still puttering along

So just a quick update on how the research is going along, I have emailed 2 different individuals about norse forges. One, a blacksmith in Norway who is a specialist of norse smithing ( I emailed him last month), the other is a gentlman that I have just located through facebook, his profile name is 'Eric Bloodaxe' I know that he is affiliated with the Jorvik museum in York and have asked if he might know of any forge finds at the Jorvik site. He has assured me that he is on the case. I love how international networking goes,don't you?? It brings like minded people together over so much distance.

Here is the web address of the museum for those who are interested:

http://www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk

The blacksmith that I had emailed initially has done extensive research of the Osberg iron work and has written a book about norse smithing too :

Vikingsmeden - the Viking blacksmith ISBN 978-829246405-2
Can be ordered from the Midgard Historisk Senter (Museum)
info@midgardsenteret.no

Even though I haven't heard from him doesn't mean that we won't bump into each other at some time in the future. The fact that he mainly speaks Norwegian probably is a contributing factor. And I still want to get his book, but it seems that I'll only be able to order from the museum itself not through amazon or what not, too bad. I shall get it though, just might take a bit of extra effort.

I have also brought out my copy, of Forging the Iron Age by Darrell Markewitz at the Wareham forge, apparently the cd with the Iron Smelting is the one that has the bellows recreation in it, must get a copy from Darrell soon.

I have come to realize that one of my main information sources is going to be Darrell for sure, even though I want to see what else I can find/dig up on my own. Darrell is a true specialist on Norse Blacksmithing and I would be a fool not to tap into this abundant and informative resource right here in my own back yard in Ontario. I just don't want to run on his coat tails as the saying goes. ( Plus I'm a sucker for punishment, reinvent the wheel says I, It'll be loads of fun) :)

-So the first question is...what kind of wood was used for making of the bellows? I am still hunting that down, apparently trying to find out what types of wood was commonly used at that time in history is a difficult one or should I say one that seems not to be on the top ten of Google. So I have been hitting the books too, (and have realized that I do have a good collection in my own apt as it stands)
So with the question still unanswered (temporarily) and only 1/2 an hour left on my norse cd (which I have already watched several times in the past) I shall sign off for now. I think I shall try and figure out what types of wood were used for boat building, this might help me in getting a better idea of the different species in the region. Wouldn't it be great if I could make the bellows out of the same types of wood too?? ( sorry geek moment)