of the length and breadth of a spearshaft

[zbyshko]

well, didn't mean to sound suggestive  :oops:

but i have some Vikings with spears in 28mm from several makers - none of which have spears.  i've since been reading to find a suitable dimension for the them but all references i find are for Greek hoplites and their pikes.

what diameter rod do you (all) use and at what length do they look right to you?

thanks

ralph

[Westfalia Chris]

I´d say it depends on the style of figure, but for historicals, I would not recommend anything thicker than 1mm, 1.5 at the most. The thicker shafts can also be painted with wood grain, which usually looks strange on thinner spears.

On length, I´d say height of figure x 1.5, max. 2 times, and the latter starts looking like a pike... just my opinion, though, and for actual "pike blocks", such as Macedonian phalanx or Renaissance/17th century pike, I´d go for 3-3.5 times the figure´s height.

[zbyshko]

well, i plunged in and bought some floral wire from AC Moore, snipped and crimped what i thought was a good length, by eye, more than an actual length and here is what i got:



not bad really.  though in doing so i discovered i had FAR less vikings with spears than originally assumed  :oops:  => 4!!  well at leas i know what's on the shopping list for Historicon  

[Poliorketes]

not bad really.  though in doing so i discovered i had FAR less vikings with spears than originally assumed  :oops:  => 4!!  well at leas i know what's on the shopping list for Historicon  

*g*
I use brass rod, I think it's 1.2 mm. I'm not that glad about the Speartips, made them with a dremel, but cast spears are definitively better looking. As for length - I think mine are about 3.5-4 cm, that's enough for throwing spears.

But I have a viking age related question, too. Can you tell me something about dress & hairstyle of 10th/11th century western slaws/poles? I'm tempted to get some as enemies/allies for my Vikings and Ottonians, and as there are no suitable figs available I'll have to convert some.

[Hammers]

I have set up a little "miniforge", making spears and other weapons, for the use of.

It consists of:
* a mini-torch (the kind you use to caramelize sugar on creme brulee)
* a small anvil-vice combination
* a watchmakers ball hammer (I know, it sounds weird)
* several pairs of pliers
* a pot of water
* a dremmel (minicraft) tool
* needle files
* a solder iron


The idea is to heat and hammer the end of a steel or brass rod flat and wide, a drop of solder on the tip and then grind it to the suitable shape. It is easy, fast and you can produce all kinds of short, long, broad, narrow ..spears.

I should reallt take some photos and make a tutorial.

[zbyshko]

I have set up a little "miniforge", making spears and other weapons, ...
I should reallt take some photos and make a tutorial.

Yes, yes you should!  :mrgreen:

i'd pay all the money left in my pocket to see it.  oh! wait!  we're trying to save to buy a house and still pay the current bills - i have no money in my pockets! :cry:  sorry.   would you still do a visual tutorial?

ralph  

[zbyshko]

But I have a viking age related question, too. Can you tell me something about dress & hairstyle of 10th/11th century western slaws/poles? I'm tempted to get some as enemies/allies for my Vikings and Ottonians, and as there are no suitable figs available I'll have to convert some.

i'll drop you a PM in a few minutes as the question doesn't have a nice quaint answer.  i've been looking for the same answers regarding the Rus, Viking Age Slavs and clothing of all in that period and slightly before - 8th & 9th century.

[fastolfrus]

Re Rus, Slavs, Balts etc.
I can't remember where my notes are at present, but quite a few depictions of shaved heads (no help if they are wearing a hat), "baggy" clothing for wealthier types(especially breeches), and rectangular shields for some.