Forging Prison Irons AKA Darby Handcuffs

[@budm.1450]

I like the way you work. You have great pride in what you do and it shows. When I became an apprentice in England nearly 65 years ago I had a file in my hand filing on a 2 1/2" cube of mild steel for nearly two months, filing this angle and that angle every day, all day long. It was tough, but it sure taught me a lot about hand tools and how to use them properly.

[@torbjornahman]

A very cool and great executed project!! Didn't know you were a locksmith!!

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Hi Torbjörn Been a locksmith for 27 years now Thanks for watching and thanks for the kind words

[@robertsimmons1264]

I've always liked the cuffs from the old westerns. Thanks for the creation!

[@BrianDaleNeeley]

I love to see blacksmithing videos of unusual, obscure, or specialized items. I doubt I could find many (if any!) other videos on making handcuffs, even if I tried. It's great to see projects like this. Thanks for posting this video.

[@outbackladas]

Your video was an absolute pleasure to watch, 10 out of 10 for workmanship and skill, 11 out of 10 for having the patience to complete the job using all the old time methods,keep up the good work!

[@johncatt1867]

Mr. Tim, you are a master and a wealth of information, thank you for sharing and bringing us along.

[@Moondog-wc4vm]

A different kind of build from anything I've seen before. Thanks for a great instructional video, and for the nugget that these are why the guards are calleds 'screws' I never knew that!

[@justgonnagetbetter1037]

Spicing things up are we? Your talent and ingenuity never cease to amaze me sir!

[@masteronone2079]

Valentine's day is not far away🌹👌

[@deo53]

This is one of the coolest projects I have ever seen. Great job..

[@carlottafolli452]

this has got to be one of the most original projects i have ever seen on a blacksmithing channel, you have some talent my friend, they look amazing !!

[@outdoorswiththemick]

Man as a correctional officer that uses cuffs everyday I can really appreciate this. Great video and project

[@cypherian9821]

So you weren't thinking those would make awesome leg irons and really shine as the rezident's did the stockade shuffle with the rest of their travel bling on ?:} LOL

[@mosesruben4027]

Thank you very much for your video on making handcuffs. It is enjoyable to see how old craftsman made the tools that I respected when I watch the old movies of the West as a child. Used to collect some of the old handcuffs and try to find leg irons. It would be interesting if you could make leg irons as they were made in the 1850s or thereabouts. Keep the good work going you are a master of blacksmithing.

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thank you and thanks for watching.

[@willd6515]

Seen these a hundred times in movies, never could figure them out. Now I can, thanks. btw, your narration was informative and nice to listen at.

[@jjppres]

Wow! Just wow. Your talent and skills just amaze me. It wasn't until amost right up to the end that I got it. I kept thinking to myself how in the world do those conical cylinders play a part in a pair of handcuffs. They really came out well. Fit and finish looked great and best of all they worked. Well done Tim! Now to find someone to cuff.

[@thevictorianworkshop8660]

Smashed it again Tim . A bit of history In 1880s in Victorian England , There was two makers of restraints Hiatt Nicholls and Thomas Froggatt .Froggatt was a good Friend of Harry Houdini. The cuffs got the nick name in Victorian times as Darbies. This name was taken from Darby Bonds .A monie lender called father Darbie , it was hard to Escape from a Darby Bond . I Hope you haven't all fallen asleep .lol lots of love and kind regards to you all and god bless from over the pond

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thank you so much for your support and the information it's always fun to learn something new. Thanks again and take care my friend.

[@TomChame]

Excellent Tim! The swedge block and forge brazing are beautiful. Thanks

[@incognito6625]

Hello Mr Big Dog Forge. I am a new subscriber who found my way to blacksmithing videos via T-shirts DIYs! I must say that your channel really makes me understand the art that goes into blacksmithing and your variety of subjects and techniques are really amazing! You are doing everything from handcuffs to 1000 layers pattern welding Damascus! Impressive!

[@leonardvandermerwe6781]

Could not stop watching this. Still looking for a set, but watching you forge them was extremely satisfying. Please keep up the ama-zing work :)

[@leoszes]

Man, this is exactly what I was looking for! :D been looking for some demonstration how to make tapered ferrules from flat bar. this showed me two ways. this must've been a major project with a lot of research and planning, really appreciate that you took the time to share it with us!

[@SugarcreekForge]

Wow! Great work, Tim. They turned out amazing. Well done, brother

[@paulorchard7960]

Tim, you are remarkable, the thought processes to come up with what you need to do to resurrect the fabrication is way beyond me!

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thanks for watching

[@russellfaulkner9074]

This was a very cool video. I loved learning how these were made and to watch you use the primitive tools was great. Displays a great amount of skill and patients. Thanks for posting.

