Ahlspiess or Eel Spear

[JMCrane]

Does anyone remember that show CONQUEST on TLC or one of the Discovery Channels or National Geographic? It was hosted by Peter Woodward. The reason I ask is that I seem to remember something about an episode on different medieval weapons. There was a particular weapon called the AHLSPIESS or EEL SPEAR. While the use of the weapons on the show looked obviously theatrical, the part that intrigued me was that particular weapon, the AHLSPIESS. I was curious if anyone knew of any primary source material or even secondary source material that has information on it or how to wield it properly.

[LafayetteCCurtis]

It's known as the "awl pike" in English, and I don't think there are any styles designed specifically for its usage. Not that there would have been any need for such an extremely specific style; since the awl pike is basically a spear, it should work perfectly well with the short spear (or stave) techniques shown in all sorts of medieval and Renaissance sources.

[Eddie Smith]

seen some good replica pics online if you google image it, but the 'replica' I made for fun isn't really accurate. I had an odd sword blade that is long and starts thick and wide and drastically tapers to a flat diamond rapier like end. and as I couldn't find or think of what to use as for the large rondell guard I instead used a steel cup from a cup-hilted rapier...so it works well enough, the shaft I scorched and it looks cool and works well enough as a weapon. Yet as I said it isn't really accurate. I may put a pic up if I think to. but I find it is a better spear dealing with armor, esp as a thin enough blade will pass through the links of maille! the guard works well not only against thrusts, but can beat cuts in a similar way to a buckler. So I'd say in use it is basically a spear, but does have some specific techniques that you'll find in practice.