This tool saved a king's life, I recreated it!

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My name is Alec Steele and I am a 21 year old blacksmith from Norfolk in the United Kingdom, now living in Montana in the USA! I upload a vlog from my day at the workshop almost every single day. Lots of sparks, lots of making, lots of fantastic-ness. Great to have you here following along!
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Alec Steele Blacksmith 2019

[@Allgamersadvice]

the mere fact that a medieval doctor designed this from scratch with no internet in extreme short notice is truly astonishing

[@Matthe9256]

Why wouldn't he have internet?

[@internetrules8522]

@@Matthe9256 class disparity was much bigger back then, basically only top level aristocrats had internet and no one else did

[@AnimeFan-wd5pq]

@@internetrules8522 no, he lived in France, and we all know people in France doesn’t have internet.

[@internetrules8522]

@@AnimeFan-wd5pq well ive used the internet for a long time and ive never seen a person from france complaining on the internet that they dont have internet so i think ur wrong

[@AnimeFan-wd5pq]

@@internetrules8522 sorry you’re cutting off, I can’t seem to hear you. Must be the France internet.

[@ianlopez3780]

The fact that he made a screw thread with just a hammer its ridiculously impressive

[@alexbrewer4570]

As a machinist, I agree. Even with the right tools in my trade, threads can be easy to mess up.

[@valentinmitterbauer4196]

There is a reason screws were pretty rare until the industrial revolution. They were inexchangeable, as every core thread only fitted its original bolt.

[@Ty-ri7dy]

It is. I have a project that I want to put a screw thread to a wooden dowel for and one of my options for doing it is just to do it by hand. It doesn't even have to be exact, since it's just for looks, but I still don't want to do it that way. I can't even imagine doing it by hand on metal, and it actually has to function as a thread too.

[@jeffreyhill1011]

If you think that's impressive, I can make a full toilet with just a number 6 from McDonald's

[@ParadigmUnkn0wn]

@@jeffreyhill1011 that ain't nothin'. I can demolish an entire bathroom with just a number 2 from Taco Bell.

[@ThoughtsAreFreedom]

Ehh Henry, you’re a real trooper for making this video possible

[@tobyhallidie1498]

He also had the good sense to keep the x-rays 2:25

[@John-4649]

@@tobyhallidie1498 Not sure if you’re being facetious or not but that’s a historical illustration

[@chillex6903]

@@John-4649 wooosh

[@John-4649]

@@chillex6903 🤷🏼‍♂️ just being honest lol you can never tell these days if someone is THAT dumb or if it was a joke lol

[@philkugler2429]

Well, trying out the extractor definitely beat the alternative...

[@sleazypmartini9272]

8:38 the way he joined in on the celebration really made my heart happy

[@cavemann_]

it was so wholesome 😊

[@acblaze3116]

I was about to point that out too!

[@artemisknightprotectorofth8956]

9:10 what about this part LOL 🤣

[@boiyogold]

Finally someone mentions the good boy

[@nortalian549]

Good boye says “I don’t know why we are celebrating, but I want in!”

[@alexxander966]

I wonder what the doctor inventor would think, if he was told people were still making his contraption hundreds of years in the future. Not out of necessity, but just for funsies

[@runic6452]

I personally would be delighted to see my contraption be made even if it isn't needed at that time. Y'know? Just for recreation and repurpose (ironic cuz it doesn't have a purpose in this era lol)

[@robbieaulia6462]

@@runic6452 I mean yeah, nowadays you're less likely to get impaled by an arrow than getting a girlfriend.

[@runic6452]

@@robbieaulia6462 that hit too close to home (or shall i say bullseye xD)

[@roberine7241]

@ Runic64 In this case kingseye. At least almost.

[@runic6452]

@@roberine7241 kingseyebags then?

[@ModernKnight]

Brilliantly explained and made. Really enjoyed this one. Imagine the pressure the doctor and the smith must have been under to get it right and do it quickly! Lastly no anasthetics for the poor prince.

[@D33r_Hunt3r_]

I can not imagine the pain that this would have caused. Man am I glad for pain killers!

[@nigelwylie01]

There were at least two well-established pain control methods around Henry V’s time. A hammer blow to the head, or stupendous quantities of alcohol. I think the King could probably afford the latter!

