The fact that you did all the forging by hand instead of resorting to a power hammer like most people is really impressively awesome. I want to start making swords, but don't have the funds for an expensive machine like a power hammer. You've shown me how to do so by hand so thanks for that! Keep up the good work.
Thanks man! And look at the actual tools the vikings used! Seriously google it, there anvils were easily smaller then my small one and there tools were very limited compared to even blacksmiths a couple hundred years ago, so thers always a way! Anyway, Thanks for watching!
Thanks man! And look at the actual tools the vikings used! Seriously google it, there anvils were easily smaller then my small one and there tools were very limited compared to even blacksmiths a couple hundred years ago, so thers always a way! Anyway, Thanks for watching!
Do you think it would be possible to recreate what you did or something similar with a piece of leaf spring? I'd love to get proper steel, but it gets rather expensive
Honestly I reccomend a leaf spring for something of this design. The customer wanted o1 even though it can be on the brittle side on a larger, thinner blades, because he's not going to beat the crap out of it and just use it for decoration and cutting random stuff. I reccomend 5160 (leaf spring) for a blade like this that's actually going to take a beating and actually want to build an even bigger seax out of one for myself (but who knows when that will be!). 5160 is super easy to work with and to heat treat. Just don't forge that stuff below red heat because 5160 really gets stress fractures form that. Also make sure the spring is in reasonabley good condition and don't forge out of a broken area if it's broken in half, or really old bent ones because it may have fractures allready. To see the fractures, clean the steel, heat it up to a light red heat and look at it in the dark. The fractures will appear black and look like cracks. Thats how I check them first. If you want to take some time drawing steel out, you can use larger coil springs like in my other videos. 4" to 5" cut off of it will be plenty of steel for a large knife. Also I find since there so solid they have less chance of fractures then leaf springs and in better condition but there not always 5160. Coil springs really vary but the larger truck ones seem to always be from my experience. Also, always normalize a piece of hardned steel you plan on forging to prevent cracks and fractures. Good luck!
It’s great to see a bladesmith able to make something so beautiful with a 4x36” belt sander. While 2x72” are great you prove it’s not absolutely necessary. I cut the same notch in my sander 👍
Man, you have talent. Creating something like this with a lot less tools than a lot of smiths I see is testiment to determination and skill. I hope you acquire a good price for your wares.
MattIsLoling if I was asking for your rude ass opinion I would have came to you. I was simply asking how much he would charge for something like that. doesn't mean I am buying it just means I'm asking for a price a piece like that could go for. so keep your two cents out of it. dumbass
Your anvil seems really low man, have you done the knuckle test? like I know getting the right height is a pain in the ass (had to do it with a 300 pound German anvil) but it's better to curse and sweat for a day than a lifetime of back pain.
It's higher actually. The reason it looks low is because it's so small ha ha! The refflinghaus is just 44 lbs. The order wright is a little lower but the refflinghaus is about at my fist.
Andrew Hanowski you just look super bent over all the time, I mean obviously I can't see myself while at the anvil so maybe I look hunched over to hahahah.
this is by far, the best video I've ever watched on CZcams. i didn't skip one minute of it. and thank god u didn't use that fast forward thing with the noise still in the video. but that's a really beautiful blade and well done video. awesome skills sir.
GREAT JOB man! I love the contrast of the dull forged look of the back of the blade and the furniture to the "bright" of the blade edge surface!! The engraving is exceptional!! Great overall design as well!!! Again.... GREAT JOB!!!! I WANT ONE!!!!!
The rapidly expanding steam blows off the scale, if you want to use the technique but don't already wear ear protection you should because the pops are deafening.
Great educational video. I bet my work improves after watching this. I will be watching more of you're work. Nice piece you have created there. Thanks for taking the time to add tips of the trade into you're presentation. Excellent work!
