The primary material used by the Vikings to make swords was iron. They acquired this iron through trade, mining, or recycling old weapons and tools. The quality of iron varied, but the best swords were made from high-carbon steel, which was stronger and more durable than other types of steel.
Forging:
Once they had obtained the necessary materials, the Vikings began the process of forging their swords. This involved heating the iron in a forge until it became malleable, then shaping it into a blade using hammers and anvils. The smith would then quench the blade in water to harden it, and temper it by reheating it to a lower temperature to reduce brittleness.
Grinding:
After the sword was forged, it was time to grind it to create a sharp edge. The smith used whetstones or grindstones to carefully hone the blade until it was sharp enough to shave the hair off an arm.
Hilt and Pommel:
The final step was to attach the hilt and the pommel to the blade. The hilt was typically made of wood, bone, or leather, while the pommel could be made of any of these materials or even decorated with precious metals or gemstones.
Design:
Viking swords featured several characteristics that distinguished them from other swords. They typically had a straight, double-edged blade with a wide fuller, or groove, running down the center. This fuller reduced the weight of the blade and increased its flexibility. The hilts were usually short, with a simple cross-guard, and the pommels were often round or oval in shape.