Spears

[Vuk]

Spears and pole arms were traditionally made from Ash [Fraxinus excelsior (European Ash or Common Ash)]. The pole was made from the whole tree selected for its diameter. The bark was removed and the shaft would be turned to a uniform diameter and straightness. The typical length was about 8 feet.

The treatment of the wood would vary due to location and time. It may have been fire hardened and or impregnated with oils, risen, or bee's wax(melted). In any case the end is heat treated as the smith would shrink the iron collar with the point onto the end of the shaft, for a tight fit. Then two to four short spikes would be driven in to prevent it slipping off. Rivets all the way from one side to the other would only weaken the shaft at the head.

Square spikes work best as the hold better in the wood. They might have even been hammer welded to the head but don’t try this. Modern Steel can not be hammer welded. If you want them permanently held in place a small band of steel shrunk over the heads would work best.

Hickory is another excellent wood for shafts and is most often the wood of choice today. That is if you can find it in an 8 foot length. If you make the shafts your self from hickory, the bark can be left on. It does not split off and will last for years.

Don’t use pine, fir, or poplar. It is best to use the whole tree and not split and turned shafts as they would be more prone to split or crack.

Chances are that you may need to make the shafts yourself.

Hey Fisherking, thank you for the info. I am just curious, what do you mean by turned to a uniform diameter? I am sorry, I am ignorant on the subject of wood work.
Also, how would one get resin and how would one treat the wood with it?