re:hemp wrap.
i noticed that, mine was loose at the front already, and only the last few turns near the 'pommel' end were glued. i tightened it as much as i could & soaked tre cord in a 50:50 mix of outdoor acrylic wood glue & water, gluing it further to itself as well as the handle. seems to have worked. been debating whether to give it a hand rubbed boiled linseed oil finish as the wood appears a bit dry. the edges of the main section are sharper than i expected. they would definitely hurt if used. i am however not intending to go into battle with it.might kill a melon tho...
i thought the axe shaped ones were a bit too touristy. i now note they may be closer to the real thing
p.s. - i photoshopped out the traditional perch rock, it was same as yours!
p.p.s. - i just was struck by the last photo in vanadoo's post no. 38 above. the artist must have been scared by a viking longship. looks just like one of their dragon figureheads.
is this evidence the viking made it to the south pacific? thor heyerdahl, where are you when we need you?