How to Make a Viking Age Wallet from Birka Sweden

Today I've decided to make my version of a historical Viking Age wallet, bag, pouch, whatever you want to call it from the Birka dig sites in Sweden. This is a clever little pouch for carrying coins, small trinkets, or other valuables and is from the 9th to 10th century. Birka was a trading post during the Viking Age and a lot of great artifacts have been dug up there. Check out the link bellow for more information on the site, or images of some of the finds from it.
General Information - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birka
Warrior Woman - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birka_f...
Birka Dig Images - www.pinterest.ca/clchristinel...
🔶 JOIN THIS CHANNEL
● kzbin.info...
// Your support helps me do what I do //
🔶 FOLLOW ME
🌐 / darkhorseworkshop.com
/ darkhorseworkshop
/ discord
/ darkhorseworkshop
/ darkhorseworkshop
/ darkhorseworkshop
/ darkhorseworkshop
⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪⥪
🔶 TOOLS & SUPPLIES
● Ultra Deluxe Tool Kit - amzn.to/3qgFzFb
➥ AMAZON STOREFRONT
amazon.com/shop/darkhorsework...
// As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from Qualifying Purchases //
➥ LONSDALE LEATHER
lonsdaleleather.com/darkhorse...
DISCOUNT - DARKHORSE10
FREE Shipping on Orders Over $150 USA/CANADA
● Ultra Deluxe Tool Kit - bit.ly/43quQFI
⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫
🔶 RECOMMENDED VIDEOS
• Leather Tutorial Video...
• An AMAZING Tip to help...
• The ULTIMATE Edge Beve...
• Hand Stitching Made Ea...

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Many of you guys have an interest in more actual historical type stuff? This was a fun build to do, and Birka certainly has a lot of things to pilfer ideas from.

[@AmbientDIY]

Could you do a Scottish highland front pouch? Thank you!

[@dianesawyerdooley4424]

@@AmbientDIY (they're called sporrans.)

[@edwardgurney1694]

More medieval belt pouches/coin purses? Useful as dice bags, change purses etc too.

[@dannyp1679]

May be vikings gloves for bikers

[@tyarnold5793]

I love the historical stuff man, keep em coming!

[@elizabethculpepper4050]

For a more historically accurate adhesive you could try a glue made from rabbits. I’ve seen a historical costumer who has used rabbit glue to finish off some finger loop braids in a medieval project. She makes all her costumes as historically accurate as possible and talked about that being an adhesive that they had in the Middle Ages. They’d probably have glue in the north as well. I haven’t looked into medieval adhesives very much but that might be an interesting topic to look into.

[@edwardgurney1694]

Rotary cutter is another good option for thin stretchy leathers.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

I've never really liked them but I know a ton of people who swear by them. Good call.

[@flexkuntsmash3053]

can confirm rotary cutters are great for "slippery" & stretchy materials

[@silver-scales]

I have a ton of leather 10" samples from an old furniture store, now I have the perfect pattern for them . Thanks as always.

[@grettapitts3068]

Can’t wait to see more! You should read out more of the folklore and myths for the background of carvings and stuff, I really enjoyed those videos.

[@seansmith8186]

Cant wait to give this one a try. Thanks for the great content!

[@Mommamacnz]

This is a really lovely pouch.

[@piperbof]

Yeah. Looks great and historical stuff is usually a good time

[@albitzms]

So many good ideas here, Love your work and thanks for sharing!

[@nathangedamke2041]

Good tip on the hand stitching, I hadn't considered that before!

[@thomasbeckett1245]

I love ❤️ this idea 💡! Have visited historic Mora Sweden, the craft of wood, knives, leather are all so much a fabric of that place.

[@jennhill8708]

Lucky you! There's so much to learn. If I'm feeling stronger, next Summer, I want to try turning bowls w a foot powered pole lathe. I haven't a clue, but... there's KZbin!

[@malcolmolding2804]

Nice project Magnus. Your work is inspiring. Especially to us likeminded fans of all things Viking! Thanks for sharing. Regards, Big Mal, UK.

[@BarbarianGod]

Barge cement would be a good option for gluing the ends, I think, it's pretty flexible in my experience. Or maybe rawhide if you're going for that all natural material aspect.

