Viking age anvils from the Mastermyr chest - part 1

[@alicegory]

As someone who’s only anvil is a 20 pound railroad anvil, I take a lot of comfort knowing that throughout history smiths have accomplished a lot with even smaller anvils.

[@threeriversforge1997]

It's also a big kick in the gut when you realize that they were making things like the Sutton Hoo Hoard at the time. Folks today think they need huge shops with all kinds of tools, then something like this shows up and takes the wind right out of their sails. :D

[@censusgary]

Surely the original anvil was a plain rock.

[@BoneBGone]

@@censusgary if im not mistaken they might actually have been just a stump of wood :D or at least they used them to make bloom iron to stick itself :P

[@garethbaus5471]

@@censusgaryor it might have been a log, my first anvil was a chunk of wood, it was terrible but still sortove useable.

[@nolangarrison8185]

Looking at these anvils they definitely give me a silver Smith or similar vibe, something that would be nice for a traveling jeweler to use

[@ivanpadilla1936]

It’s incredible that modern technology started with this.

[@parttimewoodcrafter307]

The fewer tools you have, the more purposes each one has. Shaped as they are, the first two could be drifts. However, they could also be functional as small anvils when used in a block. Might have been both when used by a traveling smith.

[@scarymonsterguy]

This is great! I’m in the process of building a period Viking blacksmith area with correct tools also based on this book so you couldn’t have started making these at a better time! Thank you!

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GrumpyVetTrucker]

As a person who loves, history, blacksmithing and served in the Army. I would bet the anvils were a form of multi tool. They acted as a drift an anvil and so other functions. A Viking on a raid, who was the tool maker, blacksmith for the party, would on take what could be carried and served multiple purposes. Vikings loved axes, as they could kill, farm, cut wood etc...

[@johndilsaver8409]

I'm really excited to see you entering the Mastermyr arena. This is a big interest for me. I have attempted to replicate a hammer and an axe thus far. I understand and appreciate your comments on whether these are in fact anvils or drifts. Maybe they serve a dual purpose, and possibly more experimental archeology will shed some light. Also, if they are drifts, this smith must have had an anvil of some kind. Thank you for entering the Mastermyr world!

[@robertmeuser843]

~Blacksmith Days~ © r. meuser Anvil standing ~ brown with rust A fireless forge ~ with ash and dust Bellows hang still ~ no longer pulse air Tongs and hardies ~ strewn everywhere Shop disheveled ~ in despair The days are gone ~ when that forge burned bright When the smith formed iron ~ day and night Cherry red steel ~ his hammer beat Back in the fire ~ for another heat Memories of that time ~ were so sweet Every town had ~ a blacksmith shop Where town’s people ~ often stopped Buggy wheels fixed ~ horseshoes made Long square spikes ~ of railroad grade Hammers echoed ~ in evenings shade Times have changed ~ the industrial seen Men replaced ~ by big machines A skill abandoned ~ in smoke filled shops Where iron glowed ~ on an anvil’s top Devotion to the trade ~ temporarily stopped The brave efforts ~ of the ABANA men Awake our interest ~ once again People of all ages ~ young and old Lean the art ~ and secrets untold Our heritage again ~ begins to unfold Maybe you can use this sometime on your video.

[@bogdanlecina2689]

Really nice cover :p

[@DekoKiller]

all i can find when i google ABANA men is mens diapers, loved the poem but is it some kind of joke? xD or am i getting this totally wrong?

[@herbievanbeveren1314]

Looking forward to this series; I have the book also, and will likely follow your example to "rebuild" some.

[@nathanleaming448]

Great idea! I am looking forward to this series... thanks John!

[@johanneswolff1215]

The first "anvil" is clearly a drift. I once tried to recreate it, didn't have the book with me and made the taper wrong. It did not work. As I got the taper right in my second atempt, it worked perfectly right and I made several Axes with it since then. Like the channel very much, thanks for making my days better.

[@ArchaeometallurgieDe]

@Johannes Wolff Hey Johannes, cool to meet you here. Did you not also make the Mästermyr chest?

[@marianogarabato1111]

Amazing! I am making all the pieces from the mästrmyr and i find really handy the L anvil (one side round and the other square), i have the hammers and axes, i made the lock too and beth Hommemberg explain me how to make some other pieces too. Good luck!