[@bjornthorgudmundsson2781]

wouldnt opium have been a thing back then? its guaranteed to be stupid expensive but he is a prince

[@nigelwylie01]

@@bjornthorgudmundsson2781 they were certainly using many herbs, and would have used natural narcotics if they were available to them. Not sure.

[@Eric-mc1jf]

John Bradmore was the guy who extracted the arrow, he was a metal worker and surgeon which was common at the time, so he probably was the one who had to forge the tool and extract it.

[@TheNameIwantedWasTkn]

When you said “that was a bloody nightmare” about making this device, I feel like you’ve completely overlooked the guy with the arrowhead in his face 😂

[@Fungusamnguss]

When he said that I thought "Now try sticking it in someones face!"

[@dnbmania]

Surely he bleeds out or something taking out the bung

[@Loan--Wolf]

i would be more woried about the blacksmith that made it if it faild he mostlikly lost his head

[@frankierzucekjr]

🤣 lmao

[@TheNameIwantedWasTkn]

@@dnbmania i dunno man, a lot of injuries like that don’t actually bleed all that much, the bigger problem surely would have been infection right?

[@jeffhreid]

Makes me wonder how much time elapsed between the Dr designing the tool and the smith making it. All that the the King had a freaking arrow in his face. The pressure to work quickly must have been incredible

[@jasonrogers8360]

The doctor at the time was worried about the wound closing around the arrowhead so he used a series of increasingly thick twigs of alder (mildly anti microbial wood) dipped in honey (some antiseptic properties), over a few days to open the wound up more and more to help ease the passage of the head back out. They must have kept Henry off his face on poppy juice and wine for the whole time. I'd certainly hope so anyway.

[@frankierzucekjr]

@@jasonrogers8360 wow that sounds sooo painful. And yes I hope the kid was pretty wasted, I couldn't imagine that pain. Ouchhh

[@Apostate_ofmind]

@@jasonrogers8360 and the dude probably had access to the best knock out juice! imagine for everyone else off the street (better not to😅)

[@jonasstahl9826]

The smith has probably make it in a few hour he was way more skilled and experince than Alec.

[@atlas2061]

@@jonasstahl9826 Not so sure about that one chief, even if the smith was better (which isn't likely considering the evolution of the craft), he didn't have access to auto-hammers or anything else

[@Simon-jv9bm]

8:36 I love how the dog was just as exited as Alec even tho he had no clue what was going on

[@randomdude8202]

Emotional support doge

[@alankeith7866]

Can't imagine the pain Henry endured while the arrow head was being pulled out. And the fact that he didn't die from a massive infection is a miracle too.

[@mementomori4972]

They had ways to numb patients, even hundreds of years ago. They probably used opium, mandragora and henbane or a mixture of those. The physician of a king would have access to those kind of substances and drugs.

[@leviathan7477]

I'm really liking this theme of recreating forged devices from medieval times! this one was so cool!

[@judahboyd2107]

He should make Gotz von Berlichingen's iron hand

[@frankierzucekjr]

I agree. Medieval Times is so interesting

[@herbertboelk7545]

Yes, recreating medieval or later hand forged artifacts for some curious, extraordinary or very early purpose. Maybe bust a myth or confirm. Historic drawings of some old genius' or alchemist's lab might be an other interesting source, beside interesting stuff in museums.

[@judahboyd2107]

@@herbertboelk7545 Maybe he can prove some "ceremonial" artifacts had actual uses.

[@johnnygreenface]

@@judahboyd2107 That one seems like quite a bit of a task. Lol

[@ThePirateburke86]

Hats off to Henry for taking an arrow to the face AND willingly have this thing used on him

[@MFTomp09]

Even back then they probably understood that leaving it in could cause more problems. They probably had seen that leaving something like that in could cause infections that normally might lead to gangrene and require amputation. But how do you amputate the kings head and expect him to live? You can’t. The only solution is to remove it. Then they potentially cauterized the wound which luckily also helped to disinfect it in a way by killing bacteria with heat. Some of the science might not have actually been known but they certainly knew from experience what the odds were of survival if you left a dirty arrowhead inside a person. But to do the extraction without pain meds.. king Henry V must’ve been a legend.

[@TimeFadesMemoryLasts]

@@MFTomp09 There was probably a whole team holding him still so that he doesn't flounder and punch in pain.

[@torpedo996]

@@TimeFadesMemoryLasts And alcohol.

