08-12-2010, 01:45 PM
Hi
Thank you both for your answers and also the pictures. I knew by this time the legionaries used steel for their spears but wasn't sure if bronze might still be used in the arena for show? A polished bronze spear point does look flashy in the sun!
Would the shaft be made of ash or would another hardwood, like oak, be appropriate? How was wood finished in Ancient Rome? Would a natural stain and boiled linseed oil be correct? I usually stain oak with a mixture of iron scraps dissolved in viniger, it causes the natural tannins in the oak to darken. So it doesn't actualy stain the wood but chemically darkens it. I know it is a very old procedure but I am not sure how old.
Joel
Thank you both for your answers and also the pictures. I knew by this time the legionaries used steel for their spears but wasn't sure if bronze might still be used in the arena for show? A polished bronze spear point does look flashy in the sun!
Would the shaft be made of ash or would another hardwood, like oak, be appropriate? How was wood finished in Ancient Rome? Would a natural stain and boiled linseed oil be correct? I usually stain oak with a mixture of iron scraps dissolved in viniger, it causes the natural tannins in the oak to darken. So it doesn't actualy stain the wood but chemically darkens it. I know it is a very old procedure but I am not sure how old.
Joel
Joel
