Martin Rundkvist's blog. Archaeology, skepticism, Sweden. And books and music and stuff.
Dr Martin Rundkvist is a Swedish archaeologist, journal editor, public speaker, skeptic, atheist, lefty liberal, bookworm, and father of two.
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Category: Archaeology
Posted on: November 9, 2007 8:50 AM, by Martin R
[More blog entries about swords, fencing, replica, weapons, reenactment, medieval; svärd, fäktning, vapen, medeltiden.]
Uppsala-based virtuoso weapon smith Peter Johnsson of Albion Swords Ltd has offered to make a replica of the Djurhamn sword. He also kindly allowed me to put some pix of his work on-line. Eye candy!
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Comments
Shiny!
Though, did he use modern techniques to make it?
Posted by: Anatoly | November 9, 2007 9:30 AM
I don't know really, but it wouldn't surprise me if his methods are 100% period.
Posted by: Martin R | November 9, 2007 9:34 AM
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/johnsson/swords-museum.htm
Looks like they use a computer-guided mill for the start, then complete the rest by hand-grinding.
Still, incredible work. :)
Posted by: Left_Wing_Fox | November 9, 2007 12:15 PM
100% historical techniques are not possible for two reasons.
First, modern steel doesn't have the slag found in period steel. This changes how the metal must be worked.
Second, they didn't write a whole lot down so many of the specifics are simply not known.
Posted by: Jonathan Allen | November 10, 2007 5:58 PM
Yes, it is not really possible to use the 100% correct techniques. We have to good steel, nowadays, as a blacksmith aquaintance put it. But Peter is a master, but a real mess to work together with since he has no sense of order. But then, I also lack a sense of absolute order, as long as I know where my stuff is. Or rather, like Peter, I got my own order.
But then we geniuses mostly have a superior sense of order compared with the rest of you lot! ;)
Hmm... It is a shame that Peters swords cost a fortune...
Posted by: Mattias Niord | November 12, 2007 11:33 AM
Bllunts or sharps? HOw is the weight and balance, close to the originals?
They are very nice though, and cover a good 300 years of swords.
I do historical fencing with the Dawn Duellists in Edinburgh, so naturally am very interested in those swords. One of our founder members has a historical fencing school in Helsinki, but I have no idea what historical fencing is like in Sweden.
Posted by: guthrie | November 16, 2007 6:53 PM
Tjusigt, minst sagt. Jag nöjer mig nog med enklare saker.
Posted by: kontakt | March 27, 2008 8:42 AM