Primitive Technology: Roasted Ore and Shell Flux Smelt

Primitive Technology: Roasted Ore and Shell Flux Smelt
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About This Video:
I tested 2 ways of improving iron smelts by treating the ore, roasting the ore and using snail shells as a flux. Then finally I recycled old slag to see if it would produce any more iron.
The first way was to roast the ore before smelting. This drove off the moisture and volatiles in the ore as well as burning off any sulfur present. The resulting ore produced a higher yield of iron than normal (33g iron as opposed to about 15g iron as usual for the same volume of ore, charcoal and time).
Next lime was added to the smelt as a flux in the form of snail shells. The theory was that the lime would lower the melting point of any silica in the ore to make a runnier slag and help the iron come together more. The result was very bad, no iron was produced apart from 1 or 2 prills. I suspect the ore is already basic in chemistry and adding a basic flux in the form of lime made it so basic that the slag was too viscous. The ore probably won't benefit from a basic flux but might benefit from an acid flux such as sand or slag from previous smelts.
Next I tried smelting slag from previous smelts to see if anymore iron would come out. It did surprisingly, less than fresh ore but still worth doing. For this reason it might be useful to add old slag as a flux to future smelts to help the slag form more easily, while contributing some more iron to the smelt.
About Primitive Technology:
Primitive technology is a hobby where you build things in the wild completely from scratch using no modern tools or materials. These are the strict rules: If you want a fire, use a fire stick - An axe, pick up a stone and shape it - A hut, build one from trees, mud, rocks etc. The challenge is seeing how far you can go without utilizing modern technology. I do not live in the wild, but enjoy building shelter, tools, and more, only utilizing natural materials. To find specific videos, visit my playlist tab for building videos focused on pyrotechnology, shelter, weapons, food & agriculture, tools & machines, and weaving & fiber.
#PrimitiveTechnology #RoastedOre #ShellFlux

[@TheAusroar]

Dear John. As a metallurgy engineer that handles ore into kiln, I have the following advice: I suggest you start with smaller fire and continuously build it up to increase the temperature, but it is important to keep a calm fire after starting it. Drying the ore slowly is the key to a nice and ready charge for the coal. Once you start adding coal (after 3-4 hours of drying the ore), I suggest you try making breaks while blowing, to let the coal and the charge cook well, like cooking a steak at a low temperature, because too much air will oxidize the iron earlier before it reaches a temperature near liquid phase before smelting, so that could be the problem why you are still getting small prills. Try making small pellets of 1 cubic centimeter of the ore. Burning the iron ore right from the start will cause the iron to pop and form into smaller prills into the slag. Also lime is added in liquid metal only (from my experience so far) Hope this helps!

[@zyaicob]

+

[@sambobman1]

How should the slag be added into the furnace? At what point in the burn and in what manner? Layered into the coal as its currently done?

[@bjellison905]

​@@sambobman1 the old techniques ive read about stacked the chimney full of charcoal with actual coal at the top wirh the ore. 2 to 1 ratio coal to ore. As it burns down do it again and again and after it cooks down the bloom should be at the bottom

[@flamethrowex]

is there any difference in what point flux is introduced? like say, would you get different results if it was added once the slag had already melted versus mixed in with the ore?

[@user-vy8uh8rd2d]

좋은 정보 감사합니다

[@primitivetechnology9550]

I tested roasting the ore, using lime flux (shells) and recycling slag in 3 separate smelts. Roasting the ore improved the yield about 2 times though this might have been due to decreasing the volume and effectively increasing the concentration of the ore. Adding lime (snail shells) ruined the smelt and produced next to no iron. This may be due to the ore already being basic and chemistry and the lime made it so basic that the slag won't flow. Sand (an acid flux) or old slag might make a better flux for this type of ore, lime might be better used to flux iron sand (acidic due to the silica content). Finally, I tested re-smelting the slag from previous smelts (not the slag from the lime smelt). The result was about half the iron came out compared to fresh ore, which suggests that slag should be smelted again to recover any iron not obtained during the first smelt if fresh ore is hard to come by. Thanks.

