Blacksmithing - Forging tools for stone splitting

I show how to forge the tools needed to hand drill and split blocks of stone.
Check out my recommended tools/gear:
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[@sennest]

I really wanted to thank you for this video. My grandfather was a rock driller for the railroad that went through the Muskokas of central Ontario. All canadian shield granite. He started when he was 11 years old. Myself, as a child had a hard time picturing this process while hearing it. After watching your video - I got it. And even more respect for my grandfather and those who drilled in the past. Thank you.

[@torbjornahman]

Wow, thanks!

[@sennest]

@@torbjornahman Thank YOU!

[@johnnybhoy4278]

Imagine an 11 yrs old today working in that now! Those were different times.

[@shahramtayefi8398]

I enjoy seeing tools. The tools are civilization-building. Welfare and comfort are owed to those who made these tools.

[@shahramtayefi8398]

@Viking Mike Q bravo

[@ZygmuntKiliszewski]

Hello Torbjorn, I have been taking a close look at your work. What I liked most was carving holes in the scale for splitting it with special wedges. This first Rock had a defect and therefore did not break in the intended place. The second one is the quintessence of this type of work. During my early youth, I helped Mr. Józef a little in the forge. I turned on the double-sided smoke maker, pumping air into the firebox. I also turned the long crank of a large drill. I remember how Mr. Józef stuck heated hoops on the wooden wheels of the cart, and then other people quickly poured water on them. He also made horseshoes from industrial forgings, which he attached to the hooves with studs. It was him and Dad who taught me the technique. That's why I really appreciate your blacksmith skills. Congratulations and best regards 💖👋😀.

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Thanks

[@kevinbyrne4538]

My great-grandfather emigrated from Cornwall to mid-coast Maine (U.S.), where he eventually managed a granite quarry. I've seen the quarry and his old tools. Since there are boulders on my property, I've also done a little stone splitting myself. So these tools and techniques are familiar to me. Good to see someone still practicing these techniques for working metal and stone. Thank you for posting this video -- and reminding me of my great-grandfather.

[@torbjornahman]

Very nice! Thank you.

[@scottwilliams4383]

My grandfather was a stone cutter and one of the fondest memories i have was learning how to cut sandstone along side him. Thank you for showcasing the old school technique.

[@timothyjuarez5306]

There is a certain amount of zen, to the way you set up your videos. Not a lot a talking, straight to the point and all business. Greatly appreciate your videos like always.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks

[@7curiogeo]

As a miner for mineral specimens and crystals, that must split rock with out explosives, this was fascinating to watch. We often use ling tapered hardened pipe fitters flangewedges to exploit fine cracks in working face to open natural splits up for larger wedges. Since collectors hate to see drill holes, we want as natural a surface as possible. Good job on forged tools and splitting the rock. Thank you for showing us how you do it.

[@torbjornahman]

Cool! Thanks

[@plainsimple442]

Drill holes can be pitched out.

[@fordhuguley8699]

my family owns a monument business and i cant tell you how many times ive had to do this. from anything to a small slant monument to a big block that weighs 3 tons and is about 4 ft high, 4 ft wide and about 10 ft long. just a little tip, put some grease on your wedges before you use them. you wont believe how much of a difference it makes in splitting

[@user-vu9qo6sf2f]

This is goob jop

[@danbreyfogle8486]

Outstanding video, not only do we get to see the old craft of stone splitting with feathers and wedges but also we get to see how the tools are made. GREAT VIDEO!!

[@Jiminycroquet]

I love your videos Torbjorn. I especially appreciate the fact that you show the finished product before showing how it is made; not many people do that, and it makes the steps much easier to follow when you can see where they're leading.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks. Yes, especially in this case since there are multiple tools involved.

[@user-tp4nn1rz3r]

000099₩9

[@BrianDaleNeeley]

Absolutely *AWESOME* video! Where I live, we have a lot of limestone industry. I have even done some stone carving myself. I have considered trying to forge carving tools some day, but this is the first time I've seen stone cutting tools forged. This is definitely a video that I will be watching again!

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Thanks!!

[@quezx001]

de toda la basura que hay en youtube, estos vídeos si merece la pena mirar

[@victoryfirst2878]

Thank you for the demonstration of stone splitting. Also, your honesty of the first bolix is refreshing Torbjorn. Good day too.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks

[@juanjosefernandezfernandez8353]

Hay mucha gente muy bien.

[@21centurymagic]

Of all the smithing channels this is the most relaxing one!

