[shazzdan]

I couldn't find a Greek spear that I liked so I made my own from some fake Chinese bronze arrowheads I found on ebay for a few bucks.

More of my work can be found here

 

[pukingdog]

You're a scale armourer, that's a handsome bit of work. I don't know if you've read it, but another member here recommended A Storm of Spears, by Christopher Matthew. It's pretty technical at times, but very interesting, and the practical study done by the author has set some classic historians on their ears a bit.

 

[highwayman57]

Very nice work indeed! :thumb

David

 

[dadrab]

That's the ticket.

Very fine work and certainly looks the part.

 

[shazzdan]

You're a scale armourer, that's a handsome bit of work. I don't know if you've read it, but another member here recommended A Storm of Spears, by Christopher Matthew. It's pretty technical at times, but very interesting, and the practical study done by the author has set some classic historians on their ears a bit.

There are a lot of problems with that book. Paul Barduniuas' book has just come out and addresses a lot of the issues in Matthew's book.

Hoplites at War: A Comprehensive Analysis of Heavy Infantry Combat in the ... - Paul M. Bardunias, Fred Eugene Ray, Jr. - Google Books

 

[siquisiri]

excellent work!

 

[muscledog]

Really fine!

 

[pukingdog]

There are a lot of problems with that book. Paul Barduniuas' book has just come out and addresses a lot of the issues in Matthew's book.

Hoplites at War: A Comprehensive Analysis of Heavy Infantry Combat in the ... - Paul M. Bardunias, Fred Eugene Ray, Jr. - Google Books

Well, here's another book to put in the queue, I will be interested to read this, just from the introduction. Thanks, shazzdan.

 

[shazzdan]

I've made some armour to go with the spear. It is a Greek corselet called a spolas, made from leather and edged in gold paint.

More of my work can be found here

 

[shazzdan]

I've made this Greek shield (called an aspis). The shield in the above photo is just a Photoshop job to act as a filler until the real shield was finished. Here it is - made from an oversized cork coaster (150mm) formed with hot water and sanded to shape.

 

[shazzdan]

Painted with red enamel with the rim done in gold enamel. The cork is very absorbent - I should have used a sealant. A leather backing was then added followed by some tiny eyelets for the carrying strap. The arm band (called a porpax) was made from a piece of bamboo and a strip from an empty salmon tin. The handgrip (called an antilabe) was made from a length of twisted wire.

More of my work can be found here

 

[ActionMan]

Beautiful scratch-building.

 

[MEHall]

I hope i dont post in a tread that is dead. :help I do wonder what material that is used as the wooden section in the spear? :think






:hat

 

[shazzdan]

It was a twig cut from a dead branch from the Eucalypt tree in my front yard. I pared away the bark, trimmed it roughly to shape, soaked it in hot water, and clamped it straight while it dried out. When the spear was finished I stained the wood with the kids' felt marker that they use for colouring. It turned out ok but took a while to apply. Next time I'll use proper wood stain.

Using branches from a tree is a lot better than using dowels from the hardware store. With branches, you get all of the heartwood and sapwood, leaving the growth rings intact, which makes for a stronger and more flexible piece of wood.

 

[shazzdan]

I've found a fake arrowhead that has a counter weight on it just like the Greek butt spikes. It should turn into a good dory.