I’ve been using a metal detector for years, and have had several models, the price of which increases every time; but the best detectors are very expensive indeed. Which is why I’m now amusing myself with magnet fishing - magnets are relatively cheap, they don’t require expensive batteries, or any other form of power; you just chuck ‘em in, and see what comes up. True, they don’t pick up non-ferric metals; so no gold (unless it's inside a cash box or safe) but there’s still lots to find.
Last week I joked of hoping to find a Viking sword, but actually found a toy car and a length of old chain. This week, I haven’t found another toy car, or chain, but I HAVE found a small Saxon knife, called a scramasax, or seax. It’s basically a design of knife, which range in size from that of a penknife, to that of a short sword. The one I’ve found, is about five inches in length. I’ve passed it on to a metal-detecting friend, who knows how to preserve metal, and he’s going to stabilise and treat it, so it doesn’t rust further. When I get it back I’ll take a photo’ and upload to the Forum.
I didn’t find it in the village stream, or in any of the local ponds, but in a small circular bog hole, in the forestry plantation behind my house.
I’ve often wondered what it was, and how it had come to be there, as it is less than six feet across, surrounded by a bit of a fence. The magnet and line went down about eight feet, into black, brackish peat water, which rather stank when I pulled it out again. Out came a rusty nut & bolt. After a few more casts I pulled out an eight inch long iron spike, with a right-angled bit at the fat end, rather like those spikes that were used when laying rail/sleeper tracks etc. Then a few casts later, up comes the knife, covered in stinking black silt. Although all the objects were black and rusty, they weren’t eaten through, just a bit pitted.
I reckon the peaty water must have acted as a preservative (?) - anyhow, I took the stuff home, and gave the knife a wash and a bit of a scrub, before running a small file lightly across the handle of the knife - bright metal! There were a couple of small holes through the handle that must once have secured some sort of grip. It’s an unusual shape, not like a regular knife, so I checked it out on-line. I have seen similar knives before, but I didn’t really believe that I’d found a real seax, especially such a small one. Although my metal-detecting mate is certain that it is a real seax, I’m going to have it checked out at the local university.
Tomorrow, I’m going to take my washing-line prop, to give the silt in the bottom of the bog-hole, a good old stir up! I’m also going to weight the magnet with a house brick, to sink it further into the silt. I just hope my poor old muscles can cope!
Last week I joked of hoping to find a Viking sword, but actually found a toy car and a length of old chain. This week, I haven’t found another toy car, or chain, but I HAVE found a small Saxon knife, called a scramasax, or seax. It’s basically a design of knife, which range in size from that of a penknife, to that of a short sword. The one I’ve found, is about five inches in length. I’ve passed it on to a metal-detecting friend, who knows how to preserve metal, and he’s going to stabilise and treat it, so it doesn’t rust further. When I get it back I’ll take a photo’ and upload to the Forum.
I didn’t find it in the village stream, or in any of the local ponds, but in a small circular bog hole, in the forestry plantation behind my house.
I’ve often wondered what it was, and how it had come to be there, as it is less than six feet across, surrounded by a bit of a fence. The magnet and line went down about eight feet, into black, brackish peat water, which rather stank when I pulled it out again. Out came a rusty nut & bolt. After a few more casts I pulled out an eight inch long iron spike, with a right-angled bit at the fat end, rather like those spikes that were used when laying rail/sleeper tracks etc. Then a few casts later, up comes the knife, covered in stinking black silt. Although all the objects were black and rusty, they weren’t eaten through, just a bit pitted.
I reckon the peaty water must have acted as a preservative (?) - anyhow, I took the stuff home, and gave the knife a wash and a bit of a scrub, before running a small file lightly across the handle of the knife - bright metal! There were a couple of small holes through the handle that must once have secured some sort of grip. It’s an unusual shape, not like a regular knife, so I checked it out on-line. I have seen similar knives before, but I didn’t really believe that I’d found a real seax, especially such a small one. Although my metal-detecting mate is certain that it is a real seax, I’m going to have it checked out at the local university.
Tomorrow, I’m going to take my washing-line prop, to give the silt in the bottom of the bog-hole, a good old stir up! I’m also going to weight the magnet with a house brick, to sink it further into the silt. I just hope my poor old muscles can cope!
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