Hello everyone. In this instructable, we will show you how to make the medieval weapon that is commonly known as a morning star or a mace. This is a safer version of the weapon that was used by knights after the fourteenth century.

We decided to make this instructable because we thought it would be a fun project for us and other people to make.

Remember, this is a safer version, but it is still not a toy and can leave bruises if misused (I know this because I used it to adjust my brother's attitude).

Step 1: Supplies

Materials:

1/2 in rope (6ft 8in), shorter is harder
3/4 in dowel
about 15' of paracord

Tools:

drill (1/8in drill bit)
scissors
lighter or stovetop flame (adult supervision)
hot-glue gun and glue sticks

Step 2: Making the Monkey Fist

Wrap the rope around your hand so that there are three lengths of rope around your index finger and thumb, the fourth length drapes over your thumb.
Take the working end and wrap counterclockwise around the three strands you made in step one.
Repeat step 2 until three strands are facing you.
Take the top horizontal strand and pull it through the top three-strand arch at the top of the knot.
Wrap the working end down and through the bottom arch.
After you have gone through the bottom arch wrap up and through the top arch to make your first turn.
Repeat step 6 for two more entire wraps.
To tighten the knot pull a loose strand and find the connected strand on another part of the knot. Keep doing this until the knot is tight.
The finished knot should have three strands on each side.
Our rope had loops at each end that we used to fasten the monkey fist to the handle. If your rope does not have loops at the end you can just fold the ends over and stitch it up to make a loop. Dental floss or any other strong thread will do.

Step 3: Adding the Survival Stitch

Add the survival stitch to the two ends of the monkey fist.
On the left side of the main rope make a loop with the paracord. Make sure that the end of the paracord on the left ends up under the main rope.
Take the cord on the right side of the main rope and pull it over and down through the left loop.
Do the same, but this time start with the first loop on the right side.

Step 4: Preparing the Handle

Drill a hole with your 1/8 drill bit about half an inch down from the top.
Take a piece of paracord about 1 1/2 feet long and put it through the hole in the handle.
Put each end of the string through the loops as shown in the third picture.
With the leading ends, tie overhand knots around the other string after it is pulled through the loops (then do it on the other side).
Pull the string going through the handle so the knots pull together in the loops.
Cut and burn the ends so they don't come undone.

Step 5: Optional Decorations

Here are some extra tips for if you want to make it look a little cooler.

you can add the survival stitch to the string between the handle and the loops in the rope.
you could also wrap the handle with paracord if you wanted.