Mystic/Magic(k)/Enchantment Traditions & Knives?

[satin]

Hi all... I have an odd whim, and figured this would be the place to ask... I'm trying to dig up some historical data (perhaps also user friendly data [have some Wiccan friends might be interested]) on traditions of enchanting or casting spells on blades, for whatever purpose, such as to tie the blade to its owner, or to make it a supposedly more powerful weapon, or a spirit weapon, or whatever.
I'm figuring ancient cultures must have done this... and I'd like to find out more about the methods and traditions of the various cultures.
Anyone with any helpful links or anything, please share.

Thanks.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Morgan, I know this isn't exactly what you're looking for, but it's in honor of the same tradition, and I seem to remember Kipling poems for a few threads recently. Why not one more?

Also, if you want specific information on the runes themselves, Ragnar has links at his Ragweed Forge site.

A smith makes me
To betray my Man
In my first fight.

To gather Gold
At the world's end
I am sent.

The Gold I gather
Comes into England
Out of deep Water.

Like a shining Fish
Then it descends
Into deep Water.

It is not given
For goods or gear,
But for The Thing.

The Gold I gather
A King covets
For an ill use

The Gold I gather
Is drawn up
Out of deep Water.

Like a shining Fish
Then it descends
Into deep Water.

It is not given
For goods or gear,
But for The Thing.

 

[golok]

Hmmm....an interesting topic.

Come to think of it, I have heard various stories on this matter.

In my country, there were stories in the past about certain knives, kris in particular, that had strong influence on their owners and vice-versa.

It is said that in the process of making the kris, spirits are invoked and somehow the weapon retained a certain inexplicable force.
Some kris made its owner brave, untouchable in battle, almost invincible.

Other spirit-laden kris warned its owner of impending danger. But these are all folk tales that are whispered from mouth to ear and the tale takes on a life of its own after a while.

What is true in some cases is that during the making of certain knives, religious rituals are performed and the finished product is cherished and closely guarded. Only its owner is permitted to handle it.

Any other person who take possession of the weapon will either fall sick or suffer insomnia until the kris or weapon is returned to its original owner. These stories are not new. Some books have been written about these phenomena.

The rites and rituals performed during the knife-process are closely guarded secrets that are passed on from generation to generation, father to son and perhaps eventually vanishing with the onslaught of modern times when such matters are deemed unimportant.

Traces of this practice still exist. People outside the circle of believers are not encouraged to buy or possess these knives.

 

[satin]

Thanks for the replys guys. Cool stuff.

Anyone else?

 

[satin]

Anyone?

 

[Zytif]

If you're really interested in attracting some spirits try to find some rune stones. It's the kind they sell in the little draw string bags. Some of the fancy bookstores sell them, and some refuse to sell them for obvious reasons. Casting rune stones is probably the closest anyone can become to being a psychic without actually being one. Not everyone has the touch. But it's worth looking into.

 

[Rusty]

Morgan, check out the H. I. forum which is devoted to hand forged Nepali khukuris, and see how probably over 80% of sales are to repeat buyers. Some there belive the knife usually finds it's way to it's rightful owner.

I admit I've more than one khuk that scares me because it seems to want to draw blood. It makes me afraid that if I were wearing it and someone scared the daylights out of me I'd be standing there asking why is this knife in my hand and why is there blood on it?

Others have asked how to use their khuks and been told "listen to the knife and it will teach you".

Is that the kind of thing you were asking?

 

[AB]

History and fiction do not quite see eye to eye when it comes to Nordic runic inscriptions on weapons, I believe.

The vikings were not really into engraving their swords, as far as archeologists can tell us. The few examples found mainly deals with who owned or made the blade, such as one from Korsodegarden, Norway ca 1100-50 with the inscription 'Asmund made me, Asleik owns me' on one of the grip mounts.
Not a lot of fancy names or Viking magic, I'm afraid

If you choose to engrave a weapon, and want your Viking ancestry or interest to show, a correct alfabet would be The Futhark (this elder futhark is the best known, but this was a very early germanic futhark, the vikings themselves used a newer version). You could choose a single rune to decorate your gun, for example Elhaz (rune for passive protection), Thurisaz (rune for active protection) or Tiwaz (the rune of Tyr, the god of justice and war).

 

[Ravenn]

Check out Kellem knives for a bit of lore ref: Pukkos

Being Wican, I,m always interested in the mystism of bladeware in different cultures.

 

[Zius]

Sig-runes you must know
If you want to triumph (sigr)
And on your bladesteel emboss them
Some on the sheath
Some on the hilt
And two times the name of Tyr

Part of the "Song of Sigdrifa"

This is my translation of a Dutch translation of the original. A better version will probably be available somewhere on the internet.

Disclaimer: I deny any responsibility about the actual effectiveness of the above mentioned inscription.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Once we feared The Beast--when he followed us we ran,
...Ran very fast though we knew
It was not right that The Beast should master Man;
...But what could we Flint-workers do?
The Beast only grinned at our spears round his ears--
...Grinned at the hammers that we made;
But now we will hunt him for the life with the Knife--
...And this is the Buyer of the Blade!

...Room for his shadow on the grass--let it pass!
......To left and right-stand clear!
...This is the Buyer of the Blade--be afraid!
......This is the great god Tyr!

Tyr thought hard till he hammered our a plan,
...For he knew it was not right
(And it is not right) that The Beast should master Man;
...So he went to the Children of the Night.
He begged a Magic Knife of their make for our sake.
...When he begged for the Knife they said:
"The price of the Knife you would buy is an eye!"
...And that was the price he paid.

...Tell it to the Barrows of the Dead--run ahead!
......Shout it so the Women's Side can hear!
...This is the Buyer of the Blade--be afraid!
......This is the great god Tyr!

Our women and our little ones may walk on the Chalk,
As far as we can see them and beyond,
We shall not be anxious for our sheep when we keep
...Tally at the shearing-pond.
We can eat with both our elbows on our knees, if we please,
...We can sleep after meals in the sun,
For Shepherd-of-the-Twilight is dismayed at the Blade,
...Feet-in-the-Night have run!
Dog-without-a-Master goes away (Hai, Tyr, aie!),
...Devil-in-the-Dusk has run!

Then:
...Room for his shadow on the grass--let it pass!
......To left and right-stand clear!
...This is the Buyer of the Blade--be afraid!
......This is the great god Tyr!

((Note: this poem is from a later story, not the original myth of Tyr.))

 

[satin]

Originally posted by Rusty
Morgan, check out the H. I. forum which is devoted to hand forged Nepali khukuris, and see how probably over 80% of sales are to repeat buyers. Some there belive the knife usually finds it's way to it's rightful owner.

I admit I've more than one khuk that scares me because it seems to want to draw blood. It makes me afraid that if I were wearing it and someone scared the daylights out of me I'd be standing there asking why is this knife in my hand and why is there blood on it?

Others have asked how to use their khuks and been told "listen to the knife and it will teach you".

Is that the kind of thing you were asking?

Exactly, Rusty. Thanks for posting this.
I really need to get an H.I Khukuri.

Thanks everyone for your responces, they are appreciated.

 

[Rugger]

Simply cut the hell out of yourself (by accident) within the first 2 weeks of owning a new knife. That's enough to create a bond. Worked for me.