Viking anvils from the Mastermyr find - part 3 - hardening and tempering

[@bearshield7138]

Very cool and I love your sense of humor…. Viking age grind indeed

Hi John, thanks for your video, I do learn a lot from you. I'm very grateful. I'm archaeologist and I think your interpretation about the drift tools is absolutely correct.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks, that is good to hear from someone with a background in archaeology

[@stevedingman474]

John this has been a fun venture! Took me way way back to watching old Ben Miller that taught me how to black Smith! I started making hardware for old Ben when I was 12 and I started on these style of anvils and I learned quickly if your making delicate and fancy stuff these little anvils are very important! I’ve made many ! Thank you for taking me back to my roots 12 a leather apron I tripped over. the countless little burns on the back of hands and forearms from slag jumping on me ! Sweating it out in a dirt floor hand built building ! I learned much more from old Ben and the old smithys that hung out there who were wwII vets and all were in there prime In the late 30s and early 40s many stories told about the war that a young kid pounding away would listen intently lol! Some I probably should not have lol 😂!

[@iwantcheesypuffs]

I remember somewhere that tools of old had similar drifts, which I agree is what the smaller "anvils" were most likely used for. By using the same drift for adze, hand axe, hammer, and other tools you could switch them out quite easily -- and make for easier storage in traveling with just one handle and several tool heads.

[@johnashcraft2724]

As always: informative, entertaining and enjoyable. Thanks for taking the time and keeping one of my favorite channels going.

[@tinkmarshino]

Geez if I had to sit on the ground to make these I would never be able to get up again!! Real interesting trip back into the past! It is my love of history that brought me here in the first place.. I told my wife that we need to be rich so I can buy a nice chunk of colorado rocky mountain land and set up a blacksmith shop and teach myself... she said she would put it on the list.. I am so excited!!! Although at 67 I am not sure I will get that far down the list before the end.. But we shall see. thanks for the share and carry on..

[@hankatmaggies8819]

Hows life going now sir??

[@tinkmarshino]

@@hankatmaggies8819 Well at 70 it is rather amazing.. if you look at getting old from a purely analytical view it is an incredible. The breaking down of the body, that as a child viewing it from the outside I thought impossible, you find that it is strangely possible and you can trace back every joint and back problem to the excitement of an adventurous and daring youth.. But if you have a positive attitude then it can be rather funny at times.. But still, life is good. thanks for asking.. enjoy every second of life my brother.. don't waste it on anger nor regrets. Keep positive and life will be funny a heck most of the time, and it will be good..

[@hankatmaggies8819]

Cant hear it any better, Glad youre aging like wine sir hehe. I hope you'll still have that sweet chunk of Colorado to retire to, It was the total image of how you described it that caught me on your comment. And would love to hear that someday youll be on the porch chilling if not hitting hot steel.

[@tinkmarshino]

@@hankatmaggies8819 Well Hank.. no matter how it all plays out in the end I can say life has been one crazy adventure for sure.. As we said in the 60's life is one strange trip.. Keep positive in your thinking and you will have a gas.. Negativity just hide the humor of life.. Hank my brother.. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have enjoyed mine and say hi to Maggie.. You know in the Marines when we were first at the rifle range if you missed the target they flew a pair of red short across the target. they called it Maggie's drawers.. that means you missed the target.. Just thought that would bring a smile to your face.. Carry on son!

[@hankatmaggies8819]

@@tinkmarshino I'll keep this wisdom that you shared and would like to thank you for it. Thank you for your service as well sir. Take care always!

[@garethbaus5471]

I have been enjoying this series, thanks for producing these videos.

[@garethbaus5471]

Of course you were kidding about it being an authentic viking angle grinder, the red color was more traditional in emperial Rome.

[@garethbaus5471]

It can be strange coming across comments made by myself in the past.

[@michaelhayes1678]

I sure love all your videos! I've watched most twice(and once on your other 2 channels) Thanks for sharing. Thanks for being you!

[@billy19461]

Love your channel! I try to watch every video and always learn and enjoy.

[@douglasfathers4848]

HI JOHN thank you for showing this viking age series my grandson loved it .he wont's to make them to take to school for his teacher; he all ready has a stump picked out to display them.

[@tenpennyguy]

Seeing you hold the small block-shaped anvil made me think it is a clenching iron, used behind a plank to turn and clench nails for boatbuilding or other places where a very tight connection is needed. Clenched nails are also great for doors.