[@Jaalix_Learns]

Have you been able to test the temperature at different phases of the process? If not with a laser thermometer than by color of the fire akin to how a blacksmith judges heat? Is it possible the heat is rising too quickly for the prills to form in the mass? Great video as always!!

[@Endede]

The iron spheres are huuuge compared to previous experiments! Even the small ones looked bigger than previous prills. Nice work!

[@lairdcummings9092]

The limed sample looked almost like you were getting glass. You might give glass-making a try?

[@sandvich4days871]

Just an idea, If your pots can handle the heat, is it possible to make a sealed crucible to melt the accumulated iron into an ingot?

[@charles7412]

What is the ultimate goal once you have collected enough iron? How much are you going to need?

[@LouSpowells]

Kind of crazy to think I've watched someone go from the stone age to the iron age over the course of a few years...on KZbin. Without any tricks or secret helpers, no clickbaity titles or mobile game plugs...just a mellow dude quietly and effectively reminding me of how absolutely useless I would be if everything went sideways. Thanks for the vids dude.

[@isaacmiguelsanchez6797]

Will he make this until the Industrial Revolution?? Honest question

[@laurynaszivatkauskis9188]

​@@isaacmiguelsanchez6797 he could get electricity and run w it very primitive motors a light bulb probably too but stuff like steam engine or computers is possible only when millions of people are involved

[@eroorefulufoo6625]

no bronze or copper age though

[@eroorefulufoo6625]

@@isaacmiguelsanchez6797 practical anthropology is about learning through trial and error. i'm pretty sure this is less of a goal-oriented thing and more of a trial and error-style research thing

[@ScienceDiscoverer]

@@eroorefulufoo6625 He skipped them!

[@Metrion77]

What's truly exciting about seeing him experiment like this is that it is EXACTLY how our ancestors learned. Yes, he got some hints. Yes he knew that flux was a thing. But that "What if I add this to the process?" and "What if I add this to the ore?" is how humanity began its exploration of metallurgy over hundreds of years. The "I heard that the guy two villages over sacrificed his shell necklace to god of the forge and barely any iron came out" exploration.

[@Fallenfaefolk]

it really shows how capable a human is of learning by trial and error. gives me hope that were we ever reduced to low-tech apocalypse levels, our ancestors wouldn't take as much time as we did to figure shit out, considering all we'll have left behind.

[@r3dp9]

@@Fallenfaefolk It would be really, really hard to get sent back to the stone age. Thanks to radio enthusiasts, preppers, and various niche individuals, knowledge can spread very far, very fast. People are VERY good at learning, provided they know where to look and have an incentive.

[@Fallenfaefolk]

@@r3dp9 if our sun shifted its energy output upwards by more than 1%, our entire ionosphere would prevent long distance communication by radio. It's not the technology I see surviving long-term, and we're VERY lucky to have use of it in the time we do.

[@johnnynguyen8320]

Videos this guy makes are actually real unlike other channels that fake making *pools* or homes from just sticks. Compared to this puts those channels to shame

[@bizmaster1221]

@@ovencake523 you are right but kurzgesagt is a total commie

[@vicorkit]

After 8 years, i still watch every single one of these videos within a day of them releasing. One of the greatest channels of all time, easily. Phenomenal!

[@chrisflanagan7564]

It's a fundamentally important KZbin channel, in a sea of people actively becoming shouting caricatures of themselves this channel is an island of calm. One a month, and a million views in that first week is pretty solid. If you look back over the old videos some have as many as 80 million views! Before the 2020 break the view numbers are consistently over 10 million. I think maybe the Algorithm isn't reminding people that the channel is active again. That said, every video has been worth watching, and even if I don't watch it the first day, I make time to do at my next convenience. I used to watch them twice, once with the subtitles off, and once with them on, but that takes a lot of time.

[@paulpaul9266]

Cheater

[@hashishi9]

8 years?! Oh my how the time flies, I've been watching these from the almost beginning as well. Bestest stuff that KZbin has to offer, this and cooking/baking videos

[@jimisflau]

Gostaria muito de saber QUE DIABO ESSE CARA TA FAZENDO....!!! FERRO? PRA QUE? QUAL FINALIDADE?