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thank you

[@richardparker1699]

And now your wife laughs as she putts the cuffs on whilst you are sleeping. Lol. Love your fantastic work on the cuffs. You were like an expert on the way you built them. I'm suspecting that you are from a hundred and fifty years ago and was brought forward in time. Have a wonderful week.

[@paulwilliams6753]

Sir, you are 60% craftsman, 40% magician!

[@thesixfootsixblacksmith4772]

Nice to see a highly skilled blacksmith work!

[@danielmoss2089]

Amazing work sir. Absolutely beautiful. If any ever says your nit a Blacksmith well they are wrong.

[@danielmoss2089]

Ps the person in question couldn't have made these nor Forge as clean as you😉

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thanks Dan your to kind my friend. Take care and be safe.

[@blacknight1003]

I own a pair of these, I use them in my capacity of a Victorian Policeman at a museum. Really authentic and great quality. Thanks for sharing the video. I agree about this video being therapeutic.

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thanks for watching.

[@zzach6146]

That has got to be one of the best forging videos I have ever seen thank you

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thank you so much for watching.

[@brysonalden5414]

Always wondered what would happen if John Switzer and Deviant Ollam got together, and now I know! Fabulous build!

[@trythinking6676]

Wow. Never thought about how they made this. You are great man. Love this type of projects

[@bentoombs]

Wow. Love the project. Your always a pleasure to watch and learn from. Thank you Tim

[@truegritbulldog]

Well I thought I ws hip to all the blacksmith channels on youtube... Then I accidentally find this and am truly amazed. REALLY well done. Simply a great video. Very impressed. THANK YOU for sharing this.

[@drason69]

Another amazing project Tim!! Love the detail. Great video Sir, thank you. ⚒️😀👍⚒️

[@jmiddlefinger]

What an awesome project! Thanks for sharing it! Your video was incredibly thorough!

[@joelegrand5903]

If the guard with the key was the screw, then if he lost the key he was the screw up ! I really enjoyed this build, it not every day some one makes hand cuffs.

[@paulorchard7960]

joe LeGrand The screw who lost the key would be a screw loose!

[@SiCkDiAbLo]

Beautiful Job, I really enjoyed watching that...You surely have a gift!!!

[@Mark-TBH]

I was awestruck from start to finish. That sir is art

[@michaelday7890]

Thank you for sharing this is a blast from the past, I think i have seen something like these in old western movies. Great job keep up the good videos

[@bretlambky]

👍👍 this is much better Tim. The narrative as well as the detail is much more appreciated. As always keep up the great work and god bless! Side note : when I was real young, I worked in a grocery store. We had a safe that had not been opened for several years. One of our customers was a locksmith. He volunteered his time and opened the safe. He first drilled a hole into the door. And put a borescope inside to see what was in it. There were several watches and some documents. It was pretty cool watching him play with the tumblers and open that old safe.

[@TomokosEnterprize]

What a great how to bud. I always like that laid back way you talk us through your posts.Best 1/2 hour ever my friend.

[@malcey12]

That was very interesting. You made a fantastic job of those handcuffs.

[@whiskeyjim4126]

This is the coolest thing I've ever seen you do. Keep up these kind of projects!

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thanks, will do!

[@bearfootknivesgunforge9183]

Great job and very entertaining to watch you create these cuffs. Being a retired LE this made me want to create a set . Thanks and God Bless

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thanks for watching Don.

[@davidslater7187]

I think this is the best thing I've seen forged i love seeing tools and usable things being made nice and clean videography also thanks for sharing

[@thedanieladams]

As a collector of handcuffs and shackles I really enjoyed your video. Well done.

[@marknewsome9563]

Fantastic project Tim, they came out great. I'm a retired Detective now, otherwise I would have been placing an order for a set!!!

[@CreatingWithJackPines]

I wish I could like that multiple times as it was one of the coolest builds I've seen in a while. And now I know who to call should I need a locksmith.

[@NaiaGoesAwoo]

This is a super cool project, thank you for sharing it with us all and in so much detail!

[@n1vagn180]

In the UK, prison guards are known as screws. Great videos, I always enjoy them.

[@stephengent9974]

Very cool project. Your best build so far.

[@danielsmith2043]

Amazing work Tim ! I really enjoyed the video. Thank you sir.

[@ianstradian]

Fascinating. I love to learn how things were done before modern day technology changed things. Thanks for the video.

[@Forging403]

Wow you have locked that project down. Great work sir.

[@DJCRooK3D]

Tim, you're the Bob Ross of Blacksmithing 😊 Love your videos, they're so interesting and calming at the same time!

