Creek War Club

[TDM]

I’m finishing up on a project I started a while back when trimming our Crepe Myrtles. Cut one limb that had a nice heavy knot so I set it aside. I debarked and roughly shaped it and let it dry out inside for a month or so. Don’t know if the Creeks had access to Crepe Myrtle but it’s a strong, dense wood. This is my interpretation of the war clubs they would have used during The Creek War of 1813-1814, which was tied to the War of 1812. The Creeks, allied to the British, did a lot of damage in Southern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia during this time. I hammer forged a bar of 1084 steel for the blade and pike. Blade is pinned and epoxied. Did some simple geometric carvings and filled the lines with dark stain and bone black. Overall stain is a mix of cherry, dark antique, and alcohol. Finished with my Tried & True gum turpentine mix. Still have to make a leather cover for the blade and pike, plus put the finishing edge on the blade. But it’s sharp now, already stabbed my hand twice.

[jbigley]

Very cool.  -- JB

[Tim Crosby]

 Wicked looking but high on the cool list.

  Tim C.

[TDM]

Thanks Guys.

[TDM]

Decided to add some additional design and color. Made a sheath for the blade and pike that’s secure but quickly removed. The color is comparable to my cherry SMR. Now that I’m protected from getting cut up I may take it on my next woods walk. Never know when one of those targets might attack before I can reload.  Think it’s finished now.

[DougS]

Nicely done!

Looks like it would do the job.

Very cool and thank you for sharing.

Regards,

Doug

[rich pierce]

Nicely done! Thinking about rubbing in some grime? Not trying to open an “aging of war clubs” debate! 

[Eric Kettenburg]

I'd be curious as to the dimensions like overall length and weight.  Everytime I'm out and find small saplings/trees with interesting root balls or curves, I grab them.  Have a bunch but never get around to doing anything with them, all hornbeam, maple or blue beech.  I like this one a lot!

A few years back I found some website that had professional pictures and dimensions of a huge number of historic war clubs, almost like a museum site, but lost it and can't find it again.

[TDM]

Thank you all for the comments.

[TDM]

I'd be curious as to the dimensions like overall length and weight.  Everytime I'm out and find small saplings/trees with interesting root balls or curves, I grab them.  Have a bunch but never get around to doing anything with them, all hornbeam, maple or blue beech.  I like this one a lot!

A few years back I found some website that had professional pictures and dimensions of a huge number of historic war clubs, almost like a museum site, but lost it and can't find it again.

A very good question Eric. I hadn’t even checked, so I just did. Length overall is 29”, blade tip to pike tip is 10”, and weight is 31 ozs. So not quite 2 lbs. it swings well and the head weight isn’t overpowering. I doubt mine is an exact representation of their clubs except for the color. The Creeks were called “Red Sticks” and the “Baton Rouges” and some of their clubs did have iron blades. Just didn’t want to waste that pretty knotted wood.

[TDM]

Nicely done! Thinking about rubbing in some grime? Not trying to open an “aging of war clubs” debate! 

It could use a little “battle use” look. It wouldn’t hurt to put another coat of finish on, maybe I’ll add some bone black and see how that does.