Don’t step on Caltrops!!! (Even worse than lego) - Recreating this Medieval tool of war.

[@ominous9139]

Alec: We need to make this simple and quick. Also Alec: Makes it the most complicated and time consuming way

[@BooNnSo]

Let's divide it into 6 pieces and than cut away 2 to make four.

[@garrettfuller5456]

@@tenor5867 6 - 2 = 5 confirmed

[@Blox117]

easiest way would have been to buy legos and thrown them on the floor like alexander the great did in his middle east campaign. fun fact: alexander died when he woke up and forgot the legos next to his bed

[@gerneric454l08]

Lego but Abit more Spikey and more war historical

[@_TheMushroomMan]

@@gerneric454l08 just put pins through legos and you just made a caltrop

[@davidwarren9204]

Less cuts, time and waste: In a rectangle, make two cuts to form an H. Twist the two main arms of the H 90 degrees to each other (to form a cross). Bend each of those arms 'outward' at center to form a 60 degree angle, and you have your basic shape...

[@GaisaSanktejo]

You beat me to it! I would agree that either this or forge welding two rods together and forging, then bending them to suit would have been far more efficient and would have resulted in less/no waste

[@russellsmith3825]

A piece of square split in from the ends halfway, with one split being vertical and the other horizontal, forged to a point, no waste.

[@bochapman1058]

if you have the goal of it only being one piece and no power tools, what is better? Trying to forge welds two pieces together doesn’t seem that much faster.

[@stelcxantisto]

I think this is how they made it historically.

[@matthewrodriguez4073]

Easiest method would be to forge weld two bars together and then bend them. A lot of what I've read has been essentially having a blacksmith weld two large nails together and then sharpen two sides and call it good.

[@lockandring]

That was my first thought too

[@chrisrowland2223]

Exactly, he used the "easiest" videoed click bait in order to generate comments like ours, dontch'a know.

[@johnh290]

i was thinking a bit of flat bar and and split it like an H in to an x rather then the 3 column method he used which would have wastes a lot of metal which old smiths wouldn't have wanted to do

[@magnetomage]

Yes, easily the quickest and simplest way

[@fakjbf3129]

@@chrisrowland2223 Ah I see he's getting his strategies from Technology Connections, who's favorite saying is "Please debate in the comments, it boost engagement!"

[@frankierzucekjr]

Everyone's correcting you, but I just wanted to say thanks for the history lesson and awesome job. Been a huge fan for a few years now. Love the extra videos too. Happy New Year to you the family and crew

[@devas7328]

Everyone is correcting you* The " 's " makes it completely incorrect.

[@ffgrif]

Brown-noser!

[@giggityguy]

Wouldn't it be easier and waste less metal if you made two tines from either side of the rectangle instead of 3 and 1? You'll have to bend them anyway and they'll end up being at the same angle to each other regardless, so that seems like a much easier solution.

[@xGamermonkeyx]

I was watching this entire video thinking the same thing. Cut a rectangle of metal down the middle stopping before they meet, bend them out, twist 90 degrees. Then I read the other comments and I realised even easier was getting two separate bars, heating and twisting it around one another while they forge weld together slightly, and calling it a day. Pretty effective when you're an ancient blacksmith and need to make two thousand of these.

[@mf8279]

Was just about to write this! :) Have a like!

[@mf8279]

@@xGamermonkeyx A common trick today is to take two nails, take the heads off, sharpen them, bend them 90 degrees and tac-weld the bends together - voila, urban caltrops for your car-chase!

[@contentdeleted4978]

This guy milks every project he does just to get the more videos.

[@justanotherpiccplayer3511]

Yea that's what I was going to say

[@ninja5708]

I would honestly love to see how your brain tackles making a morning star. It's one of my favorite one handed weapons, and looks just stunning when done right. I also think it would push your problem solving and logic parts of your brain a little more than what you're used to. Amazing stuff as always, can't wait for the next project

[@dan3458]

He'd probably do it exactly the same as he did the first time he made a morning star flail........

