this post was submitted on 30 Jun 2026
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How effective were spears back in the day? Kind of seems flimsy with just a metal tip and a long body. Why not just target the the wooden part and it's done. How did they last so long? (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 days ago by Patnou@lemmy.world to c/askhistorians@lemmy.world
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[โ€“] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Because they're actively attempting to stab you and you're no Achilles. It's hard wood that's not braced against a surface, you're using a bronze sword, and a lot of people are attempting to stab you.

Go sharpen a kitchen knife and try to cut a longish wooden dowel of spear diameter while you hold it in the air in one hand.

[โ€“] Patnou@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Yea but said kitchen knife sharpened enough would quickly cut through the handle on a wooden spoon.