Cold Steel Assegai Spear with Short Shaft

Amazing product!The spear head is heavier and sturdier than I had expected - fairly thick stock and razor sharp. I was expecting a lighter gauge steel but was pleasantly surprised by the heft of the head. For up-close self-defense without a firearm, it would be hard to imagine anything more devastating or effective.That said - the shaft is just okay. A part of me feels that an awesome head such as this deserves a better shaft. But for the price, the package is hard to beat. I had to sand down the tip of the shaft to get it to seat deeper into the socket of the head. My sanding efforts resulted in the shaft seating an inch deeper than before the sanding - better, but not perfect. There is still a one inch gap between the bottom of the socket and the end of the tapered tip of shaft. That's no big deal as I wrapped that area (along with the bottom end of the shaft) with grip tape. Final length: 38 inches.The sheath seems to perform its function perfectly - snug fit and total protection.Pros:Amazing steel headHandy sizeGood balanceNice sheathCons:Just adequate shaftRequires some sanding to make shaft fit deeper into socketFinal thoughts: An amazing product! I like how Cold Steel brings modern, economical manufacturing processes to produce highly effective edged weapons. And make no mistake about that - this is solely a weapon, with no other non-weapon applications that I can think of. So why would anybody NEED something like this? I guess a lot of people use them for hunting. But boy, I can think of far more humane ways to dispatch an animal. As for me, I would feel fairly secure going into the woods with just one of these.

This is one big wicked spear head. Sharp and should be very strong. It dwarfs my CS Bushman which I have mounted on a shaft. I noticed a number of people complaining that the sheath does not fit when mounted on a shaft. It's a kydex sheath! Warm it with a hair drier or heat gun carefully and it can be shaped to smoothly accommodate the slight bulk of the shaft. Note also that there are two little bumps that lock the blade in the sheath. Modify them if you want the sheath to slip off very easily!. The nylon strap will hold the sheath on without them of course. The short shaft seems well finished for a working tool. That is, it's not glossy or super smooth but would certainly do well if you want it for a close quarters hog spear. I am thinking of making a longer shaft of hickory or white oak. The screws for mounting the head are rather tiny, but slightly larger screws should be easy to find in any hardware store.

This Assegai Spear with short staff is an execellent weapon, like all Cold Steel products. They design their products to be working weapons, and succeed. I own 8 Cold Steel products, they have never dissapointed me. This iklwa, because that is the sound when you pull it out of your enemy, is as near as I can tell an improved version of the Zulu weapon. Again, that is what Cold Steel does, they see a weapon and forward engineer it to the 21st century.I agree with a previous review about the staff not fitting. So I whittled it down. And then I drilled the holes. People buying weapons should be able to whittle and drill.Apart from the work to make the shaft fit, it is excellent. Very well made and sharp blade. Looks accurate.So you have to work at it, but then you will own a very good working weapon.

Cons..Sheath fits too tight. A little file work on the sheath nubs will fix that. Retention strap a bit too short, hard to snap in place.Pros...perfect walking cane length for my neighborhood.....So Cal. Coyotes in my yard, neighbors cats and small dogs occasionally victims. 20 minutes away from my house..."wilderness" area hiking, biking etc where mountain lions have attacked folks and killed two people not too long ago. This "cane" will be effective if ever needed.I'll make a protective walking tip for mine..Big plus...it came paper.shaving sharp with a light protective coating.Note, the lion attacks were from behind..victims were stalked, not confronted.PS... my wood handle fit perfectly. It can easily be replaced, if required.

Exactly as described, I can't vouch for its effectiveness since I haven't stabbed any intruders with it but it looks to be good quality.

I got this pretty fast, packing was pretty fine. The sheath is fantasic it fits like a glove on the head, with a little bit of wiggle room to allow ease with removal. The staff is a nice wood, with a darker finish than the pics depicts...not a huge problem. The problem was there was no "how to guide" with the package. Its pretty simple......but i made a big mistake. I inserted the shaft the wrong direction(not the wrong end of the shalft) The blade was jammed on the shaft. So i tried to hit the shaft with a hammer(trying to push the wood out). Then i grabbed the hilt of the head, but my hand slipped and i cut my hand pretty good. I managed to pull it apart...this time useing cut proof gloves.Note.. keep the sheath on, and then add the shaft, if the sheath does not fit right, simple turn the shaft 180 degress.This is a great buy, great product.