Gaesum-Soliferrum

[Conal]

The long socket in this instance is likely to be for the purpose of avoiding the head being cut of by sword or similar weapon

How easy is it to cut a spear shaft with a sword?

I have read this a number of times in relation to pilum type weapons but have always harboured doubts of the efficasy of this. In the throws of I would expect that it is more likley to be knocked from your hand rather than cut through as it would require more resistance than being hand held for a sword to bite sufficiently.