[@BlackBearForge]

I think thats a reasonable guess

[@andrewyork3869]

@@BlackBearForge the more people spit ball there theory's the more sure I am that tool held multiple functions.

[@Pseud0rand0m]

Awesome. Thanks for doing these ❤️ Tiniest anvil ever.

[@farsalor2627]

Fantastic, since I'm on the go a lot I am going to make these myself.

[@andrewperry605]

Those little anvils look like fun project. Interesting video.

[@deanrantz1112]

I'm amazed by the work these Smiths/Craftsmen accomplished (on) with such limited tooling....As far as what has been found

[@marty01957]

Very good series , John! I like your theories on the mastermyr anvils.

[@lukespread]

Thank you, John. Loved the Mastermyr series. I want to make some of my own after watching this.

[@danbreyfogle8486]

I sure am pleased you explained that your grinder wasn't a real viking grinder, saved me running to google to fact check that, grin, great series of videos.

[@stanervin6108]

I have an authentic viking style angle grinder! An acquaintance told me that it was a smooth rock. Looks authentic to me! 🐾🔥⚒😎

[@BlackBearForge]

I think the rock may predate the vikings 🤔

[@williambalint5531]

The angled Bick would work well for making spear head sockets. The anvil with bick on it, if it was made a bit more round, would be used for making sockets on arrow heads.

[@superdave54811]

I love your videos! I now have some coal and want to create a small forge to make a knife and a tool. Thanks for being such a great teacher!

[@BlackBearForge]

Sounds like tome to get started. Just remember to have fun

[@Btines01]

Lots of fun! Thanks for these examples.

[@bushingcraftingjoe4030]

Love all your videos i am in virginia and started blacksmithing about a year ago. I love it making something with your hands is great. I have worked in the steel industry for years . God Bless and thanks for sharing all your knowledge and skill

[@steelpennyforge5152]

I love the series and trying to unravel the mystery of how all this was used. Very cool series

[@tacticalrabbit308]

Those first ones you made reminded me of bucking bars for riveting metal together

[@cholulahotsauce6166]

Or maybe for riveting ships planking?

[@tacticalrabbit308]

@@cholulahotsauce6166 that could be it too

[@vincentrosa9631]

Your videos are very educational 👍👍

[@bentoombs]

Very cool portable anvil to keep in your truck. Great info. Thanks John ⚒on!!

[@mtyson9004]

Very cool John! Thanks!

[@johndilsaver8409]

Excellent. I'd sure like to see more about how you made the 6 pounder

[@BlackBearForge]

I plan on doing a second one from wrought iron with a welded on face

[@johndilsaver8409]

@@BlackBearForge that sounds great, really looking forward to it, and enjoying all the work based on the Mastermyr find!

[@jacobrawles8687]

You are full of wisdom and a very inspiring person. Thankyou.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Very nice video and talk about other possibilities of the use of these small pieces.

[@Smallathe]

Wonderful project. VERY nice work. Thanks for sharing

[@luketownsend4527]

This inspires me to make my own.... thank you for the inspiration!

[@HydroMaester]

Awesome project!

[@wyoblacksmithtools3097]

Nice informative series John. The tiny one is a Viking anvil salesman's sample piece. Thanks, Jerry

[@dge4560]

Great video and very interesting project. I reckon you are right, that the small anvils is actually drifts. I think we must remember that, back then metal was a very limited resource, and a 50cm drift would be a waste og materials.

[@larryking606]

Good Afternoon , John Wonderful Demonstrating of the different Anvils ! Great narration of each and every one of them ! There might be some speculation of there use , But I do believe that you are on Course with your explanation of them ! Take Care and Be Safe ! KEEP HAMMERING !

[@steveRBForge]

Thanks John, I just wanted to let people know that I found several sources for the book. I ordered a copy from Amazon should be here soon. It is June 2023 so people reading this have a reference.

[@johnjude2685]

Yes, Next we build their war ships. Thanks it was interesting to stop and think about how did we get to this art of Blacksmith.

[@louislarose4023]

Very Cool Reproductions !

