Wooden Mjölnir

Mjölnir or Thor's hammer is an artefact from Viking era. It was made by two dwarfs Brokk and Sindri as a gift for the gods. It was unbreakable, always hit its target and then it returned to its owner's hand and it could scale down so it could be worn on the neck. It was so heavy that only Thor could pick it up

People wear this pendant as a symbol of strength and it serves as a protection from all the evil things. Some sources say, that it was a viking response to the christian crosses.

But enough mytology, let's make one! :)

• paper and pencil
• marker
• piece of wood
• knife (or some rotary tool, chisel etc.. I used knife because I hadn't anything else)
• drill
• wire
• pliers
• leather cord
• thread

optional:

• wood stain colors (or watercolors)
• lacquer

Very first step is to make some sketch. Take your time and draw as many of them as you need to your satisfaction. If you don't know how to start just use a Google Images for inspiration ;)

But I designed my own, because it's fun!

Take a piece of wood and saw a smaller piece for the pendant. The size of it depends on your consideration (the size of my hammer is about 3cm X 2,5cm).

Now take a pencil or a marker and sketch the basic shape on the wood. Then just cut out. Scroll saw would be great, but I did it with a knife and a little help from drill.

Now it comes to the hardest part - carving.

I'm not so handy so it took me hours even I made just a simple design :D But you are surely more skillful than me, so it shoudln't be so hard. Take it easy and cut it out by smaller parts, layer by the layer. It takes a quite of patience.

Hardest part of the carving were these curly little things, so be really careful as you can easilly cut it badly or it could split off.

I also added some decorative grid to the empty areas.

Don't forget to drill the hole for the ring!

After that clean it with sand paper and/or a file.

I didn't like the white color of the wood so I decided to paint it.

I hadn't wood stain color or similar which led to me to idea of using a watercolors.

I used darker brown to highlight the relief and then covered rest of the pendant with dirty water from paints.

After that I applied a lacquer. I hung it on the thread so it woudln't stick to anything :)

Last step is attaching a ring for wearing.

I tried to make the same shape as I made on the sketch.

So take a piece of wire and put it through. Then take pliers and start forming the ring. Be sure to make loops big enough for the leather cord.

And you are done!

Very last step is putting it on some leather cord, so you could proudly wear it.

So do it, put it on your neck, go get your favorite beverage and enjoy that feeling from a well done job! :D

Even I slightly changed the design, I really like it! Next time I would love to make it from a bone and use a copper or silver wire instead of steel.

Well I hope you like this instructable and if you have any questions, ideas or compliments feel free to write a comment!

Note: I'm really sorry for the bad quality of pictures. I have only 5mpx camera on my phone and it was also rainy outside when I made it, so I got poor light. I hope you still like it after all :)