Restoring a 15th Century KRIS DAGGER! Part 2

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Alec Steele Blacksmith 2022

[@AlecSteele]

This dagger is so cool, like the awesome weapons you'll find in Raid! Install Raid for Free ✅ Mobile and PC: clik.cc/yTm3M and get a special starter pack 💥 Available only for the next 30 days 💥

[@VirgilKrell]

hows this for cool as your working what maybe be real wootz steal forged in damascus, i thought might find it interesting to let you know about some research from an actual study i found that sugested that real damascus worked wootz steal (which if remember correctly is a natural vandium alloy to start with) had an impresive number of crabon nano tubes formed in the material because of carbon being added in the form of long grass and horse hair fibers and the carbon structure from the long tubes turning into a sort of fiber that is not found in modern alloys.

[@Divo889]

When are we going to see another epic sword build like the viking sword again? I really miss those big builds with forging, crafting and delicate engraving.

[@turboboy0]

every step you take, every move you make, i'll be watching you. lol.

[@cavemanvi]

thirteen virgins were sacrificed with that blade only to have another virgin film and edit it's restoration. ultra Jamie burn

[@Whoozerdaddy]

I really dig that handle, but it looks like it might be fragile in actual use. What do you think? What kind of wood did you settle on?

[@oFenriro]

You should make a twin for this dagger. Another blade with the same design and measurements but with modern tools and materials. This would be fun

[@kayvte5487]

good idea!

[@jebowlin3879]

thats always a yes!

[@ecornely]

I agree

[@Mataclysm]

Alternatively, try to learn and apply the techniques used for the original to make its twin.

[@tobyroberts6571]

@@Mataclysm or all 3 - 'remake' as close as possible to the original, & 'recreate' a modern version and compare the original with the two new blades

[@noahlopez4819]

“A decision based on a mistake, instead of just a choice-less accident” I’m gonna start using that ☝️

[@Burn77oas7]

he then corrected himself and said it's a choice less accident

[@arpioisme]

the OG kerismaker have a term for that: "Tiban"

[@Mrnick21212]

Lovely! If anyone ever figures out time machines, I hope they bring stealth-tech to the past with them and just take their time sneaking around and photographing everything as it once was. To see how it was originally made, the finished pieces before time gets ahold of them!

[@TuckerDale89]

Maybe they already have it and they’re already here doing it

[@jamesfry8983]

@@TuckerDale89 Could be the shadow people, some folks have been seeing.

[@BB8enjoyer]

Or just grab a big boat and bring everything home like the British empire

[@slartibartfast2649]

@howdw18 I went to the British Museum a couple of days ago and therefore concur.

[@Religion0]

I'm pretty sure any archaeologists worth their salt would kill for a recording of regular people talking, much less what you're talking about.

[@jlush444]

The banter between you and Jamie is such gold Alec…. Great stuff on this build/restore. 👌👌👌

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@waynecribbs8853]

8:53 excellent choice of music for the final reveal! And what a beautiful dagger.

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@acceler9]

Loved this project, and that amazing old knife. As others have mentioned, I would turn the handle by 180 degrees (so the the head is pointing in a favored angle with regards to hand fell/grip). I also might have drilled a hole through the top of the head down into the body. Then reinforce it with a metal rod (as the head looks easy to break off, as is).

[@neeazahmed4513]

Should do a "tiny blade" series 😆 just make intricate tiny versions of swords

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@ezforsaken]

would be so cool to go back in time and tell whoever made this dagger in the first place, that even in 2022 his work is amazing.

[@eloerch7]

And share with him some bondo/epoxy

[@RN-du8wr]

Should put together a restoration series. Whenever you have some extra cash, just acquire artifacts like this or armor & what not and clean it up. It'd be a nice 'pallet cleanser' of sorts.

[@AlbinoBenito]

you should make a traditional Japanese wootz steel blade, I think it would make a really cool project going through the process that they went through all those years ago. they have found pretty accurate recipes on how wootz steel was made and you could use those to formulate the blade.

[@louisjordaan7096]

I would really like to see you forging your own Kris dagger out of some Damascus

[@stanalbatross8615]

Didn't he already do that some years ago? Might have been a Kris sword though

[@Ilzhain]

He did that a few years ago, it's all in a playlist on his channel

[@jordyv.703]

You can. he made one a few years ago

[@keyem4504]

I'm quite sure that the direction the head of the handle is bent to has been chosen on purpose. If you grip the dagger with your right hand the thumb and the big muscle below it are on top of the grip. In the original, the head is bent away from that muscle giving it more space, and allowing the pinky to grip on the head. In your design it's exactly the opposite which will make the handle uncomfortable for a right handed person.