[@codybourdeau2288]

Thanks for the videos and inspiration

[@techronmattic5876]

nice demo john, this is my favourite type of content ive seen on your channel, realy enjoying this series

[@andycamm6317]

Great video thanks I think the small round Anvil may have been used to sharpen a blade such as a syth or sycle

[@mikechapple2363]

So, the angle grinder is a " Mill-Vaulk-ee?

[@BlackBearForge]

I wish I had thought of that

[@opwards]

for what its worth my theory is that these were used for tin smith work. Lighter sheet metal and smaller stuff given the size of the anvils. The tapers and radiused edges would be quite usefull for such things.

[@thestonefairy]

So fun, thanks John!

[@jimhumphrey]

Interesting discussion for sure.

[@ffcrick9144]

Thank you and God bless you for your time and hard work you put into the great videos you bring us. 📖⛪⚒

[@longjohn439]

Great series,,, I ordered the book.

[@BlackBearForge]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@2501michael1]

thanks for the lesson teacher of smithing

[@danielcrawford7315]

Very neat project. Interesting and inspiring. O didnt kmow 4140 and 5160 hardened and tempered realitovly the same. Good to know. 🙏blessings your way Crawford out 🧙‍♂️

[@turretlizardinthesun957]

Great example of experimental archaeology.

[@jeffreydustin5303]

Very good video!

[@OuroborosArmory]

I like this series.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks

[@fieroboom]

You should do a nice long series: "Tongs without tongs from Iron ore."

[@johnnyandersson5622]

I have a some different drifts (12:37) from an old blacksmith shop, probably way over 100years old, and they have all been hammered on so I know that they are drifts. Some of them is 4-5 times the size you have there. I have no idea what they produced but they were used for drifting due to crowning and scrape marks on the sides. One of them is probably around 5kg. If you want I can send you pictures of them.

[@BlackBearForge]

Those would be interesting to see. You can email the pictures to [e-mail]

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

I suspect many of the common jobs for the Vikings were of relatively small objects, taking dents out of weapon edges, making fish hooks, nails, pot hooks and the many small objects used in daily life. Due to the difficulty of smelting large amounts of Iron (no auto scrap yards available LOL), large smithing projects were probably pretty rare, and done in an established forge. Today, cane cutters still use small stump anvils to sharpen their machetes. I made one out of a big truck valve, sharpened to drive into the stump, and with a stop welded on the stem to limit penetration and take the force of the blow. It works great for dressing small dents in blades. Small stump anvils and stump vises are sold on Ebay.

[@stationaryenginesworldwide]

Awesome videos all 3 you have provided us ...I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge to us Do you have a video that you talk about the process of hardening,tempering etc etc?..thank you again Brother for your time

[@BlackBearForge]

I have done quite a few discussing hardening and tempering in more detail.

[@Tome4kkkk]

11:40 Speaking of that piece. Let's say I go for an anvil like this but scaled times 2, hardened top, mild steel bottom, 2-piece weld. What would be the thickness of the top part to achieve good performance?

[@BlackBearForge]

For an anvil I would go 1/2" or a bit thicker

[@gasparlesznik5488]

Great video. Can you please elaborate on why it is important to preheat oil for quenching. For oil quench I use used motor oil. Don't know if that's good or bad. Appreciate you opinion. Thanks.

[@BlackBearForge]

It thins the oil out for a more even quench

[@ronaldkirby9299]

Oh you got me I truly thought it was authentic Viking grinder.lol

[@trollforge]

Of course, Vikings only ever used cordless tools!

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

It couldn't have been authentic Viking. Europeans use cords with those weird 2 prong plugs.

[@Zogg1281]

Well, my time machine officially works...... I think 🤔 My neighbours cat got in there before my first test......... anyway, I hope it went forward in time and not to far because I noticed a missing cat poster and I really don't want to explain to him what happened as he's a really big guy!! LOL Those anvils look really cool and it will be interesting to see what else you come up with 🙂👍👍👍👍

[@graemescott8670]

love your videos! so interesting! keep them coming plz!

[@leemday5731]

Don't worried about the angle grinder ulfbart swords were probably ground and polished using water power grinding wheel s ! Times change but the principal remains the same!

[@aceystar1478]

The round puck reminds me if a bucking bar for setting rivets in planes. (My dad was a small plane pilot and mechanic)

[@BlackBearForge]

That would be a likely use for that piece. There were various pot riveted together in the find, so the smith may have been doing that type of work.

