The inspiration for this project came to me rather unusual. I was browsing on the internet of which I’m not sure what was the topic. Eventually, however, I stumbled on a Nordic boardgame going by the name, “Tafl games” (also known as Hnefatafl games.) Henceforth, it got me intrigued. Because you see, Tafl games were eventually replaced by chess in the 12th Century. Now chess is a game I was somewhat familiar with, as it was a game I played with my grandfather on occasion. I remember very well that he was remarkably good at it, compared to me in my then teenage years. Which undoubtedly frustrated me.
I’ve always had a curiosity for different kinds of wood. Perhaps because it’s such a versatile material to work with, and because it comes in a variety of different shades and densities. The wood used in this project are, Meranti, Balsa and European Beech. Most of which came from my scrap-wood and cutt-offs collection that I have accumulated over the years.
The only exception is the wood that makes up the lines in between the squares. The wood used here is Balsa. Now I’m aware that Balsa wood is very soft. The reason I used it here, is because of the simple fact that I had it on hand, and because it was already perfectly shaped, which was very convenient. The squares on which you’d place the pieces of the game are made of a kind of Meranti wood, of which there are many.
And the frame I believe to be made out of European White Oak, although I cannot say for certain, as I got those pieces out of a wood-scrap bin that would have been disposed of otherwise. But I’m glad I found a good use for it.