[@niclai3779]

Lefties need daggers too

[@cascul]

so your saying theres something made that would actually be comfortable for a left handed person. woot woot

[@psibug565]

I’m reasonably sure that the head is just facing the other way on the piece. In any case I don’t think the 15th century dagger is going to be the first choice as a heavy use knife in that work shop. Not to mention Alec has already forged a Kris.

[@bipedalanimeskull]

thought so as well, but considering the design and the size, this most likely wasn't used for any heavy duty work like combat. Maybe a self defense tool, but i think more in a ceremonial setting, or maybe a status symbol

[@mukhrizaz5579]

@@bipedalanimeskull i am an kris collector and what you are saying is absolutely right this type of keris are used for ceremonial purpose. Also act as an charms talisman to its holder

[@GoldmansGarage]

Looks good. I renew my suggestion. Forge/fabricate your own blacksmith leg vise. Take the best of the classics and make one that’s got your twist on it

[@9w2esr51]

Keris ( kriss ) not usually sealed the handle. Just wrap the tang with theead and fit in the handle. You can remove the handle for blade maintenance. Traditional way to clean the kriss blade with lime juice ,vinegar or coconut juice and brush the blade with toothbrush

[@dacasey24]

would love to see a collab with alec's dad doing the woodworking for future grips

[@gcl2783]

Ahhh, yes. Making some of the classics... a dagger chair, hammer night stand, and table with top made of scimitar mistakes.

[@johnheckles8239]

@@gcl2783 😂

[@guilerms]

firstly, I think it's awesome that alec begins the project saying "I don't know if what I'm doing is the right thing to do" and proceeds to do a very sensible restoring job, and of course so well documented! gotta give kudos for that! but then, does anyone else think that he would benefit so much from being a better drafter? like, trusting his eye a bit more when designing proportions, being more confident, etc? when he goes for these more sculptural projects, it feels he struggles with that a little.

[@__w__o__w__]

5:26 that is the best approach to art.

[@kencoffman7145]

I can't get over how delicate this blade is!! Love this build

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@therealog9430]

I'll watch all of your vids no matter the content but I really enjoy your knife builds and restorations. Thanks for the amazing vid. I love the outcome of this one.

[@DigitalPetrol]

Nice work! I don't imagine it will increase in value but I appreciate seeing something old look like new. Thanks for another awesome video.

[@sgsax]

I like the rustic carving, but I also love folk art, and this feels very close to that. Nifty looking little dagger. Thanks for sharing!

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@TheWolfster001]

Remember, you are not doing a "Historic Correct Restoration" You are doing restoration using your creative touches.. Making a "Carbon Copy" is not what you are doing.. Just enjoy the journey and pleasure it gives you doing it.. Thank you for sharing.. I loved watching..

[@andreiko1959]

@Alec Steele. I am afraid that this " restoration" isn't a real restoration and for many reasons. As others have commented, this kris is missing the part called " Ganja" , that is an horizontal " guard" for lack of a better word with is on top of the blade. Although there are some rare krises without a Ganja ( called Ganja Iras) this isn't one of those ad should have it. You could have forged one. Also between the Ganja and the handle almost all krises have a " ring" (again for lack of a better word) called mendak, this is an important part that you could have acquired easily. The Hilt (Ukiran) is NOT attached with glue and is friction mounted. There is no purpose to a glued hilt and a kris, if at all used as a weapon, is a thrust blade and not a cutting blade. You have smoothened the surface which is not the correct surface for this type of blade. It would be for a blade made in Bali or some parts of the Indonesian Archipelago but these that you have is a Sumatran kris and its finish would have been rough. The etching proces of this e blades is not done with FeCl but with arsenic found in a natural form in volcanic rocks. The rock is ground to a powder and mixed with lime juice and fermented, this is called Warangan. This etches the blade in a different and correct way (you have been making coffee in the first video, and I can't remember seeing you using it to etch, but coffee hardly etches these baldes, I've tried!) . This kris may have had some age but I have some serious doubts that it was as old as you say. I appreciate your energetic videos and you make some works of art but this was incorrect at so many levels.

[@Flyingdogturd]

Anything for more footage ! Love it ! 👍

[@bertil9570]

Alec, why don’t you make an initial model with modeling dough? I mean, not the soft play-doh version but a harder one. My granddad used to create a 1-1 model of each of his wood carving masterpiece before starting. Because, you cannot add wood when it’s gone…

[@BritishBeeMan]

More restorations please. That was great.

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@GrandmaJesus]

really liked the cinematography this video, it matched the beauty of the piece.

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@GrandmaJesus]

@@ecornely ya i know, just gatta look to see that it isnt the verified account

[@ndc2i]

There is a concept in the whiskey world of "infinity bottles" where the last bits of whiskey from any bottle gets mixed into a single bottle, which can create a very unique and subtle blend. I wonder if there is such a thing as "infinity damascus"? Each time you have a little of damascus leftover, combine it with previous leftovers. It would be really interesting to see the resulting work.

