Viking Cross Axe: Forging One Of History's Most Mysterious Axes

The winner is: @byohazrd13 If I don't hear from him/her in 7 days, I will pick another winner. GIVEAWAY INFO! The giveaway will end February 19th and the winner will be announced in THIS comment. If you re the winner and you don't reach out to me in seven days, I will pick another winner. Subscribe to my channel and leave a comment including the word "Cross" to enter the giveaway. Please check back February 19th to see if you are the winner, you have no idea how many people have won before but have not bothered to check. Important! Be wary of scammers, I have caught a few of them impersonating me, trying to trick people inte to contacting them. Always check back to this comment to see if the winner has been announced. Another thing to look carefully at is the name tag of the person writing. mine is "@nilsogren" , they usually have weird tags promting people to reach out via telegram or so. DONT engage with them. Thank you for watching! /Nils

[@superspeederbooster]

Chris cross apple sauce

[@charleshighley3283]

Absolutely wonderful. Your videos are teaching me a lot. I'm starting my first forge as soon as it thaws out around me so my steel shed can be done. 😊

[@BCM1959]

👍

[@BrokenTablesPodcast]

​@@superspeederbooster it'll make you jump, jump.

[@MagiRaz]

If I won and forgot to check I'd be pretty cross about it, not gonna lie.

[@fitzmcfitzy4340]

So nice to watch someone create a piece of art for half an hour with no loud music or jumpcuts every few minutes, that makes me really cross, great content.

[@Scugzerker]

The reason why I don't really like Alec Steele. There's a tv show of him forging, but it's one massive migraine to watch. Basically, they cut his sentence in half in paste the cut off part back so that everything jumps around at least once every 5 seconds. And this goes on for the entire show. Why cut a part in half if you're going to stick it back in place if not to induce headaches in anyone trying to watch?

[@ellomoto231]

If that makes you cross, you should probably go outside for a bit.

[@TheRdamterror]

i always skip to the end and see what it turnt out to be lol

[@PH4RX]

While not traditional jump cuts, there are cuts every few seconds.

[@Gunface08]

0pp​@@ellomoto231

[@garryfabac217]

Cross , beautiful work. It is refreshing to watch a true smith instead of all the grinders on KZbin . Thank you.

[@aaronnielson9687]

I really enjoy how everything in the process of creating this Viking Cross Axe was done by hand. No power hammers or presses just good old fashioned craftsmanship. You created an amazing axe! Well done.

[@georgezama]

A work of art that shouldn't be in the workshop but in the living room!

[@alexrau2857]

i mean except for the power tool grinding, but yeah! :P

[@doodlecaboodle9298]

I guess the grinding was a figment of my imagination, then. The gas forge, too. Coke forges actually get much hotter than gas forges, if you want authenticity and a wide range of temperatures to choose from coke forges are the way to go.

[@keybrdmanu]

i really appreciate doing this the old way. no power tools, no temperature controlled ovens, just pure skill and love for the craft. Awesome Cross axe !

[@danielhoefner5150]

Thanks for taking the time to teach! No doubt it slows you down, but so appreciated by those of us who are trying to learn. The cross axe is a special piece of art!

[@MrNiccholas]

Very, very impressive! This might be the most impressive axe build video I've seen on KZbin! It was amazing seeing someone do traditional blacksmith Forging instead of cutting, milling and grinding! I don't have anything against those types of builds, I actually really enjoyed watching them, but it's a completely different thing watching this masterpiece be truly forged!

[@bhaktapeter3501]

Mark aspery does a cool viking axe too.

[@jeffrepass959]

Nice job, I love watching guys like you making pieces from scratch, molding and shaping a chunk of steel into a work of art. It's a dying art. The "cross" is a cool touch, means something to me as it represents the "ONE" who sacrificed it all to save a wretch like me. Thanks and keep up the content, I loved the bearded ax you made as well.

[@lucascolbers386]

As a viking age re-enactor (living history enthousiast) and blacksmith, this is the best of two worlds for me! I forged some simple carving knifes and seaxes last september on Wilde Furda, an event dedicated to portraying life in the viking age! Given how difficult it was to forge using only a small anvil, charcoal and a pair of bellows as portrayed on the Sigurdstone, I can't imagine how skilled you had to be to make this in the viking age! Expecially when you realize that every single forge weld is a potential weak spot, forging welding the cross into this specific axe must have been a hugely risky way of going about it. In metallurgical research on the tools found in the Mastermyr chest we see they definetly knew how to do this well. I wonder how the vikings themselves viewed those who mastered the art of metalworking...

