Spearheads

Part of the reason the spear owned the close-range manual battlefield is that it's a lot easier to get a decent spear than a decent sword. In this day, when quality swords can run as little as $150, it's silly to think one must pay more for a decent spear.

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I don't think so.

It may be true that they often take less material and are less expensive to make than a large sword, but they ruled the day because they were more effective than a sword in many types of combat.
A sword gets all the attention today in fantasy and reenactments, they have all the lore and honor and chivalry tied to them. They have prestige associated in fantasy and reality.

But in reality a spear was close to a rifle, and a sword a handgun in much of history.
Some tactics made great use of swords, the Romans are especially well noted to have accomplished a lot in formation with short swords.
However a spear in many points of history have clearly been superior to a sword.
The sword however always had more acceptance also being the gentleman's 'sidearm'.


Whether it was a lance, a halberd, bill, pike, or various other variations of the spear or polearm by many different names, they were normally superior to the sword in combat.
The sword was no match for the polearm/spear.


Here is an excellent historical example relatively recently of what were essentially cowboys with spears on horseback defeating the United States military:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_San_Pasqual

The lancers combined with some local militia rose up to defeat the invading United States military during the Mexican American war in California.
In this battle the Californios lancers used lariats to lasso the enemy, as well as speared them to death.
The US military was superior in number, though they were tired from the long trek there.
Through some tactical manipulation they got the cavalry to chase them, turned on them, lassoed them off their horses, and speared them to death.



Another noteworthy comment:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancers

At Waterloo, French lances were "nearly three meters (nine feet) long, weighed three kilograms (seven pounds), and had a steel point on a wooden staff," according to historian Alessandro Barbero. He adds that they were "terrifyingly efficient." Commander of the French 1st Corps, 4th Division General Durutte, who saw the battle from the high ground in front of Papelotte, would write later, "I had never before realized the great superiority of the lance over the sword."

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I would not say a primary reason

"the spear owned the close-range manual battlefield is that it's a lot easier to get a decent spear than a decent sword"

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I would think that would be way down the list, past the much more important reason of "the great superiority of the lance over the sword".

A lancer could stab a swordsman before the sword was even in range. All the power of a charge or strike were also easily pinpointed on the spearpoint, while a sword took more skill to use to less effect.

However it certainly is not a nice thought that what is essentially a long pointy stick or a stick with a metal point is a much superior weapon than a fine hand crafted sword made by a master, with all its prestige, tradition, and cultural significance.
But it was, just as a mass produced sheet metal AK of loose tolerances is a superior battlefield weapon to the finest precision hand crafted pistol.

The swords, daggers, etc. which I purchased from Museum Replicas were primarily made by Armi Antiche Del Tin. These were relatively costly, but of superb quality in both materials and workmanship. The last two items I purchased from MR, both made by Windlass in India, were so markedly inferior in both of these respects that I was quite disappointed with the purchases, even given the significantly lower prices.

I would respectfully disagree with the assertion that "a quality sword can be had for as little as $150". Perhaps this stems from the subjective nature of the criteria one uses to define that term relative to a particular task set.

Personally, I have yet to see any historical reproduction sword offered in that price range that I would consider to be of sufficient "quality" that I would be willing to try using it for the same purposes the original was intended for. At least not if the well-being of my Personal Favorite Behind might actually be at stake should it fail.

Back to the original subject: One item that I keep in both my BOB and "survival" kit is the now-discontinued Cold Steel "Warhead". A most versatile blade design, tough and ruggedly made (Cold Steel's "Carbon V" steel; powder coat finish), which with the addition of a suitable piece of wood and some binding makes for a very capable and effective improvised spear. I've seen them still offered occasionally at shows, etc. at ca. $25-30.

For small animal killing as described by the op you may wish to look into a diver's pole spear.

A pole spear is a light spear with a rubber surgical tubing like band on one end. You put the band around your hand, wrist, or arm, and work your hand up the shaft of the spear.
When you line up the target you loosen your grip. The band power launches the shaft forward, impaling the target.
The range is how far you have worked your hand up the shaft. About half to the full length of the spear is doable.
For catching animals this works far better than thrusts by hand because the speed is much faster and less anticipated.

These are typically the least expensive way into spearfishing, and widely available.

Such light shafts typically would make poor use as a weapon against anything large, as they are intentionally designed to be light for added speed during travel propelled by the band and as a result hollow or of light material and not durable for some sort of combat weapon.
But small animals? Sure.

You can buy all sorts of overpriced heads for them too, much like a variety of arrow heads. Most are obviously designed around firmly securing a fish, not being as lethal as possible to a fish, but you could certainly decide what would be appropriate for being lethal on land by looking at a particular head.
Certainly broadhead type designs.
The shaft alone though will typically stab through something.

Here is an image of one (they have many other head types):




Agreed Jshirley.

Maybe we covered this already, but why not get a recurve bow and some heavy arrows? Seems like that would hit harder or at least be more accurate than the sling-spear above...

Perhaps I phrased it poorly when I used the term "historical reproduction", John. When a sword or other implement is produced specifically to duplicate the pattern of a "traditional" weapon used by a particular cultural or ethnic group in an earlier time period, I personally think that such a description would be accurate.

And I would also reiterate that, IMO, both the "quality" of an item, as well as its "value", are entirely subjective assessments which are relative to an individual and his/her personal set of criteria.

Also just a personal idiosyncracy, but I feel it necessary that I handle and examine an item before I can make that sort of call. And, I would also point out, respectfully, that I did not say that such a thing does not exist; only that, at least to this point in time, no sword which I have personally examined that was offered to me for sale in the $150 range has exhibited a level of "quality" in materials, workmanship, or both that I would trust it not to fail if called upon for use as an actual weapon. OMMV.

Back to the the thread. IME, 'possums may be stupid, stubborn and distinctly unsanitary creatures but they aren't particularly hard to kill. I've done it with two blows from a Cold Steel sjambok. I've sent two others that wouldn't respond to repeated less-than-lethal hints to stay off of our porch back to the end of the Reincarnation Line with one hit from a relatively low-powered Chinese air rifle, too.

I decided to place an order with Cult of Athena for one each spear head and axe from Windlass and CAS Hanwei. I went with the Greek spear head $42.95 Windlass and the Viking spear head $44.95 Hanwei. They seemed the closest in price and specs. I will post my impressions when they arrive.

What if the 22 was mounted INSIDE the spearhead???

1-Stab
2-Bang
3-Cleanup

SOG makes a knife/spearhead called the Spirit. I don't have any experience with it, though. But, it's only $35.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/SOG-Spirit-Spear-Knife.aspx?a=471496&kwtid=484233&pm2d=CSE-SPG-3-GOOGLE

420 stainless? HECK NO! Terrible for a spear. For $20, you can get a Bushman which is far better steel for the purpose.

How about a 91/30 with a bayonet attached?

You're probably right, but I've never held a real spear. You have got me thinking about buying one though.