Bro I appreciate the video greatly I did not know that you could use water to blastoff scale while it's on the anvil you just save me a ton of wire brush work thank you and great job by the way that was a beautiful blade
My gods that was so beautiful. I love watching people forge things, especially people who work with details like Niels. Your work made me feel much better. One day I will have enough money to own my own workshop or to commission sharp objects from skilled craftsmen/artists such as yourself.
there is a slight clue in the name here, from Seax comes Seaxon or Saxon, the English deadly enemies of the Vikng invaders and The Seax is the weapon (with the pattern welded sword) of the West Saxons who held the last kingdom and beat the Vikings at Ashdon, Ethandune and elsewhere.
The seax was common to many northern European peoples and vikings certainly used them. This style, the broken back seax, is indeed the trademark of the great Anglo-Saxons and so in this case the "viking" name is completely incorrect and downright ridiculous.
Excellent vid! Great technique, it was particularly interesting watching your "micro-blast" flash boil process thereby reducing scale. I don't know if it was my imagination but, throughout the forging process you seemed to carry much less scale than is typical.
Beautiful sword you've made there mate! Thought i'm fairly sure thats not a real Seax, since they wouldnt have guards at the hilt - They were mainly used as a secondary weapon, usually carried on the lower back, which made it perfect for when combat took a turn to grappling and hand to hand combat. (imagine you managed to get on top of your opponent, and instead of beating his helmet in with your hand (probably only possible once) you could simply grab the seax from your back and drive it into your opponent). Furthermore, you seem to be talented in working with these materials! keep on going Andrew, this is beautiful work!
sorry i should have explained it , what is meant by the phrase is that something used as a weapon can not be beautiful your work proves otherwise is what i meant
I am in awe of the skill other the smiths i see on here. But i am also surprise at the lack of safety equipment smith wear. I would have safety glasses at least.
nice work; however a small suggestion: if you want steam bang to remove scale, wet the anvil, not the workpiece... ;) EDIT : 06:50 sorry, I wrote my comment before I saw you watering the ancil first... :)
Don't think the originals had a notch. I guess you can call this a broken back if you wish but the feature isn't all that obvious. At least this seax appears to be seax with a guard added. Most modern "seaxes" aren't even close. It is a beautiful knife.
AndrewI have got to say it again I am in love with this piece. I made a curvey blade dagger and have yet to finish it I am stuck on the guard and the direction I am wanting to go I was thinking since it is curvy a snake inspired build would be in order. But I want to buy some snake wood scales and that wood is pretty expencive.. Martin M&S Blades
Beautiful work as always. Side note, classifying the Seax as a sword is incorrect. The Seax can range in size from a medium to large knife to yes a short sword length weapon. For the Norse people it was the multi tool of knives which was used in anything from hunting to wood working and in many cases warfare in combat.
Hey! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! Anyway, I know this, but this calling it a viking short sword will get me more views ha ha! And some people will call it that by its size (even if the seax technically isn't). Also there has been some VERY large seaxes back in the day I've seen that would definitely classify as a short sword. I also used elder futhark runes on this blade, and it's an Anglo Saxon knife, not Viking. Anyway my Viking axe has Anglo Saxon letters on it, but what will get more views! Anglo Saxon axe, or Viking axe? Anyway, thanks for watching!
if time travel was possible and you got this into the hands of a viking,they would probably assume the sword was from the gods with how nice it looks right?
The fact that you did all the forging by hand instead of resorting to a power hammer like most people is really impressively awesome. I want to start making swords, but don't have the funds for an expensive machine like a power hammer. You've shown me how to do so by hand so thanks for that! Keep up the good work.
Thanks man! And look at the actual tools the vikings used! Seriously google it, there anvils were easily smaller then my small one and there tools were very limited compared to even blacksmiths a couple hundred years ago, so thers always a way! Anyway, Thanks for watching!
Thanks man! And look at the actual tools the vikings used! Seriously google it, there anvils were easily smaller then my small one and there tools were very limited compared to even blacksmiths a couple hundred years ago, so thers always a way! Anyway, Thanks for watching!
