Broad Axe

This professionally produced, 62 minute DVD covers in great detail the process of forging a broad axe by the asymmetric wrap technique which was the standard method of the Viking age. 

The forge work is carried out completely by hand with standard blacksmithing tools (plus a few special-purpose tools I developed) and the help of a striker. 

The quality of the video recording is excellent and it provides many amazing close-up views of the hot work which make the complex forging and welding process clear and easy to understand. 

This DVD is a "must have" source of information for those people interested in the historical forging of Viking weapons and tools.

62 minutes, copyright 2014.

JAMES AUSTIN:

James was born in 1957 and grew up inWashington State and California.  After receiving an M.S. in Chemistry from the University ofCalifornia at Berkeley he moved to Germany to pursue his true ambition as a craftsman.  In the scenic village of Diessen in Upper Bavaria, James served a traditional three-year apprenticeship under a master blacksmith.  This study in artistic metalworking rested on the centuries-old skills of hand forging and many other decorative techniques.  James’ experience ranged from the restoration of antique decorative ironwork to contemporary metal design.  Upon completion of his apprenticeship in 1985 he graduated as a distinguished journeyman in the guild of blacksmiths.  James then continued his study of artistic metalsmithing in Europe for three more years, working in Germany, northern Italy andEngland, and spent a year with a master woodworker doing historical building restoration.  In 1988 James returned to theU.S.A. with a large collection of traditional German tools, antique ironwork, and historical reference material with which to pursue his craft.  He currently lives and works in Oakland, and devotes time to both artistic blacksmithing and historical education.