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@Andy-mo1bq]

Did a bit of study in knife fighting back in the day, I personally think that the big etching in the handle is to make it usable once covered in blood, which can be slippery

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@struanpeat5116]

I would love to see you attempt to make a kris blade Maybe look to the legacy of kain series for inspiration since a wiggly blade features prominently in that series

[@GatorBird22]

Really enjoy the process of restoring old blades like this!

[@joshmajor8662]

Very cool idea!! I’m gonna have to start looking for OLD steel that’s “broken”. Turned out nice 👍

[@PenitentHollow]

Incredible carving dude! Beautiful work on this blade!

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@BenSlagfizzAlgar]

Alec, you done did that thing justice.

[@jeremystott8188]

That music around 6:01... oh god, something is gonna go wrong, ahh, this is it, gonna have to remake everything, is the ball too deep, is it going to slip, no wait, hang on, wait, he's gonna do it, he's bloody well got it, it's wonderful!

[@crisc9114]

Dude, Alec man. You have to start al over again!!! 🤔🤭 Your dog already told you that you had to do a Teddy bear handle!!! 🤭🤣😂👍 Super nice the restoration. 👍⚒️

[@irmi2000]

Anyone else would really want to see Alec make a light saber?

[@andersbb1]

banger music choice for the sanding compilation part!

[@nriyo3]

Have you ever considered making a forged flashlight? Maybe take a Convoy S2 and gut it and place the internals into a body you make?

[@Nascarnate100]

This is so cool and it is a beautiful blend of art and history and metal

[@CaptainTwitchy]

That thing is sooo dainty! Enjoyed the video and I hope you have some serious, elaborate builds coming up. I bet a majority of your newer followers have no clue that you once said, with considerable disdain, “I’m a blacksmith! I’ll never get into making knives”. Glad you still do both!

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@CaptainTwitchy]

@@ecornely thanks! I was like WTH?

[@TheCatanzaroShop]

Awesome! I too like the look of the handle without the eyes. It looks more like the reference material

[@hulkthedane7542]

Well done, Alec. Your tilt of the handle-man's head - in the opposit direction to the original - works very well. The curve of the handle follows the general curve of the blade. NICE!

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@StjerneRoo]

handle looks really nice. I would have incorporated the face on the dagger into the handle though.

[@sifibuckle]

I would recommend a fine mesh over your extractor funnel for when you drop your project into it.... Just trying to save you the heart ach of pulling it apart for no reason. Use plastic mesh as well, less damage to your project.

[@ianjanson5119]

Alec is like Bob Ross, but with fire and steel!

[@loyalistu.y.m]

I would be buzzing with myself if I carved that little man handle great job mate

[@kiesh.]

Looks awesome dude 🤘

[@carlmanns9232]

Loved this two part project, amazing end result.

[@leadgindairy3709]

Came out EPIC!

[@samctanner]

Great video. I enjoyed the back and forth between you and Jamie, gave a nice insight into the workshop.

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@cae2487]

I think you should try different etching agents. You already tried the ferric chloride and didn't get the results you were hoping for maybe try muriatic acid and see if it etches any differently or try hot vinegar or a combination of them in a series of steps.....idk if it would help make it better or worse or what but I think it'd be worth trying in my personal opinion. Regardless it's looking great you've really added some life to a blade that in the beginning looked near death. Thanks for sharing alec.

[@browndogquecompetitionbbq4253]

Every breath you take…. Every move you make… every step you take…I’ll be watching you.

[@browndogquecompetitionbbq4253]

Hey look. I won. What’d I win? 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Bnmohsen]

I hate using glue to fix the blade of knives or daggers in the handles, the best way is to nail the blade into the handle so that you put a small hole in the handle and another one in the blade and the nail is hammered into the two holes, this is a successful traditional method

[@granitesand78]

Bloody brilliant you two. And the music for the montage around 6mins was exhilarating.

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@point2176]

I admire your talent. Everything is so beautiful! Best wishes to you!

[@thomastan3796]

a Kris should have it's own unique wood sheath to match the beautiful handle, it's as much part of the Kris as the dagger itself. Please make one, Pleeeaaaasssseee...

[@willeatpants7691]

Now. Make your own modern Kris dagger with demascus and see the difference between the two!

[@tomim7187]

I like the handle better than the blade. It has a nicely executed primitive/folk artsy feel that shows more artistry than the blade.

[@jplxlabelle1681]

A little research goes a long way when dealing with specific relics from the past. They are often symbolic in nature, and therefore need specific details done in specific ways.