[@andrewwilson8317]

Just the most informative,entertaining and relaxing twenty minutes. My mid morning break was this video and a nice coffee, does not get any better!

[@DragonRougeDragon]

I really like these round trips between the demonstration and the manufacturing ... Bravo for this video !!

[@MrNissetuta]

They built entire tunnels in Switzerland using this drilling method for dynamite back in the day. What a monster job! Good work 💪

[@gregbly9089]

I love that sound. Chissel to stone. I carve granite . I'm grateful for carbide . I have also used feathers and plugs for splitting. The hardness of the material plays a crucial role in success or failure. Thoroughly enjoyed the video!

[@leviblackwood3258]

I'm a simple man. I see Torbjörn notification, I click and like before watching then I enjoy. Thanks for uploading again.

[@jaredlariscey1037]

Who the hell thumbed this down! This man has made tools that have built our civilization, fantastic video and smithing thank you TA!

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you Jared!

[@ianrutherford878]

the subject of thumbs down was raised on another channel and apparently, the way YT works, some thumbs down gets you more exposure than all thumbs up.

[@peteacher52]

Most interesting. It gives one renewed respect for the masons of old who constructed the cathedrals and castles we admire so much today.

[@mjkhan9664]

I was really getting into the rhythm as you were hammering the second time. It was so musical and then the sound of it splitting was perfect. Like a smithing ASMR session

[@lordskorpius1971]

See, this is why I love this channel. You dont make things that you dont need. Nor do you make everything exotic and Damascus. Although those things are fun to watch, I enjoy your "see a need, fill a need" content. Keep up the good work, sir.

[@daniedupreez6678]

My late father told me about this quick hardening and tempering process for stone chisels. He still saw blacksmiths make chisels that way in the late 1940's. This is the first time I see this simple method on the internet. Thank you very much for sharing your fine craftsmanship.

[@CefcaPalazzo]

That rock splitting at the end was one of the most satisfying things I've seen or heard so far in my life, thanks for showing me how to do it myself!

[@torbjornahman]

Great. Thanks

[@scottleft3672]

Be sure to add a splitting chisel on each of the sides as well.

[@Nitekom]

and the forging the tools, that was satisfying af

[@johnschwoch1559]

I always approach tasks with greater mindfulness after watching your videos.

[@dcsensui]

I have to make a chisel for myself. A friend gave me a nice anvil recently and I got my forge set up. I'm familiar with basic heat treating -- I make my own spears that stay sharp even after hitting rock. This would be a good first project.

[@GaryT1952]

Thank goodness for the hammer drill at the end! I enjoy cutting granite with a hand tracer, feathers and wedges but if I had to drill holes by hand using a chisel or star drill, I'd find another hobby. Love my Hilti rotary hammer. Great video, thank you👍

[@tropifiori]

Thank you. My wife has been baking a lot recently and this should help considerably.

[@torbjornahman]

Ha ha ha....

[@JohanLind]

The sound a fairly large rock makes when splitting is actually a whole-body experience! It reverberates through your chest like nothing else!

[@jk_0047]

I'm a stone mason from Devon, England and I've used this technique before to split a large raw rock of Devon Granite for a headstone - It's called plug and feathering.

[@torbjornahman]

Cool, thanks!!

[@beatlebomber]

I'm also a stone mason from the USA, we also still use this technique. Good to see someone make a video of it :-)

[@dicksargent3582]

Here in New England USA we call them feathers and wedges.

[@victorfergn]

@@beatlebomber Please, some of you should make videos about stonemasonry

[@ceannscriteach81]

vic ferg plenty of videos on here of the process to view, also instagram and so on. Did this in a granite quarry as an apprentice using a diesel air compressor and air drills, we could accurately split 20 ton granite blocks down into one ton blocks for a hydraulic guilotine to handle. Finding the grain/reed was the hardest part

[@Rouverius]

19:00 Oh, we've all been there! I love your expedient solution to the problem. Thanks for the laugh and another great video.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

I love this video format! You did a really good job of showing silently I might add :-) what the tool was going to be used for and practical application and then how to form the ends. Great video keep up the awesome work God bless!

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!!

[@TheRunereaper]

Those old boys in ancient Egypt must have had a few sweaty moments when they were knocking out their obelisks! Big balls required! Fascinating post Torbjorn, thankyou.

[@daviddayton774]

That was what we call concrete today if you look inside of broken obelisks and statues you can see the stones used for filler material.