Do you think it would be possible to recreate what you did or something similar with a piece of leaf spring? I'd love to get proper steel, but it gets rather expensive
Honestly I reccomend a leaf spring for something of this design. The customer wanted o1 even though it can be on the brittle side on a larger, thinner blades, because he's not going to beat the crap out of it and just use it for decoration and cutting random stuff. I reccomend 5160 (leaf spring) for a blade like this that's actually going to take a beating and actually want to build an even bigger seax out of one for myself (but who knows when that will be!). 5160 is super easy to work with and to heat treat. Just don't forge that stuff below red heat because 5160 really gets stress fractures form that. Also make sure the spring is in reasonabley good condition and don't forge out of a broken area if it's broken in half, or really old bent ones because it may have fractures allready. To see the fractures, clean the steel, heat it up to a light red heat and look at it in the dark. The fractures will appear black and look like cracks. Thats how I check them first. If you want to take some time drawing steel out, you can use larger coil springs like in my other videos. 4" to 5" cut off of it will be plenty of steel for a large knife. Also I find since there so solid they have less chance of fractures then leaf springs and in better condition but there not always 5160. Coil springs really vary but the larger truck ones seem to always be from my experience. Also, always normalize a piece of hardned steel you plan on forging to prevent cracks and fractures. Good luck!
Holy crap thanks a bunch!
This is the best blacksmithing video I've seen. Loved it.
Hearing that means alot to me man! Thanks so much!
Thank you for your reply! How long does it usually take you to make a knife?
It all depends on the size and detail. They are usually around 15 hours but this one was closer to 25 or 30.
Ah I see. That's faster than I thought! Ty for the reply!
It’s great to see a bladesmith able to make something so beautiful with a 4x36” belt sander. While 2x72” are great you prove it’s not absolutely necessary. I cut the same notch in my sander 👍
Man, you have talent. Creating something like this with a lot less tools than a lot of smiths I see is testiment to determination and skill. I hope you acquire a good price for your wares.
Watching that was like meditation......
Beautiful weapon..
I am absolutely speechless! The level of detail and craftsmanship put into this masterpiece is simply outstanding!
A master at work ,I really like this style of blade ,the techniques you use in which to make it superb
Absolutely beautiful.
Thanks!
Andrew Hanowski hey this is freaking beautiful, how much would you charge for a sword like this one.
more than your allowance
MattIsLoling if I was asking for your rude ass opinion I would have came to you. I was simply asking how much he would charge for something like that. doesn't mean I am buying it just means I'm asking for a price a piece like that could go for. so keep your two cents out of it. dumbass
im sorry i offended you
Something spiritual and sacred about your work. keep it in a special place.
Finally a knife maker who actually forges his work instead of pure grinder smithing. Keep up the great work!
Thanks man!
Your anvil seems really low man, have you done the knuckle test? like I know getting the right height is a pain in the ass (had to do it with a 300 pound German anvil) but it's better to curse and sweat for a day than a lifetime of back pain.
It's higher actually. The reason it looks low is because it's so small ha ha! The refflinghaus is just 44 lbs. The order wright is a little lower but the refflinghaus is about at my fist.
Andrew Hanowski you just look super bent over all the time, I mean obviously I can't see myself while at the anvil so maybe I look hunched over to hahahah.
this is by far, the best video I've ever watched on CZcams. i didn't skip one minute of it. and thank god u didn't use that fast forward thing with the noise still in the video. but that's a really beautiful blade and well done video. awesome skills sir.
Thank you so much!
That mirror finish is flawless
GREAT JOB man! I love the contrast of the dull forged look of the back of the blade and the furniture to the "bright" of the blade edge surface!! The engraving is exceptional!! Great overall design as well!!! Again.... GREAT JOB!!!! I WANT ONE!!!!!
just bloody amazing. Craftsmanship in world class.
It does not take skill to make a blade.. it takes skill to make a blade of this caliber so good job
Love your style it produces an authentic end result thanks for sharing
YOU DO GOOD WORK, NEVER SEEN ANYONE WET THE ANVIL AND HAMMER SO MUCH
the swordsmiths of japan.
