The Romans would often throw a spear or two before engaging with their shield and gladius. The Roman javelin was called a pilum, and its slender point could easily pierce shields and armour. The interesting thing about the pilum is that it had a soft iron shank that was designed to bend when it hit, so the enemy couldn't simply pick it up and throw it back. After the battle, they would gather them all up and drop them off at the blacksmith, who would straighten them again. It was this kind of thinking that made them a world power!
The assegai was intended for use in conjunction with the Zulu shield. The shield was hooked behind the opponent's shield, with the opponent being thrown off balance with the short thrusting assegai used to the enemy's torso.
I'm considering this a hand and a half weapon it can either be used together with a shield 1 handed or used alone 2 handed a versatile design for tight spaces
I too have a CS Short Assegai Spear, a bit older than yours as I purchased mine back when the sheath was of leather. They are good at giving point as well as cutting. Not the prettiest spear on the market but one would be hard pressed to find one that will outperform it. I improved the appearance by hitting the haft where it goes through the head with flat black spray paint. I also lined the haft with upholstery tacks, a row on each side, in order to know the orientation by feel. It’s great in tight quarters and formidable with a shield.
Ha- I live on the outskirts of a rather Bad city and I have to go down to our parking lot every night about 12:30 -1:30-- to get in the car to drive me wife to work. I do appreciate that- there 'could be' Someone else down there at night checking out the area car's to break into or worse! So I bought a semi hard hiking stick that has a metal point at the end of it- hoping that this may help should I be attacked? Like you I know that the Assegi is an old Zulu weapon (Loved the flic!) but here I think the police would love to arrest me with anything like your Assegi- what do you think??
You poor soul, you probably live in one of those countries where the right to defend yourself and carry a firearm doesn't exist. If I were you, I would invest in some self-defense or martial arts classes and carry some pepper spray. I would also suggest a self-defense umbrella, walking cane, or collapsible baton but that would depend upon your local laws. Specially the self-defense umbrella, they are extremely good and easily disguised, currently used by many bodyguard security services.
My recommendation for a shield is the macarmoury tactical shield or my personal favorite their hungarian shield Its small enough to be carried easily and large enough to offer enough protection, its pretty quick and nimble and offers a great secondary optipn of attack I imagine it paired with some messer techniques it would fit perfectly with this spear
I see you are superbly armed,as i do, love being well armed every day,(Kia Mataara), Maori for Be Vigilant, New Zealand.I have a shield bossed shield for my "Iklwa", Assegai.
A ferrule is another option - made for walking sticks in different diameters - rubber or metal, and just epoxy it on or drill it and screw it. A big fat rubber one is a good idea if you're going to use the longer spear as a walking pole, as it will minimise the risk of slippage if you are hiking on rock or other hard surfaces, but you can find metal ones too - even spikes.
I've actually just used electrical tape in three sections,asking a thicker "ring section" of repeated wraps on the end of the taped sections. Works great, and now I've trained with it for a bit, I can switch the grips quite quickly and roll several hard chops to a target without relenting. It's amazing what a little tape can do, to change how you use something. I've also taped a "ball end" onto the bottom, so I cannot lose it out of my hand when using it in sword form technique. It's works very well, and despite what you might be picturing, looks nowhere near as cheap or ugly as one may think. Go slow, and keep wraps perfect. Not to tough for pretty well anybody to do, and this improves grip over bare wood with sweaty hands, like you'll have in the desert where I live. You could use athletic tape, and probably should, but I find it sticks in your palm so much, that dexterity with repositioning edge direction is off and you'd glance off much more till you got better at timing when to reapply full grip when switching hand positions. Sorry so long, bit this thing is very good after this mod.
I'd say I could use either a machete/short sword as well to defend against, and vice versa really, as this little spear is unreal in the balance department. It's swift, so I mean unless you fear them cutting your hand, which any fight would have and you should fear that, to be clear, but fear of not having a hand guard is real crippler for some. You gotta move more of ya don't got a guard, but that plays to this little spear's strength in my opinion. I'd use either against either and feel about as good going in about it. Also, one good toss, and they won't be doing much.
I feel like the cross guard on the boar spear handles that issue. You could use it to catch blades. To defend against this type of spear, I think you'd need either a small shield, or a longer weapon like a longsword or a bigger spear.
The proper sword will cut fingers of ikwa wielder in seconds. The only reaseon why Zulu shordened their spears was using biger and biger shields againts bayonets. Normal arming sword is nearly 2x longer than distace from point of ikwa to midle of handle where unprotected hand are.
The reason why Ikwa was made is using those with pair with big shield againts bayonets on fast onrush when clossing distance beyond sharp point of enemy uwnwieldy weapon is crucial( ~5kg muskets) . And this tactics mainly works in trenches when enemy can backpeddal. For most centuries self defence weapons are swords. Thausands of warriors cant be wrong. If you dont go with shield chose sword or classic polearm. Completly dull saber or falshion can kill well. Its a myth you must often grind edge. If you need tool and weapon in one, use machete. Having hand on that short ikwa pole without crossguard is big disadvantage. You will lose fingers in second if oponent is not noob. Normal swords have a loot bigger range from hand to end point. Also in "zombie" scenario weapon that short who can mainly pierce and stuck in enemy is bad plan. Broken sword can also by remade to spear or dagger without special workshop. If you need a weapon to fight mindless crowd or to occupy larger space alone, choose a weapon designed for this purpose. Halberd. If you want to defend yourself against the ambush of a few people quickly end effective, choose also weapon designed for this purpose. Rapier and buckler
The Romans would often throw a spear or two before engaging with their shield and gladius. The Roman javelin was called a pilum, and its slender point could easily pierce shields and armour. The interesting thing about the pilum is that it had a soft iron shank that was designed to bend when it hit, so the enemy couldn't simply pick it up and throw it back. After the battle, they would gather them all up and drop them off at the blacksmith, who would straighten them again. It was this kind of thinking that made them a world power!
Another practice was securing the head with pins which were removed prior to launch, the enemy could only throw a stick back...
The assegai was intended for use in conjunction with the Zulu shield. The shield was hooked behind the opponent's shield, with the opponent being thrown off balance with the short thrusting assegai used to the enemy's torso.
I'm considering this a hand and a half weapon it can either be used together with a shield 1 handed or used alone 2 handed a versatile design for tight spaces
Even double spear wielding is possible, but I rather use the gladius spaniensis...😅
Awesome video. Thanks for the knowledge and demonstration!
I too have a CS Short Assegai Spear, a bit older than yours as I purchased mine back when the sheath was of leather. They are good at giving point as well as cutting. Not the prettiest spear on the market but one would be hard pressed to find one that will outperform it. I improved the appearance by hitting the haft where it goes through the head with flat black spray paint. I also lined the haft with upholstery tacks, a row on each side, in order to know the orientation by feel. It’s great in tight quarters and formidable with a shield.
The Zulu called it an “Iklwa”
King shaka zulu called it that cause Iklwa is the sound it made when you pulled it out.
@@rolandodiaz4786 yes! Not many people know that because most people default to calling it an “assegai”
Sure this was explained in the film zulu
And here I thought assegai was the long spear of the Maasai people. The Iklwa in the Zulu language was the short spear.
@@tatumergo3931 assagai just means spear like gladius just means sword.
Great prospective! I have seen Lynn uses them like a sword before, but I don’t remember him throwing the short one on video.
There's a few more cool throwing techniques you'll see later!
@@RichardLeeLeefist like the straight forward hip toss, that's incredible and it hits super hard. Devastating even...
@@caiusmadison2996 But would it KEEL?
I been on the fence about this but I had someone try to break in my house a few weeks ago. Would be awesome to catch a body with one of these.
You just convinced me to purchase this spear with my next paycheck. I'm also going to get a night watchmen jagermace and a daguesse sword.
Follow up!
WTF is a daguesse sword....?
Ha- I live on the outskirts of a rather Bad city and I have to go down to our parking lot every night about 12:30 -1:30-- to get in the car to drive me wife to work. I do appreciate that- there 'could be' Someone else down there at night checking out the area car's to break into or worse! So I bought a semi hard hiking stick that has a metal point at the end of it- hoping that this may help should I be attacked? Like you I know that the Assegi is an old Zulu weapon (Loved the flic!) but here I think the police would love to arrest me with anything like your Assegi- what do you think??
A stick is easier to get away with
You poor soul, you probably live in one of those countries where the right to defend yourself and carry a firearm doesn't exist.
If I were you, I would invest in some self-defense or martial arts classes and carry some pepper spray.
I would also suggest a self-defense umbrella, walking cane, or collapsible baton but that would depend upon your local laws.
Specially the self-defense umbrella, they are extremely good and easily disguised, currently used by many bodyguard security services.