[@paulbutikofer4284]

The blacksmith wouldn't have been alone at the forge, a student (apprentice) doing the fetching and carrying/ running the bellows, hoping to learn the magic of the blacksmith.

[@mrkiky]

don't forget the iron and steel full of crud that splits if you hammer it the wrong way

[@paulbutikofer4284]

@@mrkiky you hammer the iron to get rid of the crud. What's the wrong way? Iron has too much carbon to be steel.

[@mrkiky]

@@paulbutikofer4284 The crud can't be removed like that, only with modern methods. And it would've increased your work time by a lot. Also Iron has too little carbon to be steel, not too much. The wrong way would be any way that forces its grain to split.

[@Gr3nadgr3gory]

​@@mrkiky hammering out the crud worked for the japaneese and they had notoriously shit ore.

[@oxob3000]

Beautiful axe. This is the first time I see forge welding. And also the first time I see your content! Cross ing my fingers that I can win this work of art 😏

[@keithweeks2076]

Nils, it's so rare to run a "cross" your level of talent, would be an honor to own a piece of your work

[@stevenbrown1749]

You have developed some serious skills…a man who understands the concept of “what you think about you will become” I have a sincere hope that someday our paths will cross…what a beautiful work of art, hopefully it’s endures as long as some of the original Viking cross axes…respect!!!

[@Maximus-Termann]

This is the most beautifull craxt i've ever seen! Thank you so much for sharing this Cross Axt video. I enjoyed your craftmanship over the top! During our times and due to the actual problems, all europeans have to face at the moment, the strong meaning of something beautifull like this, representing the history of europe and its people and more important: of the ancient, the pure and the real europeans, can't be overestimated. Its a masterpeace and for usage, the 12 layers at the blade is what it has to have and they are enough to win....! Regards, by Odin! Jan

[@nathangriswell2534]

Marvelous piece of work Nils! As a lifelong student of Viking era weapons and culture, I've always been fascinated by this cross design, representing such a fascinated moment in history where cultures and beliefs clashed and melded, not unlike with the pierced cross tomahawks traded along the early American frontier. Always excited to see what you explore and produce next!

[@davidwilladssen191]

I was scrolling for a bearded timber axe, but ended up watching you forte this beautiful cross-axe. You put in so much love in all your works! Thanks for sharing with us!

[@fonquernie25]

what a master piece ! well done ! Cross :) Im a beginner, i tried to make my first axe and used your asymetric technic unfortunatly my forge welding didn't stick, i have much to learn. thank you for your truly inspiring work !

[@kencross25]

Nils, it is genuinely nice seeing a craftsman, like yourself, using traditional hand forging techniques when designing and reproducing this "Viking Cross Axe" period piece. Too many Blacksmith forgers rely too heavily on modern hydraulic presses for the quicker finished product. Which to me, doesn't accurately represent a traditional style reproduction of any period items.

[@schmiedemesser_Jasmine]

The Cross in the axe is amazing! You did a really exceptional job at recreating this piece of art! I have always wondered how they might have done this. I've watched most of your other videos as well and follow you along for quite a while! I also forge - just as a hobby of mine - and I just learn so much from you and others who are fine craftsmen and show how you achieve your stunning results! Anyway, I am really happy that you are back and forging away again! It is good to have you back! And the more of 2000 comments show that other people feel the same! All the best and lots of success! Jasmine

[@LvBlackbelt]

What a complex and beautiful piece to be proud of and with a nice cross reference to actual historical documentation.

[@Mischievous_Moth]

The sheer skill you showed in forging the cross blew me away.

[@toddhayes9955]

I just found you today. I enjoyed the use of original tools and techniques to make your cross axe. I learned a lot. Thank you.

[@CoopersVapingView]

What an amazing axe. Loved seeing the process of making the different parts at forging them together to make such a beautiful Viking cross axe. Pretty enough to be a wall hanger, but tough enough to use. Great combination.

[@dillonwillette]

I've always wondered how these types of cross axes were made. It's such a cool design. I would gladly trade my firstborn son for the chance to own an axe like this.

[@RogerS1978]

Have to say I didn't know what they were but they are beautiful items for some reason.

[@LostAfterMe]

I too would trade his first born son for this beautiful cross axe head!! So don’t count me out!

[@spacemanx9595]

😂 your poor firstborn son.