[@TastyOil]

I want to see a Trident made. That would be cool and splitting it made me think of that

[@lordfeish1927]

“The anvil is untouched” Pretty sure thats one hell of a mark right there

[@braylon3233]

Looked more like a cross pein miss hit, anvils are usually softer than hammers usually to avoid chipping the anvil face and just leaving a dent when struck. Alec makes his chisels softer than the anvil to avoid gouges in the face after a miss-hit so the chisel edge bent over instead

[@GiraffeFlavored]

Not really, it's just a slight dent, anvils are soft, they get covered in them. It wasn't a chip or crack, that's all that matters

[@CAPNMAC82]

"X" shape would seem to be more material efficient. Modern military ones are typically round stock with points, bent 90º and welded at the bends. There's a way to make everything every which way.

[@ragnkja]

If the final shape is a tetrahedron it’s actually 109.5° (or thereabouts),

[@TankToChest]

@@ragnkja 😅 thank you fine resistance fighter…

[@SAOS451316]

this one is really too big for the battlefield because it would be too expensive and less effective than smaller caltrops that are hard to see on the ground in front of you. it sure looks really cool though at this scale!

[@Kualinar]

That one is horse sized. Good against cavalry. Now, imagine charging on your horse just to have him tumble after stepping on one of those, and throw you tumbling onto some more...

[@SAOS451316]

@@Kualinar that would sure be painful! i think the small ones would be effective against cavalry too though because if you've ever seen a horse with something stuck in their hoof they sure don't walk properly. they tend to step straight down too so they're more likely to get poked than to bend the nails over. RIP all the horses used in silly human wars, poor things.

[@charlottewalnut3118]

@@SAOS451316 To be fair it’s not that it’s useless you just have to hide it which is relatively easy actually all you need is some brambles or leaves on the trail

[@michaelroy1631]

I love the concept of "this was made ages ago with simple tools." I understand how you can start from pretty much nothing and get your heat and hammer, but it seems like a file is a super fundamental tool without a clear "made without already having a file" process. I'd love if you could cover that!

[@jonathanshaw6784]

Chris of Clickspring made some files from scratch (well, from mild steel which he case hardened IIRC). I think it would be in an Antikythera Fragments video but honestly his whole channel is worth a watch.

[@DH-xw6jp]

@@jonathanshaw6784 A+ recommendation.

[@jeremymcadam7400]

Use a punch or chisel to turn up cutting edges

[@tealsolgaurd7304]

Honestly you’re one of the best youtubers, and one of the only ones that puts sponsors at the end of the video. My favorite videos are ones that involve making weapons and defense from history

[@e9999qwe]

Entertaining, but of course a medieval smith would more likely have taken 2 pieces of rod, barbed them, forge welded them in the middle and then bent them. 15 mins maybe after getting the routine down?

[@genxray951]

he may have made it more complicated but his forging technique is awesome.

[@MawoDuffer]

you could also start it off by putting one slot in each side of the flat bar and not connecting them in the middle. You would not have to cut material off to make the cross.

[@soreloser6018]

To simplify. Forge two square bars forge weld them into a cross forge the points and barbs, bend into shape, quench and temper.

[@xliquidflames]

The Mythbusters did caltrops and the ingenious thing about them is that no matter how you throw them and no matter how they bounce around, they always land with a spike pointing up. Adam Savage made a bunch of them for that episode. I think all he did was bend two nails and then tack weld them in the middle if I recall. Yours are way cooler.

[@emm_arr]

I think I remember that. It's very much what some "naughty" people did in Northern Ireland years ago for use against police horses. The authorities were really piffed off at that.

[@macksgarage1291]

Another episode was for a getaway vehicle Adam savage made them out of small steel tubing to puncture and deflate tires. He made a bunch of 90° bends and cut them into “L” shapes then welded them together.

[@wackyvorlon]

He made a jig specifically to hold the bent pieces in place for welding.

[@xliquidflames]

Ah, that was it! I was _not_ recalling it correctly. It wasn't nails. It was hollow tubing so that when they puncture the tires, the air could escape. And, yeah, he was more proud of the jig than the caltrops themselves.

[@Blox117]

imagine being a caltrop that fails to land with a point facing up

[@Interrobang212]

Whoever your camera operator and video editors are, they are the real stars of this channel!

