Modern spears have come a long way from the ancient older spears. Like all weapons, the spear has seen a slight redesign to make the best of current technology and manufacturing. Since spear hunting has seen a rise in popularity, knife and blade makers have taken heed and designed modern spears for the modern spear hunter. There has been a lot of changes with the modern spear, but you’d be surprised how much old spears had done right.
The United Cutlery M48 Spear
Modern spears are made by a wide variety of different companies. We are only going to talk about the high quality, well made and long lasting spear designs. Like axes, tomahawks, knives, and spears there is a large market of cheap junk that is in no way suited for hunting anything other than a trophy case. Companies like United Cutlery and Cold Steel have produced high-quality spears that are capable of being used for hunting and being submitted to harsh field environments.
The first distinction is the fact that these spears were designed from the ground up to be hunting spears, and not designed for warfare. Most spears designed in the time of antiquity were derived from spear designed for battle. Hunting spears are designed to be short and lightweight, and easy to throw. This is one major advantage of modern manufacturing and modern spears, their ability to lightweight but extremely durable.
For example, the M48 spear by United Cutlery uses a handle made from 30 percent fiberglass reinforced nylon. This strong, light material is well suited for the throwing spear and allows the user to gain more velocity due to the lighter weight. Another immediate advantage is the fact a user is less likely to become tired carrying a lighter spear. The M48 isn’t the only lightweight spear. Cold Steel produces several spears designed with wooden handles that are incredibly light and easy to throw. Older spears relied on hand carved, painfully crafted handles that were rarely as straight as modern spears. The modern manufacturing techniques used to produce modern spears ensures a straight shaft for an accurate throw.
The Cold Steel Boar Spear
One of the biggest advantages of modern metallurgy and finishing techniques. This produces a strong spearhead that can be used over and over again without having to worry about repairs. These modern steels are quite strong and are actually quite easy to sharpen.
Older spear hunters would often carry multiple spears in case one was broken, or dulled. Modern spears are built to be tough and reliable. These spears are easy to sharpen and have a long lifespan, even during heavy use. Modern spears are simply better made, and designed for a longer lifespan among hunters.
What they share in common is overall length and design. Many modern spears owe a large degree of credit to ancient designs. The modern spearheads are basically the same size and shape, yet they are better made. The newer spears simply take the old and modernize it, turns it into something easier to use, longer lasting, and most importantly easier to throw. The Modern spear is accurate, capable, and can kill most medium sized animals. Best of all the modern spear can be used by men and women who haven’t been training since birth to throw a spear.
While the old spear offered inspiration for the designs of spears, the modern spears took those designs and made them more effective and more efficient. If you are interested in spear hunting, modern spears have made it possible for you to efficiently and humanely kill your prey.