[@larryking606]

Good Morning , John I was really off a bit on my assumption ! But , one point you brought up about the possibility of the one being a Drift ! That was my first thought on that one also ! I am going to Enjoy this Series ! Thank you Very Much for Sharing ! Take Care and Be Safe ! KEEP HAMMERING !

[@deathinthedark5451]

i like the drift theory. I also believe this tool chest could have belonged to an apprentice that was putting his own tools together to "break out" so to speak but was unable to recover them for whatever reason be it an untimely death or other circumstances.

[@johncrable3349]

Thanks for taking the time to show how to work without the power hammer. Much appreciated. Have a happy day!

[@jamesmcmillen4828]

I'm with you, John. These have GOT to be misidentified as drifts or some other similar tool. I know Viking-age stump anvils are small, but these are the smallest I've ever seen from that period. If these are actually anvils I would guess that they would have been used for smaller objects, especially when paired with the small hammers from the same tool chest. But, I'm no expert on tools from the first century.

[@tehbonehead]

Like bucks for nails/rivets on clinker-built boats? Shipbuilder's tools perhaps?

[@reigninoel]

They may well be anvils, but I'm inclined to think they are probably not blacksmiths anvils, rather a jeweler/silversmith. Silver in particular was a pretty huge deal in old norse society.

[@jeffsandling5981]

tehbonehead I was having similar thoughts myself.

[@jamessell4490]

It's quite possible that they were used in ship building. That little concave he talked about on the smaller anvil would have done a good job at clenching nails being driven through planks. Similar to what is used in the building of the old steamer trunks. Another possibility is for repairing dented armor or cook pots. Just some thoughts. Jim

[@pinball16]

looks like a large axe drift?

[@johnmichael283]

Excellent project!! Looking forward to seeing more . Nice to see your old hammer back at work.

[@calvinduke1553]

Awesome, I've previously made a version of the tool chest with the Viking hinges, but haven't seen the book you're using. Back to shopping.

[@BlackBearForge]

I found several copies available on Ebay

[@William_Borgeson]

I can't remember the blacksmith that made one but it was pretty small and you hammered into a tree stump. They called it a Viking anvil and looked pretty cool, figured it would be small since they were always traveling. Great idea, I'd love to see you make as many of those tools from that book as possible, it's extremely interesting.

[@liam_culb]

Very excited for this series

[@bearshield7138]

thank you for doing these

[@DavoShed]

Hi John, Nice to see your coal forge running again. I’d love to see you working with charcoal one day. There is no coal at my place but charcoal grows on trees :)

[@BlackBearForge]

I have always thought I wanted to make and use charcoal. There just never seems to be enough time to make enough for it to be practical.

[@DavoShed]

I have all sorts of cans ready to make into charcoal makers and figure out what works best. I also need to figure out what kind of wood works best. I haven’t got to that yet. During the winter I clean out the fire place every morning and sift out the charcoal. I end up with a couple sacks of charcoal. I’m sure you’ll get to it one day :) My metal gets hot and I smash it with a hammer so I’m doing ok!

[@HornadyMatt]

Extremely excited for this series. Götland has some impressive finds. Wouldnt you love to be able to talk to the smiths from centuries past? I know I would.

[@BlackBearForge]

I would even love to sit in the corner and watch for a day or two.

[@HornadyMatt]

@@BlackBearForge Imagine the muscle mass they had! Not to mention the vision and hearing loss. Think if a dark age smith had modern tools. They could churn out some serious work!

[@Krankyolman]

Looking forward to the rest of this series.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Maybe a traveling tool case for going farm to farm and making or repairing farmers tools? One might assume the use of a fire pit and charcoal or coal with a bladder bellows. Thanks for doing this as a learning series on Viking blacksmithing tools. Perhaps it isn't an anvil at all, maybe you're on to something, maybe it is a battle axe eye drift? Maybe not even anvils or drifts at all, they could be hammer or axe blanks that he was working on in any spare time he may have had. Or irons for shaping and forming any armour plating or bands for shields or boat parts. Unfortunately, without a time machine to go back and ask the craftsman, we may never know.