[@user-lg5xm5ce5y]

Чае

[@scottleft3672]

@@daviddayton774 NOT

[@SolidworksUnlimited]

Super cool, I'm a Mason and enjoy seeing how feathers and wedges are hand built, awesome.

[@scottchesnutt493]

I loved it when you pulled out the drill. Great work. I appreciate it that you don't feel the need to talk, instead you let your actions tell the story. Keep it up, and Thank you!

[@kirkendauhl6990]

Loved the IKEA commercial KZbin showed me before watching a Swedish man make some tools. Life’s little games

[@DragonHide94]

Watching a clean straight fracture appear like that was quite satisfying.

[@weekendstuff]

Really like the ancient tools and processes. Thanks for sharing.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@oneshotme]

I've seen rock work done before but the first time making the tools for it. Great job and video! Thumbs Up as well

[@peteranderson6833]

Very informative, I cheated and bought the feathers and wedges, and used the hammer drill, but it still is quite gratifying. Thanks for sharing.

[@DarthMeheelos]

Dewalt - the best assistant bricklayer! 😆 💪👌

[@BSSamalfmatalfrhat]

🌺💐💐⚘🌹🌹👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻السلام عليكم ورحمه الله شيء جميل جدا وانا اشكرك من اعماق قلبي انت عملت هذه الازميل بنفسك وقمت في المحاوله الاولى ولم تنجح لكنك لم تياس و قمت بالمحاوله الثانيه وكانت ناجحه جدا هذا الفيديو جميل لانه كان واقعي كان بامكانك ان تاتي بالصخره اخرى وتحاول مره اخرى وتقص الفيديو الاول لكن ما اعجبني انك لم تقص الفيديو واستمريت بمحاوله الثانيه في نفس الفيديو هذا لانك صادق وامين وكل الحب والاحترام لك والله انك تستحق المتابعه🌺🌺💐😘😘😘

[@andrewwilson8317]

Now added " split up a big rock" to my bucket list!

[@torbjornahman]

:)

[@Hirosjimma]

Good luck! If you ever do it don't forget to tell us

[@alexjones2004]

@ianjsutt Hey is this a real offer? Cause if so it's tempting haha. I just want to learn.

[@alexjones2004]

@ianjsutt Hey thanks for the reply and the suggestion! I'm a college student in Idaho studying construction and landscaping and am just looking for a job or internship for the summers. Have been binge watching these rock splitting videos and think it would be really valuable to learn since my main interest is in stonework/masonry. I'll definitely look around my area like you said and appreciate the encouragement!

[@fetahibraliu9415]

ķ

[@BlackBeardProjects]

That's very interesting! Great work man.

[@adrianmontejohernandez8780]

No mentira Bro

[@lazarevicdragan6411]

Ovo je naj stariji,zanat metalske struke.Gold mester.

[@lazarevicdragan6411]

Ž elim čuti taj dogovor

[@Ethereal_BmZ]

I didn't even know stone splitting was still around, that is so awesome man, like also like how you show how its done 👌🏻

[@christianbaum1165]

That's definitely an awesome video!!! Not just showing a "how to" but also telling a whole story about the tools. I'm deeply impressed. Chapeau!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!!

[@kenolson3064]

I have to watch it again, I got so relaxed I fell asleep.

[@SupremeSaucer811]

Same

[@Horchata44]

Same lol

[@bdonlazy]

my man! rocking that relaxed look! i love it. hard work and comfort together at last!

[@Patafisique]

Illuminating video. I just imagined that process being repeated thousands of time just to prepare the material for a cathedral. Mind boggling. Your channel is a treasure

[@torbjornahman]

Yes indeed! Thanks

[@RRED2]

Torbjorn, Thank You for this amazing insight into this wonderful craft. 🙂

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Really interesting technique!

[@aries_9130]

The sound of the stone cracking was so satisfying, haha! The reward of a great deal of work. Great work, as always.

[@NightProwlerIncART]

I really enjoyed how you presented this. Showing the tool in action, then cutting back to making it. Kept it interesting.

[@slick4401]

I wonder why blacksmithing is so relaxing to watch.

[@10gauge1887]

Absolutely impressive work. It is always a pleasure to witness your craftsmanship and ability to turn your creative ideas into real world things.