[@bugzyhardrada3168]

Lots and lots of alcohol

[@TrueFork]

Since they had no x-ray poor Henry probably had to give feedback on how close they were to the arrowhead

[@jasonwagner5571]

Alec, this is one of your best episodes in quite some time. It’s both historically educational as well as very entertaining. It reminds me of the videos that got you where you are. Keep up the great work and happy new year!

[@AlecSteele]

Thank you so much!!!

[@georgeschnakenberg7808]

Please make "remake" episodes it works for Disney. I'd love to see a new "damascus belt buckle" or you never did "damascus cutlery" . Anything you make I'll watch. Been here since 200k proud of you.

[@aaronbegg3827]

Keep doing whatever you're enthusiastic about and we'll enjoy every minute of it!

[@krazedlunatick]

Yes! This is a classic "old style" alec video. I loved it!

[@SgtBurned]

@@AlecSteele I agree, this is one of your best episodes yet. Loved the history behind it, and a little technical know-how ( screw holes can go screw themselves )

[@TheWtfnonamez]

As someone interested in medieval weaponry, an ex-archer and the owner of a few swords, I can honestly say that was the most informative and fascinating video I have seen in a long time.

[@alcejaylos.4257]

8:35 Doggo got happy about you being happy! Dogs are such precious things.

[@MrVassago89]

The fact that a master blacksmith struggled to make something as simple as an arrow head (simple compared to his other projects, calm down) and left it in shows how truly humble he is. Much respect Alec. 👌👌👌

[@zzzires5045]

I found it comical how he has lost those skills as making bodkins is the best way to learn to forge sockets and basic hammer control.

[@Tork789]

Or maybe he's not a master blacksmith

[@MrVassago89]

@@Tork789 you're entitled to your opinion 🤙

[@cortster12]

Probably see the reason it's not needed, guns, and be amazed and terrified by how far military technically has evolved.

[@blackfireoffire]

@@MrVassago89 he definitely isn’t. Not even Ilya from that works considers himself a master. Actual masters have double the amount of forge time and experience that he has. Don’t water down the term .

[@peterhall6656]

This device was conceived and produced under considerable pressure. The idea is obvious but to make it was bloody hard and time was ticking away.

[@polarknight5376]

The amount of pressure that blacksmith must've been under. He was helping save the future king's life! Though that must've been very good advertising for him too.

[@peterhall6656]

@@polarknight5376 He was clearly at the top of his game. It was an impressive feat. I imagine he had thought the design through before hand as the problem of removing arrows was a common one. An inspired project for Alex.

[@Blox117]

the doctor was impressive as well

[@Tyrinath]

I must say as much as I enjoy the bigger projects I find myself attached to stuff like this a little more, the oddball fascinating projects, making pieces with interesting back stories of now just how but -why- they existed. Good stuff.

[@XavierXonora]

Did you mean _why_ instead of -why-?

[@XavierXonora]

(_content here_) for italics ;)

[@Tyrinath]

@@XavierXonora Yesh.

[@mitchellambrose2293]

I seen a documentary about this on PBS about 5 years ago. You nailed it! Museum quality piece. I think people back in time where tuffer than people are today. Good work 👏!

[@thetruthexperiment]

I always wondered how he managed to forge that thing in time. You did it and you didn’t even have to save a king. A damn good king who knew how to fight for his people. Fought along side them till the end. Amazing. This is a really cool project and one I thought I would never get to see. Right on.

[@ficolas2]

Prince* my man took an arrow to the head, and then lived enough to become a king.

[@bluebirdboy9103]

Spare parts on hand perhaps that he was able to fit into his device. Maybe he had a spare thread lying around.

[@l.h.9747]

@@bluebirdboy9103 i think we can also assume that he didnt make it just by himself but also with the help of the best smiths available

[@keithklassen5320]

It was made quite some days (weeks? I can't recall) after the initial wound; Henry V wasn't about to die of blood loss, but they knew that leaving the arrowhead in him was bad news.

[@am4793]

Mate, kings only fight for themselves and their lineage. The worst people in the world are the most hard working in getting absolute power.

[@andrejohnson6731]

These historic quote-unquote "medical" instruments of torture are fascinating! The tooth extractor was the stuff of nightmares. Very cool that you are exploring these things, a bit of a history lesson as well as entertainment.

