Hand Forging a Nail for the First Time: Beginner Blacksmithing

[@tonyfletcher2541]

Amazing the skills we have lost due to automation. Glad to see these skills being kept alive by people like you and Alex. Enjoy your channel!

[@m2hmghb]

There are a couple places in the US that have villages/towns that operate like they were still in the 17 or 1800s. It's interesting as hell to visit, a lot of work when something like a hurricane comes through and you need to make new cedar shakes by hand and then have the blacksmith forge the nails to put the cedar shakes up.

[@tonyfletcher2541]

@@m2hmghb I grew up down the road from the last working blacksmith in NW Arkansas. As a kid I would ride over on my bike to watch him make things in his forge. Watching the sparks fly as he struck the iron with his hammer and shaped horse shoes, plow blades and the like. Still makes me smile to watch this in young people like Alex.

[@Raven_Leblanc]

I'm a hobbyist bladesmith using a charcoal forge, and my friend just gave me a brand new anvil made from a piece of railroad track with high carbon steel welded onto it. Honestly, the first thing that I made was an axe (hatchet) that came out really nice. But one thing i'm certain of is that I have a lot left to learn... I'm happy I can already make my own stuff, but it's nowhere near as good as what you can get made by professional bladesmiths. But in time, I might get good enough.

[@newbiegaming6090]

That's the spirit! Keep your forge lit and hammer at hand.

[@JakobKaiserCreative]

That mans pace is insane. Very impressive precision at that godspeed. Mad respect. I've been at a smith in Britanny the other year and, while highly depending on the size of the nail, the dude said a good smith could make a nail in one heat. Which he proved a minute after. His nails were about half to two thirds the size of the ones you made here and he used a nail header hardy tool, so it's a faster process anyway. Great video, Mike.

[@فاروق-و8ك]

it felt like I was watching a Louis Theroux documentary, because of the voice over! great video!

[@georgecain8279]

When Louis met Nails

[@SkilasSkilasGaming]

If I need nails I just gotta look in my tires, people around my town don't know how to pick nails up.

[@MYEVILTWIIN]

Must be a lot of council joiners round your way then, cause the ones I work with don’t know how to bend down to pick any up that they drop, us painters call them knee killers ... over the past few years I’ve started picking them up and putting them in my pouch then every other day emptying it when I get home , I’ve now filled 8 Large Stanley fatmax pro screw boxes plus 3 smaller ones

[@markembling]

I know that feeling. I always get (at least) one nail incident per car that I own.

[@SkilasSkilasGaming]

@@MYEVILTWIIN Damn! That's a lot of nails

[@SkilasSkilasGaming]

@@markembling Yeah, it's tragic lol

[@SkilasSkilasGaming]

@@markembling It'll make you want to make whoever dropped them eat the damn nails lol

[@RumMonkeyable]

For those of us who have been long-time subscribers, we remember, a couple of years ago, when you forged a hatchet with Alec Steele in Norfolk UK (before he moved here to the USA in Montana).

[@TAOutdoors]

Still got the Hatchet! (And the knife)

[@NismoXero]

@@TAOutdoors That vid is how I found Alec Steele and got into blacksmithing. Built my own wood/charcoal forge and made my own anvil. Learned a lot from you and Alec.

[@suprspi]

I went the other way and found Mike via Alec's channel. I still sub to both and have learned tons from both of them.

[@Gawonii1Austencao]

@@suprspi Yea, thats how I found TA, from watching Alec's channel and remember watching the whole build of both hatchet and knife, its been 2, almost 3 years ago

[@1964DAVODAVO]

Love the Video ,It amazes me the time and effort it took to make every day items back in the day

[@98Kentuckian]

Always heard my uncle tell about stories he had heard of American pioneers who would burn their cabins down if they were moving just so they could sift the ashes and get the nails back out of it. Makes you realize how valuable of a resource they were back then

[@jmpriester]

I've seen many a nail forged at colonial settlements here in Virginia USA. Jamestown, Yorktown, the Lost Colony etc. It's really incredible how much time and effort it takes to make a single nail. They always give one to my kids so we have a handful now. Very cool video!

[@1986mattymatty]

cant believe I forgot about this channel, I was fantasizing building a cabin in the woods and then I remembered. Guess ill hit that bell as youtube wont put this channel in my feed

[@jthreeb]

I metal detect, I love finding old hand forged nails. I love the history and the work behind them!