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thanks 👍

[@stephenrock-wc6xt]

Loved this project Tim!!! I need to rebuild the forge have some throwing implements in mind!!! Three throwing knifes and three throwing axes!!!

[@ageispolis6960]

I saw your Damascus video from a few years ago and I've been interested in these videos since. Keep up the good work man!

[@idahobob173]

Excellent video and a great design. Until this, I'd never seen anything remotely similar. Thank you very much.

[@TGSguitars]

Beautiful work! Enjoyed watching!

[@MegaJackd5]

That was fantastic to watch and also educational, thankyou very much, and well done.

[@rlgroshans]

Great work! I love how they turned out.

[@bobturtlefrog2846]

I did not know that about Screws. That's what we call them here in Australia :)

[@CA10Z]

It's good to see you and hear your voice again...

[@augiezehner6059]

You have a great camera. I really love the super close-up shots!

[@ronspitz5869]

Great video. As a handcuff collector and a member of the Forum you referred to, it was interesting to see the "old school" methods. I posted your link to the Forum.

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thank you so much and thanks for watching.

[@paulsalb1686]

Great job came out very nice. They look like originals.

[@tomcarlson3244]

Truly amazing video. I love to see how you can duplicate these older items and show how they are made.

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thank you so much!

[@markbowman3]

I love to watch a master craftsman at work.

[@stokermeister3]

Amazing job with the hand cuffs 😁👌

[@agraywolflaska]

And now we know the rest of the story just like Paul Harvey lol great vid Tim

[@tonybirdwell2917]

You are amazing . I enjoy watching your videos. I always learn something. Thanks sending BIG DOG belly rubs.

[@larryfetters212]

Outstanding video ty !!! A true Artisan at work.

[@charlesfaulk6084]

Dude those turned out great, even forged the hardware and key. Nice job

[@asinhitman1482]

you are so creative and your artwork are tremendously awesome. the best video

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thank you so much 😀

[@gregoryaul2005]

They r very cool Tim great job

[@richardsolomon8076]

Awesome build Tim, interesting to hear how the officer received the term screw, makes total sense when you see this type of cuff. Cool project :-) and da Big D cuddles in the middle.

[@davidolsen7539]

Thank you for Sharing this project.

[@raptors3164]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing.

[@inconvenientskills]

Thanks for sharing Tim. I learned a lot.

[@henrydanger7445]

Love this very informative and entertaining 👍

[@stantilton2191]

Very cool Tim. I've seen them and wondered at the work to make them. This was fun to see, and they turned out great. Sure, hope I never have to experience them. Thank you.

[@draven3838]

Those are really cool , you're a pretty good Smith, thank you for the video I really enjoyed watching it.

[@GWIRailroad]

All I can say is WOW Tim!! Wayne

[@yzi1024]

Dziękuje za pokazanie kawałka Historii którą widziałem tylko w Muzeum -)) Pozdrawiam Serdecznie

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Dziękuję bardzo za miłe słowa i dziękuję za oglądanie.

[@mtyson9004]

Awesome thanks for sharing and God Bless you guys!

[@jiwbink]

REALLY like that big anvil! BECOMING a bigger and bigger fan of your work &channel -SUBed!

[@waylandforge8704]

Excellent work, excellent presentation, most enjoyable to watch and I learnt a lot. I'm not in the US but I am "in the job" and they still call us "screws", amongst other things. 👍🇦🇺🍺

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thanks for watching

[@YVO007]

Thank you very much, beautiful work. YVO

[@duaneaubuchon9453]

Really like how you made the hand cuffs nice job!!!

[@shahjohnsarwari1978]

Awesome and an amazing job, well done 👍

[@redlionforge9173]

Those turned out awesome man!

[@chad5775]

Video is great, have watched it 5 times. Got me interested in the Brady handcuffs, many I saw had a swivel in the chain. Your idea how to make this part. Thank you for the great videos and your time.

[@BIGDOGFORGE]

Thanks 👍

[@johnjude2685]

Many didn't take too long, Great to discover just how to do and learn , Like a old gaurd being a screw. Thanks

[@jamesfernandes6602]

magnificent work!!!

[@paulorchard7960]

Thanks Tim, that is a fantastic project and one well worth the week or so it will take me! Maybe longer, my skills are not up to yours and still a few years away! But not to complicated, I’ll let you know how I go!

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

You made it look easy. Great job!

[@hurstbill]

Awesome build

[@kindywoodandiron1756]

Really cool build.

[@BCM1959]

That was fun to watch. They look like something I've seen in old westerns and maybe even in real life somewhere.

[@Roach570]

I have a bunch of those wrenches you used for bending. They were included in the toolkit that came with the 1911 Ford Model T.

[@rickburns8492]

Knock it out of the park on this one, awesome video.