[@Autunite]

No way, has it been 8 years already? Damn.

[@JugheadJones03]

The thing that always impresses me most is the patience he has. It would take a full generation cycle I think for humans not to be put off and constantly aggravated from these kinds of labors in daily life! Very enjoyable and educational. Thank you.

[@000Mazno000]

Consider they wouldn't have known the chemistry beforehand, either. Several generations of *attempts,* hours upon days of work that could end up producing nothing

[@valentinmitterbauer4196]

@@000Mazno000 It's estimated that at the end of the bronze age, trading routes collapsed, as did several civilisations in the near east and the mediterrean. No trade routes means no tin ore, as this was a rare find. So whole civilisations built on bronze are running out of metal. You can guess that there was *extreme* motivation to do metallurgical experiments to find tin, a surrogate or just something, *anything* that would keep them from falling back into the chalcolithic. It was probably the Hittites in Anatolia that finally figured out iron bloom.

[@Docstantinople]

I think some of us have had enough of these videos on smelting and making wood charcoal. This guys used to make little huts and shit. Which is why I tune in. He needs to go back to that.

[@reubenstad2484]

@@Docstantinople You could always... rewatch the old videos

[@Kaltsukka]

​@@Docstantinople Nah, it's just you, bro.

[@JerGol]

Stuns me that he has to build up a large reserve of charcoal between each smelt. The amount of work involved just in prep is huge! Incredible work!

[@The_Bliz]

These videos are produced often over weeks or even months! It would be quite a feat to do this much in one or two days.

[@JerGol]

@@The_Bliz I'm aware. It's still a huge amount of prep, even if it's done over weeks. Huge effort.

[@234netklh27]

It does add to the historical imagination how a town of blacksmiths can in one generation (20 or so years) deforest an entire area, if there aren't any foresters replanting.

[@nSikandar]

Hope he's farming all the land he cleared out

[@Kozu604]

I'd just like to add a comment of respect for the sheer amount of work that goes into producing what to us is an 18 min video. The bricks, the wood gathering, the many batches of charcoal production you must have done, the iron bacteria straining. You make it all look so easy but I know from personal experience that it is not. Best channel on youtube, I'm excited every time a new video drops.

[@JossCard42]

Yeah as he was loading the charcoal for the last smelt I was thinking of just how much prep work has to have gone into getting the wood, charcoal, and mud for everything.

[@INGIE32]

Yes I absolutely agree. Such a great channel

[@LogicalKip]

And the editing afterwards

[@HeisenbergFam]

8 years later and this man still finds new creative ideas to engage the audience, respect

[@HShango]

Bruh are you stalking me 😶

[@crazycow739]

Hard to run out of ideas when you're literally starting how a human would do from scratch

[@evisceratormkii6399]

Give it another 10 years & he'll be printing circuit boards in the bush

[@VodShod]

well he is kinda climbing the technological ladder from scratch. So there is still a lot to do to to reach modern times, starting with just rocks and sticks.

[@RobertDoornbosF1]

​@@VodShodImagine him starting ww1 in the woods against some trees💀

[@TheSexMess]

I cannot begin to explain how much I love the fact that you include failures into the videos. That honesty and scientific approach is why it's so interesting.

[@martiddy]

Is like watching Dr Stone in real life

[@clownindan]

The copy cats use machinery and work crews and act like they did it with sticks

[@glowsinthedark235]

Plus the fact that it shows a realistic outcome, and that even people who know what they’re doing can’t get it right sometimes

[@r3dp9]

@@glowsinthedark235 He's also running into environmental issues specific to his location. PH of the water, weather, soil content, etc. What works for one person in one place won't necessarily work elsewhere.

[@greathost171]

Those huge nuggets are so satisfying to see after so many attempts yielding small ones over the years! Incredible work. Is it feasible to roast a larger quantity of ore at a time? Also wondering if you could load more of the roasted ore at a time into that tall furnace.

