Pursuing the Viking Blade, Kickstarter.

[Thorsteinn]

This would be so cool if it happened!

"This project will document, through photographs and videos, the creation of a viking pattern welded sword. It's is my goal to use the funds to create a viking sword based off of an archaeological find, to explore the ancient techniques used in bringing this artifact back to life, and to explore the historic and modern culture from which this artifact comes. Ultimately, the sword created will be donated to the Minnesota History Center to, hopefully, be displayed alongside a true viking sword on loan from Oslo, Norway."

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/622497210/pursuing-the-viking-blade

[Aiden of Oreland]

They did something similar with the "+Ulfberht". Quite interesting. Unless this man means to basically search for the materials, mine it, use a time correct forge and tools. While doing all of this in a replica workshop of the time. But you should watch the "+Ulfberht" documentary. It was very fascinating. Built the sword they way they would have done it. Proving that the sword was highly advanced. They metal(steel) used was almost just as pure as todays.

[Thorsteinn]

Yes but using Pattern welded steel is much more time & labor consuming. Lets face it, there a reason once good steel, & later, better metallurgy came along the pattern welded blade went bye-bye.

The ulfbert thing is interesting but the pattern welded thing is more beautiful, and it's going for something a bit more pre-christian with less support for a better cause.





http://www.templ.net/english/making-blades.php

[Ian]

You should check out the swordsmith Michael Pikula.  He's been making amazing pattern welded viking swords for a while.  He even goes as far as using his own bloomery furnace to create his own steel, removes the slag himself and then pattern welds some of the finest blades this side of the Viking era.

Here's a nice pattern weld, and then some nice copper inlay on the hilt furniture:

[Thorsteinn]

 

MUST HAVE THAT SWORD!!!!!

[Aiden of Oreland]

I see what you mean Thorsteinn, there is much more skill and technique involved. And WOW now thats beautiful! My mind says buy it but my wallet says don't dare even check the price on that lol

[Sir Edward]

 

MUST HAVE THAT SWORD!!!!!

Seriously... It's a bit outside of my period of interest, and yet it is a thing of pure beauty.

[Aiden of Oreland]

 

MUST HAVE THAT SWORD!!!!!

Seriously... It's a bit outside of my period of interest, and yet it is a thing of pure beauty.

Haha! But there are loop wholes. For instance "*cough, cough* um... This sword was passed through my family" or you can simply make another time apropriate kit. If I am correct, Sir Wolf is a marvelous example.

[Lord Dane]

That is gorgeous. Looks like a damascus steel pattern. He must do something similar in the heating process if he forges the steel. Either case, it is beautiful. Nice work.

[Ian]

To achieve those patterns, bars of steel are welded together and twisted at different intervals and then forged in to a blade. When you polish it at the end it reveals the pattern where the thin bars were twisted. Hence "pattern welding"

[Sir William]

Pikula's in a class all by himself.  I'm thankful his wares are outside my period of interest.

[Ian]

Michael Pikula most definitely does early and high middle ages swords as well! So don't fear!

[Sir Douglas]

Always liked the aesthetic of pattern-welded swords, and those ones are just downright gorgeous!

[Sir William]

Who said fear?  I said 'thankful' - and now I'm not as it isn't true.