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Originally Posted by VANDOO
I HAVE ALSO WONDERED ABOUT THE SIZES OF BLADES AND LEGNTH OF POLES. I CAME TO MUCH THE SAME CONCLUSIONS AS EVERYONE ELSE , BUT WAS NOT SATISFIED. I HAVE A SPEAR THAT IS COMPLETE WITH A EXTREMLY LARGE BLADE AND VERY LONG POLE, ITS BALANCE IS GOOD IF YOU CHOKE UP ON THE SHAFT ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY TOWARD THE POINT. IT COULD BE USED FOR SLASHING AND THRUSTING BUT YOU WOULD HAVE THAT LONG SHAFT STICKING OUT BEHIND YOU AND IF IT HIT ANYTHING OR SOMEONE GOT BEHIND YOU , YOU WOULD BE UNDONE.
PERHAPS THESE WERE USED IN THE FORTIFICATIONS WHERE A WARRIOR COULD THRUST DOWN ON THE ENEMY. THIS WOULD MAKE THE LARGE HEAVY BLADE AND LONG SHAFT A ADVANTAGE INSTEAD OF A HANDICAP.IN SUCH A POSITION IT COULD SPLIT A SHIELD OR PENETRATE ARMOR EASIER THAN A LIGHTER WEAPON. I DON'T RECALL THE MORO CARYING AROUND CEREMONIAL WEAPONS MUCH AND THERE ARE QUITE A LOT OF LARGE SPEAR HEADS AROUND SO ITS A POSSIBILITY.
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Depending on the fighting style, the weight of longer spears may not have been a factor negating their use in combat. I know especially after training in the style of Largo Mano, that I have found much more utility in larger heavier weapons that I could not see before. Particularly considering period pics, I have often encountered pictures of Moro warriors bearing spears that tower over their heads, that even if they were a short 4'8" (which at the time of the US arrival into PI was the average height of Tagalog males, whereas in Moroland the average height was 5'4"), would easily stand above 6-7'