[@dingo9696]

its not about the quantity. the iron hes making has a high carbon content that makes it really poor for working. he needs to reduce it somehow.

[@martinevans75]

This is without a doubt the greatest channel ever produced on youtube. i could honestly watch this 24/7. Feels like my inner caveman is here to learn. Keep up the stellar work man.

[@urilevy1]

Truth

[@Mbond94]

It’s fake. He’s got a large team that works to build these structures and uses machines

[@martinevans75]

@@Mbond94 incorrect. But you are right about a bunch of the other channels that try to emulate him.

[@Foreignmonk34]

Yes this has been the number 1 for me too for many years

[@bens4801]

​​​@@Mbond94seems like you didn't finish the video, the video even claims that hes one of the only legit primitive technology channels

[@kshea4231]

Honestly incredible that humans figured out how to make metal at all, or even find out it existed in the first place. Cool stuff

[@SuperUltimateLP]

To be fair, the first Iron wasn't made by selectively filtering and drying brown water with bacteria in it :D

[@CimboAkinci]

Copper was a huge "hint" since it can be smelted in an open fire

[@generallaro1269]

Put enough monkeys in an infinitely large room for infinite time, eventually they make Shakespeare. Literally.

[@panatypical]

Debbils taught us about it

[@PotionsMaster666]

@@panatypical who ?

[@ladyofthemasque]

The chemical used to lower the melting point of the slag (unwanted materials, also called dross) is calcium oxide. Wood ashes contain calcium oxide, as does pre-burnt shells, and limestone that has been baked into quicklime has the most calcium oxide. Since he's in an area with no limestone, he only has ashes and snail shells to work with. The failure may have been due to the fact the shells were merely crushed, and not pre-baked, as happened in a previous experiment (turning snail shells into the calcium oxide / hydroxide needed for making cement) several years ago. Or it simply could have been too much calcium oxide, because yes, sometimes too much of a good thing is actually a bad thing in the end.

[@Leadvest]

I'm really excited for further refinement of the process, and the design of future experiments.

[@chadoftoons]

Right...i remember a guy making roman concrete as an example and showcasing the burning of clams (if i remember) to make quicklime and then pouring water over extremly slowly as it was so exothermic that it could break the container. At the same though i would think he'd know mostly because writing "How to make flux" probably wouldve shown this somewhere.

[@ILCorvo001]

I believe it was probably a little of both.

[@moistnuggests]

I wonder if the smelting attempt functions as a pre bake so that discarded ore might just need a second smelting.

[@jaytf310]

Nerd

[@muhammadfarhanhilmi5811]

This is my first time giving "super thanks" to channel in KZbin. I really love your contents for this past years. I wish you got healthy, and prosperous life despite your "life" on that primitive hut with all those bacteria and animals 😅. Once more thanks for amazing works you've done, i know it just small gift but this is my sincere thanks for you. Love from Indonesia ❤️

[@primitivetechnology9550]

Thanks for your support, I'll keep the videos coming. Much appreciated.

[@9desi9]

Ele deu 6.63 reais

[@muhammadfarhanhilmi5811]

​@FLICK ​dude chill it just 1.35 in USD, I'm just paying his drinks

[@evandrofilho8323]

​@FLICK Brasileiro por aqui? 😮

[@evandrofilho8323]

​@@9desi9 Mais um conterrâneo??? 🙂

[@abuabar2077]

It's funny how the other primitive youtubers just happen to get iron so easily and forge it to tools in just one video. They show no process or failures, they just happen to succeed everytime :D I've been watching your videos since the beginning and happy to see that you still keep producing quality stuff no matter how famous you get!

[@MrZnarffy]

I can't wait for the day he can actually make his first real iron lump to work.. This shows how much work it is to go directly from stoneage technology to iron age. And to boot it is such relaxing videos to watch...

[@legso21]

he already made a small knife a while back

[@ricktan5663]

Stone to bronze then to iron. He is skipping bronze. Bronze is rarer than iron but with bronze you have better tools than you can make from stone

[@Sam-iu8nb]

@@ricktan5663 Techonolgy develops based on people's physical surroundings. One person can't prospect for and mine both copper and tin in a forest (that probably has no mines to find). But scooping up iron bacteria seems to be working for him.