[@Brian-bn3qp]

Just a few of my own thoughts on these tools, the fact that we are calling this set a "traveling tool kit" suggests to me this smith worked on items too large to be brought to his shop, such as the long boats, or wagons, most likely to repair them. Perhaps a type of rivet set. Small items like hammers, axes, and other hand tools would be made in his shop. Same as we do today. Just my two cents.

[@mandolinman2006]

You brought up an excellent point that I think myself. I've often wondered what the ancient cultures would think if they could see what we think their tools and other items were and how they were used. For all we know, some of the tools in that box could be scraps or something they began working on but quit and was carrying it back to their "bucket of useful treasures". We'll never know, but it's something I've always thought about.

[@BlackBearForge]

Sadly, we probably will never know for sure.

[@EldarKinSlayer]

Excellent series subject!!!!

[@beni2094]

Oh wow this is going to be an awesome journey! Cant wait

[@Ivan_Glamdryng]

Nothing like exploring history. Thank you!

[@steelpennyforge5152]

This should be an awesome series, I love the historical stuff! I always enjoyed Rowan Taylor's KZbin channel as it was largely historical stuff including some viking anvils and a hammer. Great work as always !!

[@random40s]

Awesome work! 👍

[@richardkent3344]

As a huge history buff,I'm loving the content.thanks for sharing.

[@bobkelly2447]

I have a gut feeling that those Anvils at least the first 2 are Drifts ! for large farming tools Remember those guys were Strong and they could use a bigger axe or adz than you or I would ever use. I know that a big strong man can fell a tree in a few minutes with a big axe.... instead of all day like we would do....with our small axes but with a big Axe comes the need for a real strong handle.... hence the large Drift ! or perhaps they were drifts for making connections on wagons you could fit a nice strong board in a Drift that large Right ? ....thanks for the videos John ! you definitely are an inspiration to this old man ! Bob.......

[@codybourdeau2288]

Can’t wait to see what comes next

[@ArchaeometallurgieDe]

Hi John, excellent, I was wondering when you were going to discover the older stuff. Mästermyer chest is a wonderful archaeological find and I am looking forward to see your version of the tools, as I have seen several reconstructions so far in the experimental archaeology discipline. I like the way you are setting this prpject up. Way to go!

[@BlackBearForge]

Have any of those doing experimental archaeology given an opinion on whether these were in facr forging anvils vs some other more specialized use?

[@ArchaeometallurgieDe]

They certainly have views similar to those expressed in the other comments. A tool is a tool that was used in many different ways, just as the craftsman does, when he needs to do a particular job. In general the anvils were much smaller in that period. This is of course a direct result of the manner of iron production, as large amounts of raw material were not easiliy availabe and meant a great deal of investment in terms of work and fuel. So, iron was very precious. And in many cases it was not necessary. But there is another point: if there were large amounts of iron and/or steel, they were precious and you would not have left them, you'd probably rather take them and use them up. So, as you said it depends on the find context. This a rare piece of luck, as the chest was probably lost and not set down intentionally, and we do get a glimpse what was really in use, by a skilled smith. For larger awork like comapcting the bloom or so, of course large anvil stones were used.Another note to archaeoogical literature: Although we always try to classify objects to the best of our knowledge, this is sometimes not enough and the input of practitioners is highly welcome. What I mean to say is, that sometimes the classification is not "set in stone" and was simply used for a lack of a better understanding. Remember that an archaeologists has an awful lot of other things to know and consider as well (;

[@charleszimmermann7784]

Wow, as usual your videos are inspiring and make me want to fire up the forge, but unfortunately duty calls. However, I wanted to thank you for all the knowledge and inspiration you pass along to all of us! Thank you.

[@rayhale5899]

That second “anvil” with the concave top reminds me of a rivet backing block I have used a very similar tool riveting the skins on light aircraft

[@BlackBearForge]

It does seem likely since it appears he was working on bronze pots

[@martinturner9823]

although this channel has been silent for some time now I really like the recreation this gentleman does. I particularly like the Sutton woo things. HAve a browse hope have as much fun watching as i did.

[@FAILblacktron]

Are you talking about Rowan Taylors work? That's a different gentleman. But his work is great.