[@NemoConsequentae]

I would have thought splitting the piece of bar into 2 & 2 would be easier & quicker than 1 & 3, but remember; _If it works, it's right!_

[@dannydevito5312]

That’s what I was thinking. Then no waste of material either

[@NemoConsequentae]

@Andrew Kay *Maxim 43.* _If it's stupid and it works, it's still stupid and you're lucky._

[@jeremymcadam7400]

Next time you spend 8 hours making a 20 minute project at work, tell your boss it's still correct lol

[@chainreaction8977]

A *'H'* instead of a *'Y'* with an extra top prong. Two cuts and done.

[@NemoConsequentae]

@Andrew Kay Yes, I was counter-quoting from _The Seventy Maxims of Maximally Effective Mercenaries._ :)

[@BlackringIII]

Could it be possible they forge-welded two separate bars together at the center to make the cross?

[@PingOnThis]

Some artifact examples appear to be exactly that.

[@veteranironoutdoors8320]

You made that so much more complicated than it needed to be.

[@christiancarlock7570]

Great stuff Alec! I love getting to watch your videos and watch you work a bit of hot metal into something pretty cool or crazy! Dental devices, torture devices, medical devices, and wartime devices- you've gotten quite a lot done recently! Keep doing what you do! Especially the bits of fun you tuck away in your videos!

[@CalebSchlegelmilch]

The vids coming out quick now Alec!

[@h.wolrab440]

2:51 That holy/holey quip though Has some real I did a thing vibes Especially with the zipper stencil bit Great stuff

[@theinvestinghouse]

I’m almost certain that you could have done two split lines in the middle of the flat stock and gotten there much faster. Great one day build

[@chainreaction8977]

Yeah, my first thought also. Basically a *H* instead of a *Y* with an extra top prong.

[@tealsolgaurd7304]

Honestly you’re one of the best youtubers, and one of the only ones that puts sponsors at the end of the video. My favorite videos are ones that involve making weapons and defense from history. Happy new year and keep up the amazing work!!

[@ybra]

Seems starting with an H shape would have been easier as you would only need to split a rectangle with 2 lines rather than cutting away part of it

[@billy4734]

5:39 I was scared for a second, I thought he made a 3D 1940s germany thing

[@jeremiemoon1748]

Would love to see you make your own steel to make an authentic ULFBERHT sword.

[@CharlieTheAstronaut]

I respect you for figuring that this is the easiest method. I love the way you approach your projects :)

[@MaestroPrep]

I love "old" tools. AKA ,tools that have been passed down from generations to generations... Not unlike cabinet makers tool chests etc.. I would love to see your take on a basic yet mastercrafted set of tools... Screwdriver, file, hand drill, crescent/adjustable wrench, hammer etc... 4-5 tools that would make a matching set.. Damascus, engraved or crusty with jewels... whatever crazy outlandish "AlecSteele" thing you can devise! Something you would hand down to your son and his son, and so on as a family heirloom.

[@rebelsqk]

Excellent idea! Perhaps his father could make a nice figured wood display case for them. Maybe a handle or two also? More "family heirloom" with two generations making it I think. They can work out the details together. Each tool a couple videos. Couple videos of the wood working. DVD/ thumb drive of the videos for future generations to see? A series that could be done over a year perhaps? 2-3 ? months of content. Nice piece to hang in new house as well.

[@Carpenterjoh65]

I love these Back to Basics videos. This is the kind of content I first tuned in for.

[@sshuggi]

I'd imagine a faster to manufacture pattern would be a single line splitting the length of flat bar with a break in the middle to still hold it together. Then, you just rotate the legs out 45°and you're at the cross you had towards the end of the video.

[@mMAmericanSpiritMm]

That is the traditional way, very very fast to finish.

[@ragnkja]

The angle of you want all the spikes equally spaced is 109.5°.

[@sshuggi]

@@ragnkja Giving me chemistry flashbacks, is that the methane bond angles? They're little molecular caltrops.

[@ragnkja]

@@sshuggi Yup. That’s exactly what I searched for to find that angle.

