The recent thread on defence against dogs got me thinking about these things.
Folks talked about using a walking stick (staff) as a weapon. I've toted one of these around quite a bit because it becomes a spear when I fit my Cold Steel Bushman to one end....but more about the spear later.
I have done quite a bit of trapping. When animals are caught in a snare, they will often be quite alive and well when I get to them.... and they need to be despatched. A decent clout from my heavy staff certainly will do this, but I've found it to be very difficult to wield this relatively long staff quickly and accurately.... especially when working around brush or uneven ground.
I guess people like Robin Hood, Little John and various folks like Kendo practitioners could have great success with using a staff as a club/weapon. But frankly a long bare staff would not be high on my list as a weapon. It might look formidable, but I think I simply couldn't move it quick enough in a tricky situation.... and I'm not prepared to put in the daily practice.
Maybe somebody has some helpful advice about this. I know that our Maori folk here had a weapon called a Taiaha which was a combination spear/club and it is impressive to see modern enthusiasts work out with one of those.
In the picture below, the tool second from the left, is the style of club which has served me very well on the trapline. The bent bit seems like it might add some weight without adding proportionate length. I can use it quickly with one hand and boy does it deliver some horsepower. I think that one is made from black locust.
In some pictures of 'primitive' Africans I've seen, I have noticed the clubs that some of them carry. These appear to be relatively short (maybe 3 or 4 feet) and they have a knob at one end. I guess these will be made from a whole sapling, with the knob being carved from the rootball or crown. These guys have worked around big animals for thousands of years, and I'd say they are experts when it comes to using sticks. Food for thought.
A short thrusting spear is better than a knife for dealing with big animals, either on the loose or caught in a snare... although a gun is best if possible. Here is a pic showing the spear and a boar that was killed with it (forgive me if you've seen this before). The blade slips on to a taper whittled on the end of the 'walking stick', and it is held in place with cord.
Folks talked about using a walking stick (staff) as a weapon. I've toted one of these around quite a bit because it becomes a spear when I fit my Cold Steel Bushman to one end....but more about the spear later.
I have done quite a bit of trapping. When animals are caught in a snare, they will often be quite alive and well when I get to them.... and they need to be despatched. A decent clout from my heavy staff certainly will do this, but I've found it to be very difficult to wield this relatively long staff quickly and accurately.... especially when working around brush or uneven ground.
I guess people like Robin Hood, Little John and various folks like Kendo practitioners could have great success with using a staff as a club/weapon. But frankly a long bare staff would not be high on my list as a weapon. It might look formidable, but I think I simply couldn't move it quick enough in a tricky situation.... and I'm not prepared to put in the daily practice.
Maybe somebody has some helpful advice about this. I know that our Maori folk here had a weapon called a Taiaha which was a combination spear/club and it is impressive to see modern enthusiasts work out with one of those.
In the picture below, the tool second from the left, is the style of club which has served me very well on the trapline. The bent bit seems like it might add some weight without adding proportionate length. I can use it quickly with one hand and boy does it deliver some horsepower. I think that one is made from black locust.
In some pictures of 'primitive' Africans I've seen, I have noticed the clubs that some of them carry. These appear to be relatively short (maybe 3 or 4 feet) and they have a knob at one end. I guess these will be made from a whole sapling, with the knob being carved from the rootball or crown. These guys have worked around big animals for thousands of years, and I'd say they are experts when it comes to using sticks. Food for thought.
A short thrusting spear is better than a knife for dealing with big animals, either on the loose or caught in a snare... although a gun is best if possible. Here is a pic showing the spear and a boar that was killed with it (forgive me if you've seen this before). The blade slips on to a taper whittled on the end of the 'walking stick', and it is held in place with cord.