[@lukespread]

@@FAILblacktron Yes, Rowan Taylor's work is worth viewing. He made an excellent small Viking anvil with a bick. Novel way he did it too.

[@mikechapple2363]

Welcome home! This looks like it could be a great journey into experimental archeology. I'd love to help in any way. Awesome.

[@richardsolomon8076]

Very cool John

[@monsterbash9758]

I guess I really ought to be pretty happy about the 2"x7"x14" block of steel I use as an anvil. I keep complaining about the lack of a horn but it could be worse. It could be much smaller!

[@thomasarussellsr]

You could round one end to make a sort of horn.

[@TEV0714]

I've also been making a set if Mästermyr tools. So far I've done a hammer, a set of tongs, and the nail/rivet header. I had the same thoughts you had about the "anvils". To me, they look more like drifts, as well. The hacksaw intrigued me, and I think that I've figured out how they made the blades. I believe that they hammered out a long, thin piece of steel, stacked several layers together and either collared or forge welded the ends so that they could chisel the teeth across the stack much like hand chiseling a file.

[@BlackBearForge]

Making a hacksaw blade will be a real challenge. If i make the saw frame I will make it sized for modern blades so I can just buy blades after making one just for the experience

[@3870TheDad]

John, I like your conjecture that the first "anvil" you worked on could have been a hammer eye drift. That would sure explain the rounded portion. The second "anvil" could also be another eye drift, with the hollow portion as the result from drifting hot hammer heads.

[@brysonalden5414]

I think your idea that the first one was more likely a hammer eye drift makes more sense; it explains the rounded edge, sorta!

[@jimdunkle4823]

thanks for the video

[@maddash9070]

I can’t help but think of chandler Dickinson when I see stuff like this. When ever I think I need some fancy tool I remember chandler started on a rock and worked his way up. I could be as fancy as a Viking and make this on a rock and then work myself up as well.

[@lukespread]

Great project, John. Thank you.

[@georgegriffiths2235]

John try Rune Malte Bertram-Nielsen’s site he has some videos in the wild setting up a forge without electricity very small anvils and forging blocks worth a watch

[@matthewmerrick4452]

I have seen someone using very small anvils like this. Just couldn't remember where.

[@BlackBearForge]

I actually linked to one of his videos in the top corner of this video for that very reason

[@codyironworks307]

Did you see any stone anvils on your trip ?

[@BlackBearForge]

Not that I know of

[@bentoombs]

Cool project. Thank you John.⚒on!!!

[@stanervin6108]

Probably copper smith tools, but possibly a jeweller's set. 🐾🔥⚒

[@BlackBearForge]

Very likely this person was working on bronze cauldrons since there were some with the find. As a hand held backing tool / dolly / bucking bar they make more sense. So I really feel the term anvil implies something to todays blacksmith that it may not have to the people identifying the tools. This is also translated from Swedish and there may be something lost in the translation as well.

[@socketwench]

Curious about stake anvils now...

[@dadratsforge]

Hello John, an excellent video as always. My thoughts on what these might be: Jewelry anvil, there were some quite amazing jewelers. Rivet dollies for boat building(roves I think is the name) Stump anvils. The Saxon Smiths had tapered anvils taken to a point for driving into stumps, I would have expected the Vikings to be equally well tooled up so these do suggest more likely eye drifts. There's no doubt they made a lot of those hammers and axe thingies, neither of the two tapered anvils you made are too big for an axe eye. Just a few musings on what these might be; but they are definitely fascinating pieces.

[@BlackBearForge]

We may never know exact;y how these were used

[@sladoeii]

Just thinking out loud, but could the round one be more akin to a bucking bar? Might've been used for riveting things further along in the assembly process (like that riveted pot).

[@robertbogan225]

Lol thats some tough stuff barely moves when you hit it. Cool stuff wish i had the sapce for a workshop.

[@vincedunn9983]

Just starting out here, using a 2# sledge head as my anvil for now.

[@georgegriffiths2235]

Could they have been an amours blocks and sets to me they look similar to sheet metal/panel beaters dollies?

[@croyce7699]

I was thinking they seemed more like dollies given their dimensions, but didn't connect the paneling to viking era, so thanks for that.