The rapidly expanding steam blows off the scale, if you want to use the technique but don't already wear ear protection you should because the pops are deafening.
First time I tried wet forging I damn near pissed myself because I wasn’t expecting the noise
Absolutely stunning craftsmanship.
That is a beautiful blade sir. Anyone should be honored to own one like this.
A true craftsman at work. Beautiful short sword. You made it look easy.
What a pleasure to watch :-)
Thanks Andrew. Take it easy, Ben
Great educational video. I bet my work improves after watching this. I will be watching more of you're work. Nice piece you have created there. Thanks for taking the time to add tips of the trade into you're presentation. Excellent work!
Beautiful work.
The level of craftsmanship is inspiring and impressive! Well done!
Bro I appreciate the video greatly I did not know that you could use water to blastoff scale while it's on the anvil you just save me a ton of wire brush work thank you and great job by the way that was a beautiful blade
Beautiful knives. I love your interpretation.
My gods that was so beautiful.
I love watching people forge things, especially people who work with details like Niels. Your work made me feel much better. One day I will have enough money to own my own workshop or to commission sharp objects from skilled craftsmen/artists such as yourself.
Thanks so much! And good luck forging!
holy crap!!!!!?!!! I just found your channel and can't stop watching. AMAZING!!!
badass!! Wayland would be proud! I'm sure Thor sees your work as well! Alu!
there is a slight clue in the name here, from Seax comes Seaxon or Saxon, the English deadly enemies of the Vikng invaders and The Seax is the weapon (with the pattern welded sword) of the West Saxons who held the last kingdom and beat the Vikings at Ashdon, Ethandune and elsewhere.
The seax was common to many northern European peoples and vikings certainly used them. This style, the broken back seax, is indeed the trademark of the great Anglo-Saxons and so in this case the "viking" name is completely incorrect and downright ridiculous.
i am a metalsmith myself and have to say: great job!
one hint: if you finish sharpening, try to cut off slim pieces from a stone, dont pull back!
Absolutely fantastic! Awesome! Beautiful! Great work! So glad I found your channel. I'm now subscribed.
Very nice, and a few tecniques I haven't seen. Awesome job!
He did a fine job on it.
Very skilled. Great looking seax.
Great work, well done! I really like how you managed it, also learned new stuff. Hope you publish more videos. Keep safe !
Outstanding, just one word to describe this masterpiece, perfection.
Excellent vid! Great technique, it was particularly interesting watching your "micro-blast" flash boil process thereby reducing scale. I don't know if it was my imagination but, throughout the forging process you seemed to carry much less scale than is typical.
Looks great. I really like the buffed edge against the rough spine.
Thanks for sharing it's been too long since your last one!
That truly is a work of art man. Absolutely gorgeous.
Thanks!
Awesome job! Such great work with modest equipment.
Beautiful work !
Thank you!
Beautiful, did a great job
Truly a thing of remarkable beauty.
Excellent work all around. Very well done!
Amazing craftsmanship, man. I am working on a Seax made from a RR Spring Clip and this has given me some good thoughts on how I want to do the handle!
Amazing, really beautiful. An extraordinary work.
bravo !!! and a pleasure to watch you work
Thanks Stephen!
the seax is beautiful men. Great work.
Thanks!
All I can say is WOW!
Gorgeous sir, you are a master of your craft.
That mirror bevel is beautiful, even though I think a slightly more rustic look on the piece would appeal to me more
i love that transition fro mrough forged to mirrow.
Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
Beautiful sword you've made there mate!
Thought i'm fairly sure thats not a real Seax, since they wouldnt have guards at the hilt - They were mainly used as a secondary weapon, usually carried on the lower back, which made it perfect for when combat took a turn to grappling and hand to hand combat. (imagine you managed to get on top of your opponent, and instead of beating his helmet in with your hand (probably only possible once) you could simply grab the seax from your back and drive it into your opponent).
Furthermore, you seem to be talented in working with these materials! keep on going Andrew, this is beautiful work!
