What kind of steel did the Vikings use?
Danish Viking blacksmiths worked with iron that contained around 0.8 per cent carbon, and when it hardened it had the strength of modern day steel.
Did they have Damascus steel in medieval times?
At its most basic level, Damascus steel is a unique form of steel that features alternating light and dark grains within the material and a high carbon content. In ancient and medieval times, Damascus steel blades achieved legendary status, often costing the equivalent of your daily driver or more.
What metal did Vikings use for weapons?
iron
Early Viking swords were made of pure iron, and were known to bend in battle. Later Viking swords, either locally produced or bought, were made by pattern welding, a sophisticated technique in which numerous thin strips of metal are interwoven together at high heat to create a stronger blade.
Where did the Vikings get their steel?
Viking Age Scandinavians did mine some ore. However The majority of their iron ore was was hunted for in peat bogs. Bog iron occurs naturally, and can be smelted to make perfectly serviceable iron and steel tools and weapons. Vikings are known to have extensively extracted iron from peat bogs.
Why is Damascus steel so special?
Damascus steel is a type of steel easily recognisable by its wavy patterned design. Aside from its sleek look and beautiful aesthetics, Damascus steel is highly valued as it is hard and flexible while maintaining a sharp edge. Weapons forged from Damascus steel were far superior to those formed from just iron.
Did the Vikings invent steel?
Danish Viking blacksmiths worked with iron that contained around 0.8 per cent carbon, and when it hardened it had the strength of modern day steel. The difference between iron and steel is the amount of carbon: Iron that contains more than 0.35 per cent carbon becomes steel.
Did Vikings make crucible steel?
Using an ancient Middle Eastern furnace made of clay and brick – a so-called crucible – Furrer started by melting iron with carbon to create steel. It took 11 full hours of pounding for Furrer to transform the crucible steel ingot he created in his furnace into a blade.
What is a Damascus sword?
Damascus swords and knives dominated the weapon industry from the Iron Age to the Viking age. Alexander the Great was said to have had a Damascus sword, and even Aristotle commented on the high quality of the Damascus steel blade.
What is the history of Damascus steel?
Its origins can be traced back as far as 500 A.D. In India, it was called Telangana, Wootz or Ukku steel. It then found its way to Damascus, Syria, which was the center of trade in that region for war equipment such as knives, swords and armor. However, Damascus steel had been a lost technology from the early 1700’s up until World War II.
How did the Vikings get their weapons?
The Vikings had no iron ore industry and liked quality Arab steel, each ingot enough to produce one sword or one axehead, or two spearheads or two sax (long knives). After sailing up one of Europe’s rivers they’d portage the goods a short distance overland, then sail down the Danube to the Black Sea and across to the markets of the Middle East.
What makes Damascus steel stronger than ulfbehrt steel?
Both Damascus steel and the Ulfbehrt’s so-called “crucible steel” had high amounts of carbon. Carbon can make or break a sword; if it’s not controlled to just the right amount, the sword will be either too soft or too brittle. But with just the right amount, carbon greatly strengthens the blade.