[@allangibson8494]

Similar pieces get used for driving small rivets.

[@theswedishblacksmith1698]

I live just 7 miles from mästermyr, born and raised on Gotland 👍

[@BlackBearForge]

I would love to hear your thoughts on these little anvils. were they forging anvils or some other anvil like tool, such as a backing bar for riveting? Using a pair of dividers with the scale drawings they are almost the same size and shape as the eyes in some of the other tools, which leads me to believe they may have actually been a drift.

[@theswedishblacksmith1698]

@@BlackBearForge i dont have Any inside information am afraid, First heard about the chest on your channel, but next time am in Stockholm i Will go to the mueseum that its displayd in

[@ArionRaine]

My guess is this toolkit was essentially a "field service repairman's" kit. The smith, or perhaps an apprentice may have travelled to various villages, or even the battlefield to repair weaponry and armor etc. as a service. Maybe even the making of, or repair of simple "household" items the household may have had in those times. Or maybe even a nail/rivet maker that would go from place to place as needed. I am unsure of the feasibility of some of those things in that time period/culture, but it seems more likely than it being primarily for the making of weapons/items as the smith would in the shop.

[@bob3274]

Excellent video John. I find these topics of historical tools really interesting. By the way, your anvil is dead quiet. I’ve tried to make mine as quiet with marginal success. I’m using a much smaller 70lb Chris Carrol Farriers anvil but would like to reduce the ringing, mainly for my neighbors peace LOL.

[@BlackBearForge]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGSWZ2ise62Lntk

[@abitoffblacksmithing9985]

Have you by chance heard of Rune Malte Bertram Neilson? Great viking inspired work! His channel is awesome! Cheers!! Also I think it is a great topic for a series !! Thank you!!

[@BlackBearForge]

Yep, I even placed a link in the video for one of his videos on the subject

[@445supermag]

These could be used as a dolly (backup) for work on fairly thin metal, which could be the sort of thing that would be done on the road - pots and pans, buckets and lamps, or helmet and shield - you need to be able to reach up inside.

[@BlackBearForge]

That seems more likely to me. I wonder if the term anvil is used a bit loosely

[@DavidKirwanirl]

I wonder if you turned the anvil upside down, with the rounded face on one side, and flat on other.. is there some functional reason to use it that way maybe? Maybe used it to make the dents in a swedge block or something?

[@JV-cm3pz]

Question; from the look of the circular "anvil" if you turn it on its side that would make it a sewage....perhaps it was mislabeled as an anvil. In function however worked as a sewage?

[@BlackBearForge]

Its entirely possible

[@TheExalaber]

It is extremely likely that smiths in the early middle ages would not have had a permanent shop. They probably lived much like late medieval bell casters due to the massive expense of their wares. There is some evidence in Scotland of dressed granite being used as a temporary anvil in late antiquity.

[@BlackBearForge]

I think there has been a fair amount of evidence to suggest that there were fixed shop locations. Its one of the ways archeologists identify and date a site based on the iron ore and forge scale left from blacksmithing. That being said, I am sure there were plenty of people constantly on the move as well. But this find doesn't include any form of forge or bellows, so this wasn't a full traveling shop or those simply didn't get lost with the chest. Sadly we will never know for sure.

[@mattwyeth3156]

Do you find that a wood handle is better in the cross pein hammer than a fiber glass or plastic one

[@BlackBearForge]

I always use wood, I have found synthetic handles harder to grip and even worse if you need to alter it to fit your hand. They are also more difficult to replace.

[@vincentrosa9631]

Very nice

[@mikewhite8893]

Reminds me auto body tools, maybe armor repair tools

[@Stone-Wolf-Outdoors]

ty for the video love the superman anvil

[@fieroboom]

Do we know if there was any evidence of them putting a metal band around the stump (similar to a barrel) to help prevent it from splitting? It seems like you're essentially making splitting wedges, but in this case you actually don't want the stump to split. With the amount of effort involved in cutting a new stump, it seems like they might have wanted to support it so it wasn't continually replaced... ...or maybe they preferred to replace it because it was too heavy to transport? 🤷‍♂️

[@woodchuck243]

Could these be dolly's like they use in auto bodywork maybe use for straightening tools or swords without deformation of the metal

[@jonathanpittman1007]

The rounded edges would be useful for a drift. Also if someone chiseled out a hole in a stump. One could run a wedge on the rounded side to use as a anvil. Just a thought great video as always

[@elliotwhite32]

Thank you for this video

[@Lockecole81]

Larger one might have been multi function. Would make a decent anvil, but also make a good flatter if held in tongs, plus whatever other use could be devised.

