My lovely Viking Ladies Oonagh and Ana

Me hitting some steel that doesn't deserve it

It all started when I was young. My Father and I would make toy guns and such for me to use while playing with my friends. Also when there was a repair project for the house I was always by his side (weather I liked it or not!) In high school I was in the Fine Woodworking program under Phoebe Cates (a great artistic influence). A teacher who would do sculpture by seeing what was hidden in the wood and removing what was hiding it. In my early twenties I had some rough times and my father was worried and asked what would help and that was the beginning of my wood and metal workshop (the best Christmas gift a depressed man can get). Later I found the SCA and started with my first product line, Hand made exotic wood Rune jewelry.

In 1998 I officially started Rabenwald (which means Ravens Wood in German). Wood jewelry wasn’t paying the bills so I started doing more metal. I taught myself to solder and form metal. My daughter Anastasia was born in 1999, which ended the relationship with her mother, and sparked the move to West Virginia, where I shut down Rabenwald for a year and a half. After a Layoff I did the math and decided to try my own business for a while. Rabenwald grew and grew. About 5 years ago I started using true blacksmith techniques (fire, hammer, and anvil) and doing demos

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Now I make many kinds of metal objects. Mostly my work pertains to medieval reenactment, specifically Viking. But I am willing to make anything out of metal…and I mean any metal. To date I have worked: Silver, Gold, Brass, Bronze, German silver, Copper, Steel, Iron, Stainless steel, Aluminum, and Titanium. I like making useful items. I haven’t made a vehicle yet (but I am thinking of building a new frame for an old mini bike I have).

On weekends we are most likely at a SCA event or Ren-Faire doing a demo. We love what we do and have fun doing it. My goal is to work hard and do what I love for the rest of my life.

Thanks for reading

Chris Dietz

AKA Drogo Rabenwald

In service to the dream