Lectures : Saturday Jan 24

Lectures at SCA Blue Dragon tomorrow

https://acbluedragon.weebly.com/

 

Equipping the Viking Age (1-2 pm)

 

So, you are thinking of going Norse! (or have already done so?) Beyond clothing, it is the personal accessories and objects that you surround yourself with that define your character. But what should you be equipping yourself with? The great news is that the Norse left lots of examples behind in burials and excavated town sites. Join Darrell Markewitz (aka Kettil Einarsson of DARC) for a look through his own extensive collection of replicas, to compare what is available, and what you can make (!), to the original artefacts. Lecture format, illustrated with photographs and physical examples. 

 

Beginning Blacksmithing (2-3 pm)

 

Welcome to the forge! There is a bewildering amount of 'information' out there about this craft (much of it not so very good). What about the difference between modern, 'traditional', and historic tools, materials, even methods? Looking from the perspective of lifetime as an artisan blacksmith, there is a lot of 'I wish someone had told ME that'. This illustrated lecture will cover aspects like: picking the *right* hammer (and how to correctly modify one); how to judge an anvil; forges and fuels; iron, steel and alloys; proper safety in the workshop; historic blacksmith shops. Not so much what or how to make objects, but advice on getting *correctly* prepared to explore blacksmithing.