War Shillelagh

Lew · 11th March 2009, 10:01 PM

graeme gt

I was getting a stiff neck so here you go.

Btw

Nice club

Lew

M ELEY · 12th March 2009, 11:08 AM

Wow!

That is an incredible club! Very similar to the one from the movie that started this conversation. Forgive me, for I am a novice in this area of collecting, but are these made from the root bulb of the tree? The reason I ask is that I understand that some tribal people did this (as did native Americans, who would use rhododendren root). It looks like this last one might have had root tendrils or something, judging from its surface. Going out on a long limb here...

graeme gt · 12th March 2009, 03:36 PM

Hi its made from a root couldnt tell you which one tho .

VANDOO · 12th March 2009, 05:05 PM

TRIBAL PEOPLE OFTEN SELECTED THEIR MATERIALS FOR TOOLS AND WEAPONS FROM WHATEVER NATURE PROVIEDED THAT WORKED BEST FOR THE PURPOSE. MANY PLANTS ARE HARD AND DENSE ENOUGH TO MAKE A GOOD NATURAL CLUB, A PLANT WITH A GOOD HEAVY ROOT BALL WAS EASILY SHAPED. SOMETIMES THE SHAPEING BEGAN WHEN THE PLANT WAS STILL GROWING, A PLANT COULD BE BENT TO FORCE IT TO GROW IN THE SHAPE OF THE DESIRED WEAPON OR TOOL. A BAND OF STRONG MATERIAL COULD BE PLACED TIGHTLY AROUND THE TRUNK NEAR THE GROUND WHICH CAUSED THE TRUNK TO BULGE OUT AND BECOME LARGER IN DIAMETER ABOVE THE RESTRICTION.
SOMETIMES THE TRUNK WAS ACTUALLY SPLIT AND A STONE INSERTED WHICH THE PLANT WOULD GROW AND HEAL AROUND AND THEN ALL NEED BE DONE WAS CUT THE DESIRED PIECE OUT FOR A STONE HEADED CLUB OR TOOL. SOME OF THE SHAPEING WAS ALSO DONE PURLY FOR THE ARTISTIC APPEAL AS LINES AND RIDGES AND TWISTED CORKSCREW TYPE SHAFTS COULD ALSO BE MADE USING VARIOUS LIVING SHAPEING TECKNIQUES.

QUITE A NICE BASHER YOU HAVE THERE IT IS A BEAUT!!
THESE BURLS USUALLY HAVE VERY INTERESTING AND OFTEN BEAUTIFUL GRAIN PATTERNS KIND OF LIKE MOTHER NATURES ORGANIC WOODEN VERSION OF WOOTZ

THIS WOOTZ IS APPRECIATED BY ALL WOODWORKERS AS WELL AS THOSE WHO LOVE A NICE BRIAR PIPE.

M ELEY · 13th March 2009, 04:05 AM

Excellent information on the 'harvesting' of clubs, Barry. I knew I wasn't going crazy when I had heard of ground roots. I had never heard of the insertion of stones to allow the plant to grow over it. Pretty amazing! Now I'm beginning to want to collect clubs again! (sold my Soloman Islands piece awhile back). Great thread!

fearn · 14th March 2009, 10:00 PM

Hi All,

I agree that root burls (that's the proper term) can make great club heads. In fact, I've got one sitting in a garage for that some-day project.

That said, not every club head is a burl, and I'll tell you how to tell the difference in a second.

Many shillelaghs actually aren't made from a root burl. Rather, the crafter starts with a tree or shrub (traditionally blackthorn, a type of plum). He selects a trunk or major branch that has many straight, smaller shoots coming off of it. He then cuts the trunk into short sections around the branch, so that the straight shoot becomes the handle of the shillelagh, and the trunk becomes the head. He then carves the head into shape.

The way you tell how it's made is to look at the grain on the head. Burls typically have a confused grain. It looks like random damascus. Trunks have the concentric, circular grain. As an example of a head carved from a trunk, here's a knobkerrie that Louie posted earlier

Anyway, I admire shillelaghs, and perhaps I'll get one someday. My only problem with them is that they're supposed to be less obvious weapons (the farmer's evening walking stick, really). These days, no one carries a walking stick for walking, so I'd be less obvious if I was walking with a golf club than if I was carrying me blackthorn. If less classy.

Best,

F

katana · 20th March 2009, 04:20 PM

I have been saving this project for a while. After having to remove several branches from my Ash tree .....I cut and saved several branches to make either axe hafts or a club / knobkerrie. Left to season for 3 years it is now ready to 'work'. I like the idea of 'experimental' archeology.....inspired by this thread and the sunshine (yes, we do get the sun in Britain ....sometimes

) I decided to make a 'start' ....determined to use hand tools ...I have used the hand axe to cut and 'rough shape' the club. Its a little big at the moment ....feels great as a 'two hander'....but want to gradually improve / remove wood so as to get the correct balance etc.

If anyone is interested I will post as work continues....I am hoping that I will acquire an insight in the design, manufacture and use of such weapons.