[@andrewtamuleveicius4183]

Cross… you got yourself a new subscriber, I’m currently building a forge and have been working my blacksmithing skills to make axes like the cross axe but with a mjolnir in place of the cross

[@nor0845]

I was going to say “Cross me off the list.” But having seen the beauty of the finished Axe I have changed my mind. Great work. Thank you for posting.

[@bkmesser6211]

I love the cross section of this axe! As always, a very interesting video to watch! I especially appreciate the fact that you were almost only using hand tools and as minimal power tools as possible. This really gives a good insight into how blackmiths would have worked back then.

[@skwashua]

Sometimes I think blacksmithing would be a fun hobby. Then a video like this comes along and I realize it’s an incredible amount of work. Well done. 👌

[@renstewart9725]

Love watching all of your work, and craftsmanship. The historical background of this cross axe is particularly interesting.

[@themountain3230]

You certainly are the master of forge welding. It seems like alot people avoid it for fear of failure. You make it look so easy and unique. It is odd to have a cross on a weapon.

[@lovejcdc]

I've never heard of a cross axe before but I have to say that is the most awesome looking axe I've seen. Just by looking at it I would have never guessed how it was accomplished. But after watching it, it makes sense. Truly an amazing build. God bless

[@robhoule8724]

I like the complexity including the "CROSS" but most of all I thoroughly appreciate you not using any power tools very impressive I am an aspiring blacksmith and to see someone accomplish something beautiful and not use power tools was very inspiring!!! Well done sir!!!

[@doodlecaboodle9298]

He used a gas forge and used power tools to grind it lol Idk about not using any power tools. Absolutely INCREDIBLY impressive to forge it by hand though

[@tobiaslindblom2187]

This cross comment will axe my chances of winning.

[@GarryAndrews_]

And my axe

[@kingbootygaming3508]

I don't like this comment it makes me cross 🤣🤣

[@CEOofgoblins]

This never even crossed my mind to say

[@Nature_Reclaimed]

You may be splitting hairs w/ this one... 😂

[@jhnndrs8832]

✝️

[@flash52958]

Loved watching you make the cross axe especially with the original techniques showing your proper skill instead of letting power hammers do all the forging and grinders doing all the grinding (except the end ofcourse) Cheers from a cross the ocean in Australia!

[@aalinearoverseer7928]

This is a really beautiful "Cross" axe, well done! Cross axes seem to fit a really niche part of history, and I think your work on this cross axe has definitely showed your skill in forging!

[@kei_on_tv8157]

Pillaging for Jesus

[@jonesl.4895]

It's amazing how skilled you are a - cross all those different techniques. And everything was done with hand tools which makes it even better

[@mads-emiljensen9734]

Why did the viking cross the road? he wanted to raid and pillage his neighbour :P

[@Joe___R]

It turned out rather nice. It seems like it would be a fully functional fighting axe. Not strong enough to withstand heavy use on trees but more than good enough to kill your enemies. Since humans have always liked to look good and have the coolest tools, there is no reason to believe that the originals were only for ceremonial use.

[@pauldavis1137]

Beautiful Cross Axe. A very nice copy of an original design. Thank you for showing us the build.

[@daveslater9141]

Watching you with your amazing craft abilities had me glued to the screen from start to end, I actually watched again straight after, you sir are amazing, you have a great ability and are very interesting and watchable, you just gained a fan.

[@Shookspeared]

It was such a joy to watch this Cross axe be made! Amazing craftsmanship

[@jfiz7797]

Beautiful craftsmanship on the cross axe. Truly impressive work

[@bobkeller8383]

That is the best cross axe I've ever seen. Excellent skills my brother. Love it! Nice work sir.

[@jxnxs_nxt]

I Love this piece so much! The history, the kind of forging with the Cross inside,... Insane!

[@toastedpies7827]

I came aCROSS this video by total AXEcident. Absolutely loved the video, great job, the techniques and proficiency at which you utilized them completely captivated me!

[@anargilwest6261]

This is the first time i came a"cross" your channel, always glad to see great talent, you have earned a sub!

[@jordanherwig2408]

I just came a”cross” your channel and am a huge fan! The cinematics were amazing and you are incredibly talented

[@darcybrawataakaontariostac6835]

Glad you expanded your knowledge by making the Viking Cross Axe

[@bigtsperspective5831]

Your videos are new to me . I want to say how much I appreciate you saying pattern welded rather than Damascus 🤓💪❤️

[@mattpel3243]

I love your work and the fact that your not using power tool is also impressive good jobs on this ‘’cross’’ viking axes cant wait to see more of your video !!!

