03-17-2013, 11:57 PM
In the 16th century, Manciolino taught the "high guard" (that is, the position with the spear hand at the level of one's forehead and the point in line) as his first position for single combat with partisan (broad-bladed spear about 240 cm long) and rotella (round strapped shield about 60 cm in diameter). Significantly, he describes this position with the phrase "as if you are about to throw the partisan" but uses that guard to thrust.
I don't know what you mean about underhand having more power. In my experience, in published experiments with knives and spears, and in the opinion of 15th century gentlemen who had to use daggers against armour, the reverse is true.
I think that in single combat and skirmishes all possible grips were used, but that, for reasons discussed in the other thread, men in a classical Greek phalanx probably usually held their spears overhand with the thumb towards the butt of the spear.
I don't know what you mean about underhand having more power. In my experience, in published experiments with knives and spears, and in the opinion of 15th century gentlemen who had to use daggers against armour, the reverse is true.
I think that in single combat and skirmishes all possible grips were used, but that, for reasons discussed in the other thread, men in a classical Greek phalanx probably usually held their spears overhand with the thumb towards the butt of the spear.
Nullis in verba
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