[@mking3219]

And that right there is why one doesn't piss off a blacksmith! Happy New Year Mr Steele!

[@jadenephrite]

Regarding 0:22, Caltrops were also used against the feet of War Elephants. When the Elephant stumbled, so did the riders and their howdah tumble terribly.

[@downardesigns4148]

3 uploads from Alec over 3 days is a Christmas present that I didn't know I needed!

[@demigirl-k1t]

You should try making a bow or crossbow. Could be a series too

[@niklasfischer3915]

I love these little recreations of historical items. I would very much appreciate it to see more of that in the future.

[@Hdresdendoc]

couldn't you have forge welded two bars in the center then barbed and bent them?

[@canaan5337]

I think his point is to explore sort of how a medieval blacksmith would approach making caltrops by just forging hot metal.

[@dakotareid1566]

@@canaan5337 that’s what OP said

[@Hdresdendoc]

@@canaan5337 forge welding has been a thing for almost 4000 years... medieval smiths could do it just fine

[@canaan5337]

@@Hdresdendoc yes, but it requires flux which increases the cost and if it isn't done just right the weld will split apart, but if it's made out of one piece of metal it's, probably faster cheaper and stronger.

[@jeffspaulding9834]

@@canaan5337 If you're making something that needs durability and you're working with modern steel, then starting with a single piece is probably the best way to go. Classical caltrops were single-use items, though - it's not like you went back for them afterward. They just have to last long enough to get stuck in someone's foot (or hoof, as it were). Up until the last hundred and fifty years or so, they were also made of wrought iron, which has a grain structure similar to wood. Using the shape Alex used in wrought iron would make two of the tines extremely brittle. Also, flux wasn't necessarily expensive. Fine white sand or ground seashells were commonly used. The Greeks would have had easy access to both. Using the old adage "faster, cheaper, better - pick any two," you'd want faster and cheaper. A single caltrop has a small chance of getting stepped on - you want to throw the things out by the dozens. That means you want them made fast and cheap - and forge welding would have been both.

[@Ron3343]

Rolled in the New Year with watching you Alec!!! Keep up the FANTASTIC work!!!!

[@matthewf1979]

Two small round rods twisted tightly around each other into shape would be the fastest and cheapest way to make them.

[@saskabooshsnareman6685]

And chisel cut the barbs

[@ryanolsen13]

Nasty bit of field weaponry. Nicely done. Especially from a flat bar

[@DrDeFord]

I had figured on just using two bits of square stock and forge welding in the middle. Too weak at the join that way?

[@thomasarussellsr]

Depends on the quality of your forge-welding.

[@edski24]

So far this year this is the best video I've seen on the KZbin! Happy new year peeps x

[@Runar_Tvalfager]

that seems like a caltrop for an elephant man, thats WAY to big to be practical/historically accurate, but nice done anyway

[@ragnkja]

Or for a semi-trailer.

[@nathanthom8176]

Caltrops as used by the Romans where (called tribulus) are of this size and were used as part defensive fortifications. There are historic examples that are near identical to this. Small caltrops would both be more difficult to manufacture and cause little injury if they even penetrated thick (often hobnailed) boot soles

[@dakotareid1566]

@@nathanthom8176 thinner and smaller would penetrate the boots more affectively

[@nathanthom8176]

@@dakotareid1566 and injure less. They were historically that size in Rome, Macedonia and plenty of other places for a reason. The image people have of ninjas with small caltrops is for the most part a made up nonsense. Also thinner become more frigile with the tines/spike being more likely to bend.

[@dakotareid1566]

@@nathanthom8176 they’d do the same thing lol they still stick in a foot and don’t come out because of the barbs, I’m seen some at the Royal Ontario Museum when they had an exhibit featuring Roman stuff as well as other cultures, they were no more than 4” tall the thickest I seen there was about a quarter inch, some were hardened, they weren’t very big for what they were

[@timkirk3736]

So great to see you back to blacksmithing....the airplane episode nearly killed me. Super cool Caltrop! Would love to see another big project....thinking Calvary Saber level

[@sylasstone4359]

Legos would still hurt worse

[@mrstan3997]

Happy New Year Alec and same to your family. Wish you all the best in 2022. Thanks for the many years of sharing your videos.

