The Greatsword vs. The Spear

[M Wallgren]

Count me as a halfswordguy... against most weapons...

hehe

[Alfred Wong]

Half-sword one more, count me in.

Or else it can be dangerous if the spear guy is going to attack with full forced concussive bash. Half sword would block nice in my opinion.

[Stacy Clifford]

Pflug can work if the spear is aimed high, but JC learned this nasty little trick of aiming at the level of the hands and belly, and pflug becomes almost useless when you're trying to defend a spear with your hilt. Using a spear, I find it easiest to disengage and feint against pflug. Halfswording to me offers better coverage of the body and in my case is analogous to Swetnam's high guard for staff in its use.

[jeremy pace]

I notice that even experienced spearmen have a bad habit of leaving openings to the forearm or elbow. On a pretty regular basis i fight a guy who uses only polearms and is one of the best ive ever seen. He says its because of the movements of the thrust. Right after they commit they are often over extended. I usually fight defensively and then change up pretty fast.

[Benjamin Abbott]

Pflug can work if the spear is aimed high, but JC learned this nasty little trick of aiming at the level of the hands and belly, and pflug becomes almost useless when you're trying to defend a spear with your hilt.

Interesting. Reminds me a little bit of what Silver suggests. Strike only at the head and thrust only at the body. Always follow a thrust with a strike and a strike with a thrust.

How robust are spears y'all are using? Are they solid enough to give good blows or only fit for thrusting?

[Matt Bryant]

I can see the merit of Jearny's method. Stacy has the exact idea that I do though. You do not sacrifice reach in half-swording if you grab the haft and then perform schlaudern. All the reach is regained at that point AND you have a decent amount of control over their weapon. This has been the most consistently successful for the fellows in our group, but I will definatly try the soft bind next time and see how that works. Being able to do the absetzen, soft bind, and half-swording is what I am going to shoot for. I mean... why not extend your repitoire?

[SzabolcsWaldmann]

...We have really robust spears in training. Here's a pic:
http://www.sword.sg18.net/gallery/G12/images/16.jpg
Not really suited for throwing. But in close combat, they are quite effective. And fast. You only get tired, for they really weight some pounds <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

Szab