Forging and profiling a Viking Seax videos

Reference for forging a Viking Seax videos

 Video #1 I'm making a few Seaxes for inventory. I start with a 1"square and 7" long bar for a 12" to 14" blade (approx).

I start under the hammer with tip formation. the widest section of the blade is forged to 2" or more.  Its done sideways under hammer with subtle draw dies. The length ways for the draw and rough profile.

In the 2nd and 3rd videos

Finishing the blade tip by hand is very rewarding because it reveals the character of the blade with each blow of the hammer.

Back in the Blacksmith shop

Projects of plenty and events yet to come inspires the sweat and toil necessary to produce one of a kind items from Union Hall Forge.

Sometimes I get to do a task that allows me to  sit on my arse and that's a good thing!

Thus, the filing work in the picture with my playlist blaring and a beer within reach.  It's all good!

Impulsive inspiration



Practice Run through 1st prototype of Creed 3 belt axe...Because I can.



Trade Axes~Post to Park 2012

This last winter I was asked by NPR Mike Twist to produce 4 Fur Trade Axes, these were to be for future ceremonial events, gifts to present to dignitaries. Of course it was a privilege to accept this task. I have been concentrating on reproducing artifacts of this style and others for a few years now.

I rely heavily on Mike Twist for direction in accuracy, periods and interpretations of axes in our history. They remind me of time capsules in and of themselves.

I made these out of wrought iron, all are square polled. (That is an extra piece of wrought iron forge welded opposite of the bit) File steel is inserted and forge welded in the business end of the axe then hardened and tempered.

I touch marked them with my makers mark W.S., and then I used locally acquired Ash wood for the handles. I also added an axe necklace to each axe for an added embellishment. These pieces are as accurate as I could achieve, even the axe on the necklace was a reproduction of a recovered artifact at the Fort.







Memorial Day

This was a historical event for Fort Vancouver National Park.

The presentation of the Flag to the NPS from Brigadier General Alton Berry U.S.Army Reserve



First Flag raised by NPS 2012





21 Gun Salute by NPS

A changing of the guard after 160 years and a grand ceremony with tradition exercised from the past and brought forth into the present of the Fort.

The dignitaries speaking were:

Brigadier General Alton Berry, Commanding General 88th Regional Support Command, United States Army Reserve.

Brigadier General Kurt Hardin, Commander 104th Training Division (Leader Training) United States Army Reserve.



Christine H. Lehnertz, Regional Director of Pacific West Region, National Park Service.

Tracy Fortmann Superintendent, Fort Vancouver National Historical Site Nation Park Service.

Larry J. Smith Mayor Pro Tem, City of Vancouver, WA

The Honorable Jaime Herrera Beutler, Congresswoman 3rd. District of Washington.



Two of the four axes were presented by Tracy Fortmann Superintendent to Brigadier General Alton Berry and Colonel Peter J. Norseth Commander, 2nd BDE/95th Division.

It was an honor for me to be chosen from the Trades Guild, (current President Craig Webster) to produce these Axes that symbolize the labors of Park employees, Park Rangers and Volunteers work that makes it possible to reproduce and interpret the historical splendors that Fort Vancouver National Historic site has to offer.

Other random pictures from the days events are located

at the link from this blog link below.

Memorial Day 2012~Post to Park

Summer Shoes

 I just smacked out a pair of American Saddlebred country pleasure shoes-These shoes are compared here to a #1 keg shoe, twixt the pair. The shoes are made from 3/8" x 2" bar stock. The dimensions are specific to an individual horse that requires the severe toe weights pictured above.

Twas the Night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the Blacksmiths Shop All the horses were stirring, and just wouldn’t stop.
The shoes were hung around the forge’s dim glow,
In hopes that the Blacksmith would soon make a show.


The horses soon settled, all quiet and fed.
While visions of candy mints danced in their heads.
I’m in my apron and Ma with her night cap.
Had just settled had just settled down to watch Netflix ASAP!


When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.


The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
Horses and carriage drawing ever so near.


With a little old driver, so lively and quik,
An unscheduled appointment, ...I’m gonna be sick.
More rapid than eagles my curses they came,
he whistled, I shouted and called him a name!


"Oh Blacksmith! Oh Blacksmith! Don’t dash away!
Come out on the porch, I have something to say!


As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
They met with an obstacle, I threw in the sky.
Behind the shop to avoid obstacle that flew,
The carriage with horses and the old man too.


And then, in a twinkling, I ran in the shop.
The prancing and pawing, it’s just got to stop.
As I drew out my head, he was turning around,
I unhook the bellows with not even a sound.


He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
I squeezed the coal dust from the bellows and covered him in soot.
Now he’s a bundle of black and he started to hack.
He looked like a black bear, I said just “stay back”!


His eyes how they glared, with his body impaired.
Made me worry a little, maybe even got scared.


I thought I seen smoke, when he gritted his teeth.
Encircled his head just like a wreath.
He had a black face, soot down to his belly,
That shook as he coughed, and was just kind of smelly!


He was chubby and plump, like a  jolly old elf,
He laughed when he saw me in spite of himself!
A wink of his eye and a shake of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.


He spoke not a word, but went straight to work,
He nailed on the horse shoes, I felt like a jerk.
Laying my hand over my eyes & nose,
He gave me a nod, up the carriage he rose!


He grabbed the reins, to the team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Poem Parody by ©WadeSeiders2010

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