Blacksmithing was a vital trade in the Viking Age, producing everything from the tools for working the land, to the clinch-nails of Viking ships and expensive swords and mail. The blacksmith may also have been a revered figure, and associated with the legendary smiths Völundr and Regin. There is a blacksmith in residence at the Ribe VikingCenter, who carries out experiments with extracting iron from ore, and producing different items needed in the centre.
For more information about the Center, see item #1007 and the section on Blacksmithing on the Center's website