The Viking knife has been forged since ancient times. It is robust, practical and historically accurate. Step by step, the novice learns to work with the hammer and anvil learning to shape the blade and handle. Damascus steel is used, created by fire-welding and forging different steel alloys together. Subsequently, patterns are applied by means of various forging techniques. This type of forging is centuries old and is being continued by the blacksmiths of Smederij Atelier Alkmaar today. The participant will also learn to estimate temperatures by means of colour recognition, how to best handle the hammer and how to influence steel properties through heat treatments.