[@SimJackson]

From a piece of rectangular stock why didn't you just cut two grooves to make a H, then forge it round to make a cross and then bend the ends to make the caltrop?

[@CalVlogz]

LOVE these quick history builds

[@lpbaybee4942]

Very cool! Seems way bigger than it would need to be though? I imagine it'd only need to be an inch or 2 tall to ruin your day

[@nilsdock]

exactly what i was thinking. i have seen historical caltrops and they where a lot thinner and smaller. the main goal is to penetrate the hooves of horses since a puncture there will result in the horse throwing its rider. also horses do not wear armor on their hooves, humans do.

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

Wish I had videography this good, simple shots but effective

[@Darkassassin09]

I don't understand why you cut two chunks off one side and split the other in three instead of just splitting each side in two...?

[@alexbecket6945]

Keep the historic builds coming! They're so cool and interesting! Thanks for the great videos.

[@sebastienc8797]

I guess these couldn't have been massively used on battlefields, especially at the epoch of Alexander the Great, since iron/steel was reaaally expensive until recently. Wood caltrops would have been more common. And FYI, the french name resembles : we call it "chausse-trappes" (chausse = shoes, trappes = trap)

[@DH-xw6jp]

Brass, bronze, or copper would also work to make caltrops.

[@DanielEleveld]

These simple weapons went a long way to help Macrinus draw an end to Caracalla’s Parthian Campaign. The Parthian cavalry was eating up the last of the legions that had journeyed from Alexandria. Macrinus (in a rare moment of genius) had skirmishers harass the enemy to draw a cavalry charge then drop caltrops as they fled. Once the horses fell to the caltrops the skirmishers would turn and finish them with sling stones and plumbata. Oddly powerful for a twisted bit of scrap

[@Woodcrafts_by_dejay]

Hello first

[@brandonfoley7519]

Boo hoo

[@MrGettario]

A thumbscrew looks like a nice little project. Happy New Year Alec and Jamie . Best wishes to you and the family.

[@armstrongmagic9253]

That is a labor of love for sure. Cool content! Forge all the things!

[@juha-mattikoponen1625]

I love seeing you make these old timey tools and thingies! That got me looking for possible things for you to make and I came across the Gorget instrument. I'm glad that is not in use anymore... But maybe you could create one!

[@p38sheep]

I remember learning how to make a taper on your channel years ago. Happy new year!

[@Mikesmeyer88]

Everyone else knows more than you lol. I love this old way of forging. You do it true to the old ways. When I'm sit would be easier to grab a grinder you keep it real.

[@kapryiath]

loving the return to the good ol Alec Steele forging :)

[@elhona]

So many vids this week! What a gift!

[@Ty-bz7zx]

Awesome job! Good to see you doin' some basic hand forging again. Happy New Year Alec and crew.

[@b0land]

Alec, you have blacksmithing and woodworking skills. I think it's time you make a beautiful, ornate battering ram! Even if it's tabletop-sized, it would be super cool.

[@KnightsWithoutATable]

Caltrops were also used in naval warfare since most sailors did not wear shoes while on ship, making the wound go even deeper.

[@brkyq]

Medieval cookware set. I’m enjoying the videos while the snow piles up around us in Montana.

[@jacobdwiggins9876]

Hey Alec, I'd love to see you make another piece of armor, or do another super fancy build like the viking sword? Maybe as a trident or something else big or intricate

[@jackhandma1011]

Medieval horses have the most challenging "don't step on lego" challenge.

[@kenpachizaraki4184]

Nothing is worse than Legos. What was once your childhood toy and friend, turned into your enemy. No betrayal cuts deeper than legos.

[@mprobison]

Happy new year, Alex! Suggestion: Dinner set, complete with cups! ;)

[@Sam_but_not_really]

Idea for the next more complex build: Cinquedea. That blade made with nice pattern would look amazing.

