Viking sword program on NOVA

Rick · 12th October 2012, 06:57 PM

It sure looked like Ric was following your basic wootz recipe there .

Richard Furrer · 12th October 2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

It sure looked like Ric was following your basic wootz recipe there .

Yes and no.
The carbon level on my blades was a tad bit higher than the 1-1.1 of the swords studied, but that was entirely my fault. The ULF blades do not show much if any surface patterns.

Ric

Rick · 13th October 2012, 01:44 AM

Any idea why ?
Only because of less carbon ?
Did anyone ever ascertain if the secret of Crucible Steel was copied in the West from trade examples and knowlege brought from N. India ?

laEspadaAncha · 13th October 2012, 02:05 AM

So I watched this, and I was very pleased...

Great showing, Ric - your demonstration of the process was impressive to say the least, and I have an appreciation I never before had for the effort that went into the inlay process. Wow.

And your sword was stunning. Considering it is one of a kind, I would have to think it is priceless in its own right. Again... wow. How many man hours would you estimate - from the time you first built the oven to the last minute of polishing - went into this sword's creation?

Every forumite here would enjoy this documentary, which focuses on the small group of Ulfberht swords, of which only a relative small minority are thought to be genuine (the others being contemporary copies). It mentions not only the likely origin of the steel, but the (Volga) trade routes that brought the Vikings to the south shore of the Caspian Sea, where they posit the Vikings likely traded for crucible ingots.

So much of the documentary had me thinking of various threads I have read and digested here over the years...

Spunjer · 13th October 2012, 02:23 AM

ric, just wanna say, heck of a show! i have so much more (if that's even possible) respect with my collection. didn't really think what goes through when a particular sword is made. all i can say is wow!!!

Lew · 13th October 2012, 03:10 AM

I to enjoyed the show. Interesting that the Vikings had a route to Persia? I guess that crucible steel is really wootz? Must have been difficult to forge for for the Viking smiths or were these blades forged by some other people maybe someone who was trained by the Asian sword smiths?

Battara · 18th October 2012, 12:30 AM

Great work and show Richard!

Another note of Medieval work is the Sutton Hoo Saxon sword in England.

12th October 2012, 06:57 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	It sure looked like Ric was following your basic wootz recipe there .

13th October 2012, 01:44 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Any idea why ? Only because of less carbon ? Did anyone ever ascertain if the secret of Crucible Steel was copied in the West from trade examples and knowlege brought from N. India ?

13th October 2012, 02:05 AM	#4
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	So I watched this, and I was very pleased... Great showing, Ric - your demonstration of the process was impressive to say the least, and I have an appreciation I never before had for the effort that went into the inlay process. Wow. And your sword was stunning. Considering it is one of a kind, I would have to think it is priceless in its own right. Again... wow. How many man hours would you estimate - from the time you first built the oven to the last minute of polishing - went into this sword's creation? Every forumite here would enjoy this documentary, which focuses on the small group of Ulfberht swords, of which only a relative small minority are thought to be genuine (the others being contemporary copies). It mentions not only the likely origin of the steel, but the (Volga) trade routes that brought the Vikings to the south shore of the Caspian Sea, where they posit the Vikings likely traded for crucible ingots. So much of the documentary had me thinking of various threads I have read and digested here over the years...

13th October 2012, 02:23 AM	#5
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	ric, just wanna say, heck of a show! i have so much more (if that's even possible) respect with my collection. didn't really think what goes through when a particular sword is made. all i can say is wow!!!

13th October 2012, 03:10 AM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	I to enjoyed the show. Interesting that the Vikings had a route to Persia? I guess that crucible steel is really wootz? Must have been difficult to forge for for the Viking smiths or were these blades forged by some other people maybe someone who was trained by the Asian sword smiths?

18th October 2012, 12:30 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Great work and show Richard! Another note of Medieval work is the Sutton Hoo Saxon sword in England.