I made this Lucet and these needles for Una, as a gift for her volunteer work for Fjellborg Vikings. A lucet is used to make cords from smaller string. These items are made from a cows thigh bone.
This pair of dice was made from fossil walrus ivory with "ring dot" numbers drilled into them. Modern dice have the number dots placed so when you add the opposing sides together, it adds up to seven. Viking age dice do not but were subject to the whim of the maker.
To the right is my first attempt at making an antler comb. I used American Elk antler, which is smiler to European Red Deer (Cervus elaphus). Their species were global, having crossed ice age land bridges but by casual observance are the same animal. Though the Vikings used the Red Deer's antlers for combs and other objects, the Norwegian preference was to use reindeer antler. Studies done show a higher instance of Red deer combs in the counties West of Norway. Combs are the most common artifact found in all Viking age archeological dig sites. If I get more antler, I may make a case to keep the comb in. The Vikings were very conscious about their appearance and took care to keep their combs protected.
My next attempt a making a comb. This comb is made of cow thigh bone. I made some to the teeth too narrow and they broke right as I finished the comb. (Expletives deleted) My friends insisted to leave it be, that just gave it "character". Combs, the most common item found in archeological dig sites, had signs that they used their combs until the teeth were almost all gone.
To the right is my third comb, Made for Fjellborg member, Kristina. She also has two of the Christian crosses which she wears with here Viking age beads. The comb and other bone items in that picture are all made of cow's thigh bone.
Below the left comb are a sewing needle and a couple of naalbinding needles, made from the scraps left over from making the comb. Naalbinding was a form of "knitting" that was used to make socks, hats, gloves and other articles. Naalbinding is tedious as you have to pull the entire length of the string through each knot. The advantage of naalbound things, was if a hole developed, the knots did not unravel. Modern knitted clothes will unravel if you pull a sting. Not so with naalbinding.
Then on the right, below that comb is a dressing pin and an ear wax spoon, for personal hygiene.