"How do you like your pike? (28mm)" Topic

As some of you know Relic has released some pike with butt spikes cast on.

The buttspikes had to be sized in a way to accomondate as thick as 3/64" brass rod. North Star 100mm spears were chosen for the assembled photos. Well, not sure if you all know or see this but that suttle difference in thickness of shaft does give you a difference in the overall look of the buttspike(when attached).

I wanted to get some comments on what people are using and how picky they are on the types of rod ideas they use and why? If you do comment please mention the length of pike chosen for 28mm(ancients)?

Thanks for your input,

Mike

Generally speaking , I avoid pike armies, because I find them a PITA. So my answer is easy. If they are easy, you could tempt me to finally do one. Beyond that I have nothing useful to contribute.

Broiled with lemon and butter usually…
I have no 28mm successor pikes, so I haven't much either. That being said, the butt caps are a tad large. My later pike all have thinner pikes.

Mike, I have been using the pikes that you get from Northstar! I also do not cut them down!! Mike P.S. Good Luck Canucks!!!

Mike:

My Silver Shields unit uses Northstar 100mm pikes with those nicely formed heads. The rest of the phalanxes have what they came with when I bought the figures – 100mm steel sharpened steel rods. As for the butt spike/counter weight; the ones you've managed to sculpt are nice, but the pose I like most is the type holding the pike straight up. The end of the pike really isn't too visible once they're all ranked up, so not much of an issue. I might add that with the butt spike on yours, some may have a problem mixing them in with other figures – although you could just as easily remove the butt from the casting – all your hard work for naught in that case. Warm Regards, Dean

P.S. Thanks again for coming down and spending time at our table!

I've just assembled a macedonian pike army, and used the Northstar pikes.

On the topic, I always blunt the pikes I get slightly; I'm surprised how lethal the things are right out of the pack.

Dont like pikemen standing with their weapons vertical.

Hense, not sure I have the space for a 28mm selucid army ..

100mm Northstar for me too. I have recently been using them for Parthian kontos as well; Oh and for removing splinters post work, those sharp tips have so many uses.

I used the OG pike for my Hoplites. I just used a grinder to make a sharp point.

link

80 or 100mm vertical steel pins. Old skool. Simon

Thanks guys for your feedback…

Hmmm, steel pins?

Simon:
Do you have a link to what they look like and where they can be bought???

Dean: Thanks for the input, yes you could just cut off the buttspike.

Blucher:

"Dont like pikemen standing with their weapons vertical."

I wasn't sure either but it's what the gaming experts prefer…

Sorry if I missed anyone.

Mike

Hi Mike,

These are 80mm pins:-

picture

It is possible to paint the heads to look OK. I buy them on eBay.

To be honest, if I was starting afresh, I'd use slimmer pins, possibly with a shaped head.

Simon

Simon,

This may sound dumb…

Why are they called pins? *Cringe<^^>*

Care to give us a link to them for sale on E-bay?

Dean:
I was copying the stance of a photo given to me. And considering all the other pike manufacturers have a similar stance, It made sence to do this one different.

Thanks,

Mike

Poking at the guys on the other side!

BigRedBat; What a tiny pike block, only 96 guys.

Hi Mike, I can't see them on eBay any more, most now have shaped heads. They are the ones that Foundry sell with their minis.

link

I always smooth the tip, slightly…

Hi Oldbob, I have plans for a lot more pikes (and quite a few more painted), but got distracted by Romans and more recently by Napoleonics.

Simon

Thanks Simon, Then I have those too!

Mike

Mike:

On the subject of poses/stance, Foundry makes one holding the pike at about a 65 degree angle. I love this pose as the hands are sculpted to allow the pike to be dropped down into them, without having to glue it to the figure. Dean

Link?

Mike:

I couldn't find them on the Foundry site; although they might be there & I just didn't look in the right place. Anyway, I took a couple of pictures from the ones I have:
This one holding their pikes picture
This one with the pikes slid out of their hands picture
It's really cool that they don't even need to have the pikes glued in; they sit in the hands perfectly. And I think this 65 degree angle is a good compromise between the straight up and 90 degrees forward pike poses. Best, Dean

I use 80mm pointed steel pins for my phalanx.

100mm are too long and planished makes the spear head look too broad but are perfect for a Kontos.