The Hidden One
Celts around the North Sea claimed they learned the science of 'Billet Forging' from "The Hidden One": an underworld god.
Noted linguist Kim McCone, who has specialised in Celtic language, notes that the title Celt- is found in the names of several ancient Gauls, such as Celtillus: father of Vercingetorix. He also suggests it meant the people or descendants of "the hidden one", further noting that according to Julius Caesar's Bellum Gallicum (Gallic War), the Gauls claimed descent from an underworld god.
Their skills migrated south, and as early as c.500bCe they were producing superior blades on the Iberian Peninsular using 'Billet Welding'. The Romans gained awareness of it during the Punic Wars. It appears this science later migrated to Britain during the Viking raids and settlements, and continued to be used there until the arrival of the Normans.
Bamburgh Castle holds just such a blade, made locally of multiple strands of billet welded metal dating to c.600Ce and found in the castle grounds. (I know nothing of the blade steel from the period following the Norman occupation of Britain, and I would dearly like to be disabused.)
Jim! the influence of Christianity amongst the Vikings came later, thanks to the scarce enduring brethren here. For many years, what had been a thriving and renowned Christian culture here in Northern England, was mercilessly wiped out without a second thought. The first signs of Christian influence here was when the Vikings were persuaded not to slaughter the children. Consequently, I don't think you can ascribe Christianity to any markings on Viking blades, unless anyone knows otherwise.
nb
Looking at the date of 500bCe for the arrival of billet forging here in Northern Europe, I often wonder how curious it is that at almost exactly the same time Wootz was appearing in Sri Lanka.
Of course, the influence of Deities over there dates back a lot further again.
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