[@nekrataali]

@@Sam-iu8nb People vastly underestimate how limiting our environments can be. There's a reason Native Americans, sub-Saharan Africans, and Australian Aborigines didn't develop metal tools at the rate of Europeans or Asians.

[@sevensprings460]

There is lime and tin in the mountains west of Cairns, around Herbeton and Ootan. But it would take a couple of weeks for him to walk there to get it.

[@JackAllpikeMusic]

just a reminder for those who don't know, these videos always (at least every one I have watched since learning this) have captions which explain what he is doing. they're a must have to watch these videos. :)

[@DanielWilliams371]

I've watched so many of these and today I have learned something valuable beyond what he shows

[@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist3]

Repent to Jesus Christ “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ht

[@ganjalfcreamcorn8438]

@@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist3 praise jeebus

[@NochSoEinKaddiFan]

@@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist3 ...nah

[@JackAllpikeMusic]

@@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist3 no

[@Soundhound101]

It is a beautiful take on not just primitive tech, but experimental chemical engineering as well. Thanks for this John.

[@kevinoneil5120]

You could tell he was proud of this one. Those were some good yields.

[@TheDrakenZ]

A new Primitive Technology video, it's a good day.

[@MrSkyY06]

Exactely

[@azimuth6855]

Amen brother. Rough going for me these past few months, today especially, but an upload from this guy and I can already feel my stress melting away 😊

[@harukatakahashi8822]

But to be honest, It feels like I been seeing him doing the same thing but kinda different in a way? I really want him to make an axe or something with those metal balls?

[@shawnndixon5254]

@@harukatakahashi8822 he already made the iron knife, give it time you will see an iron ax.

[@ahighlyobnoxiousadult]

The most bot comment around today, another blah blah video so it's a great day, i guess small things amuse small minds 😆morons

[@Chris.Cook.]

Man, DOUBLING your yield really speaks for itself. I really enjoy that you're taking viewer suggestions seriously. I remember in previous Q&A comment threads commenters suggesting roasting pre-smelt, the lime shell thing, and others. Obviously, not all of them are worthwhile, but you can't argue with the results of that first experiment.

[@AB0BA_69]

I'm just waiting for this guy to gather enough iron to start making weapons and armor. Iron Age here we cooooome!

[@ageishyena3035]

This. Who knew shells were a bad idea. I thought it'd help separate the slag from the iron itself.

[@StargazerTheFurry]

@@ageishyena3035 I think it still does but if I remember right you have to add it to liquid metal, not just ore at the beginning. That might or might not be correct idk

[@IrishRepoMan]

​@StarGaming Oh yah? Definitely didn't see the comment at the top by the metallurgist say exactly that, eh?

[@hitachicm721f]

This is the real primitive channel, not the counterfeit

[@slebetman]

Your obsession with iron is mesmerising. I can see how early ironworkers got obsessed with smelting. It is kind of meditative.

[@ChiefsPlayground]

Everyone keep in mind this guy was the FIRST channel to do this kind of stuff. Only after a while of watching his videos (about a year-ish) did I start seeing copy-cat videos. Some of them you could tell they used construction equipment on site lol. Great video as always!! Will be looking forward to using this years into the apocalypse

[@slebetman]

I'm kind of glad to see him moving on to stuff that if someone were to try to copy him they'd have to put real work into it - even with modern tools. Also, he's dragged into one of my most hated subject: chemistry - and I'm loving it!

[@Leadvest]

It's really not surprising that he's peerless. Considering all the work, and careful research he's put into these videos.

[@Mikebloke]

Would be curious to see if the larger and hotter furnace gives you a significant yield, unfortunately changing two things at the same time didnt pay off this time, but it's interesting how the last batch being done again still contributed more than an old batch.

[@primitivetechnology9550]

I'll test the taller furnace with fresh ore and see next time I do a smelt. If there's no difference I'll go back to the shorter one as it's easier to get the product out at the end. Thanks.

