Friday, March 18, 2022

Product review: Javelin head from AntiqueCraftsShop

AntiqueCraftsShop is an Etsy-based retailer that sells a variety of items, mostly historical weaponry.  I came across the listing for their Viking Hand Forged Spearhead Medieval Javelin set recently while looking for a lightweight spearhead that would be acceptable for our time period.


As you can see, it has a similar rough-ground and blackened appearance to the Lord of Battles spearhead.  Given that both companies' products appear to be Indian-made, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the same cottage industry workers produced items for both companies, but that's speculation.

I was, however, pleasantly surprised to find that the AntiqueCraftsShop javelin head is much closer to its retail photos and specifications.  On my postage scale, the points weigh a hair over 5 ounces/142 grams, and they measure 20.5 and 21cm long, actually a tiny bit lighter and shorter than the official specs.  The kite shape is a good match for some of the spearheads from Deve Hüyük and the diamond grind is acceptable.  The length is too short and thus they're proportionally a little squat, but at this late stage, I'm willing to overlook that.

More importantly, the points are decently symmetrical, have straight centerlines, and the edges are slightly convex.  They're not perfect, but they're a far cry from the sloppy quality control suggested by the Lord of Battles piece, and more than good enough for my purposes.

A few drawbacks:  As far as the spearhead itself goes, the rough finish is quite ugly.  Luckily I now have a belt sander and should be able to clean it up pretty quickly.  It also lacks a pin hole, which would help affix it more securely to the shaft.  I may be able to add one by grinding a pit with a round Dremel cutter and then finishing with a drill press, but if the steel is hardened, that may be very difficult.

With regards to the seller, AntiqueCraftsShop doesn't appear to sell items singly, so you have to buy at least two if not more.  They seem to have a limited supply of each item as well.

On the whole, I think this has been a worthwhile purchase, and I hope to finish and haft both of them to bring to Plataia this year.

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