[@SuchtFaktorHoch10]

Just thinking about the pain and agony while having an arrow in your face, removing the wood, then inserting this nightmare fuel into your face while pushing the arrow head even deeper, stretching out the arrow head and in that stretched condition pulling it out while very likely wiggling it because it has a high chance that the arrow head got stuck on bones and tissue and muscles. JIKES. And on top of that hygiene was an anknown word. So good luck while the gaping wound get's infected and is eating your face in the process.

[@IanZainea1990]

Quote-unquote followed by the use of quotes.

[@davidorf3921]

@@SuchtFaktorHoch10 it wasn't just that, the surgeon had to open the wound up a bit first, then he cleaned it out, then he removed the arrow head before repeatedly cleaning the wound over some time with ever smaller tools to allow it to heal, no pain killers in those days either but he succeeded, Henry lived another 19 years eventually dying of a combination of heatstroke and dysentery contracted during the siege of Cosne-sur-Loire.

[@DanielMores]

@@IanZainea1990 Hey, people actually say "lol" nowadays so anything goes.

[@SuchtFaktorHoch10]

@@davidorf3921 Wonderful. I am going to watch SAW and Hostel to come down. ^^ But an absolute madlad to survive this and add another 19 years. I am pretty sure this story was added every time his name was mentioned and made negotiations and policital disputs much easier for him.

[@eliriederer]

I can't even imagine how painful extracting that arrowhead must have been using this device.

[@platyhelminthes2877]

I'm sure it was a great relief once it was finally out and the pressure was relieved. Honestly, it's a miracle he didn't die of infection.

[@BeeTriggerBee]

you would probably pass out from shock/pain thankfully depending on where it got lodged.

[@Oshidorinohina]

maybe they had something similar to laudanum.

[@kingdomofthesaintful]

@@Oshidorinohina Yeah it was called getting absolutely HAMMERED with wine

[@ChloetheGaymer]

Absolutely terrifying

[@andybogart2503]

I wonder how they stopped the bleeding once that arrowhead was extracted?! Maybe they could insert a hot iron rod to cauterize it? Great video, and super impressive thread cutting!

[@siliconshaman]

Stuff the wound with spider webs actually. Acts like gauze bandage, contains a natural clotting agent as well.

[@humorgep]

@@siliconshaman Wait they put spider webs in his face? How long did they leave them in or were they just absorbed?

[@21JesseJohnson]

Having no evidence to back this up, they most likely would have simply sown the wound channel closed with sutures (most likely gut sutures), then wrapped the face in a linen/cloth bandage of some kind. It is after all just an arrow, the wound channel wouldn't be massive and the body is very good at closing wounds like that naturally.

[@terrortorn]

The wound was probed with clean sticks of fresh wood wrapped in clean cloth and honey. Different sizes to open the wound to allow extraction. I suppose with the wound cleaned and the honey acting as an anti septic they would have just closed the opening and bandaged it. There's no way they would have applied a red hot iron to the face.

[@bigbalticbox]

@@terrortorn Forged metal is pretty filthy. There's no doubt they tried to at least clean it one last time with something. I'm not a historic medicine buff though, so I have no idea what with, but I can't imagine a doctor not taking one last shot at cleaning the entire thing up *just in case* it got infected

[@totallynotdelinquent5933]

8:35 I love how the dog gets happy with him, it's wonderful

[@numberpie]

I really like that there's historical significance to this build, feel like a lot of similar videos are just "BIG SWORD", or "arrow from rusty screwdriver"

[@geoffgreen2105]

"Who's that?" "He must be a king." "How's you know that?" "He's the only one they'd go to all that work to pull an arrowhead out of his face."

[@kcgunesq]

i used to be an adventurer like you, until I took an arrow to the face

[@weaselwolf]

"Well I didn't vote for 'im!"

[@comiccat4650]

Every time I hear about historical surgical tools I'm glad that we now have modern medicine. I can't even imagin how much inserting that thing and pulling out again would hurt

[@ehsnils]

The only difference today would probably be anesthesia. That tool seems to be unusually effective for the purpose compared to many other tools. A modern variant would just be more refined using more modern thread tap and die as well as being cleaner.

[@AvanaVana]

@@ehsnils well the other difference is modern medicine would be able to determine if the arrow hit an artery, and if removing it would cause catastrophic bleeding, and they would use forceps or other things to stop it. Not to mention real antibiotics and sterilized tools.

[@ZENMASTERME1]

I am pretty darn sure that this is the most screwing around you’ve ever done on a project! 👍🏾

[@benkayvfalsifier3817]

1. Well done, dad 2. Apologize 3. Profit

[@Isnogood12]

Get bent. Like Alec's Steel.

