[combat] giant issue in weapon reach question

[Ji ji]

Following your advices, I tried some other solo simulation of combat. I have to admit that this issue is much less severe than what I thought. Almost not an issue, perhaps not an issue at all.

In regard of real combat techniques, I must make some remark to Walrus.
Spears aren't awkward at all. They are one of most nimble and swift weapons. For me, requiring a ready maneuver to adjust reach is totally foreign to spear techniques, which is made of very quick movement of hands along the shaft.
On the other hand, two hex is the reach of bastard sword and rapier too. I can't believe that you define long weapons as type XIX Oakeshott sword or rapier (or even striscia, D'Artagnan's weapon) as awkward.

Two-handed swords and spears are definitely weapons apt to keep at bay overnumbered opponents, even for a single warrior. Great weapon masters tell this in Reinassance martial manual, and I think that it's true. There is even a specific rule about this in GURPS MA, as remarked by mhd :)

Thanks everybody for your answers and advices.