A few years back I purchased Mr. Pierce's excellent book Swords of the Viking Age. In many ways it's what Records of the Medieval Sword is for medieval swords... but with better measurements and more precision. I have found it an invaluable resource. In particular I was fascinated by the Steinvik Nordland sword (if I can presumptiously name it after its find place) or catalogue number C20317 from the Universitetets Oldsaksamling, Oslo if you had rather I didn't. I thought it was a beautiful piece and couldn't help wondering what it would have looked like new.
[ Linked Image ]
[ Linked Image ]
[ Linked Image ]
About two years ago I worked on a group of Viking style scabbards. It wasn't by design, but by happenstance I ended up doing about a half dozen scabbards for various viking style swords, seaxes and even an A&A Danish ax. This got me to thinking I really needed to add a "Viking sword" to my collection. One of the current production pieces available from some of the better production outfits would probably have been fine... but I just couldn't help thinking that for just a little more money I could get something special. In June of 2012 I made my annual pilgrimage to the Blade Show in Atlanta. As is usually the case I spent most of my time talking to the ever patient Mr. Vince Evans and his wonderful wife Grace. Mr. Evans has been a veritable fount of information over the years. Many of the best research books I have found result directly from pointers that he and Grace have given me. He's always discovering something new in some moldy basement of some museum somewhere and he is always willing to share his hard found knowledge. I've no doubt that I've had both he and Grace shaking their heads in bemusement sometimes but they are always kind, always helpful and in a few words "good people." On this particular occasion I was taking a peek at the latest award winning Viking sword he had on display (already long before sold). As usual I was trying not to drool to much and asking some technical questions. I mentioned that I hadn't managed to find a Viking sword that struck my fancy just yet when out of the blue Mr. Evans said "I'll build you a Viking sword if you want." I was floored. Mr. Evans doesn't do that many swords a year, and the ones he does do, are usually sold well before he ever comes to an event. Of course I took him up on his offer.
We corresponded on and off over the next year, but I knew he wasn't going to get to the piece until this fall. This fall he got started and asked a question about a preference every now and then. Honestly, with the exception of the grip I pretty much left everything up to him, knowing that when a customer allows me my head I do my best work. Finally he told me it was done and ready to ship. I sent my address and he said it would be there on Wednesday. It was a busy week of work and honestly the whole thing kind of slipped my mind. I got home that Wednesday and noticed a sword box in the foyer but didn't think much of it, sword shaped boxes showing up are normal routine at my house. I didn't even bother opening the box I had other things going on that evening. At about 1:00 in the morning I sat bolt upright in bed. I remembered! About five minutes later I was opening the box... and this is what I found:
[ Linked Image ]
[ Linked Image ]
[ Linked Image ]
[ Linked Image ]
I was of course speechless (not that you can tell it from the length of this post). If you had any doubts, Mr. Evans is an artist of incredible talent (or the proud owner of a time machine take your pick). The fancy I had to pick up a Viking sword fueled by those of you that sent me swords for scabbarding ended up being the genesis for the premier piece in my collection.
Attachment: 240.35 KB[ Download ]
Attachment: 244.95 KB[ Download ]
Attachment: 242.77 KB[ Download ]
Attachment: 224.29 KB[ Download ]
Attachment: 190.07 KB[ Download ]
Attachment: 169.98 KB[ Download ]
Attachment: 109.36 KB[ Download ]