[@alexisrodriguez6526]

That's the most dad thing to ever be commented on a video 🤣

[@pierremarcotte6299]

Bah - Dum - Tsss

[@blairdiviak1978]

Dude! I cannot BELIEVE! that you actually "forged" the threads!!! Mr. Steele... You are, without a doubt, one of the G.O.A.T.

[@TKakela]

This is freaking brilliant. Massive kudos to you for making this! I thoroughly enjoyed both the making of the item and the videography itself.

[@RestoreMore]

This was so sick!! Respect to king Henry for taking a face full of bodkin and living onnn!

[@perstyr]

The sad thing is that after all that his death was linked to dysentery 😢

[@wesleyliverman8955]

My man literally forged out history, so stocked. Good build

[@Mjones8383]

What is stocked? You mean stoked

[@PlumbingExplained]

This is amazing! Gets me thinking, Alec would you ever be interested in forging a tool for plumbers?

[@rickmoore]

seriously, how about making an old school monkey wrench or pipe wrench

[@rjrulz327]

Love the idea of doing something like that I personally want to make a Damascus framing hammer.

[@GaisaSanktejo]

@@rjrulz327 That would be something I could get behind, though I would also have a metal shaft and leather grip since I've managed to snap all but two hickory hafted tools I own; shovels, hammers, you name it. The only survivors were two hatchets, the first was killed by my father, the second is still going strong

[@PlumbingExplained]

@@rickmoore imagine a Damascus monkey wrench crafted by none other than the legendary Alec Steele!! Man that would be amazing!!! This extractor he made was very cool too!! It gave me some ideas for an extractor in plumbing!

[@PlumbingExplained]

@@rjrulz327 man that would be incredible!! I use a framing hammer quite often, I think I’d find more reasons to use a hammer more often if I had a Damascus hammer specially one made by Alec!! I been watching him for a very long time hahaha

[@alleredetagetafmig]

8:36 aw look at the dog getting excited too

[@DuckyBee156]

I have little to NO blacksmith knowledge... eitherway im blown away you flawlessly made it work, within one go! Top work!

[@yetanotherbassdude]

Definitely liking the historical angle on this video, and I genuinely never knew Henry V took an arrow to the face before he became king! Maybe for more videos you could do a collab with the British Museum's channel or perhaps a university's archaeology dept to do some experimental archaeology and recreate some other weird tools and things from history?

[@pflasterstrips7254]

Maybe just selling the finished product as a authentic and working replica for $$$

[@mikehunt42069]

Hadn't seen threads get forged before but that method totally makes sense!

[@janbernad4729]

Not 100% sure, but I think that most of nowadays commercialy made bolts and nuts are also made by forming instead of cutting.

[@samurphy]

@@janbernad4729 bit of both. Most are formed to close to their final form, then run through the cutter for final finishing. You can look at a new bolt and see that it's fairly rough, but has a shiny edge on the thread.

[@ericvicaria8648]

Can you *imagine* the pressure of being the smith making a bespoke medical implement for saving the King?

[@Swordmaster7th]

I am certain any modern smith would love to have worked with the old smiths, I am sure tricks and tips would be learned. Back then they had inferior tools, would be so interesting.

[@Yosser70]

Alec is very good but I’d bet the guy who made this originally would have knocked it out in no time. He’d be the best of the best working for royalty, so used to making more refined things. While there’d be pressure to get it right, I’m sure it was well within his capabilities.

[@ericvicaria8648]

@@Yosser70 I am sure you are right about their skill, but this was an age where a king could have one killed on a whim.

[@Steir12]

​@@ericvicaria8648 Not on a whim, reputable blacksmith is no peasant by any mean and even royalty can't just order to hang him without solid reason othervise it would make entire guild quite upset and you don't want people who can make weapons and armor upset. Altrough i imagine they could conjure up a lot of problems for him using their influence if they really wanted to.

[@Catguini]

One of your best vids!!! Awesome job with the threading!!!😻😻😻😻😻

[@Acusumano25]

8:36 doggo giving hugs and high fives, love it

[@tastyhumanstew]

"I wanted to be a blacksmith like you, then I took an arrow in the face."

[@gregunplugged]

Let me guess, someone stole your sweet roll

[@metalbob3335]

What is it , Dragons ?