[@gideon903]

​@@primitivetechnology9550I wonder if you could make the taller furnace such that the top ~4 bricks or so could all be removed in one piece, so it could be broken in half and reassembled to get the slag.

[@matthewbadger8685]

@@primitivetechnology9550 Perhaps make the chimney more narrow as it gets taller so as to concentrate the heat into the material and have it get hotter faster, for a more clumped up yield.

[@Phil_Cleaver]

To increase the temperature of the fire it is probable that you would need to increase the oxygen. To increase the size of the fire you increase fuel and oxygen in proportion. The shorter furnace with a smaller fuel load could well be hotter reduction flame.

[@kedo]

This is a really big change in length and audio! Both substantial improvements! Long time fan of the project, you're really killing it lately. Hope to see more long videos (even if it's just longer cuts of each step in the process).

[@comancheclub3449]

Its so refreshing to see so many people take such an interest in content like this. Really gives an old 30yo man hope for the future.

[@KuaEtus]

5:27 the purple flames come from the wood ash, it contains a large amount of potassium (in the form of hydroxides) this element has that color when heated over a flame, calcium for example emits a brick red color and zinc bluish green. This is a property used to recognize them in pure one-element (metals) solutions. This channel is amazing 😁

[@CimboAkinci]

I think that's due to carbon monoxide flames from the coal? Potassium color is hard to see when there's sodium

[@KuaEtus]

@@CimboAkinci i dont know about carbon monoxide coloring flames, but it is strange to find it in a hige oxigen combustion like this one

[@CimboAkinci]

@@KuaEtus Coal can reduce CO2 back to CO. It's also how it reduces iron oxide to iron

[@howtoavenge1016]

chemistry is awesome

[@KuaEtus]

@@CimboAkinci hoo, so that's why the iron is reduced, cool, thanx for the info 🐱

[@animelover-zo5pt]

Its absolutely incredible to see his improvements with making ore across the videos

[@Juubith95]

Your success in making larger iron nuggets makes me ridiculously happy! This is by far the most interesting channel in yt! It also blows my mind every time how hard it is to make such simple things from scratch in the wild, even with some idea and instructions beforehand. Our ancestors didn't have any of those and still I'm here watching this on my smartphone just a few millenia later. Humans really are pretty amazing 😮 Keep up the good work!

[@DJRAtherton]

I think this might be my favourite video you've done to date! The pacing is perfect and I love seeing the experiments!

[@isaacsawka6524]

This channel is an inspiration. I'm not sure I could've pushed on after that lime smelt failure. The amount of effort, perseverance, and discomfort to push through that entire process only for it to end in a less than optimal result would've set me back. I'm sure off camera there's some moments of frustration expressed, but the tossing of the ore was the only bit we see of possible catharsis. Thanks for pushing through and showing how to enjoy your hobby even when it's difficult.

[@gradeyundery4939]

every time he feels discomfort of a less optimal result in smelting, he does 1 pushup and 1 situp. when he started this series he was fat.

[@hcolider2817]

Too many folks see failure as less of a sign of incapability, and more as an opportunity to learn. It's definitely an inspiration for me as well

[@lazyman7505]

You might consider trying to make 'ore pellets' - crush all 3 ingredients into fine powder (roasted ore, charcoal, flux) and make small round pellets (you'd probably need to add some sort of binder to keep them together, or try to make simple lever or screw press to see if that would generate enough force to keep the pellets from falling apart for long enough). Then fully dry the pellets and load the entire furnace (preheated) with them. The main purpose of pellets is to make the contact between components as close as possible while the shape guarantees there is sufficient air flow throughout the whole furnace.

[@Metalicss]

He already tried that years ago. Seek out the videos regarding smelting, I know he had one or two with that idea.

[@liger04]

On the note of air flow, getting a consistent input flow could dramatically increase the heat and flow rate of the furnace which would let the iron flow together more readily. Replacing the current rope drill power source with a rotary power supply (something like a rope belt and two differently-sized clay wheels, with a handle on the larger wheel to convert slow human-supplied rotation into a fast fan speed) might allow for consistent blowing speed without taking a ton of effort to build and maintain. Hopefully. I don't know for certain how tough lawyer cane is, or how brittle his fired clay is, so I can't say for certain what's the best solution.

