A
spear is a
pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of
wood, with a pointed head. The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with
fire hardened spears, or it may be made of a more durable material fastened to the shaft, such as
flint,
obsidian,
iron,
steel or
bronze. The most common design for hunting or combat spears since ancient times has incorporated a metal spearhead shaped like a triangle,
lozenge, or leaf. The heads of fishing spears usually feature barbs or serrated edges.