Creek War Club

[TDM]

Been working on this for a while. Started with a length of Crepe Myrtle with a nice sized knotted end. Not sure if the Creeks had access to Crepe Myrtle, but it’s an incredibly strong, dense wood, and this is my rendition of one of theirs. I did do some research but few actual war clubs have survived. They are best known for their red color. The Creeks were also called “The Red Sticks” and “The Baton Rouge’s”, they used these clubs in attacks and massacres during The Creek War of 1813-1814. These uprisings were part of the War of 1812 as the Creeks allied with the British to drive out white and mixed race settlers from southern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. I debarked and rough shaped the club. Then let it dry a month or so. I hammer forged a bar of 1084 steel to make the blade and pike. As of today, I have the blade mounted, epoxied, and pinned, most of the shaping is done too. I’ll continue the final steps tomorrow.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

I like it!

 

[Gtrubicon]

That look’s really good! What a fun project. What did you use to reduce the handle diameter?

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Th' ol' noggin booper.

 

[TDM]

That look’s really good! What a fun project. What did you use to reduce the handle diameter?

Used a spokeshave and sanding disk, plus hand sanding.

 

[Gtrubicon]

I’ve been looking for a decent spokeshave for a couple of weeks.

 

[TDM]

I’ve been looking for a decent spokeshave for a couple of weeks.

I have a couple of old ones, but they still get the job done. Have a couple of draw knives too. I used to see them a lot at antique stores but they seem to be scarce now.

 

[Gtrubicon]

My wife and I may go to some antique stores this weekend, I’ve been wanting to see if I can find one in person. There are tons on eBay but the tool has to have the right feel so I’m a little apprehensive about buying one on line.

 

[TDM]

My wife and I may go to some antique stores this weekend, I’ve been wanting to see if I can find one in person. There are tons on eBay but the tool has to have the right feel so I’m a little apprehensive about buying one on line.

Yep, better to handle one and make sure the blade is in decent shape.

 

[Wncman]

It will definitely be an argument settlement tool

 

[TDM]

Pretty much have the war club finished now. I still need to put the final edge on the blade and make a leather sheath for the blade and pike. This will be important as I’ve already stabbed my palm twice. This morning I marked off and drew some simple geometric designs and cut the lines in. I used a mixture of stain and bone black to darken the inlets. The stain was a cherry, dark antique, alcohol mixture. I let it dry for a while, then hand rubbed a coat of my Tried & True/gum turpentine mixture and attached a leather hand loop.

 

[RedOneFive]

Pretty much have the war club finished now. I still need to put the final edge on the blade and make a leather sheath for the blade and pike. This will be important as I’ve already stabbed my palm twice. This morning I marked off and drew some simple geometric designs and cut the lines in. I used a mixture of stain and bone black to darken the inlets. The stain was a cherry, dark antique, alcohol mixture. I let it dry for a while, then hand rubbed a coat of my Tried & True/gum turpentine mixture and attached a leather hand loop.

That is beautiful. Almost be a honor to get thumped by that eh!..

 

[TDM]

Thanks! Hopefully we won’t find out.

 

[TDM]

Decided the design needed a little more work and some color.

 

[TDM]

Think I’m finished now. Resharpened the blade and made the sheath covers for the blade and pike. The sheaths are nice and secure but can be removed quickly. It actually matches up with my cherry SMR fairly well. Now that I’m protected from getting cut up I guess I could take it along on my next woods walk. Never know when one of those targets might attack before I can reload.

 

[Rap Scallion]

Very nice piece of ML history. It is amazing how much time and thought goes into the conception and completion of something like this! It looks very authentic!

 

[TDM]

Very nice piece of ML history. It is amazing how much time and thought goes into the conception and completion of something like this! It looks very authentic!

Thank you.

 

[50calBoone]

Very nice. makes me want to try and make one now,

 

[Colonial Boy]

Very nice indeed, just the thing to thwart a home invasion

 

[S.Kenton]

Oh I like that! You done a good job!