[@lazyman7505]

@@liger04 Very good point. Since the air input is limited, allowing better flow inside the furnace won't help much. I rewatched some of the previous videos and I think the issue is not the fan-blower per se, it's just too small. With every 'pulse' it's able to provide only very limited amount of air into the furnace. Increasing the size might be enough or just making the good old bag bellows (with volume comparable to the inner volume of the furnace).

[@DoubleTap13]

​@@lazyman7505 I wonder if there are really any suitable materials that he would actually have access to? The only thing I can think of would be animal hide/leather but that would probably be a whole development process itself (if it was even possible). But I honestly don't know much about bellows, just thinking out loud.

[@lazyman7505]

@@DoubleTap13 Damn, you are right, I totally forgot his limited access to materials. Hmm I don't think you can make decent enough air bag for bellows with just plant materials. Maybe some woven fiber mesh with some sort of sealant, but from top of my head I can't come up with anything that a) he has around b) would be flexible enough when dry

[@CDBelfer4]

The one and only true primitive technology channel out there, and I'm so hyped every time there's a new video!

[@danielberegoi3033]

I love the part that u kept the failed product in the video, like you spent time and effort on that and it failed miserably, but still it worked as a lesson, and I really liked that

[@prophez23]

As a blacksmith and custom knife maker I absolutely love watching videos like this. Thanks for sharing this!

[@mulepowerforge]

im a blacksmith and knifemaker too! not so much blacksmith as bladesmith though... i pretty much only do knife stuff

[@isuckatart906]

So, ever since I found out this was one of the few legitimate channels in this category of youtube, I have gained more and more respect for this man. Keep on doing your great work man.

[@omniscientearl]

The man basically created the category. So many more have tried, but they have to cheat to seem impressive, and are bad at hiding it.

[@Mbond94]

Have you not seen the news on it? It’s fake. They use excavation machines and destroy the environment with large teams to make these videos

[@krakenpots5693]

He was the first!

[@Glocky131]

Yeah this is the original primitive technology, all the others were "inspired" by him.

[@SIB1963]

The only legit ancient tech channel.

[@PrototypeSourri]

One of the best channels on KZbin and the best in the genre for sure. Thanks for your great and inspiring work!

[@5uperM]

I love that you show your failures as well. It feels really human.

[@CCNeverender]

I think its important that you left in the failure in the middle. Sometimes these experiments don't go the way you planned, but its still interesting data. Great video, lookin forward to seeing what you do with all of that iron! :)

[@philipmantos2544]

Now we know that if we regress to a iron age society we can sabatoge our enemies iron by throwing snails into their smelts.

[@X3R0D3D]

@@philipmantos2544 two kinds of people....

[@kevinoneil5120]

7:29 That heavy clink when he drops it in... this is getting serious.

[@domonikoldham7387]

the greatest work i have seen from any human , this is extraordinary bro , thank you so much for letting me follow your progress for litterally years now i have actually tears watching this episode hope you are well and keep striving dude

[@urukingotv90]

Dude its great to receive the notification that you uploaded, i dont think you realize how much we live your videos

[@Thescott16]

Have you started cultivating the bacteria (making conditions better for them to thrive so you can farm them?) or is that just a common occurrence in that area?

[@donovanteale6502]

By removing the biofilms he is making room for more to form.... so it is kinda farming it. I am further south but if you walk along our local creeks enough you will spot areas where iron bacteria is doing well.

[@notsure6222]

It's amazing to see the progress you've made from the tiniest of nuggets to this. You have perfected your approach and the results are very nice.

[@raymonroe1983]

Thank you John for always having the best content. Your channel has and I'd imagine will always be my favorite.

[@L0rdph0b0s]

you continue to be one of the most enthralling channels I've ever seen. Your dedication is now only outmatched by your ever expanding repertoire of skills. Please continue this as long as it brings you joy my friend. because it will bring joy to all of us.

