building the worlds most iconic Viking ship

[robin wood]

I am just back from 4 days working on the most amazing ship building project in Norway. They are building an exact copy of the Oseberg ship using original techniques and tools including the worlds largest collection of replica viking woodworking tools. Starting from big logs like these. we cleft and hewed planks then steamed and fitted them all using the most gorgeous replica axes and other tools of the period.

cleaving (that's forum member badgeringtim with the big mallet)

Hewing

gorgeous axe

This is my board you have to get it to this stage just with the axe.

lots more pics on my blog here
part 1 http://greenwood-carving.blogspot.com/2011/11/building-worlds-most-iconic-viking-ship.html
part 2 http://greenwood-carving.blogspot.com/2011/11/building-worlds-most-iconic-viking-ship_15.html
part 3 http://greenwood-carving.blogspot.com/2011/11/building-worlds-most-iconic-viking-ship_16.html
part 4 http://greenwood-carving.blogspot.com/2011/11/building-worlds-most-iconic-viking-ship_2416.html

part 5 will be tools.

 

[John Fenna]

Wow!
That realy looks like fun!

 

[mousey]

how deep are the wood chippings covering the ground??

 

[sandbender]

I remember the effort it took just to make a rough paddle with an axe, that plank is superb, keep the picures coming.

 

[Mesquite]

Fantastic... thank you for sharing it with us Robin

 

[bilmo-p5]

Most interesting articles, Robin.
It's odd how one thing leads to another; The first thing I noticed when I visited your blog was that Thomas Finderup, the Vikingshipwright, is pictured wearing what appears to be a luhkka.

 

[shaggystu]

really interesting robin, thanks for sharing

 

[udamiano]

now that looks like an experience to tell the grandkids about

 

[jpgrilo]

I have been following your post on your blog and it is very interesting!!!!

JG

 

[FelixAvery]

nice pics and your blog is great!

 

[mrcharly]

Working on a such a long wide plank, how do you check thickness along the plank? Just by eye, or do you make up some sort of gauge?

 

[robin wood]

Working on a such a long wide plank, how do you check thickness along the plank? Just by eye, or do you make up some sort of gauge?

You mark both end using a plumb bob and then down both top and bottom, then you hew from the top turn over and hew from the other side leaving it slightly fatter in the middle, you then hew away that middle section using a straight edge running across between the hopefully straight and true outside lines.

 

[Robby]

Jealousy is apparently not a nice trait..........so I'm not jealous in the slightest. As a viking re-enactor with an interest in woodworking, that looks like an phenomenally amazing experience.

 

[robin wood]

And here is a youtube showing the launch of the ship yesterday, she looks beautiful on the water.[video=youtube;t5-F3eMzcQE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5-F3eMzcQE[/video]

 

[bilmo-p5]

Beautiful indeed!

You must be very proud to have had a hand in her building.

 

[robin wood]

Beautiful indeed!

You must be very proud to have had a hand in her building.

More grateful to have been allowed to play briefly with the wonderful team, and it was thanks to timbadger and this forum that I got the chance.

 

[baggins]

Oh Wow, what a fabulous project, if only my garden was bigger :viking:!

 

[Dreadhead]

to get a bench to row on that beauty....the stuff of dreams

 

[Mafro]

What a beautiful creation, and what a wonderful experience it must have been working with that team Robin. Something you will never forget

 

[R.Lewis]

That is such an honour to worked on such a great project. You and Tim are lucky indeed. Not that I think I'd be much use on such a thing.... Stunning, truly stunning. Thanks for sharing.