[@markwilson3941]

Love to watch these kind of videos! Gonna grab a coffee and " watch it again " ! Heheheh

[@Paragatha]

Thank you very much. I got the answer to a long-standing question about how to make thorns...❤️👌👌👌👌

[@eugenepohjola258]

Howdy. I have done some stone splitting using pieces as shown. Works really well. Yes one should drill holes no more than about 3 inches apart as deep as possible. One inserts the side bits as follows to avoid then to drop into the hole: Take the side bits between your fingers and imagine they form a cigarette. Then one inserts the "cigarette" into the hole the "amber" end first. Still holding the "cigarette" between one's fingers one rest one's fingers against the stone. Now it is easy to insert the force wedge into the "cigarette" split. The side bits won't drop into the hole. Regards.

[@MRSketch09]

*Thumbs up* For whipping out the Masonry drill bit. A mix of new and old tech isn't a bad thing. That being said, I've watched some Japanese stone masons on youtube, split stones, and they seem to normally put more "wedges" in the stone.. they also seem to tap more lightly.. and go twice as slow as you did in the video.

[@JustinTopp]

I really love this style of video no talking just great forging. Also the way you did this is good in my opinion. Showed use of the tools than forging them one by one

[@TheYeti308]

Worked in the Vt stone trade for years , good stuff my friend .

[@stephencresswell4760]

Brilliant! Far better then anything on tv where they never stop talking and asking stupid questions. Best video yet. 👍👍

[@torbjornahman]

Oh, thank you!!

[@morrow.m]

You have a lot of what you might call arcane interests. I dig it. Keep sharing the old ways of doing things. Splitting rocks, putting holes in rocks, scythes, sharpening scythes and much much more. I'm on board.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks

[@kostasvakrinos4211]

Michael Morrow

[@jmg9808]

'''bien'''''filme!!!!ilyadesmoments où l'on entend frapper le marteaumais surquoi??? On ne levoit pas!!!!!!a deviner !!!!..........

[@senthilnathan4919]

Super sir

[@gustavlicht9620]

Amazing metalwork and amazing montage of the video. I love the non-linear action of the video. Thumbs up all the way!

[@georgejohnson1537]

Watching you work does have a calming effect to it............Awesome work man..Thanks for posting

[@rafaellondono1882]

Maestro ud no es perezoso, lo que ocurre con los que hacemos, los que construimos , tenemos muchos trabajos, que buscamos que rinda el tiempo, y a veces no sale como se planea...y cada detalle , el que sea, suma a nuestra experiencia...y maestro es aquel que ha intentado otras formas de hacer un proceso...gracias por mostrar y demostrar, tanto temple como rotura de rocas, para ver la calidad de las herramientas, que es el objetivo de este gran video...hare krishna

[@Alanbataar]

I recall doing exactly this same job using exactly the same tools with my grandfather one summer when I was 10 or 11 years old. As a blacksmith, you have an advantage -- my arms and back were sore for a week!

[@torbjornahman]

:) I believe you! Thanks

[@robertborgman]

Nice editing. Fun to see every tool in work and fabrication of the tool 👍

[@viceskyre]

The sound the rock makes when it splits

[@KevinTKeith]

Just marvelous craftwork - make your own tools and use them - two things most people couldn't do!

[@blackhillshomestead2554]

Great Video, Start to finish, I love it.

[@charlestea3642]

This is so awesome,that's all you really need to know. Blacksmithing and stone cutting! Great video. Thanks!

[@gerardjohnson2106]

Great presentation. We call it "Feathers and Wedge" splitting. A suggestion for the drill rod. Upset bump the cutting end and forge dress it to a 4 corner star shape with a center point. The upset material in the cutting end will allow deeper drilling without becoming stuck in the hole. Before we had electric hammer drills we used hand forged star drills for anchoring to masonry & stone with lead plugs & screws. I've also seen many bits for cable drill rigs dressed on site with a coke pit, bucking cradle and sledge. That is some serious two fisted hammer work.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! Yes I have seen the star shaped drills also, but I believe this chisel type were most common here. The beauty with these is that they are so simple. You sharpen/reforge the bit in one heat, then harden and temper in the second heat. The entire process can even be done in one single heat if you're quick...The smiths at the quarries probably could sharpen hundreds of drills each day.

[@ohasis8331]

@@torbjornahman Those star shaped drills are surprisingly quick. I use them as a surveyor for placing marks in stone or concrete. They are a lot easier to carry and use than carting an electrric drill around.

