Goedendag?

[Klaas The Orange Knight]

I've grown rather fond of this weapon lately, the weapon the poor Flemish militia used to topple armored French knights, most famously used at 'guldensporenslag' or The Battle of Golden Spurs. And the more I developed an interest in it, the more I wondered if such a weapon is permitted in SCA armored combat. I figured it would be because it wouldn't be much different than a rattan greatsword, just thicker and fluted at the top and capped with a spike. But someone told me that it wouldn't be legal. I personally don't see why.

[Edward MacTavish]

Looks like a spear to me,

Edward

[Gregoire de Lyon]

Iain Ruahd has one that he uses in SCA combat. I believe he made it out of a small Kong for the bashing part and put a thrusting tip on the end.

In other words, a two handed mace with a thrusting tip.

[Diglach Mac Cein]

Yup. IIRC, keep it at 48" or less and you are gold. If you want it longer, it's a polearm. I could be wrong on the lengths.


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[zippy]

what would be the average length on a that weapon in period

[Iain (Bunny) Ruadh]

Yup. I made one more or less to period specs. A collared spear (small but dense kong mace) just below the spear head. I later was informed and confirmed that under the current wording, it was illegal in the Midrealm due to length (no 2 handed massed weapons). So I had to cut it down to a one handed weapon length (I believe 48") from the bottom edge. It doesn't have the same range, but it's still a pretty dang handy melee weapon with it's mass and ability to thrust. I'll see if I can snap a pic or so this weekend. I've thought of remaking one using a set of hockey pucks or a very good solid/dense foam wrap to simulate the collar instead of the Kong but still need to experiment with materials.

P.S. I fell in love with the original too .. simple but effective.

Edit: hmm .. after re-reading the original post .. I can see a good idea. A good dense bit of rattan (say 3" dia) in a proper length, planned/lathe worked down around the haft leaving the collar & base behind with a thrusting tip on the end. Might be worth looking into ...

[Baron Alcyoneus]

I'm making one, and the limit on mass weapons is 48" in Calontir. The splints are split from minimum sized rattan, and 8" long. I'll have thrusting tips at both ends.



Godendags are essentially baseball bats with spikes.

[Thorsteinn Raudskeggr]

Remember to be kind to your opponent. No need for a huge follow through. Weapons like that do the momentum bit just fine.

[Caedmon]

For those in the Midrealm, Calontir, or others without mass weapons over 48", aren't halberds, great axes, bills, etc also mass weapons?

[Baron Alcyoneus]

It should have plenty of give, Ivan, there are only "pillars" of foam on the ends of the splints rather than solid foam underneath. It seems fairly light at the moment, I'll find out how hard it hits, and adjust.

As far as blow acknowledgement goes, Caedmon, yes. Calontir's rules specify no "universal striking surface" over 48". I can have an axe, halberd, glave, etc, up to 7.5'- but not a mace.

[Vladimir]

For those in the Midrealm, Calontir, or others without mass weapons over 48", aren't halberds, great axes, bills, etc also mass weapons?

My thought exactly. No polaxes in the midrealm?

[Baron Eirik]

Yes there are poleaxes here, but they have to be 'edged'. You can't have a 7.5' mace/maul sort of thing.

[Vladimir]

What about a bec de corbin?

[Baron Eirik]

Two striking areas, it'd be good. I'm not sure how it's written, but it's the 'strike on any side' things that aren't allowed.

[Vladimir]

Ah, so rather than two handed "mass weapons" being illegal, its two handed weapons with 3 or more striking surfaces on the same end.

That's different. I understand now.

[Baron Eirik]

As a culture, the SCA has historically SUCKED at wording rules & policies.

[Vladimir]

No kidding? I hadn't noticed.

[Baron Alcyoneus]

Good Day to you all!