[@paulshuppert4975]

Wonder if the tools are more for silver, copper, or gold smithing

[@censusgary]

If these were stump anvils, the Vikings probably drove them into stumps that were still rooted in the ground. Their forges were presumably outdoors, too, since old Viking buildings didn’t have chimneys as we know them.

[@markspc1]

Good work. John now that you have a beaker beak type anvil maybe you could forge an Iron Age Socket Axe. Thks.

[@TomTasker]

my personal belief is that the chest belonged to a shipwright, because of the mix of wood working and metal working tools. the one little "anvil" with the depression or dished face imo was a hand held riveting tool and viking Longships had tons of rivets, while viking buildings didn't have tons of nails.

[@josephmaschari1073]

Great video on Viking anvil. Have you thought of showing what the blacksmiths took on the The Lewis and Clark ask a Bashan

[@trollforge]

I think #72, 73, 74 were probably used the way an automotive guy would use "body dollies" for riveting the various buckets, cauldrons and bells that were in the kit. #104 is probably the tool eye drift.

[@ga5743]

Me thinks you are having way too much fun John.......😉 What happens if you quench 4140 in water? Will it still work? Looking forward to Sunday's hook of the week. Be well.

[@BlackBearForge]

4140 is listed as an oil hardening steel, so it might crack if quenched in water. I have heard of people doing it, but I don't know if they get away with it or not.

[@stanervin6108]

@@BlackBearForge Antifreeze (propylene glycol) with sea salt. Use a fume hood or ventilation, as the steam is not healthy! Faster than oil, yet a tad slower than plain water. Warm it to about 190°f or so. Try it and maybe do a test for the viewers. Waiting with white knuckles! If I remember correctly from the '80's, a lb of salt to a gallon of antifreeze. Don't quote me, as it's been awhile.

[@TheCyberd1]

He was just a Viking age Tinker from pots to chainmail. Jack of all trades master of none. Someone indispensable to villages without a permanent blacksmith, more than likely he had several villages that he visited during the year.

[@leighchristopherson2455]

I think that you are onto something with the idea that some of the "anvils" are actually punches, and mandrels. I had the same idea as I was watching the presentation.

[@jamesmorris3175]

Love that ToT style “subscribe “ button!

[@robsonsantosOSO]

5:54 It is necessary to maintain the historical context with the appropriate tools from the same era.. 🤔👍

[@Stillpoint23]

Is the James Austin you mentioned from Oakland, Ca?

[@firesafe8417]

Any possibility of making one of the hammers from the book?

[@BlackBearForge]

Yes. Hopefully in the next few weeks

[@jordanmahara7513]

I think the small pointed "anvil" is actually a treadle lathe center. The mastermyr find wasnt a specifically blacksmiths toolbox, many woodworking tools as well.

[@jordanmahara7513]

To add to my point, some of the hammers found with the tools are larger than the supposed anvils.

[@achimkohlhage1328]

Am alw asking myself, how did those Vikings forge their large swords of 1m length etc? Maybe y know more. Anyhow, great videos, information. I flw most of em. Cheers fm Singapore, Achim+

[@Zogg1281]

I think John said these would be for a traveling blacksmith. I think they had bigger anvils for working on swords and other large objects...... just not as big or in the same shape as todays anvils

[@BlackBearForge]

I don't know for certain, but I do suspect larger anvils were common. Just not the size and shape we see today

[@fallenhunter7384]

my first thought on the smaller ones, is jewlery.... we will never know as you said.

[@jimdunkle4823]

I think they plug the grinder into Thor's hammer!!! great video

[@BlackBearForge]

That could be, I hadn't thought about it as an unlimited power source

[@matthewwise5317]

After heat treat in oil what do you quench it in? Oil again?

[@BlackBearForge]

Generally the same thing. But some steels do have different recommendations.

[@bobbofly]

I've determined that your your channel requires a "superlike" button - for when a regular like simply isn't beefy enough. It should be sufficiently hardened to take a maximum of percussive abuse. ;)

[@steveking4966]

Very good, personally as a timberframer (trad) and mech engineer i would think that it shouts boat/house building, it is very likely they were not so into limiting craftsmen by definition as we do; ie "carpenter, blacksmith, boatbuilder" . He as a skilled artisan which with very low populations , would have been in great demand. Maybe he was scouting a job for a settlement and wanted to know what the people he was working for were like to a stranger before he commited himself. Just a thought from a Treewright! ;0)

[@allangibson8494]

Given the tools were found in a swamp, I am not sure he liked the answer....