[@whazee]

Really handy tips in this one, thanks man! 🙂👍

[@ryanmcewen415]

Nice. looks fantastic

[@lorib1696]

Awesome little bag and an informative video. Subscribed.

[@ironforgeleather4250]

Another excellent video mate!

[@tsgtduck4016]

I've got a bunch of supple and thin scrap pieces that would work great for this. I have a hard time finding projects for those pieces. Thanks!

[@robertsherman9975]

As always another great video. It’s a definite plus, that you openly discuss issues you encounter. With regards to leather that has stretch and give. Just prior to tracking template, give the hide a good tug all around, leave it be for 20 mins or so. Estimate the amount need and back the hide with painters masking tape. This works great for small and intricate cuts. Take care when removing, as too not stretch out your perfect cutting edge. Give it a try, you’ll be amazed with the results. Thank you for the great videos. Best regards, R

[@natericketson5096]

Another excellent build and video! I do love the historical stuff. There are loads of thinks from Birka and digs surrounding it that might be interesting. Also interested in modern takes on historic designs too. Been working on some of those myself.

[@brooklyng9063]

Amazing 👍

[@therealjaycee]

Really nice!

[@digitaIgorilla]

I may have to consider other hides in future projects. It's not all 3mm Spanish shoulder in black satin finish round here!!

[@ianblackman2144]

Very nice work

[@richardwallace6026]

your best work

[@henryvideos49]

A project isn't supposed to be perfect it's the thought and workmanship that counts

[@markf4517]

New subscriber here, fellow leather worker. Fantastic work!

[@DejvovaVidea]

Great 🙂, so at least I have something to learn and then I can show my friends 🙂I mean with what I've learned.

[@trajanleatherworks1816]

Nice! 👍👍👍

[@luckyswordsmen991]

Awesome

[@homemadehistory7537]

You realy need some silver to fill it with life 😆 A very nice project with perfect discription. Two day ago I finished my viking knife project, maybe you like it. That was a helpful video, thanks a lot and more of that please.

[@kobaltocr6927]

Magnifico😘

[@williamfawkes8379]

Buffalo would work really well for this, its stretchy and flexible, yet thick and more substantial. But I am biased due to the fact that when I began working leather, its all I had access to locally.

[@johnbesthandmadeknives6148]

Would love to see you make a sheath for a seax.

[@RobertPatrician]

I suggest getting a lazy susan and for the final shot doing a nice slow spin of the item.

[@Annalorraine67]

That is beautiful i am going to try but in bigger Version

[@tylersmith4232]

I made this. It's a good pattern. I would use a thinner leather if I did it again, and maybe a couple less tabs on the sides. And definitely use a machine to sew it. Hand stitching it was a pain on some sections with so many layers.

[@jimpanse6254]

I would like to see you making a baldric or bandolier.

[@DejvovaVidea]

By the way, great Tutorial

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Thanks.

[@vromel4331]

Me love U Bruh Thank U so much !

[@heikom.4392]

Hallo magnus, schöne grüße aus deutschland. Bau weiter so schöne sachen im wikinger stil....mit deinen ledersachen vervollständigt ich meine gewandung. Dank mach weiter so.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Danke, ich werde mein Bestes geben.

[@mikecalhoun8497]

I noticed that you used a chisel made for cutting steel when making the slots. If you would have used a chisel made for wood it probably would have been a lot easier, plus they come in many different widths. Nice project.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Just grabbed what I had on a whim. Will check out some wood chisels

[@cmdraftbrn]

well that was interesting. a tad loop overkill. but still interesting.

[@JoeChadburn702]

Insanely COOL.. i need 1 in my life! Mine keep bustin up. Even my £45 JEEP Wallet decided to blow up after 3 month. Quite surprised seen as theres no Loot in there lol.

[@roxyshow123]

Next on Dark Horse Workshop: Viking age credit cards. How to chisel one out of stone!

[@kristyjohnston1421]

Tablets were usually made with thin wood or bone.

[@roxyshow123]

@@kristyjohnston1421 Yeah, and the card numbers and expiration date were in roman numerals.

[@jackylargest7831]

Any chance I could buy one from you? My eyes wont let me do too much when it comes to fine work like this and I would really like to have one of this.

[@GibClark]

👍👍

[@gayle525]

Maybe the glue they use on the soles of shoes might hold it and be flexible enough.

