Goin' A Viking & Brynjolf's Forge

02/19/2020

More details about the Pugio previously shared here. The bit about the "blood channels" is extremely poor journalism. Nothing more than mindless repetition of what "everyone knows to be true" without fact checking or any basis in reality. This particular daggers fullers are quite fascinating, comprised of a raised central rib, with narrow grooves on either side, at the bottom of a wide fuller. This is, in my opinion, a bronze age shape (which required the cross sectional changes to stiffen the blade) done in iron. Also incorrectly reported is that it is a "silver" dagger. The handle and sheath are iron decorated with silver inlay.

Nico Calman, 19, dug up the fascinating weapon - believed to be the most remarkable artefact of its kind to have been discovered - at a burial ground in Haltern am See, near Münster.

07/27/2018

Somehow, I get the feeling I will be making more of these!

05/23/2018

Getting pendants ready, one of my least favorite things to do. Check for flaws, string, and tie slip knots over and over...
~T, the Wife~

05/22/2018

05/22/2018

Just adding to the photo album...

05/14/2018

Good grinding belts are expensive but, forge scale is hard on them. Vinegar is inexpensive and removes the majority of the scale. Vinegar used this way also makes vinegaroon! Here are the blades out of the vinegar and ready for grinding. A couple of the carving knives will go back into the tempering oven for some minor straightening.

05/13/2018

Yesterday's work. Got some heat treating done and forged a couple more while I was at it. Top 2, Viking sax, were forged from a pattern weld offcut. Other ones, a 15th century, German, eating knife and 12 wood carving knives in two sizes. All have been normalized 3 times and quenched in Parks 50. Then tempered through 3 cycles, for 2 hours each time. Today I will draw the tangs on the carving knives. Stubborn ones were hardened multiple times, the worst one took 5 tries! The bottom most carving knife. With all those attempts it took on some curvature. At this point, I am not going to tempt fate and try to straighten it out and re-harden. It will just be a little different from the others. It will suit someone!

03/27/2018

For those anxiously awaiting our new Build A Belt platform, it’s now up and running! You can now pick out your belt fittings, choose a belt color, and have it assembled in less than 5 minutes to wear out of the shop. Don’t need a belt, but just want to purchase the fittings or decorative studs? You can do that too! Belt widths range from .5” thru 1.75”.

03/06/2018

A, just finished, Viking Age knife. Blade geometry is a very slightly hollow ground wedge. It has been sharpened in a traditional, Scandinavian, manner with no secondary bevel. Just lay the blade flat on the stone and sharpen. This makes for an extremely sharp blade that is well suited to Sloyd woodworking. The handle is indeterminate hardwood (probably eucalyptus,) finished with linseed oil. Steel is from an overhead garage door spring and (in my opinion) is 1095.

02/10/2018

This season we are looking to increase our patron satisfaction in the area of belts. We are looking for input on our patrons needs/wants in this area. Right now we only provide Pre-Assembled Belts, and take commissions for those that do not fall in those we normally make to put in the shop. We are looking at the possibility of adding a Creat Your Own Belt platform. At events by carrying a selection of belt blanks in multiple colors/lengths, fittings such as buckles, strap ends, and decorative rivets in varying sizes, styles, and metals. This way our Patrons can select those items they prefer and we can assemble the belt on the spot for them to purchase and wear out. Also, we are looking at making children’s belts as well. So, the question is: What would you like to see at events regarding our belt selection?

02/04/2018

Our family would like to say Thank You to all those who traveled to Clothier’s this weekend and stopped by to say Hi, chat, and check out our table. It was a fun event albeit a bit of a whirlwind of comings and goings, but we enjoyed ourselves immensely seeing old friends, making new, and learning from the many classes offered. Here’s to hoping we see you again at Chieftains!

01/24/2018

Places we will be this year:

5/12/18 Northshield Spring Crown - Marshaltown, MN

5/19/18 Unslung Heroes - Oak Grove, MO

5/25-28/18 Valor - Wichita, KS
https://valor2018.weebly.com/

6/9-17/18 Lilies War ###II - Smithville Lake, MO
LiliesWar.org

6/20-24/18 Northern Realms War - Rapid City, SD
https://www.northernrealmswar2018.com/

7/3-5/18 Battlemoor IX - Buena Vista, CO
www.Battlemoor.org

7/12-15/18 Warlords and Warriors XXV - Osseo, WI

7/27-8/12/18 Pennsic War ###XVII- Slippery Rock, PA
http://www.pennsicwar.org/penn47/

9/8-9 & 15-16/18 Sleepy Hollow Ren Faire - Des Moines, IA
http://www.sleepyhollowrenfaire.com