be more to it. HEMA has completely transformed my views of pre-gun combat, or "melee" combat. Before I'd had the exposure, I was the typical katana loving (because the choreography was cooler looking) ignoramus--Samurai X is still badass, but alas, I had to grow up. I think there was/is a perception that Eastern martial arts were more developed back in the day (hell, we used to think martial arts was an Asian thing altogether), but now it's obvious to us that that isn't true. After seeing what longsword combat really looks like, the awesomeness of European swords is really apparent. Before the HEMA revelation, European swordsmanship seemed pretty boring compared to the flashy Eastern choreography that became rampant in the 90s and early 2000s (that Highlander TV series was the shit for a while back then), and Olympic fencing and the misunderstandings garnered from it, didn't help either. I think spear and shield still has those perception issues now, and until we see something close to how it was actually done, as we have with the longsword, I don't think those perceptions will go away. But how do you bring back something that seems as though it's really lost? Unless there's a new discovery, there are no real sources. Matt had only pictures not of an instructional purpose to go by for just this video. I'm of the mind that we have to abandon the idea that we can restore European spear combat as the sword combat has been somewhat restored, and instead need to have to construct something effective instead with what ever we can figure out or incorporate from other cultures that still have remnants of spear and staff combat. Maybe we can look at some places in Africa where there are people less removed from the time of the spear, that used them similarly to how the Zulu might've (I don't know if the Zulu are still around, or if they've kept anything of their spear wielding traditions). I only point out this possibility because of how successful the Zulu were at using spears in the era of the gun.
@sullir9397
5 жыл бұрын
I think there are many places you can look to figure out how spears were used with two hands. It's how they were used with a shield that creates the quandary.
@williamturechek2911
4 жыл бұрын
I've used pole arms a lot. For a "pike" type spear you are best not using a shield with it. Instead find a buddy who does Sword and shield well to keep the other buggers off you. I tend to consider a pike a squad weapon rather than one on one. That said someone who is experienced with a pike or a spear and is fast in their attacks (this includes a high volume of attacks) can usually pull off one on one with a pike quite well as long as they don't let the enemy close on them.
@Floreal78
5 жыл бұрын
There is a "finger trick" way of switching between upper and lower hand position while still holding the spear in the same hand during the whole switch. It is a little hard to explain but you basically use your index finger to "manouver" the spear horizontally (sort of like how one would swirl a drumstick) while your hand is switching between the two stances. With a little drill it can be done in about a second or two, atleast i could while testing it with a heavy wooden broom.
@Mara999
5 жыл бұрын
I bought myself a cheap spearhead from Windlass. I would've liked to have found a properly long shaft for it, but t'll have to do with a regular rake handle for the time being. :P
@gn2650
Жыл бұрын
What about a formation of men holding a shield on one hand and a long pike on the other (below armpit like cavalry)?
@mintcarouselchannelabandon5109
5 жыл бұрын
I wonder if part of the reason why spears in historical artwork were usually depicted as "point over" is because it looks more dynamic in some way. Like, it just *looks* more threatening than point under. Especially if the artist wanted to depict those particular soldiers as being on the offensive. but im not an art historian and i only saw the one example shown in the video for like 2 seconds so idk what im talking about.
@TheChiconspiracy
5 жыл бұрын
It offers a superior angle over the enemy shield, lets you parry far more easily, and thanks to the muscles used, lets you strike much harder. It doesn't just look more threatening, it is more threatening.
@mintcarouselchannelabandon5109
5 жыл бұрын
TheChiconspiracy well, yeah. i watched the video too. but i was talking about the artistic depiction here, not the technique actually employed in the battle the art is depicting.
@messylaura
5 жыл бұрын
note to mrs easton, when you tell matt to tidy up the garden make sure he takes the broom not a spear!! great vid matt
@maxscott3349
5 жыл бұрын
I don't have a spear, but I use a lot of different methods to change grips when I sweep. It all depends on the scenario.
Пікірлер: 631