[@niclas8591]

I like the format, showing the tools being used, and then how you made them. Interesting to see how it was done back in the day. As always, I really enjoy your no nonsense style, just letting the work do all the talking.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@chirazalidaci7955]

Great job and thanks for sharing old techniques, it is how and the tool that did it

[@cmoayves]

Again, every minute of the video was a pleasure to watch and for me at this point in time, just the information I need as I will be working with rock. Your unfailing consistency in the quality of your videos amazes me. Thanks.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you very much!

[@dennyjudson2165]

Beautifully done! I love to see the practical application of the things made.

[@ZerefTheMage]

I'm a simple man. I see Torbjörn has posted a new video, I immediately stop what I'm doing to watch.

[@torbjornahman]

:)

[@WatcherintheDark69]

The stone chisels and wedges worked fantastically! Your second attempt made a nice even split. Thanks for sharing this!

[@torbjornahman]

Yes, I'm glad it worked out in the end... couldn't end with a failure!

[@ogreunderbridge5204]

-"Screw this, I'll go electric on this mofo !" :D All cred to the assertiveness and patience of the acients

[@MikeHerbstUSA]

I love the way this video is organized. Showing the tools in use, mixed with forging them is great. Really loving your channel and it makes me miss having access to a smithy!

[@218manon]

Amazing… the answers to what I’ve been looking for for years

[@jimmartins3073]

I am a mason/sculptor and the first time I saw this method in a mason's yard it was impressive as the limestone rough block was about 2m cubed +, but the mason doing it just gently tapped the plugs all around the top and sides and after a few taps poured a bucket of water over it and we went for lunch. An hour later just a few more taps and the perfect split of the stone happened, Water it seems helps to soften it all a little. I have used this method several times in my workshop and it works well, I don't want the use a grinder as the whole place would be covered in thick dust!. Nice forge work in this video as well.

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Thank you!

[@user-lr8cs3yc7r]

good video format, continue in the same direction

[@DonnaChassie]

Thanks for not playing loud music.

[@rockheadd069]

i really enjoy seeing you use the tools you make.

[@phill903]

You are amazing!! It's like there isn't anything you can't build or do. Just Amazing!!

[@marty01957]

Great Video, Torbjörn! You always make the coolest videos!

[@jgclark45]

the way the sound changed when hitting the wedges as the rock started to split :-)

[@torbjornahman]

:)

[@beatlebomber]

You can always tell by the tone when the rock fractures.

[@jgclark45]

it's very interesting, I like the different sounds

[@joshuarosen6242]

It's like sawing through a piece of wood although the tone changes more gradually. It's always easy to hear when you need to start supporting the workpiece when you hear the change in tone.

[@toonybrain]

Joshua Rosen It’s similar to the sound a tree makes at the moment right before it falls. Like a cascade of sound rippling through, almost a tear..

[@kiksforge]

Gives you a profound respect for those that split and quarried stone back in the day, really liked the video format also. GG

[@torbjornahman]

Yes indeed! Thanks

[@tasror]

figuring out how it was done, by what we can see is very difficult, but this truly seems to be right on point. Nice work Torby!

[@krisscartan535]

watching this video, reminds me when my grandfather taught me how to split stones using same techniques about 30 years ago. I work in construction have not seen any stone mason using this technique anymore. enjoyed watching this video.

[@torbjornahman]

Cool. Thanks!

[@IsraelGarcia-mf4vl]

Muy bueno yo las fabricó en mexico y se venden bastante .las fabricó de muelles de camioneta huso la más gruesa o de carga se corta en tiras es material con excelente dureza felicidades amigo

[@snaphappy1977]

Fascinating video, just shows how many crafts a Smith can make tools for

[@billpace3001]

You are welcome. I have always been interested in splitting since as a young trainee back in the mid sixties my Dad taught me how to cut a piece of terra- cotta flue pipe to length. Got it on the first try. Patience.

[@SuperAWaC]

keep the wedges the same pitch! the pitch of the sound they make when you hit them indicates their tension, and it's better to keep even tension when all the holes are the same size :)

[@tomasclasson]

Exactly what I was going to say. Also, let the wedges "rest" a little, 10-20 seconds maybe, then hit them to the same pitch again, wait and so on. With a bit more patience the first cut could have worked, I think.

[@humidozer]

How It's Made. Pyramids of Sweden..

[@torbjornahman]

:)

[@michaelcapellupo1724]

Awsome video it amazes me that people today said they worked hard today, truth is they have no idea what hard work was

[@torbjornahman]

That's right! thanks

[@matthewmarting3623]

Its always such a nice gift when you upload a video. Its just like unwrapping a present.

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks