I got into to pikes/spears via the Dynasty warriors games when I was little. And up to this day I know you could never hope to do some of the crazy stuff they do in that game, But I still like spears/pikes. What about you guys?

EvanWrote:
I got into to pikes/spears via the Dynasty warriors games when I was little. And up to this day I know you could never hope to do some of the crazy stuff they do in that game, But I still like spears/pikes. What about you guys?

When I saw a dude doing a sweet form using a naganita (sp?) or a japanese glaive.

EvanWrote:
I got into to pikes/spears via the Dynasty warriors games when I was little. And up to this day I know you could never hope to do some of the crazy stuff they do in that game, But I still like spears/pikes. What about you guys?

When my training partner and I experimented with a mere 6-foot staff vs. various swords, and whoever used the staff repeatedly dominated. After that, my curiosity about all polearms increased dramatically.

I also have a "jo". You could call it a ghetto jo because its made from the pole of an old mop lol. I have had it for at least 5 years. I think its time I get a real jo, yes?
your friend,
Evan

I fight in the SCA. My persona is German Landsknecht (16th Cent. pike mercenary). I originally chose it for the clothes (LOL), but I quickly learned that I prefered fighting with spear or better yet polearm or greatsword. My weapon of choice is a 6 ft polearm, but in melee I have been known to use spear or a 7 1/2 foot halberd. I have been repeatedly told that the 7 1/2 is very intimidating. As I am about 6'3" if I raise the halberd overhead the cutting head it about 14' in the air. My lady wife tells me that she uses it to keep track of where I am in the fight. (There he is..whack..there he is..whack..there he is...)

HAHA! Thats how I used to recognize my ex husband too!

Don't you have to pay to get into SCA? I want to to some reanctments, but isn't SCA "full out" as in they wear "real" armor etc?
your friend,
Evan

That's right. It costs about $45 a year to be a member. We have armor standards that have to be met for safety as all combat is full contact. Weapons are constructed of rattan. Spears are usually pultruded fiberglass. You can find out all you need at www.sca.org

If you look at my profile page, the background is of a battle in Lumberton, MS. It's the Ravine Battle at Gulf Wars, held this past March.

Reading George Silver’s views on various polearms (especially the quarterstaff and Welsh hook/forest bill) in his Paradoxes of Defence (1599) and Brief Instructions Upon My Paradoxes of Defence (c. 1605) also had a big influence on my interest in these types of weapons.

So did the account of Richard Peeke and the 3 Spanish rapier-and-dagger men, in the early 17th century.

I got into pikes for three reasons;

1. I saw how useful they were in a table-top strategy game... bringing a whole company of pikes into combat helps you win your wars.

2. Germans and Swiss mercenaries of the Renaissance used them with such skill that enjoys much praise to this day.

3. Battle of Stirling, Braveheart... watching that scene makes me realize the awesome power of pikes.

So in closing, go Deutschland... Scotland rocks... and always remember the "Bad War".