Regards David

PS ....As to size...each paving slab is 18 inches (46cms) square

11th March 2009, 10:01 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	graeme gt I was getting a stiff neck so here you go. Btw Nice club Lew Attached Images

20th March 2009, 04:20 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I have been saving this project for a while. After having to remove several branches from my Ash tree .....I cut and saved several branches to make either axe hafts or a club / knobkerrie. Left to season for 3 years it is now ready to 'work'. I like the idea of 'experimental' archeology.....inspired by this thread and the sunshine (yes, we do get the sun in Britain ....sometimes ) I decided to make a 'start' ....determined to use hand tools ...I have used the hand axe to cut and 'rough shape' the club. Its a little big at the moment ....feels great as a 'two hander'....but want to gradually improve / remove wood so as to get the correct balance etc. If anyone is interested I will post as work continues....I am hoping that I will acquire an insight in the design, manufacture and use of such weapons. Regards David PS ....As to size...each paving slab is 18 inches (46cms) square Attached Images

12th March 2009, 11:08 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Wow! That is an incredible club! Very similar to the one from the movie that started this conversation. Forgive me, for I am a novice in this area of collecting, but are these made from the root bulb of the tree? The reason I ask is that I understand that some tribal people did this (as did native Americans, who would use rhododendren root). It looks like this last one might have had root tendrils or something, judging from its surface. Going out on a long limb here...

12th March 2009, 03:36 PM	#3
graeme gt Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 97	Hi its made from a root couldnt tell you which one tho .

12th March 2009, 05:05 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	TRIBAL PEOPLE OFTEN SELECTED THEIR MATERIALS FOR TOOLS AND WEAPONS FROM WHATEVER NATURE PROVIEDED THAT WORKED BEST FOR THE PURPOSE. MANY PLANTS ARE HARD AND DENSE ENOUGH TO MAKE A GOOD NATURAL CLUB, A PLANT WITH A GOOD HEAVY ROOT BALL WAS EASILY SHAPED. SOMETIMES THE SHAPEING BEGAN WHEN THE PLANT WAS STILL GROWING, A PLANT COULD BE BENT TO FORCE IT TO GROW IN THE SHAPE OF THE DESIRED WEAPON OR TOOL. A BAND OF STRONG MATERIAL COULD BE PLACED TIGHTLY AROUND THE TRUNK NEAR THE GROUND WHICH CAUSED THE TRUNK TO BULGE OUT AND BECOME LARGER IN DIAMETER ABOVE THE RESTRICTION. SOMETIMES THE TRUNK WAS ACTUALLY SPLIT AND A STONE INSERTED WHICH THE PLANT WOULD GROW AND HEAL AROUND AND THEN ALL NEED BE DONE WAS CUT THE DESIRED PIECE OUT FOR A STONE HEADED CLUB OR TOOL. SOME OF THE SHAPEING WAS ALSO DONE PURLY FOR THE ARTISTIC APPEAL AS LINES AND RIDGES AND TWISTED CORKSCREW TYPE SHAFTS COULD ALSO BE MADE USING VARIOUS LIVING SHAPEING TECKNIQUES. QUITE A NICE BASHER YOU HAVE THERE IT IS A BEAUT!! THESE BURLS USUALLY HAVE VERY INTERESTING AND OFTEN BEAUTIFUL GRAIN PATTERNS KIND OF LIKE MOTHER NATURES ORGANIC WOODEN VERSION OF WOOTZ THIS WOOTZ IS APPRECIATED BY ALL WOODWORKERS AS WELL AS THOSE WHO LOVE A NICE BRIAR PIPE.

13th March 2009, 04:05 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Excellent information on the 'harvesting' of clubs, Barry. I knew I wasn't going crazy when I had heard of ground roots. I had never heard of the insertion of stones to allow the plant to grow over it. Pretty amazing! Now I'm beginning to want to collect clubs again! (sold my Soloman Islands piece awhile back). Great thread!

14th March 2009, 10:00 PM	#6
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi All, I agree that root burls (that's the proper term) can make great club heads. In fact, I've got one sitting in a garage for that some-day project. That said, not every club head is a burl, and I'll tell you how to tell the difference in a second. Many shillelaghs actually aren't made from a root burl. Rather, the crafter starts with a tree or shrub (traditionally blackthorn, a type of plum). He selects a trunk or major branch that has many straight, smaller shoots coming off of it. He then cuts the trunk into short sections around the branch, so that the straight shoot becomes the handle of the shillelagh, and the trunk becomes the head. He then carves the head into shape. The way you tell how it's made is to look at the grain on the head. Burls typically have a confused grain. It looks like random damascus. Trunks have the concentric, circular grain. As an example of a head carved from a trunk, here's a knobkerrie that Louie posted earlier Anyway, I admire shillelaghs, and perhaps I'll get one someday. My only problem with them is that they're supposed to be less obvious weapons (the farmer's evening walking stick, really). These days, no one carries a walking stick for walking, so I'd be less obvious if I was walking with a golf club than if I was carrying me blackthorn. If less classy. Best, F