[@safaa-salim-]

جميله

[@robertsharpe2603]

Very cool. Need a mask or fan working with bone tho. Keep it up

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

There's a vent near it not in the shot sucking finer stuff out.

[@martinj.3475]

Great vid! I built it and had a lot of fun! But...the corners with the two little pockts: it is not easy to pull it inside out to get flat round edges. Have you an idea? There the leather is thick...

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

I certainly wrestled with it and used the loops to pull it around. But my leather wasn't too thick.

[@zacharylindahl]

Great video as always! Do you make any cups or other feast gear out of leather?

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Hey that's not a bad idea, haven't yet though, no.

[@jennhill8708]

What would yr persona have used as a canteen? A leather jack? Or?

[@dianesawyerdooley4424]

Because I like to look at documentation, where did you find this pouch? I love it, and I have some elk that might work nicely.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

A friend of mine mentioned I should try making one. Look up Birka Sweden Wallet 750 and you should get some hits. There's links in the description as well.

[@silver-scales]

mis.historiska.se/mis/sok/bild.asp?uid=354545

[@danielmarko4612]

Atta boy Trog! Pretty cool. Also reinstall.

[@jennhill8708]

How would you wear yr wallet? It's very nice looking, BTW. What time frame do you reenact & with whom? I do Anglo-Saxon &/or 14th C. Am beginning to look farther afield; there are no groups anywhere within 4.5 hrs of me, in any direction. Our "micro-city" doesn't have enough people to keep an SCA Shire alive, even with the local college. Anyway, I love to research what I can & make clothing. I haven't done much in the way of actual accessories, except shoes. Leather is expensive & Hubster isn't into tanning it, at home. (He's also NOT on board for the Middle Ages. Oh, well! He's stellar in all other areas! 43 years & counting.)

[@janjoska2549]

Maybe I did not see well but it seemed to me that while hand stitching you didnt do the knot on each stitch. You know ensure that the needle goes through the loop the thread forms.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Na, I didn't do a proper knotted saddle stitch. Really not necessary for the parts I was stitching, just extra work. But good eye.

[@janjoska2549]

@@DarkHorseWorkshop Thank you for your reply.

[@stevezytveld6585]

Great project, thanks as always. _Quick Question_ - what kind of needle are you using for the lacing? If this were sewing I belive it would be called a 'bodkin. Thanks. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

A leather flat lace lacing needle

[@TheAdhitya37]

Are u use genuine leather from bovine animal? How bout synthetic leather?

[@craftingoutofscratch2980]

Can i use a much thinner leather string? It's just that I don't think I'm going to have access to a stronger string in the city.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

For the weave? Narrower or thinner?the one I was using was really thin.

[@craftingoutofscratch2980]

@@DarkHorseWorkshop Sorry, bad translation, I meant a thin string. approximately 1-1.5 mm thick

[@Kv-pk2st]

Nice piece, LOL maybe warn people about how bad antler can stink when drilling or cutting. My first experience was a bit nauseating.

[@dvncanwilliams4986]

Name of your mahchine?

[@donnabeem3036]

I use leather glue and then what I do is I take a really thin piece of scrap leather and I glue that right over the top and my little stitches stay down and I don't have that scratch and scrape of that crazy glue business and it doesn't make the leather dark looking and that leather glue is like well once it's hard she's like steel he ain't pulling that baby apart

[@iamjimgroth]

The original was somehow gilded. Any idea how/what part?

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

I think it was the woven lace, in some recreations I see there's a lot that have some serious gold lace action.

[@iamjimgroth]

@@DarkHorseWorkshop Cool. I med to look that up. :)

[@carolinethunderskyelittlet4252]

a shoe !!

Awesome! Keep it up! Would you like to be KZbin friends? :]

[@spacedodo6747]

Viking didn't make wallets they plunder their neighbors wallets .

[@Willow_and_Sage]

Wait... you are in Vancouver too? Wait Viking stuff.. duh.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

I am indeed

[@Willow_and_Sage]

@@DarkHorseWorkshop hope you are enjoying the "Amazing" weather. Perfect crafting day.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

@@Willow_and_Sage So far so good

[@dr.lexwinter8604]

Instructions unclear. I made a 'stitching pony' instead after watching this (or a small parts vice, as it is known to people who don't stitch things and like girls).