The Spear - King of Weapons? Or Just a Pointy Stick?

The spear is not as chronically overlooked as the axe, but still not usually given as much attention as the sword, so here we go. A few observations about the pros and cons, usage, and importance in history. Also some examples to illustrate the wide variety of designs. Battle Axes - How Underrated Are They?    • Battle Axes - How Underrated Are They?   Arms & Armor 12th Century Spear VS. Riveted Mail and Ballistic Gel    • Arms & Armor 12th Century Spear VS. Rivete...   Sword vs. Polearm - Can You Just CUT it Off?    • Sword vs. Polearm - Can You Just CUT it Off?   Sources: The oldest spears: https://phys.org/news/2012-11-archaeo... https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases... https://www.historyofinformation.com/... https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wo... Yulia Shtyryakova, A quest for the atgeir: the unknown Viking weapon in Icelandic sagas and archaeological data https://content.sciendo.com/configura... Historical manuscripts https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Category:... ** Support the channel ** Help fund future videos, get bonus content and other rewards:   / skallagrim   https://www.subscribestar.com/skallagrim    / @skallagrim   Books about history and/or martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend (as an Amazon Affiliate I earn commission through these links): US - https://www.amazon.com/shop/skallagri... Canada - https://amzn.to/2HeOCMA Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links: Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc: http://ww4.aitsafe.com/go.htm?go=kult... Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords: http://www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799 ** Social media & merch ** How to contact me:    / skallagrimnilsson   See a list of my video uploads:   / _skallagrim_     / skallagrimyt   Channel-related shirts and other merch: http://skallagrim.spreadshirt.com/ https://teespring.com/stores/skallagrim My side channel (for rambles, vlogs, opinions, gaming, etc):    / @skallhalla   ** Music ** Intro song: "Illuminate" by Vindsvept https://vindsvept.bandcamp.com/track/... Outro: "Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records http://theslantedroom.weebly.com/