Suspension of Viking Age Knife from Birka

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[@swordandshield]

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[@Ezbee2041]

This method just blew my mind. Copied it and never had any issues with it. Thanks for your work!

[@samuelyeates2326]

The word that you are looking for is toggles. Very inventive mounting system.

[@swordandshield]

Thank you. I am actually familiar with the term, yet, my word hoard betrays me at times, in particular when using more than one language in one place at the same time as was the case on that very day.

[@samuelyeates2326]

You are still extremely articulate, I am a big fan.

[@swordandshield]

Thank you.

[@taxidrivercarl6074]

This makes so much more sense than removing the whole belt when you want to set your knife down. Good idea

[@swordandshield]

Happy that it makes sense to you. It is, however, just a guess of mine. Works well, though.

[@masonmorgan7071]

Roland dude you just blew my mind that is so awesome I would've never thought the knife could be attached like that

[@vantagepoint7653]

Very smart and simple ideas.Thank you for sharing.

[@richstone2627]

Outstanding. Thank you

[@NoelWesley]

Wow!! That is incredible!!!

[@Aneokame]

Very cool! Great idea!

[@KawauMusic]

Ich mag diese Version und die Überlegungen dahinter!

[@swordandshield]

Freut mich.

[@orsettomorbido]

Really cool!

[@Dantick09]

I really like that method

[@Davlavi]

nice thanks for sharing

[@cnawan]

Very interesting. I can see parallels with the far older belt found with Otzi the Iceman. Do you have a video or another resource detailing the rest of the belt equipment?

[@swordandshield]

Thank you, I have been pointed to Ötzi in this regard before. I do not have any video on my belt set. Belt and pouch fittings of Eastern descent have been found in numerous contexts in Scandinavia. It is not possible to say if they were imported or if they were worn by immigrants, mercenaries or traders who were finally buried in Birka or elsewhere. Most likely a mixture of all, although there are indications in Icelandic Saga literature that eastern equipment was fashionable with high-ranking parts of society in Viking Age Scandinavia. At any rate, this particular belt is modeled on a complete set found in a grave in Karos, Hungary. The burial was not Scandinavian but Magyar, however. There are numerous publications on both Magyar fittings found in Viking Age Scandinavia, as well as on the Ancient Magyars with hundreds of photos. Find reconstructions of Magyar warriors in this gallery of mine: facebook.com/pg/Dimicator-266934476773420/photos/?tab=album&album_id=296055653861302

[@agustinmarbae7509]

Hello Roland Warzecha, I would like a book recommendation on the recreation of Vikings of Birka. I hope it has everything related to clothes, weapons, utensils etc ... any recommendations? I would be very very grateful

[@raphlvlogs271]

they were also worn horizontally across the back of the belt.

[@KnifeForge]

Hi I have a small question about sheaths for the longer type of saexes. As far as you know, is there ever any wood core for support in the scabbard or is it just the bronze clamps along the seam that become some kind of support. I'm going to make two replikas of a saex they found in a excavation a few years ago, near where I live. There was no trace of the scabbard except for a gilded bronze ring. So I have to do a lot of research beforehand so I get it right. They say it's an 7th century knife Whats your opinion about it. Best regards Michael Sweden

[@sprungmonkey6inches]

very blingy suspension. Someone from Hollywood or Washington DC would like that

[@hilmarheathkliff9511]

Im curious. Will you be at trelleborg or moesgard festivals later this month? I know i will be there with Rimmugýgur from Iceland. Hoping to get a selfie or 2.

[@swordandshield]

I would love to, however, I have other obligations: I will be at Castle Coburg doing demos on sword and shield.

[@hilmarheathkliff9511]

Roland Warzecha awesome stuff! Happy that you took the time to reply

[@swordandshield]

My pleasure. Enjoy your Viking trip to Denmark.

[@tobiaskalinowicz7884]

So i allways wonder why are the knifes and saxes facing blade up? If they are normally drawn you allways have the the wrong way around in the hand snd have to be re aligned

[@ernestsheffield9976]

Seems plausible. Thanks.

[@Taulu09]

Good day ! :) could you tell where you get such a beautiful knife ? :)

[@swordandshield]

Find all info here: www.patreon.com/posts/suspension-for-19564892

[@evias9943]

Thats a nice looking knife! Who made it?

[@swordandshield]

At Moesgaard Viking moot, I purchased it from the gifted craftsman who made the scabbard: medievalcraft.eu/index.php I do not know who actually forged the knife.

[@sc0ttschannel]

Could you do a video about ancient Greek martial arts?

[@swordandshield]

This is not my field of expertise, unfortunately.

[@jimwalkerarchery]

Would like to see you walk with it attached like that. Hmm, thinking stuff might get a bit sensitive...

[@swordandshield]

I have even fought with it. No problem. This is not surprising as the position is confirmed by period depictions, at least regarding Saxon and Anglo-Saxon counterparts, so-called saxes or seaxes.

[@spanishinquisition7623]

Where did ya get it?

[@swordandshield]

Find all info here: www.patreon.com/posts/suspension-for-19564892

[@slimlithedwarf]

Can you do a video on your entire costume?

[@swordandshield]

I may do so at one point. Thank you for the suggestion.

[@leviathanssteak]

Is the seax normally worn edge up or down?

[@2adamast]

Maybe there is less wear with the edge up.

[@swordandshield]

Strictly speaking, this is not a seax which is an Anglo-Saxon term for a particular knife. At any rate, with the Swedish examples from Birka, the cutting edge is on the long and curved edge, which in the sheath faces up and towards the fittings.

[@2adamast]

Time to edit wikipedia? >>Seax (Old English pronunciation: [ˈsæɑks]; also sax, sæx, sex; invariant in plural, latinized sachsum) is an *Old English* word for "knife"

[@random2829]

That looks like a Seax. May be the knife that defined a Saxon.

[@swordandshield]

It is related but not the same.

[@davidweihe6052]

Why not just tie it to the belt with leather (or even cloth) laces, easily pulled untied? The little bone things look nice, but more expensive than skipping them. Now, a rich merchant or higher up might want them just because they are fancier than necessary, of course. Do the originals have a particular wear pattern that implies your method rather than directly tied to laces?

[@swordandshield]

Well, lacing takes longer, plus, more importantly, you have to adjust length anew each time. But, of course, it would be absolutelly possible. In regards to cost of materials, the owner of such a splendid knife would probably be quite well off to begin with. However, antler as well as bone were by no means expensive materials. In fact, in places like Hedeby archaeologists found tens of thousands of animal bones. They were used for all kinds of purposes, e.g. carving little containers or combs and cases. Re wear: There was an repair on one of the rings of the original knife sheath, but it does not allow for conclusions regarding suspension, in my opinion.

[@sue_downing555]

Very well, "organic" so they didn't survive. Sounds too simple. What does the avail art suggest as mounting and support method, ? I have heard or seen on Utube others comments and speculate that the mounts did not survive for the archaeologists because they were organic, possibly leather. Sounds prob

[@robertgoncz4659]

Hey brother!Your belt and the metal covered bag absolutely 10.century Hungarian. Your textil belt is also Hungarian from Transylvania.Where did you buy them in Hungary?Your hut is also Hungarian . Viking?Bullshit! By the way the knife is very nice!👍😀