[@gregunplugged]

@@metalbob3335 I heard they’re reforming the dawnguard

[@metalbob3335]

@@gregunplugged 🤣

[@timm1139]

“I’ll take the job, but don’t expect a miracle.”

[@GaisaSanktejo]

The only real difference I could see between your version and the original was the lack of teeth on the very tip of the extractor, yet it was still enough to remove the arrow head from your test dummy! (Not you Jamie!) Nicely done!

[@rondean9377]

Well done, this was a very difficult build and it worked exactly as it should

[@jeffreyyoung4104]

Now imagine making the opposite tool where it clamps down onto a bullet for extraction. I sometimes think these tools were actually used for torture, and a doctor saw one and said, "I have an idea!".

[@soopafamicom]

The skill of the smith who made it and the precision, esp with the tools he would have at his disposal, awesome. You have done a fantastic job at this recreation. love it.

[@johnschloss694]

I LOVE YOU! im an amatur blacksmith who has been watching and learning from your videos for a long thanks! love you!

[@stevenshasky6673]

Love how when he celebrated getting the thread right he had his pupper celebrating with him lol so great

[@garethlamb6923]

I suggested this tool on the pear of torture episode, so I’m very happy to see it recreated. The writings on the event where this tool was originally designed are pretty great to read through, and there are some documentaries on it too.

[@giggityguy]

I always appreciate the small touch of Jamie syncing up the hammer blows to the music, but I especially appreciate the bit at 3:46 where he used eighth note triplets! Going a little bit above and beyond just to keep things interesting.

[@liberalideas8224]

Easily my favorite video of yours. Awesome nod to history, merging that respect to it while still keeping it a Alec Steele blacksmithing vid.

[@chikendrumstick]

Have you ever considered forging a brace? Like the old timey hand drills?

[@michajuszczak5261]

He actually did some time ago

[@SAOS451316]

Much like today with bullets, people would sometimes survive arrow wounds with the head still in their body. In this case though it was A in the face right by the brain stem and major blood vessels and B said face belonged to the king's heir, so it had to come out. This tool is pretty cool but it's not the only thing Bradmore invented to save Henry's life. Once the bodkin head was removed the wound was cleaned with alcohol and a wooden dowel was inserted in the hole. Each day the dowel was carved smaller and the wound was re-cleaned until it healed.

[@Eyes0penNoFear]

Thanks for the extra info. I'm definitely glad I'm alive now vs back then.

[@SAOS451316]

@@Eyes0penNoFear oh definitely, as fascinating as medieval europe is it's a place you'd rather visit than live in. hopefully people in the future will be glad they don't live now.

[@BullDykee]

I'm really liking this theme of recreating forged devices from medieval times!

[@nelsonthen884]

Being a smith nowadays is basically a KZbin Career. Cool things keep being invented, many ideas keep pumping in by the minute... Baisc editing, good idea, an actual working piece, and you're done! Make a patreon and promise people to do crazy things other things

[@Foxttellio]

The amount of pain henry must've been in is incredible, especially that this operation not only worked, but that he survived it too

[@kasuha]

What fascinates me is that Bradmore was both surgeon and blacksmith. He likely created the tool for the surgery himself. And likely made other surgical tools for himself, too. Imagine this being done today, surgeons forging their scalpels... In any case, I learned all known forms of the tool are recreations based on his (not very accurate) description with a lot of guesses made to fill the holes, the original tool did not persist. But the thread was definitely forged, there was no other way to make them in 1400s.

[@cartier-8548]

What type of surgeon?

[@samurphy]

@@cartier-8548 in 1400s, there weren't really different types of surgeon. They were people who cut and stitched people. Removed limbs, sewed wounds, etc. There was no such thing as brain surgery or any fine surgery, since there was no anesthetic. Not like you could have someone lay still for 3 hours while you repaired fine structures or removed an organ.

[@grantm6514]

There are parallels in orthopedic surgery going back as long as it has been a specialist field, with surgeons being very closely involved with designing the tools and 'hardware' used in mending, straightening and immobilizing bones. Perhaps not wielding the hammer, but almost certainly working one-on-one with the guy who does.

[@johnnygreenface]

@@samurphy There has been historical uses of very crude "brain" surgery. Though that's more cracking open the skull than actually doing anything to the brain

[@klancs_6661]

I think we need a black smithing for beginers playlist from Alec. Not sure how good it would do in terms of view but would love to learn more

[@GaisaSanktejo]

Look to his mix lists and his earlier vlogs ;)

[@kassiog.6595]

It's a couple years old but there is one already

[@5x535]

That really is cool! This story points out, yet again, why the Blacksmith is entitled to have fringe on his apron.

