[StarSlayer]

Hafted weapons seem to get more effective in single combat the shorter they are.  A fourteen foot pike isn't particularly menacing outside of a pike square, a shorter spear might still have some utility.  Once you start getting to 8 to 6 ft halberds and especially poleaxes  the utility in single combat ramps up significantly and might mimic eastern traditions more.   Poleaxe in particular is something a knight on the ground would wield and was developed as an anti armor weapon.  Plate armor pretty much negates the use of slashing attacks on an armored opponent therefore trusting and concussive blows become extremely important.  Both ends of the weapon are going to be used, on one end is a nasty spike, hammer/axe, hook combination and their might be a spike on the other end.  You can start using much the same techniques as you would in armored half sword, and it will probably start to look somewhat similar to eastern quarterstaff, one of the main differences being the heavy "warhead" means switching your hand positions in combat is not doable.

Here is a pretty good video on some Halbred work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmNTKy8LJiY&feature=related

[Galemp]

Pff. Amateurs.

[Sushi]

As for basis I take a historic weapons course we cover longsword, sword and buckler, messer, dagger and hafted weapons (spears/pikes/poleaxe).  Most of our instruction is based on Hans Talhoffer's manuscripts and MS I.33 sword and buckler manuscript plus our instructor is very well versed in medieval history.  Funny enough we just had a class on attacking a pike line with a longsword at the last class. 

That actually sounds like a heck of a lot of fun. I'm jealous.

The most I've done is a bit of longsword training with a local ARMA chapter. It was a blast, I just didn't have time to keep up with it. I may get back into it someday...

[BloodEagle]

Pff. Amateurs.

Where are the sword-chucks? 

[Davros]

New police issue

[Dilmah G]

Dayum.

[Colonol Dekker]

Ka-plox!