Brief Description:  The medieval pike was a massive polearm featuring an 10 to 20-foot (3 to 6-meter) wooden shaft tipped with a steel spear point. Unlike smaller spears, it was never thrown and required two hands. Its primary tactical purpose was forming defensive "hedgehog" walls against cavalry charges.

Physical & Design Characteristics:

Length & Weight: The shaft was typically crafted from seasoned ash wood for durability and reached up to 18 to 20 feet long on average. It weighed roughly 2 to 4 kilograms.

The Head: The striking end featured a steel, leaf-shaped or narrow diamond point designed primarily for thrusting.

Langets: To prevent enemies from slicing through the top of the weapon, long metal strips called langets were nailed to the wooden shaft just beneath the head.

Butt-Spikes: Many pikes were fitted with an iron spike at the base (the butt), which could be planted in the ground to brace against a charge or used to strike a grounded opponent.