My recommendation for a shield is the macarmoury tactical shield or my personal favorite their hungarian shield
Its small enough to be carried easily and large enough to offer enough protection, its pretty quick and nimble and offers a great secondary optipn of attack
I imagine it paired with some messer techniques it would fit perfectly with this spear
African spears come in many varieties. Sub-Saharan Africans have definitely spent a lot of time come up with many vairaities of this one weapon.
Where do you get the leather stoppers? That's a great idea.
I bought leather strips and either glue them on or glue and stitch
@@RichardLeeLeefist I'm definitely going do that! Thanks!
I see you are superbly armed,as i do, love being well armed every day,(Kia Mataara), Maori for Be Vigilant, New Zealand.I have a shield bossed shield for my "Iklwa", Assegai.
what knife were you wearing?
Looks like magnum tanto and voyagers. Its hard to tell I change the loadout all the time!
A link to the item would be beneficial.
Yes sir that would be beneficial! Just for you!
www.coldsteel.com/assegai-with-short-shaft.html
I have a short and a long one but Cold Steel does not sell them anymore. DO you know where to get them? Thank you.
They will again in the near future. They got the rights back
@@RichardLeeLeefist Thanks
I have this weapon.
Thanks, I finally got myself one for testing.
Is your stopper just a strip of leather or something better?
Just leather. Works the best
Cold steel sell a stopper for it?
No I make them out of leather
A ferrule is another option - made for walking sticks in different diameters - rubber or metal, and just epoxy it on or drill it and screw it. A big fat rubber one is a good idea if you're going to use the longer spear as a walking pole, as it will minimise the risk of slippage if you are hiking on rock or other hard surfaces, but you can find metal ones too - even spikes.
I've actually just used electrical tape in three sections,asking a thicker "ring section" of repeated wraps on the end of the taped sections. Works great, and now I've trained with it for a bit, I can switch the grips quite quickly and roll several hard chops to a target without relenting. It's amazing what a little tape can do, to change how you use something. I've also taped a "ball end" onto the bottom, so I cannot lose it out of my hand when using it in sword form technique. It's works very well, and despite what you might be picturing, looks nowhere near as cheap or ugly as one may think. Go slow, and keep wraps perfect. Not to tough for pretty well anybody to do, and this improves grip over bare wood with sweaty hands, like you'll have in the desert where I live. You could use athletic tape, and probably should, but I find it sticks in your palm so much, that dexterity with repositioning edge direction is off and you'd glance off much more till you got better at timing when to reapply full grip when switching hand positions. Sorry so long, bit this thing is very good after this mod.
I'd say I could use either a machete/short sword as well to defend against, and vice versa really, as this little spear is unreal in the balance department. It's swift, so I mean unless you fear them cutting your hand, which any fight would have and you should fear that, to be clear, but fear of not having a hand guard is real crippler for some. You gotta move more of ya don't got a guard, but that plays to this little spear's strength in my opinion. I'd use either against either and feel about as good going in about it. Also, one good toss, and they won't be doing much.
I feel like the cross guard on the boar spear handles that issue. You could use it to catch blades. To defend against this type of spear, I think you'd need either a small shield, or a longer weapon like a longsword or a bigger spear.
Part 4 brought me here...
Looks like a zulu spear.
You mean an Iklwa?
Honestly, a short sword or arming sword, would be disadvantaged... without shield
The proper sword will cut fingers of ikwa wielder in seconds. The only reaseon why Zulu shordened their spears was using biger and biger shields againts bayonets. Normal arming sword is nearly 2x longer than distace from point of ikwa to midle of handle where unprotected hand are.
The reason why Ikwa was made is using those with pair with big shield againts bayonets on fast onrush when clossing distance beyond sharp point of enemy uwnwieldy weapon is crucial( ~5kg muskets) . And this tactics mainly works in trenches when enemy can backpeddal. For most centuries self defence weapons are swords. Thausands of warriors cant be wrong. If you dont go with shield chose sword or classic polearm. Completly dull saber or falshion can kill well. Its a myth you must often grind edge. If you need tool and weapon in one, use machete. Having hand on that short ikwa pole without crossguard is big disadvantage. You will lose fingers in second if oponent is not noob. Normal swords have a loot bigger range from hand to end point.
Also in "zombie" scenario weapon that short who can mainly pierce and stuck in enemy is bad plan. Broken sword can also by remade to spear or dagger without special workshop.
If you need a weapon to fight mindless crowd or to occupy larger space alone, choose a weapon designed for this purpose. Halberd. If you want to defend yourself against the ambush of a few people quickly end effective, choose also weapon designed for this purpose. Rapier and buckler