Beautiful work sir
proving the "beauty over function" paradox
How is it not functional?
sorry i should have explained it , what is meant by the phrase is that something used as a weapon can not be beautiful your work proves otherwise is what i meant
Oh ha ha okay! Thank you, and thanks for watching!
Nice work!
nice work with the hammer
World class work.
I am in awe of the skill other the smiths i see on here. But i am also surprise at the lack of safety equipment smith wear. I would have safety glasses at least.
There's so much dust and from that builds up on safety glasses that will cause you to get hurt faster,
Stunning work!
Great looking blade man!
That's absolutely fucking awesome. Wow, I want one
Thanks man! If your interested my email is in the description.
very beautiful seax
wiked work mate, looking forward to more
Thus is ABSOLOUTLEY amazing
ths sword is nuts!!
Ha ha thanks!
Great work and a very interesting video.... Well done...
Thanks!
Just watching the first 30 seconds provoked a love for breitsaxe interested me. Wow.
You have mad skills dude
Thanks!
WOW! I would love to try to make something like that. Love the video.
lovely blade!
Bellissime tutte tre. Ottimo lavoro. Complimenti bravissimo. Grazie.
Dude you do some of the best knives on CZcams! Have you thought about maybe doing videos more often? Anyways keep up the amazing work!
Thanks! And I've just been so busy lately that's why I haven't uploaded at all. I hate making youtube videos, I only like them once there done ha ha!
Absolutely awesome , beautiful and incredibile you forge Very good ,
hi fantastic work grand knife fit for a king
Bravo, ein Meisterwerk.
This is unreal!
Thank you!
Love the design. I've always hated a mirror polish on anything like blades or armor.
Thanks! And So do I! Ha ha. When the customer wants it I have to do it though. I prefer a hand done 600# satin finish.
Andrew Hanowski: you do have give customers whst they want! Keeps you in business.
nice work; however a small suggestion: if you want steam bang to remove scale, wet the anvil, not the workpiece... ;)
EDIT : 06:50 sorry, I wrote my comment before I saw you watering the ancil first... :)
you are a boss!!!
Ha ha thanks!
Nice work
Don't think the originals had a notch. I guess you can call this a broken back if you wish but the feature isn't all that obvious. At least this seax appears to be seax with a guard added. Most modern "seaxes" aren't even close. It is a beautiful knife.
that's best knife I see in life😐
AndrewI have got to say it again I am in love with this piece. I made a curvey blade dagger and have yet to finish it I am stuck on the guard and the direction I am wanting to go I was thinking since it is curvy a snake inspired build would be in order. But I want to buy some snake wood scales and that wood is pretty expencive.. Martin M&S Blades
Thanks! And sounds cool! I find wavy blades can be a pain in the ass sometimes! I have made a kris before years ago.
great work
Thanks!
👌 👌 👌 good job
beautiful knife
Beautiful work as always. Side note, classifying the Seax as a sword is incorrect. The Seax can range in size from a medium to large knife to yes a short sword length weapon. For the Norse people it was the multi tool of knives which was used in anything from hunting to wood working and in many cases warfare in combat.
Hey! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! Anyway, I know this, but this calling it a viking short sword will get me more views ha ha! And some people will call it that by its size (even if the seax technically isn't). Also there has been some VERY large seaxes back in the day I've seen that would definitely classify as a short sword. I also used elder futhark runes on this blade, and it's an Anglo Saxon knife, not Viking. Anyway my Viking axe has Anglo Saxon letters on it, but what will get more views! Anglo Saxon axe, or Viking axe? Anyway, thanks for watching!
Wow... just.. wow.
Awesome knife
Sweet 😊
I don't always comment on something but when I do its because of something totally bad ass .
Ha ha! Thanks man!
if time travel was possible and you got this into the hands of a viking,they would probably assume the sword was from the gods with how nice it looks right?
Thanks man!
that is beautifull!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW
Wheres the drum and bass!?!?!? :D Beautiful workmanship sir
Very good job! Thanks!
Thank you!
Beautiful piece, but I die a little inside every time I see Elder Futhark used for a “Viking” project