[@jasonesnard4663]

Wow forge welding a cross was cool to see! When i saw it finnished i had to watch and see how he did the "CROSS" inside! craftsmanship is amazing! Such a beautiful peace! And Razor sharp too! Amazing!

[@michaelhorne5403]

Incredible skill is needed to forge a cross shape into an axe like this. Enjoyed watching, Thank You.

[@g49385]

The way he welded the cross was BRILLIANT!!!

[@zoichikanoe6242]

What a precision there with the hammer, also quite the welds with the forge. Beautiful work.

[@CREWSZx]

Me on other smithing channels hating the shape then getting triggered when they leave it until the grind. Here questioning the shape after the forge welds and Nils 30 seconds later perfecting it with his hammer. Especially forge welding the cross! New favorite smith channel!

[@TheDeadJedi]

This CROSS axe is so awesome, I really enjoy watching you make things on this channel.

[@ssatter130]

I love this cross axe, the amount of skill you are showing is astounding. I want to learn to forge more and more each video like this that I see. Keep it up!

[@DavidPankey-i2d]

Wow that cross axe is amazing. Also I’ve never seen forge welding before. That’s so much for all the info and how toos.

[@xenith0351]

The workmanship Here in making this cross axe is so great to watch well done on learning a new process. And the end result shows Ur skill

[@Termini_Man]

That is a pretty cool axe. i thank you for not smoothing down the whole head, it looks really cool without it being smoothed down. The integration of a complex shape, in this case a "cross", is really cool

[@edthebearintheair]

This is the first video KZbin offered me with someone forging anything let alone something with a Cross in it. I have to say the CROSS Axe is an artistic wonder. What are the dimensions of the CROSS Axe? What does the CROSS Axe weigh? I will be watching your other videos. After reviewing your channel I see that the CROSS Axe is just the tip of the iceberg in the amazing work you do. Keep it up.

[@DinoDarinoMischtdentorf]

I just came a-Cross this youtube channel. It's a pity that I haven't heard/seen anything from you yet, but I will definitely follow you for more and of course would love to win this lovely made Cross Axe. Even if you think this could have been done better if you would start over, I definitely think this is an eye catcher on one of my next medieval market visits this year and would get me into many conversations here. 🤩

[@suzabakingbaked7975]

26:50 Damascus had gotten way too out of hand. Love the CROSS axe just the way it is. But, I love the simple Damascus patterns. Now its 2500 layer mosaic pattern flowery dinosaur blade, tripple etched and bleud with sapphire inlays into the meterorite pommel. Yes that went off the rails......

[@Justinbuchanan82]

That "CROSS" axe is awesome! I want to get in to blacksmithing and the stuff you do is my dream. Thank you

[@teojoh95]

Really impressive mate! You have some serious talent. I’m glad I came (a)cross this!

[@grumpswalpole4856]

forging is fascinating to watch. I work in wood, so steel is strange to me, but your creativity is always interesting to watch and marvel over. The cross axe especially.

[@Hraesvelgr44]

Super interesting methods you've used to re-create this Cross-axe. My best mate is Scandinavian, so this would be an awesome gift for him!

[@noaheast6285]

That “cross” axe is absolutely stunning

[@iandouglas4378]

I love the way this cross was made. You have beautiful skill

[@richardswimming9389]

Well done not too shabby for you first attempt you're definitely have weathered the unique process of forging metal thumbs up bro

[@travismurrah4055]

It was very cool to watch all the meticulous forge welding done by hand. Well done and I’m excited to see more cool projects like this!Cross, hope I’m lucky enough to win it!

[@MrZatorak]

after this video, the only thought that CROSSED my mind was that I had found my new favorite channel. amazing work very detailed video❤‍🔥

[@christopherhuber7428]

Cross! That is so amazing how you can turn just some regular steel into something so awesome. Actually my 1st time watching and I quite enjoyed watching you work. Kind of ASMR like. I will continue to watch and watch some of your previous work.

[@ripcurlreadiness8777]

CROSS WHAT AWSOME WORK. THANKS FOR SHARING. I TRULY LOVE HAND CRAFTED TOOLS LIKE THIS !! 👍🏽👍🏽

[@understorey_life]

A real cross -merizing peace of art! Started learning forge welding, but the beginning is not too easy. Deffo giving it another crack, this cross axe sparked so many possibilities! Cheers 🤠

[@logansenn5487]

Extremely beautiful piece of art! If i am lucky enough to be chosen it will "Cross" my mind constantly🙃

[@aarondyson7286]

Amazing work. Love the Cross axe. I will be researching more about the history of it for sure.