[@averageamericanadventures1384]

For what ever reason I really thought you stomped that lol. It made me turn my head and then I watched it again. Keep up the great work man love the content

[@witherock2886]

with all the comments suggesting easier ways to do the piece, i think it would be cool to do a mini series where you try those different approaches and see which one is the fastest/best/easiest/cheapest 🙏🏼

[@bolesawmayzel6476]

I want to wish You Alec and also your team a happy and really successful New Year. Best regards from Poland I'm a huge fan of you, your channel and of what you're doing.

[@navasings]

these are amazing! I just gained a new hobby and it's watching you channel lol keep bringing these medieval things, the history plus your skills are a great combo

[@tedbihlmaier752]

Make an Iron Maiden. Challenging and we love the multi part episodes.😀

[@Hanna1968]

In Germany we call it "Fußangel" which means translated "fishing rod/trap for feet" It was used in Germany till the late fifties against burglars, but it's now forbidden.

[@illaxf]

he made the template for the caltrop so much more complicated than it needed to be, make an H shape and then twist the middle, it’s that simple dude.

[@Thundertap]

Alec thank you for your content. I love learning something new with every video.

[@Desu-Desu-Chan-San]

Easiest way to do this is to make two lengths of steel then twist them and seperate the prongs into the shape you want.

[@eastoforion]

loving the recent videos, very cool smithing!

[@dannyarrowheadstalker3054]

I'm glad to see another video so soon, I was starting to have withdrawals.

[@BlackHoleForge]

At 4:30 that looks very similar to two square bars that have been forged welded in the middle. I wonder if they had access to square stock back in Ye Olde times?

[@brianfalls5894]

Well Alec, I must say that that Caltrop is one nasty looking bit of business there. It reminds me of videos I've seen of Vietnam and the pungy sticks our troops would encounter. That Caltrop looks even more lethal than the pungi sticks.

[@D33r_Hunt3r_]

I can not think of a more complicated way to make what is esentially 2 nails welded together. Love you though Alec!

[@shadow_crne1030]

1:40 Forge out two metal spikes at 4 inches in length, bend both of them at around (360/3) 120 degrees and weld them together.

[@PheelTheJoy]

Great video as always Alec! You should try to forge a boat anchor!

[@robertderby9376]

Happy New Year !! Alec and family. Thank you for your videos. And I'm looking forward to all your new videos

[@tikkelbikkel]

You've been making a bunch of medieval cool stuff, an Iron Maiden would fit right in

[@shaymorcormick8743]

Ranchers would use a type of these to keep off road vehicles off trails around their land. I remember finding them all welded together from big 5-8" nails and screws

[@Coneshot]

My uncle created a crap ton of these things to stop people 4-wheeling into his pasture. He welded together a pair of horseshoes for each one and filled the woods around where the trespassers were coming from.. they stopped

[@gigaherz_]

I have to assume, as many others seem to also think, that they would have made 2 spiky rods, and then forge welded them in the middle and bent into shape at the end. Also, happy new year!

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Happy New year's. Can't wait to see what the future holds for u and ur channel in this year ahead of u. Really interestein tool. Very cool how it turned out. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Forge on. Keep making. God bless.

[@r-sole4872]

Alec please make a very decorative ceremonial dagger it would be awesome

[@riftalope]

1:51- So, you designed this on the fly? 2:07- Yes. That's what usually happens when you turn up the heat, Alec. 2:26- getting complicated... 3:16- !! Look out, Doggo! 3:22- The casualties of the weapons of war? 6:14- WICKED!! Did you know that Lego-Caltrop is against the Geneva Convention, the Khitomer Accords AND the Shadow Proclamation?

[@Zanzubaa]

Alec, Welcome to the Order of the Shadows Dark Brotherhood. You get an automatic membership after crafting your first Caltrop. A Raven will drop off the parchment you need to sign with your own blood very soon.

[@pjakpjak7000]

You spoil us. Forging vids galore. Love it.

[@skrible8160]

Because of the new episode of Boba Fett on Disney+ it would be a really cool project if you where to make the Tusken raider Gaffri staff that boba made in the 2nd episode this is an iconic part of the episode and would give you a great reason to break some stuff

[@charlymacias5369]

Booping your doggo's snoot wass crucial for the project :3