The pike, not the long spear, won't clip any enemies within 2 feet of the user. the next .5 of a foot will only glance. So, if you do get close to a person using a pike, even if they are the craziest spin stabbing bro in the game, they can't hit you. Just don't let go of your W key! relentlessly push forward! There is a minimum range on the pike, go use it and see for yourself!
The long spear can hit point blank though, which does make sense since they do pull the point almost all the way to their body at the beginning of the thrust.
Another point on spears, from a realism perspective, is you don't have to hold the spear all the way back. You don't in 1 v 1 combat if they do close in on you. You move your grip closer to the pointy end so you effectively make it a shorter weapon. Ever played Billiards?