[@christianmonkelbaan3537]

Wonderfully made, very interesting application of forge welding! Haven't tried forge welding yet, but you got me motivated to start experimwnting with some cool coal fire pokers! This video was played automatically by KZbin, so when you said you were going to split the rectangular part of the axe head blank in half, I was really puzzled, until you shored the picture. I guess it didn't... cross ...my mind to check the thumbnail on my phone ;)

[@michaelgroh4654]

I absolutely love how this cross axe came out, I'm still a newbie to forging and this is nothing short of inspiring to see come to life. I hope to be able to do something like this one day

[@Kzds4909]

That's the first cross axe I've seen made. Looks beautiful 👏🏻

[@wheelersecuritygroup]

I love all the method used to make the Cross Axe. Nothing but hammer and anvil, purely by hand cheers sir

[@kaveirinhaz]

Beautiful techniques and very tecnical. Maybe one day I´ll be able to forge one of these Cross Axes! Thank you for teaching how!

[@coolcat7708]

Super interesting cross axe build. Really enjoyed seeing how you pulled it off using mostly hand tools.

[@DevonJones_]

Its really amazing watching people just turn a block of metal into something so beautiful and unique. It always blows my mind how there are humans all throughout history with so much talent to be able to accomplish this. Would love to see more builds like the Viking Cross Axe using techniques they could've used back then, really loved the video glad to join as a subscriber! Its also cool watching other people looking into Viking history the late Viking era is a very interesting time frame as Christianity was being introduced to them, there were so many different religions and beliefs amongst the different Viking groups, that most didn't even have a name for what they believed in. So many of them would carry different religions elements for protection from many different beliefs as like a "shotgun method" of covering them with god's favor because they didn't know what was a 100% the truth so they thought better safe then sorry. Which is believed why we find things such as a Cross, hammer or other religious items on one Viking.

[@hachazosmil]

Beatiful work and craftmanship. Love this viking cross axe.

[@konstantinwinterberg530]

I really enjoy how everything in the process of creating this Viking Cross Axe was done by hand. No power hammers or presses just good old fashioned craftsmanship. You created an amazing axe! Well done. And delivering the process in a peaceful half an hour vid without loud music or jumpcuts every few minutes. + Through the vis and link I learned more about the viking age :)! Thanks for everything.

[@pepenai]

This axe is awesome and the Cross is the best detail. Well done!

[@HawkEyedSaint7]

I’ve never seen an axe with a cross in it. Very unique and quite impressive build! Keep up the videos!

[@toml3806]

@nilsogren. The precision of your hammer blows is very impressive. Well done, sir.

[@kendallc8807]

Great video! Loved the axe. Love seeing talented people plying their trade. Cross for entry into drawing.

[@orangeworx]

The cross axe came out great. Very interesting techniques, taco slicing was a new thing to me. Worked out great for the Damascus edge and slotting the cross in. Was wondering how you were going to go about that. 👏👏👏

[@johnparr5879]

Very satisfying to watch you work, and shape the axe head. Thank you. *

[@InquisitorJesus]

I just stumbled across your channel and had to watch till the end to see how you managed to get the Cross shape in there. Now to look up the history of such axes.

[@java4519]

I loved watching a piece of mystery as the ceremonial axe being recreated to create interest in the skill and craftmanship of the past.

[@denniskrygier1907]

That cross axe is the tool I want for evangelizing trees. Outstanding work, sir.

[@stampejager]

Riktigt inspirerande film om smide. Ett livsmål är att damma av sina gamla smideskunskaper och göra en egen yxa och en cross vikinga yxa är en levande dröm

[@Adam-fn3ed]

CROSS This is a beautiful piece of work, mate. Absolutely stunning

[@jasonslagle3618]

This axe had me Cross eyed admiring its beauty. And what an interesting part of norse history 850-950AD! This would be well treasured brother beautiful, simple, utilitarian sexy. Great work!

[@BeholdAtlas]

This axe is amazing, I watched the video all the way through and I really thought it was cool how you explained the heritage of the cross.

[@rocksteady551]

I crossed off subscribing to you but only because I’ve come across such talent for your craft. This video made me want to begin working with metal, and we’ve got a small warehouse in Frazier park. Need to chop lots firewood too. This would help me cross both things off that list🤣