[@ToastCharms]

8:37 i like how your dog started celebrating with you nice wholesome

[@FortInTheWoods]

Funny I read this comment right as I reached that point in the video lol

[@trevorgorgon5340]

That thread you made looked beautiful!!! Very impressive

[@richardguy3319]

This was AWESOME Alec!

[@Tomd8002]

Would be interesting to see how you would make an Archimedes screw for lifting grains or water?

[@bergerniklas6647]

Would really love to see you forging for the YT channel Sampson Boat Co. There is a guy (Leo from the UK) restoring an old boat (the TallyHo). It's a great Channel and Leo is a great guy.

[@Jacob_graber]

Historical blacksmithing is probably the coolest topic you could ever cover!

[@TheHammemo]

Thanks Alec, very cool.

[@anarchistangler]

Henry V was a legend. Not only did he battle with an arrow through his face, he whooped French ass at the battle of Agincourt, and brought back English as the national language. He is right up there with Oliver Cromwell in my books, and makes me proud to be of English descent.

[@samplename8721]

Sad life you live if you’re proud to be an angloid

[@anarchistangler]

@@samplename8721 nah mate I am born of conquest, and it comes with many advantages. I do not approve of every aspect of my heritage, but the many positive social and technological achievements of my ancestors that have stamped their mark on the world and given me my position in it are awesome. I can absolutely confirm I do not feel sad at all. I live a life of joy, completely free of sour grapes. I am proud my culture values telling the truth as well, and I can give it to you like it is.

[@victorgustafsson2328]

I think it would be cool to see him make a heretics fork It is simple horrifying and effektive

[@shady4546]

Honestly the way that tool was actually meant to be used and how I thought it would be used from just the picture are incredibly different

[@humherheheherhum4079]

As we desend further and further towards societal collapse, Alec Steel shows us how to make mid-evil life saving tools and devices of torture.

[@pneumarian]

Note that it's 'medieval' not 'mid-evil'. The roots would be 'medi-' as in 'medium', something that's between, & '-eval' as in 'primeval', an era. Or, transliterated directly into the vulgar tongue of the modern British isles, 'middle-ages'.

[@humherheheherhum4079]

@@pneumarian potatoe patatoe

[@joshuaprentice7737]

This belongs in a museum. Maybe that's on the cards for you in the future? An Alec Steele Museum with historical forged items from you and year team. That would really cool

[@nigelwylie01]

Amusing watching your slow descent into delirium as the tiredness set in and the deadline approached. Familiar and reassuring!

[@paulbremen]

Great Video and project, thank you! Historical note: The battle in which this happened was the one at Shrewsbury, against the armies of some nobles who contested Henry IVs claim to the throne. And yes, that’s the one at the end of Shakespeares Henry IV Part I. Shakespeare left out the arrow, tho, probably because he needed the prince to speak articulately afterwards.

[@breakshot7451]

i try to imagine how henry felt, as the "doctor" came with this tool in his hand and said, so now please keep still,ooooohhhh holy moly

[@Robenbuilds]

That is a very cool tool, good job!

[@Not_A-Bear]

You should make an artificial leech. They were used when you couldn’t find real live parasites to put on people

[@TheReubenShow]

When I count my blessings, I have thus far never considered that I have no arrows in my face. Thank you Mr. Steele.

[@alestone5615]

This is one of my favorite vids. The thread creation was great!

[@TDJeux]

9:49 shoutout to King Henry V.... lmfao

[@derekroberts7217]

Not medieval just 106 years old, The Hirtz Compass (1915) was used to accurately determine where bullets were located in the body so that they could then be removed with precision.

[@bennyboysutton]

Awesome video!!! I’d much rather watch these “one day builds” rather than a 27 episode sword build!!! Keep up the fantastic content sir!!!

[@normotoryjazz6446]

I love how this guy shows the process of the forgery not only just the success but all the fails.

[@marcclapton]

Love this series!!!! What about a morning star? Spiked ball on a chain attached to timber handle.

[@analogplanet9675]

Nicely forged! This inspired an idea that I'll have to experiment with: "hot-tapping" steel. Idea is to use a square bar or something, twisted, as the screw and also to make the hot-tap, which would be twisted into an undersized hole in hot plate stock. Like punching a hole, you'd need to keep the tap cool. Maybe even tap it in with light hammer blows as you twist it.

