Gunstock warclub time!

Gehazi

Gehazi

Joined
Jun 30, 2013
Messages
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hello people, was wondering if any of you guys have a gunstock warclub modern or antique? and could anyone tell me if you have made such a thing? it seems like a very simple project and I want to try my hand at some woodworking, any tips on making a gunstock war club would be appreciated. so far seems like I just get a rifle blank and cut it down then polish, knife point optional.

so far I understand they should be pretty thin ( only about 1 inch wide, or 1 1/2) and made from lumber like ash, hornbeam and maple. Thanks in advance, and use this thread to show off any gunstock s or gunstock war clubs ! :D
 
I've always wanted one. Totally impractical but really really cool:)

I have even entertained the idea of one of those cold steel polymer ones.
 
I've always wanted one. Totally impractical but really really cool:)

I have even entertained the idea of one of those cold steel polymer ones.
 
is the polymer just better? I just want to make one from wood so I can try carving and some checkers of my own ! does that polymer take carvings?

example and proof that the gunstock warclub probably predated european arrival.



fiji islands gunstock style is hawt

http://www.coldsteel-uk.com/store/Gunstock-War-Club.html link to a blade forums member website ! the above mentioned modern club

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunstock_war_club

wiki with a picture of authentic iowa war club


does any wood worker know how practical ironwood is for this? ( dalbergia or diospyros)
 
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I know Mr. Kroncke is into war clubs, there is a great thread he started over on another forum called "Went out clubbing again." :highly_amused:

Hopefully he will come along and share some of his knowledge.
 
Looks like any dense hard wood would work. Iron wood would work, it would be heavy and might be susceptible to cracking up on the hook part in that picture.

Birch, Maple, "Good" walnut would all work. Coco Bolo would probably work very well with the right piece and could be polished up sweet, Others as well.

Polymers vary but most don't checker or carve very well, it just doesn't want to cut, it wants to push around. At least all the stuff I've tried did.
 
Question Bawanna. Can you checker stag? I would assume it would be like horn but a bit denser.

War clubs are way cool. Especially the throwing kind:thumbup:
 
Not much of a smooth surface to checker on stag, part of the beauty of it. I imagine it would checker kind of like ivory if it was sanded down smooth. Not possible to checker in it's natural rough configuration.
 
In (probably) an archived thread, some poster from...?Italy, maybe?...was seeking something like "the war club in Last of the Mohicans."

In a serendipitous search, unlikely ever to occur again, I found a public auction of all of the FILM'S PROP DUPLICATES, which was being held in a few week's time.

He was very excited.

Think he was driven into less enthusiasm by the prices.

looooonnnggg time ago.
 
yeah I really want to make one, just because it will be a good excuse to try something new-- I don't think I could afford any of the antique "true ones or a good reproduction other than the cold steel one, and its a polymer, and not really something that has its own grain, but I am told some new polymers are actually making some cool wood grain like stuff. I just really like the look of these things, especially the fiji one, but the american style is probably what I will do, minus any blades.
 
I have made 4 gunstock war clubs and 6-7 ball clubs. Usually make the blades for guys who make their own clubs, though.
 
what is the process bookie? do you just go for a crotched gunstock blank? so the grain is right? what should be my concerns when making a club?
 
No crotch needed. Thickness is your friend in this case. The weapon is a stabber or slicer, not a hammer. Often these gun stock clubs are wider at the wrist to increase weight, but this also beefs up the wrist strength. They are rather short in overall length, too, which assists here as well. It requires little blacksmithing skills because blades can be made from hot rolled steel and because of the nature of the weapon, what/how it is used, heat treating is not required! Three blades that protrude 3 1/2 inches will take any man down and look good while doing it. Some makers pin the blades. Others use Accraglas by Brownell's to secure the blades. Just depends on what type of looks you are after.
 
You might be able to look at Boyds gunstocks gehazi and get a blank, the biggest heaviest with the most drop at heel. You'd pretty much have the basic outline that just needed some fine tuning.
I looked at the stocks I have but I don't think there's anything heavy enough. I'm gonna look again tonight, I had one I don't recall seeing someplace that was heavier, I think it was laminate too which would add some weight and certainly considerable strength.
 
I found a board of desert ironwood that screams "I have two gunstock warclubs in me"



were they ever used without the blades bookie? were there any that were more or less just "clubs"?
 
Your gonna have to find a mill someplace that will cut that in two if you want to squeeze two out of it. Or at least somebody with a huge bandsaw.
 
A reciprocating saw with a long carbide blade might do it? One of them Diablo demolition blades.
 
OMG Gehazi that is one gorgeous chunk of wood. Dessert Iron wood grips are all the rage amongst 1911 enthusiasts. It both hard and beautiful. If and when you do cut it would you be willing to part with two small scales out of it? I would like to make grips for my Beretta 92, the plastic ones that come stock leave something to be desired.
 
OMG Gehazi that is one gorgeous chunk of wood. Dessert Iron wood grips are all the rage amongst 1911 enthusiasts. It both hard and beautiful. If and when you do cut it would you be willing to part with two small scales out of it? I would like to make grips for my Beretta 92, the plastic ones that come stock leave something to be desired.
 
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