this post was submitted on 30 Jun 2026
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It is really hard to target the wooden part in battle. You're likely attacking the spear in formation, so there are other spears nearby which can stab you. You also need to get a blade close to the wooden part of the spear at an angle which can damage the spear; at that distance with a sword used at the time, the spear has likely stabbed you.
Ok lets say one on one. And the spear would wobble so it would be easy to side step the pointed end. Kind of like the Jet Li hero movie he is fighting the guy with a metal spear and everytime he goes for a jab it wiggles.
You were originally asking why spears hung on so long as a military weapon. Battles were not one on one duels. To ignore this seems to be fishing for some kind of answer that intentionally ignores the historical context.