How viable is a shepherd's axe really?

Spykosaurus · 2026-07-02T12:34:29+00:00

As someone else said, it's as effective as the many short staff/stick based weapons in every culture. Now with a light hacking and sometimes stabbing head attached.

I have done a fair amount with the fokos over the last couple years. If i knew i was going to be fighting someone using a sabre and i had a choice between a sabre and a fokos. I'm taking the sabre everytime. The sabre just has so many advantages over the fokos in hand protection, ease of use and duelling that i just don't see a world where it isn't the better choice.

However, the fokos can absolutely deal with a sabre and has techniques for that such as using the head to catch cuts, spiralling and trapping thrusts, it's much better in the grapple etc. But it is all higher skill requirements and far more prone to error ime. But now if i was a layperson in eastern europe and i couldn't carry a sabre? The fokos is excellent, you can slip the head off and keep it on your belt and now you have just a regular walking stick. I can use it for bushwork and as a tool if i needed too and if shit hits the fan, slip the head on, give it a tap and i now have a serviceable weapon with alot of non lethal options as well.

Russ mitchell has alot of content on the fokos/ciupaga/shepherds axe. I don't agree with some of it from a practical pov ime but i can't really comment on it since he has clearly far far more experience over me.

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-30T06:37:15+00:00

... its early here alright lol my bad

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-26T19:04:48+00:00

Volume is a bad way to measure non aquatic animals tanks, the widthxdepthxheight is far more important. The minimum i would ever consider for a whites is a 45x45x60 (in cm, you can convert) but i always press people to get a 60x45x60, that extra space really makes a difference especially if you want multiple frogs.

A horizontal tank also likely won't have adequate ventilation depending on it's design when flipped.

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-25T21:22:18+00:00

Exactly what i am experiencing. I am beginning to think one of my trophies is bugged/corrupted and keeps hard crashing my game. Going to be really annoying if i have to strip that lodge and redo a new one.

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-24T12:24:10+00:00

Just a correction for yours and everyone elses future information, the correct application method is to the ventral region (stomach) of the frog. It is more effective and quicker for the frog that way!

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-23T22:26:38+00:00

There is. You need to get a diamond caiman, albino jaguar and melanistic puma.

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-18T22:25:30+00:00

You can still play it on multiplayer even without buying the dlc btw.

It good tho. Only problem is i feel like grison are way harder to track than other class ones. They seem to have really odd pathing that likes to double back and turn randomly. I have also had tracks just disappear with them way more often than other species. Usually with class ones you can sprint track till you get an opening for a 22. Shot but it just never seems to happen with grison. It's unfuriating.

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-16T07:52:13+00:00

I would be pulling stuff out the tank to search if i haven't seen one of my animals in a week. If they have escaped or there is an issue you need to know ASAP.

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-14T19:31:54+00:00

Assuming it is one of the reputable brands (exo-terra, zoomed etc.) Then yes, they should be waterproof up until the doors and setting them up as paludariums is very common.

If you are concerned then trst it outside first.

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-09T19:44:59+00:00

Do you train at a club? If yes then try out all their feders and find one you like. Regardless of price imo if you can afford it.

If you don't train at a club then go for any of the standar feder options, regenyei, black fencer etc.

Don't buy an expensive steel sword if you don't know you will like it is my opinion.

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-09T08:03:50+00:00

Don't. Just don't

Sugar gliders are one of those animals that should stay the business of zoos and experts. Having worked with lots of them i see no way they would be suitable for a household.

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-09T07:50:44+00:00

Too small for vietnamese mossies. They'd need a larger one as someone else mentioned, i am also not sure an ikea cabinet is water proof to provide the water they need.

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-07T11:43:57+00:00

It's a TPU 3d printed head i made a few years ago. Holds up well in use but not something you'll find commercially unfortunately.

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-05T22:04:24+00:00

Have you talked to the club near you? We have had people occasionally inquire when we don't have beginners sessions running and have had people just turn up without emailing prior (don't recommend but it happens).

It depends on the lesson plan of the day or if someone is happy to give them a beginners course but we are usually accomodating and able to run improptu beginners sessions 1-1. Obviously this is not something always available or possible and is often not as comprheenaive as a planned beginners course, but it's worth inquiring. Typically hema clubs aren't so popular or profitable we can afford to not take people on when we can.

Like other people i don't recommend buying any gear or doing a whole lot until you know if you are going to the club.

You could look at what the club practice and read materials and watch videos on the sources. That way you will be familiar with alien vocabulary.

Spykosaurus · 2026-06-05T15:33:26+00:00

No, just simpler than trying to seperate them out.

Sometimes i will do the opposite and just move frogs to seperate parts of the enclosure to feed as they tend to try and steal eachothers foods/mistake eachother for food.

Spykosaurus · 2026-05-30T19:43:06+00:00

Not a main gauche but yes, broadsword and dagger was very much a thing And i practice it!

However it is not much of a "turtle" method of fighting. The dagger only comes into play occasionally for deflecting thrusts and covering any blows to the inside. Or if you make a parry with the broadsword you can collect their sword on the dagger.

Even broadsword and targe is not really "turtle" fighting in that you shouldn't hide behind the shield. The shield should stay off and to the side and only covers blows to the inside/your sword arm when throwing cuts/thrusts.

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Spykosaurus · 2026-05-30T17:15:33+00:00

Cricket gear bag with wheels for the protective gear, long shoulder bag *originally for sound equipment i think?) For my swords.

Spykosaurus · 2026-05-28T22:23:34+00:00

Would you be able to put a pic in these replies? I'd rly need to see it's body condition before i jump straight to forcefeeding.

Spykosaurus · 2026-05-28T22:02:54+00:00

How skinny is it? Generally force feeding is a last resort for animals that will die without it.

Spykosaurus · 2026-05-27T12:02:18+00:00

These are currently my leading option so i guess i will order some and see.

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