[@JarlSeamus]

There are dozens of period examples of places where these small anvils were fitted into a hole drilled in a boulder, rather than a wooden stump. If you mount the small anvil in something as massive as a huge stone, it has the same basic effect as a modern anvil. The other possibility that was discussed was that these miniature anvils may have been used for only doing small work. Such as making nails. Many of the tools in the chest were for woodworking, so it makes logical sense that the anvils would be used along the same vein, making nails or other small items, like lock parts or keys.

[@BlackBearForge]

I haven't seen that information before. It would add considerable mass. Although these little anvils are smaller than the hammer faces found with them which seems unlikely.

[@tkjazzer]

Do they have examples of viking tongs that you have seen?

[@BlackBearForge]

The book does show some tongs and we will be looking at those as well.

[@ronaldkirby9299]

Where did you find that book

[@BlackBearForge]

I probably bought mine from the publisher, who is now out of business. Try searching on ebay The Mastermyr Find by Greta Arwidsson and Gosta Berg

[@mikechapple2363]

Is this set into a socket on a stump? Was there a wood chisel in the toolbox?

[@BlackBearForge]

That is the way I understand it was used. There are quite a few woodworking tools in the find as well.

[@joelsims4396]

I'm wondering if these may have been for jewelry.

[@BlackBearForge]

lots of possibilites

[@garynychyk3561]

When you get around to testing these devices, don't necessarily assume that the authors of the book know what they were used for. I would like to see you test them as anvils and as a drift, or some other tool that you as a blacksmith see. Thanks for another great video.

[@BlackBearForge]

There is no doubt they would work as a drift. And I agree that sometimes things are improperly identified. But without being able to have more information we may never know for sure.

[@reigninoel]

Iron and in particular steel was a pretty precious material around the time these were made. I have no doubt it was both a small anvil AND a drift.

[@tehbonehead]

@@BlackBearForge you could probably give whatever museum has the pieces now a call and try to get some more details. It's possible they've had more studies since the book...

[@Ho1yhe11]

I think the second one was a rivet set for boat repair

[@shanehuddleston3761]

I think you are right John I think the one is a drift cause a drift would be harder to make when they could have found an ASO somewhere even used a rock if they had to the round one tho do you think it could have been for armor or something like. JMHO thanks for all the good information keep it up

[@sammanno3303]

John Great Video,Could you Please Turn up the Volume,Very Hard to Hear.Thanks

[@BadgerRobot]

My first thought about the anvil was it was meant to be mounted into a stump at the job site. I think portable job site anvil

[@MissMaarten2004]

They could also have been handheld anvils, for sheet metal work. Or maybe he was also a tinsmith? Handheld anvils are rounded with only a few (or non) sharp corners on it, so they do kinda look like the ones John made.

[@bertiljall]

Hi John. Strange to hear You talking about Mästermyr. I live just a mile from Mästermyr.

[@BlackBearForge]

Wow, Do you have any insights on the chest and its content. I am wondering if the term anvil is loosely applied or the result of translating from Swedish. These seem to small even by historic standards for any forging

[@johndilsaver8409]

This is so interesting! It's nice that someone from the Mastermyr area is following this discussion! Wow!!

[@bertiljall]

@@BlackBearForge Sorry, no inside information. The book was written in English, so no translation errors. But maby mrs. Arwidsson didnt know all that much about blacksmith therms. I have a theory: The poor guy who lost his tools in the lake, Mästermyr was a lake at the time, was a kind of travelling handyman.There where also carpenter tools in the chest. Going from place to place fixing things. Maby a locksmith? Some keys and padlocks was found. I dont think the anvil was used as you do, hammering out axes and such but more for staightening out small things. I got a chunk of steel on my workbench just for that reson.

