I was asked to make a shaft for a Boar spear ( because I am a forester/coppice worker cleaving Ash and Oak for building/fencing work on the Estate), using selected cleft Ash, straight grained, knot free timber that would be used when well seasoned. The Gentleman was from Eastern Europe visiting our Estate for Roe Bucks, he isn't the tallest of fella's so the spear shaft was 6 foot long and nearly as thick as my wrist, he showed me a photograph of the spear head which was a 10 inch leaf blade with a wide cross bar. I was told that traditionally all Boar spear shafts were of cleft selected timber, usually Ash, never sawn or machined as cleft Ash follows the grain, instead of cutting across the grain which seriously weakens the spear shaft. The client showed me a series of clips of him facing charging wild Boar armed only with his spear, he may not be the tallest of men but he has the heart of a Lion! In one of the clips, a Boar runs onto the spear and drives the chap backwards several feet, you can see him clinging onto the shaft for dear life! I do meet some very interesting people, he took the finished shaft back with him, I will contact him and see if I can get some photos to post, or even better, a clip of film.