[@ironmaiden5658]

My brothers house that he just sold was 120 years old. It was built with handmade nails. We used to crawl under the house and look at the nails that were used to nail the floor boards down but missed the girders.

[@richardpalmer6196]

Awesome information . Imagine the old time blacksmith making nails for each horse he was shoeing , and for each building going up in his growing town .

[@bigguygaming7993]

I’m super excited to watch you do stuff like this. It’s great to see you willing to learn all this stuff to be able to do your projects as Authentic as possible.

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

One of these would make a great ferro rod striker. 40 odd years ago back at school the quicker lads like myself used to make nails in metal work to kill time while the slower lads caught us up. This brings back memories. We used to oil quench ours to give them a rust proof coating. I don’t know if it would make the metal brittle but added another stage to take up more time in the process. We never found out who used the nails if anyone but we made hundreds. Those were the days.

[@FamilyForge]

I really appreciate this video because I just made my first nail too! I’m learning blacksmithing from my dad and forging nails was the first project. Took 20 heats but didn’t turn out too bad! I’m documenting the learning process on my channel. Now off to forge lot’s more nails and get better!

[@Bushy-73]

We have all been told to self isolate today so your TA Outdoors videos will keep the cabin fever away by watching your playlists

[@RealTheMiracleChild]

never thought you would make a nail, but it was oddly satisfying

[@HenrikLaurell]

Great new type of content from TA Outdoors! I would gladly see more of this and other similar old methods of doing things. /Henrik

[@TAOutdoors]

Cheers Henrik!

[@ΌλαΚομπλέ-ο2θ]

I loved the intro speech.

[@petetarrant1790]

I did a couple of courses with Alex and his assistants last year. 2 great days. They have a vast amount of knowledge and show you what to do with simple explanation. Would strongly recommend going for a basics course even if you're not looking to get into smithing. Good honest day with lunch included.

[@Dave_0993_I]

Incredible historic discovery! Stand by for more background info, just to scratch the surface of the incredible world of Blacksmithing!

[@thebreadpeddler6879]

Fun fact: I began my journey of becoming a blacksmith because of your channel. I once saw a video of yours where you were using a drawknife and I figured I’d try to make one. I’m a blacksmith going on 2 years now. Probably would have been cheaper to buy a drawknife! But I really enjoy it and there is so much more than just knives and swords like one would think.

[@thebreadpeddler6879]

Also, great job explaining everything.

[@gabeslife1966]

I watch many blacksmith channels so this is cool that it crosses both bushcraft and blacksmithing. Also, the pics with a phone is cool. I hadn't really thought about learning how to take better pics with my phone.

[@danmalone7819]

Great video. Love the blacksmithing.

[@maxinedurling3425]

thanks for the link there is something smoothing watching a blacksmith at work

[@jasongordon9811]

You are a man after my own heart I just got a small anvil just for nail making.

[@legionclips8910]

Bertram would be proud

[@Just_Sara]

Watching this made me feel a lot better about my wobbly wrist in my blacksmithing class I took - thank you, whew, it's not just me.

[@katiea.584]

Collective Unconscious..neat Was just thinking about how nails used to be made and a few daze later...Good Morning to a not wasted day. Thank You for sharing all you do. Harmony,Happiness and Health from my home to yours 🖖☮❣🌱🌱🌱🇨🇦

[@mistervacation23]

J.D. Leftwich had the misfortune recently to tear the flesh of one of his fingers on a rusty nail. The wound apparently healed, but last week blood poison symptoms were apparent and the services of Dr. Hamilton were required. At this writing the hand is much improved.

[@evelynsantana2455]

I 💕 your channel and your Dad is amazing

[@charleshoward448]

Thanks for this video, I'm definitely subscribing to Alex's channel! I got into blacksmithing as a hobby a few years ago. Knives are fun, and I'm working on an axe; but the coolest thing about blacksmithing to me is that you can make so many other things. I've done coat hooks, fire pokers, table legs, jewelry, decorative pieces for leather work, brackets for woodworking projects... I even saw a KZbin video where the guy's blacksmith tongs broke, so he forged new tongs. I'm definitely going to try a few nails for fun :)

[@steve230870]

The forged nails are works of art.

[@ArielleViking]

Really interesting to see the work involved in making nails in the past. 👍

[@BraveLifestyle]

Amazing the skills. All videos are perfect. Enjoy your channel!