[@BlackBearForge]

That is a fairly reasonable conclusion. I didn't realize the book was in English originally, I assumed it was translated for the second publishing in 1999. I would also suspect that he might have had a larger anvil and forge at his home location.

[@monsterbash9758]

Did you get another apron or did you stain the one you had darker?

[@BlackBearForge]

Nope, same one I've been using for several month

[@monsterbash9758]

@@BlackBearForge it looked almost black at the start of the video.

[@alexholden]

Perhaps they could have been made from wrought iron and then case hardened on the face?

[@BlackBearForge]

Its possible. But I do feel they simply are not an anvil in the sense that we use the word. Perhaps hand held for working on bronze cauldrons (there were some of those with the find) or perhaps they are eye drifts (they exactly match the size and shape of some of the other tool eyes) and the translation from Swedish just comes out as anvil.

[@alexholden]

@@BlackBearForge they certainly could have been misidentified, or perhaps had multiple uses.

[@tdemario3753]

Hey john! Where do you get your 4140? Online or local?

[@610324dan]

could it be for a silver smith maybe ?? the size is suitable for that

[@BlackBearForge]

There is evidence that he was working bronze, but nothing to suggest silver.

[@610324dan]

@@BlackBearForge lots of jewelry at that time was produced in bronze

[@610324dan]

the size tells me that most of his products must have been extremely small , so farming equipment or weapons was absolutely not his main area of production

[@BlackBearForge]

I agree that there is no evidence he was making weapons, but the experts believe he was making or repairing pots, there were several bronze couldrons in various stages of repair with the find. The hammers range from just under 1 pound to almost 8 pounds which all are larger that the anvils, which implies they wern't used as a forging anvil, but rather some other anvil like use. I suspect there was a larger anvil and a forge in a fixed location or that simple weren't lost with this chest. But we will probably never know for sure.

[@610324dan]

@@BlackBearForge I agree with you there and its difficult to ask someone who been dead for a millenium ;-)

[@TheBlueCollarConservative]

That mystery steel looks a lot like bearings that I have access to that are made of 52100.

[@THISisglmicle]

New to your channel. Wow, what an anvil. (I mean yours)

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks

[@fieroboom]

Maybe the little dip/hollow was a type of cupping tool? 🤷‍♂️

[@seangere9698]

For stump anvils they seem to be twice to three times the length and width but about the same in height, maybe half again as long. As for these I would say they are more likely supposed to be drifts of some kind and not anvils.

[@BlackBearForge]

That seems more likely to me as well.

[@Joe___R]

Instead of being anvils they are probably dollies to be used with the hammers found. That would explain the size and shape of them.

[@BlackBearForge]

As a hand held backing tool / dolly / bucking bar they make more sense. So I really feel the term anvil implies something to todays blacksmith that it may not have to the people identifying the tools. This is also translated from Swedish and there may be something lost in the translation as well.

[@branni6538]

I knocked a knife out on the heads of a mash + sledge hammer many moons ago. I broke the flag underneath but it was a great knife made from an old Dunlop tyre iron. I threw it out by accident. The steel was fantastic. Man I wish I,d kept it.

[@jacobpahl972]

I’m thinking the “anvil” that was found must have been like a jewelers anvil or something, that along those lines. Hitting the steel cold to make that metal mushroom out like that. I don’t think it would be from just bad iron.

[@BlackBearForge]

It also mushrooms like that if it was used as an eye drift for making axe or hammer eyes. Sadly we will probably never know for sure

[@jacobpahl972]

That seems to be a little big and Square to be a drift, unless it was for a sledgehammer or something of that sort.

[@BlackBearForge]

@@jacobpahl972 Actually if you use a pair of dividers to compare the scale drawings of these two "anvils" the exactly match some of the axes and hammers. Mine are a bit larger because I based them off of the large end, which was upset in use, instead of starting at the smallest end. I may make a second set based off of the smaller dimensions to see if they seem more drift like.

[@douglasfathers4848]

I well never wing about my tools a gen after watching this

[@jonathanpresson777]

John, check with James Austin - Master Smith. I think he's done a lot of research on Migration Era anvils.

[@BlackBearForge]

I've taken a class with James and have looked quite closely at his larger Viking style anvils.