[@glenwaldenhomestead8]

Some of them look like axe eye and hammer eye drifts. (Squareish tapered ones)

[@weshowe51]

Mr. John: I have been watching your interpretation of item #76 from the catalog. I can't help but wonder if the "heel" of the right angle was a deliberate feature, as opposed to rusty old sample with metal missing. Plate #21 shows it as if it was deliberately created as a concave inset for purposes unknown. Maybe there is room for exploration here.

[@BlackBearForge]

That dip is actually a natural result of forging a sharp bend by offsetting. I worked harder to remove it than the original smith did. But that doesn't meant that it wasn't left that way or used for a specific purpose. Like todays anvils, every surface is fair game if it has the shape you need.

[@janpielesiak2312]

when you want to give a like at the end, but it turns out you already did

[@garethbaus5471]

Lol, this is at least the 3rd time I have watched this video so that has probably happened to me more than once.

[@Pygar2]

Can anything much be done on a Townsend's stump anvil?

[@BlackBearForge]

I haven’t seen one. But I’m sure they have so e usefulness.

[@TardyTardigrade]

What kind of oil do you use for quenching?

[@BlackBearForge]

I buy a commercial oil made for quenching. There are lots of brands out there that all preform about the same.

[@TardyTardigrade]

Ok. I haven't done any work yet that requires a quench, but I have heard people talk about a lot of different oils, Canola, motor, and commercial. I am just curious which is a better choice. Or if there is much of a difference between them. Thank you for your replies, I really appreciate it. As always a great video 👍

[@BlackBearForge]

motor oil can impart impurities into the steel from impurities or additives in the oil and should never be used. Commercial quenching oil is the best, but olive oil or canola oil seem to work nearly as well and smell better in use.

[@Scottmiller1974ohio]

Great viedo ver interested in the mastermyr tool do make copies of the anvils for sale ?

[@johnjude2685]

History is a challenge for what we don't get always a possibility answers but many questions growing more. Did you check ping and rebound of say a 2.5 lb.hammer....interest but need better mount

[@rickstohler2159]

Thank you

[@Tome4kkkk]

Your "drift theory". I didn't think of that! I wonder whether the authors of the book actually did.

[@BlackBearForge]

They may have, but still thought of it as an anvil type tool since you hammer the material between hammer and drift/anvil

[@rayhale5899]

After seeing the way those two rectangular block anvils taper, I’m inclined to believe that they were the ends of bar iron left over after drawing out

[@YufengWang]

can you try the nomal hammer on the small anvil，i think do not need small hammer

[@BlackBearForge]

An anvil face should be larger than the hammer face or at least no smaller. Otherwise you are creating steps in the work with each blow. This is one of the reasons I doubt these were used in the same manner we use an anvil today.

[@EldarKinSlayer]

We strongly suspect that the very best Viking Swords were made from imported steel. Vikings made Iron and some steel. Only the wealthiest wore Chain Mail, due to how much iron was used and the time needed to rivet those thousands of links, Vikings did make mail but it was rare.

[@BlackBearForge]

That Makes a great deal of sense. My thoughts on blacksmithing rarely start with the idea that armor or weapons are the main product being created. Instead I tend to think in terms of tools, hardware and other household implements as being the more common items.

[@EldarKinSlayer]

@@BlackBearForge Arms and Armor are tools, Tools of Destruction even when used in defense.

[@GolanvIgvyi]

I enjoyed this video a lot. I will watch the others eventually. I have read some comments that you do the hook of the week after you get home from church. I guess that means you will go to heaven. Since I am of Viking ancestry I will try to sneak from Valhalla and come to the gates and let you know what my ancestors tell me about how they used those anvils. I am just kidding, but hey maybe not.

[@ianturpin9180]

A non contact thermometer would help guage the heat for tempering.

[@BlackBearForge]

For tempering they may work OK. For judging hardening temperatures you have to hold them to far away to avoid damage and that spreads the area it reads out so that the background is also effecting the reading

[@cholulahotsauce6166]

Definitely need deeper holes. If they weren’t heat treated anvils I wouldn’t be surprised if the owners just heated them and burned them into the stump, then hammered in wooded wedges to secure them.