[@SimoInfinity]

TOP!!!

[@ulfeirravenwulf]

Interesting video thanks for sharing it Mike it would be interesting to see him making a scotcheye auger at some point try making a video on making and using a viking pole lathe turning cups and bowls the traditional way

[@bgmedia4199]

What an awesome video thanks mick for sharing this always love watching you and your dad's video's

[@thunderjoy7250]

Very interesting.. You will have an arm like popeye at the end of each shift🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@gabrielgomescunha]

Looks like you nailed it... Yes I did it.

[@villain1409]

You nailed this video.

[@No-body369]

I found your page a couple days ago and have been beinge watching since lol. I've learned alot. Thanks for posting! 👍

[@hotrod4126]

Just watch his video on this!! He’s great!

[@BraxxJuventa]

Great video! Thanks Mike. 👍😁

[@jaymeswheeler]

Great show. You nailed it.

[@mikebennett6713aceadventures]

That was awesome Mike

[@sergeykoshelev4566]

I knew, that getting short leg with Alec is contagious...

[@viqq183]

Thanks for the free trial, will check it out.

[@RatdogDRB]

Good skills. Go Alex!!

[@masteroflemon1301]

Oh wow he is really tall and well done with the job

[@KaylynnStrain]

Nicely done !!!!!

[@hernerweisenberg7052]

The amazing thing is that many of todays modern nails are still produced on the very same machines they used in the 1800's that were originally steampowered. At some point the steam power was replaced by an electric motor, but the rest is still the same.

[@andykjohnsonjohnson7622]

Nice video Mike 👍, very interesting and educational. As I work in construction, building homes , in B.C 🇨🇦 .

[@fishyfinthing8854]

That was some interesting fact. No wonder why in many medieval game, the nail are thicker and more square than round.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Mike .

[@paulhyde1580]

Great video mate, well done 👏

[@charlieknibbs6203]

Another amazing video! It’s always amazing to see a fellow Brit working outdoors. How’s the bunker coming along? When’s the next update?

[@Out_GalliVANtin]

This was absolutely fascinating!!!

[@rickywhite7578]

Very good video and informative

[@fxpestoperator5527]

Great stuff!!!! Maybe I missed it, but do you have to quench or heat treat the nails? Thanks!

[@lucas_8658]

Hello🇨🇵 It's a very very good concept.

[@haroldsteward8708]

I would love to know where you buy your tools from. They are always sleek and very practical.

[@GoranMagdic]

Very informative video. I love it. Great job. :)

[@gargoyled_drake]

those hands! this is the kinda guy that hits the "F" button by a mistake when trying to hit a number on the numpad. Nice video, was thinking about this myself not long ago, how would i make my own nails, nice seeing it in practice

[@diygen]

I usually use coarse thread screws when I’m building my self-build house. I hope they are as strong as the nails...

[@backcountryme]

During the western expansion of the US, it wasn’t uncommon for people to burn their house down before moving. This made finding and gathering the nails for reuse. They were very expensive back then.

[@troywalker8078]

Speaking of forging and Steele, do you still have that knife?

[@s.penafiel2806]

You can tell by Alex physique that his family has been doing this for generations

[@cleoharper1842]

So did I miss how many nails Mike and Alex were able to make in an hour?

[@mrsmd4616]

Who's land do you get to build these on. Very envious. Cool channel

[@eggsiclefishstick5569]

are you going to continue blacksmithing?

[@sng2225]

The forging process looks interesting though I have wondered about how early iron age people would have smelted iron ore. I understand it is a complex process to get rid of impurities. Would they have had bars? And I guess the quality of the raw materials early on at least would be variable. Meteors were also used but I imagine they would have not be available to ordinary folk. Was they evidence of bronze nails? They would be more accessible.

[@bbragante]

wich camera do you use?

[@farmerboy916]

Using a vice isn't too efficient tbh, nail headers are simple and easy to use as long as you don't let the back of the nail get bent in use (though historically they may have been built into dedicated small anvils). You could also do minor work like this with a stump anvil and a decently hot wood fire out in your woods if you learn to manage it right. Presumably you'd be wanting clinch nails for your door, so keep the length you want in mind. And I dunno if he told you, but you were holding your stock wrong; common mistake for new people to continuously pull their stock up. You can see how you held it at too high an angle at a lot of points; if you imagine your taper you want to split the difference between the faces.

