After forever the forge is back in action. Trying to find a trip to Denmark/Germany. no customs just what is on here is available for now. Not back to knives yet. Hammer arm is a bit rusty yet.
Hilda Roderick Ellis Davidson is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. Great detail and everything kept in context. I do love comparatives though I am biased.
Katala spelled in Elder Futhark. Chiseled pre hardening.
Typically a Runic engraving on a blade served as a name tag and name of the blade itself . The blade above is named “Katala” it is an Athame or Witches Dagger. If I had the blade for myself I would have written “Katala” Hröð owns me” naming the blade and owner. So if your setting out to cut Runes this is a good start for having something in mind when you begin.
Athame: A tool used by a Witch, Sorcerer or Shaman for various energy practices and rituals. Done in Nordic style with chiseled Runic marks.
Recycled Wrought Iron with Visigothic influence. ATHAME.
Wrought Iron Athame with Chiseled Runes.
Wrought Iron Athame with Antler handle.
Recycled Steel: Wroughr iron Athame with brushed finish.Cold chiseled Runes. Heat Steel to orange and allow to cool fully for best result.
Hand stamped Runic engraving. (Cold chiseled in to steel while still soft)
The most important trick to cutting Runes is being very relaxed and realizing that most Runic engraving are very freehand. This is not latin script so please by all means be creative with your engraving and try a nice organic format. It will end up looking truly authentic. Any High carbon steel tool that makes a perfect vertical line will do nicely for chiseling and remember to soften your steel before attempting. Runes are combinations of straight lines for this exact purpose of cutting them into metal, wood and bone.
This gallery features Viking jewelry pieces forged from iron. Iron was a very valuable metal in the Viking age and is still to this day believed to be a holy metal for warding off evil spirits. This makes it the ideal material for jewelry and charms related to repelling evil or negative energy.
Traditional Mjollnir recycled from a steel band.
Small Iron Mjollnir with ring
Traditional iron work Mjollnir
Viking Ormr
Thor's Axe/Hammer inspired by stone age and bronze age concepts of Mjollnir
The Athame is a ritual dagger used in various forms of Witchcraft to cast circles and transfer energy similar to a wand. Like any tool for any job I design my Athame or Witch Daggers for the purpose of energy work and symbolism. Modern wrought iron or 1018 is my prefered material. The more iron content the better for this use as I am a believer in metaphysics and energy utilization. Pure wrought iron if available is the finest for this type of item because there is no edge on an Athame. The blade shape is symbolic. In ancient Norse culture iron is a holy material of great importance. A Norse custom of hammering iron nails above the door is believed to guard your home from unwanted spirits or Trolls because they dislike iron.
This gallery contains some of my favorite creative pieces for this purpose.
Hardened iron blade with Runes hand chiseled. handle is mule deer antler. Design on Antler is inspired by bronze age Slavic pottery.
Rams Head With Custom Sawback.
Dragon Spear Athame with Leather vand hemp handle wrap.
Nordic Bronze Age Inspired Athame
Dragon blade, Norse handle and Labradorite accents.
The Call Of Steel 