[@F0XD1E]

You're right about the face. Unless it can be done *very* well, too much detail can bring it into uncanny valley territory and look off. Better to leave it simple and let the subconscious mind fill in the blanks.

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@abrenos3744]

Finally I see something that I can do better than Alec, this kid is good at everything it seems, seriously though Alec could work your statue handle is looking awesome

[@thomaspizzutoii3495]

Make your dream "Bump in the night" weapon

[@JETWTF]

I see you learned to use a light touch with the rotary tool so it no longer grabs and walks across the piece. No more bur trails across the piece lol.

[@JETWTF]

Yay won a telegram prize for this comment! Prize was getting to report a scammer! Lucky me!

[@jeremieleibl8462]

This is a truly beautiful restauration and the handle work is just 😍 great job!

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@jeremieleibl8462]

@@ecornely Yes, I already reported it, thanks though ! ;)

[@hetspook666]

That one fancy beer bottle opener

[@dc-4ever201]

Looks OK aside from the Scouse Brow you gave him, I'm glad you separated them, turned out nice.

[@PheelTheJoy]

I wish we could see the original blacksmith's opinion of what you've done. I can't help but think they would feel pride to know that something they worked so hard on was getting this much love and attention this many years later.

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@brian1971berry]

Please take on more restoration projects. It's interesting to see different approaches to restoration. You can choose to restore the item to the way it was, by preserving everything and by altering as little as possible... basically cleaning it. You can also choose to restore function, which may mean you replace parts of it and "more aggressively" repair other parts. Very similar to how you restore a power hammer or an anvil.

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@Lorddanielrushton371]

wow really well done Alex.

[@SoldierDemps]

Alec, can you do a display of all your amazing recreations in one video and show them all on a table and walk us through them what your proud of, what your most miserable build was etc etc?

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@DJLing]

WE NEED MORE HOUSE UPDATES!!! 😂😂😂

[@etpeloquin]

You should make your own version of the same blade!

[@leadgindairy3709]

Dam! You are really good at wood working/carving as well bro!

[@chaossdragon]

I whole heartedly agree. Thinking just gets me into trouble...

[@anjarsetyabudi0235]

In my country a kris with this shape is also known as "KUTUT SAJEN" Often used as ritual equipment in ancient times ( ceremonial danger )

[@angrybearironworks3233]

Alec, as an artist, I can tell you (not that I think Alec would really read this) that your faces will look better if you drop the eyes down a little bit. I used to do the same exact thing in my early drawings

[@Kleenur]

You should make a Salt Quenching system for one of your builds.

[@I_Infinity]

I can't help but notice Alec's Kris blade wasn't as lopsided as this actual Kris.

[@bobhaehn5470]

Excellent end product. Sometimes, less is more and an old, old addage.......the deeper you go, the slower you go

[@oooi4614]

no matter how much you advertise raid shadow legends the song about mech arena (macarena) is still in my heart P.S. wonderful job Alec! you are a genius and master of your craft

[@kristianhansen3404]

And now It is time for a huge damascus project. Something, big, intricate and shiny 🤓

[@TimothyHall13]

Oh Yeah!!! Thanks Alec!!!

[@FreviriousQuigby]

"let's not do any thinking. let's just do feeling" can we get that on a t-shirt?

[@seekwhen1848]

The handle ....reminds me of OSCAR. Gilding the handle could give us a Backstabbing-Award-Look to it hopefully

[@goudfather13]

I wonder what that little blade has seen, or what impact it had on the time it was made??? Pretty cool!

[@ecornely]

The TELEGRAM ME is a scam !

[@goudfather13]

@@ecornely Thanks, I figured so. 👍

[@Sharp_Stone]

Hi, I got something awesome and challenging for a next handle. Metal inlay in wood. Good be just iron, brass, silver or gold

[@user-ni9cv3lf5k]

i just found and watched one of your 2014 videos and its just humbling to see how much this channel has progressed

[@timcrossley8908]

Would like to see you try make some golf clubs

[@nicholassatrya19]

love from indonesia, this is one of the relic from maja pahit era and it looks amazing.

[@ThatGuy-ou4ev]

0:16 It's Mr. Hanky!😂

[@DEATER155]

You should make some Damascus tooling for your dad

[@davidcanoy8579]

Nicely done.

[@MadMathMike]

Nice work! If you don't already have plans for it, donating it to a museum exhibit could be cool!

[@argoth5842]

It would be interesting to see a two handed Kris style sword

[@xxxdiresaintxxx]

Very well done sir!

[@grabeq2188]

you should try recreting this with modern damascus

[@CharlsGee]

Cutest dog ever

[@Mataclysm]

The original handle looks to me like the figure has its arms bound behind its back. That's the 'V' on the back. It's heavy with symbolism, I think. Or maybe by freeing its arms in a new depiction you've freed an ancient demon, who knows.