[@MartinAhlman]

Fredrik Thelin? Turns out the world is a very small place :-D He's great!

[@3daziya924]

3D paint fantasy of drywall

[@CousinTito]

Time to forge the TA Sword :-) Or realistically maybe design the ultimate Bushcraft Knife/Tool and market it. Hmmmm...

[@Lukas.Chludzinski]

Can we talk about snoqualmie falls in the skill share sponsor part, that waterfall is 45 minutes from my house on Seattle Washington USA.

[@horseradish0911]

I was learning blacksmithing as a practical part of my engineering studies.... I also used to cook (burn) a lunch in a forge but It was always raw inside ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@MrMarkusmarc]

Great video “MICHAEL”?

[@gregtheredneck1715]

Nails where such a valued commodity on the American frontier that older buildings that were no longer of use would be burned down so the nails could be collected from the ashes.

[@FanceeName]

Back in the pioneer days, when pioneers would pick up and leave to move they would burn down their homes so they could retrieve the nails. In addition to taking the males with them they would also take windows.

[@harmiasmr6835]

ما شاء الله يعطيك الف الف عافيه بتوفيق من سوري

[@DaNiKzz]

Now i know why there are holes in old anvils (at the end in the middle) for nail making....

[@tingcraft3920]

People used to burn down their house and scavenge for the nails when they moved, in some places it’s actually illegal to do so to this day

[@ironcladranchandforge7292]

Oh God, I guess one of these day's I'll have to make a video on how to properly forge a nail because this is not the way. Also, the nail should be made in ONE heat. During the 18th and 19th centuries, English nail makers were required to produce 2 nails per minute!! I've made thousands of nails for the National Park Service here in the US.

[@Ejs3709]

Just subscribed to your chanal. So in 2 weeks i'm expecting that video ;-)

[@ironcladranchandforge7292]

@@Ejs3709 -- We shall see, I'm quite busy at the moment qetting the ranch ready for winter. I hope to make a few videos in the near future. I promised somebody a video on the proper use of a grindstone as well..... Please stay tuned. Thanks!!

[@Nermander]

There are a few videos out there on One Heat Nails. I think it is important to realise that back when all nails were hand forged, they did not care about the look of the nail. It was function before form, so they did definitely not overwork the nails. For simple nails the head can be more or less just a bend (I think that is actually used even on modern nails, when they are designed for a nail gun?). A symmetric heat is really not that important for function.

[@ironcladranchandforge7292]

@@Nermander -- I've had the privilege of examining archeological records and actual finds from 18th and 19th century historic sites in my study of hand forged nails. Most of these nails were of the rose head variety. All had forged heads. The state of preservation was excellent. However, you are correct about function over perfection as the historic nails were not perfect. Many had heads that were off center. I've noticed in my nail production activities that off center heads are common if time was not taken to prevent this from happening. But, producing 2 nails per minute in one heat each, who has the time for perfection.

[@janczesnik359]

Hi

[@Oxy_Cotton]

And look at the end of your fingers, you have nails there too !

[@billyandrew]

I buy them from the shop, then go to the pub next door to get hammered. Wut? Lol.

[@kndsayagtbitsyaht8659]

Azerbaijan ♥️

[@Shaden0040]

Many of my ancestors were blacksmiths, specifically farriers.

[@cleoharper1842]

Woah, Mike! Slow this party down. I'm 12 seconds in and as I listen to you describe all kinds of nails, all I can think of is Benjamin Buford Blue (Bubba) listing all the kinds of shrimp you can make. Quarantine getting to you, man? I'm just teasing, I love your channel and I can't wait to watch you hand forge ANYTHING. It was just a funny intro.

[@starlight4649]

Blacksmithing is oddly engrossing once you get started, isn't it? Making something as simple as a nail or a knife can be a highly precise and engaging process.

[@sandmangti7040]

Nail? Spike!

[@ethelstevenson8657]

HI AT OUTDOORS....I WATCH YOUR AT OUTDOORS VIDEO NOW ..LOL

[@MedeniFilm]

Lepo... Lep video...

[@buttrnuttr2291]

The hammer you used was to heavy for you, and also the anvil was too high for you. Compare it's hights to Alex and you. It was perfect hight for him to just drop the hammer, you had to swing. You did great though, good job.

[@marz.6102]

👍

[@TheSaneHatter]

So . . . you learned how to do your own nails? ;-)