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Viking-Style Bone Lucet (Braiding Fork)
Do you want to make your own perfectly authentic cords for your costume? With this Lucet, also known as a braiding fork, you can do it with ease. This is a replica of a tool known since the Viking Age, used to create strong, square-braided cords. This piece is crafted from genuine bone, giving it a completely authentic look and feel. Unlike other methods of braiding or knotting, the lucet has one huge advantage: you don't need to cut your yarn to a specific length beforehand. You simply work directly from the ball of yarn and braid the cord to the exact length you need. This model is a smaller, compact version that fits perfectly in the hand and is ideal for travel or for working with finer yarns. Further product information ...
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Viking-Style Bone Lucet (Braiding Fork)
History and Use of the Lucet
The Lucet is a tool for which archaeological finds (often made of bone or wood) date back to the Early Middle Ages, particularly from Viking settlements like York (Jorvik). The square cords it produced were incredibly strong and resistant to breaking. They were therefore used for the most demanding applications:
- As drawstrings and ties for clothing (e.g., at the neck, on sleeves).
- For attaching items to a belt (knives, pouches, drinking horns).
- As strong straps or decorative trims.
With this tool, you can easily add that final, crucial detail of authenticity to your re-enactment or LARP garment.
How to Use the Lucet
Braiding with a lucet is surprisingly easy and you'll get the hang of it quickly:
- Start by making a starter loop and placing it over both "tines" (or "prongs") of the fork.
- You then begin to wrap the working yarn from the ball around the tines in a figure-of-eight motion.
- Each time you wrap the yarn, you lift the bottom loop on each tine up and over the top loop, dropping it off the tine towards the middle.
- This tightens the stitch. Gently pull the emerging cord, which forms in the middle, downwards.
- The finished cord is gradually fed through the central hole in the tool.
- Repeat this process until you have reached the desired length.
Care for Bone Products
As this is a product made from natural bone, it deserves proper care. Treat it like a historical artefact:
- Protect from drops: Bone is sturdy, but a fall onto a hard surface like stone or tile can permanently damage it (chip or break).
- Avoid extremes: Prolonged soaking in water, sudden changes in temperature, or drying in direct sunlight or near a heater can cause cracks.
- Cleaning: A dry or slightly damp cloth is all you need for cleaning. Never put it in a dishwasher or use harsh chemicals.
- Maintenance: If the surface seems too dry over time, you can lightly rub it with a natural oil (like linseed oil) and buff it.
Technical Specifications:
Please note: As this is a handmade product from a natural material, dimensions and shade may vary slightly from piece to piece.
| Overall Length: | approx. 81.8 mm |
| Overall Width: | approx. 29.7 mm |
| Thickness: | approx. 4.5 mm |
| Inner Fork Gap: | approx. 17.4 mm |
| Hole Diameter: | approx. 5.4 mm |
| Weight: | approx. 11 g |
| Material: | Genuine Bone (likely cattle bone) |
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