[@theduke7539]

Did the English forge their arrow heads? I know the Chinese started casting theirs as early as the 13th century, and I'm pretty sure they did it even earlier. Though now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure the Chinese used copper arrowheads instead of iron

[@GaisaSanktejo]

I believe so. I've seen blacksmiths forge them and once you have a decent base metal, its VERY quick. Casting them may be quicker due to being able to cast multiple arrowheads in bulk, but I doubt they would be as sharp and copper/brass arrowheads wouldn't have been as effective at penetrating plate armour as forged steel/iron ones

[@theduke7539]

@@GaisaSanktejo that is true, the Chinese smith's had the problem of quantity and were fighting enemies wearing woolen coats and only light fabric based armors like woven silk with animal hide as a backer. Very few had armor on the step, those that did didn't have access to the plate armor we associate with 13th to 16th century Europe. So iron would have been overkill and likely would have been wasteful as the iron deposits in China are deeper than those of Northern Europe, so there was just less iron floating around the region.

[@Waldemarvonanhalt]

Accessible iron deposits were very sparse in pre-modern China, so that's probably the case. Actually forging the arrow head also work hardens it, even before quenching, since you're aiming for it to be hard enough to have a chance of penetrating maille.

[@GaisaSanktejo]

@@Waldemarvonanhalt True enough, you can work harden bronze and brass (at room temperature), though they will never match iron

[@scale_e]

I love this. I'm a huge fan of trying to guess the purpose of odd looking tools that have a single specific obscure purpose. This tool definitely fits that category. Well done, keep up the good work.

[@sammacneill2843]

I think it's awesome when Alec striking the anvil syncs up with the background music

[@rhawk5313]

9:10 the dog is like no alec that's mine thank you.

[@macnalba]

There are very few videos that have me absolutely enthralled but this was one of them! Incredible stuff!

[@NovelTE]

8:35 I love how your dog also celebrates when he sees you happy. Good doggo

[@FrayAdjacentTX]

Neat, I remember reading about the original incident. They said likely the arrow bounced off of someone else and slowed down enough not to go clean through his head. Very innovative solution to the problem.

[@aeronjb23]

Really should give a shout out to the blacksmith Hector Cole, he decoded the original writings about this tool and made the one you used as referance from that manuscript by description alone. He's a crazy skilled archaeological blacksmith!

[@thedatacombs]

Fantastic! Your execution of the reconstruction, along with your explanation of the process and entertaining presentation, brings much-needed attention to a little-remembered event in English history. For anyone interested in hearing more about the backstory of Prince Henry's injury, John Bradmore, and the fascinating post-arrowhead-removal treatment that saved Henry's life, I've made a detailed video on the subject. Cheers to your excellent work!

[@ralfgrosser4443]

Some time back, Master blacksmith Hector Cole made a replica, for a TV program. As an archer, I believe, every archery household should have one of these.

[@colvinwellborn]

Love seeing you get back to the basics, hand forging some interesting tools. Those skills require practice to maintain, don't they!

[@brovusmarillian3303]

lets not forget? the arrow was also stuck in bone and that the arrow had to be pulled through shredded flesh in the Kings face. That woulda hurt far worse than what Alec just showed us people and be far harder due to the Bone.

[@haz7072]

3:38 u have no clue how incredibly satisfying it was for the hammer to match the music

[@WilcrezTheWanderer]

Awww, your doggo got super excited for you, too. Also, imagine the child-king, shot in the face with an arrow... and the physicians commissioned this from their blacksmiths. Tiny king boy just... waiting, with an arrow 6 inches in his face, waiting for them to make this thing to get it out, but with medieval equipment and techniques.

[@rodneybever9583]

Really impressed by those thread cutting skills. Bravo!

[@skaalduggery]

This is incredible dude. Thank you for showing how you forged this device. As a biomedical engineer this is a pinnacle device in medical history and such a fasniating case study. Really appricate you make this and sharing.

[@dockmasterted]

You should make some screws for ship building like they did by hand in the past.

[@retrohipster1060]

The fact that the guy made this under the pressure of the situation and saved the print isn't a fascinating tidbit. It's a damn movie that needs made...

[@jordanlinsket6445]

Watching you forge the thread On was amazing