[@TheEret]

One of the only channels that I will drop everything to watch a new upload. Love seeing the development! Also, remember to turn on captions during the video :)

[@lingonberryjam]

ERET??? WHAR!

[@bizmaster1221]

Great video! I like how you don't add any unnecessary BS to your videos like so many other channels do. Keep up the good work!

[@titastotas1416]

You working on this and finding ways to improve the process is amazing

[@INGIE32]

I cannot say enough times how much of a treat your videos are. It always brings a smile to my face when you have uploaded a video, because they are so relaxing, entertaining and educational. Great work as always!

[@lyon08]

All this experimenting with iron ore and smelting is so fascinating, looks like you made some great breakthroughs this video!

[@jpm3052]

Great video! Your attention to detail is what makes it great for me and experimenting to try to get better yields. Very much appreciated.

[@xaroz904]

Been a fan for quite some time now, great to see you still developing, i have nought but the deepest respect for you Sir. Plant

[@sagnikbose6677]

It's lovely to see your videos. I started using KZbin regularly after watching your channel, so many years ago. Thank you from an old fan

[@ks4694]

I appreciate that you showed the Lime one after it caused a failure. It's neat to see the methods that don't work. Both helpful to teach the chemistry and also shows the authenticity that it doesn't always work the way you hope.

[@ashurakusanaga5917]

When I noticed the pink/purple colors of the flames around 5 minutes, I had a sudden notion to look up what causes those colors. The usual suspect of purple is potassium, and pink usually comes from lithium chloride. While I don't know what else was burning aside from the wood and the charcoal, I felt it interesting to bring up possible causes for the different flame colors.

[@taimuresu1101]

Probably one of the best channels out there. Not some fake primitive vids, or random gaming videos, but actual hard work and effort put into videos. I have a question tho. How do you acquire food and freshwater? Do you make them yourself?

[@carlosiribarren2270]

he lives in the city, like a normal person; he just go to the forest/jungle to do the things we see in the videos. He does trully make everything in them, but, of course, he study and read about how to do things

[@DH-xw6jp]

He has done food videos in the past, about harvesting, processing, and storing wild foods. But he doesn't live in these huts, he has a real house

[@chapeudealuminio4866]

There are two channels that I'm always happy to see new videos of. Fall of Civilizations is one, and this is the other. Keep it up

[@roseforeuropa]

So cool watching him get more efficient with iron yield experience. Everyone seems to talk about making knives or hatchets or something, but after so many iron videos, I'd be curious to see more experiments with food as well as pottery... perhaps a potter's wheel.

[@ro5alia]

he has made pottery and a potters wheel

[@LabGecko]

@@ro5alia well I have to agree with ZXNova about seeing _more_ of that. And a real, balanced spinning wheel setup would be nice instead of a round brick you turn a few degrees at a time by hand 😁

[@krzysztofbroda5376]

I like it cause hes progressing in technology which is the main goal. Was getting tired of seeing 5th video on making charcoal

[@claypotts2334]

Seconded

[@LabGecko]

@@krzysztofbroda5376 charcoal was just as important to improving tech as the rest. None of his fires for forging work without _good_ charcoal.

[@jyuen]

Such respect for the process, and the level of dedication. Instant subbed

[@Equitine]

Your channel always comes by to scratch the return to monke side of my brain whenever the itch comes about. This time around I've learned how to make a proper greenwood bow and now another way for primitive iron processing.

[@user-je3fx6li3w]

what incredible patience you need to have for this 🥺

[@BennettTheSmith]

I'm a smith, I've done one modern-ish smelt. I can't get enough of this journey you're undertaking. Re-smelting slag is absolutely worth it in an ore-poor situation. Silica sand is an excellent flux for bloomery smelting. Is there no other source of ore in your locale? I'm pretty sure with the process you've already developed and a more sizeable quantity of ore (and higher grade ore) you'd be getting much more iron. Also, I find myself wondering about the primitive technology form of a basic magnet... something to help locate and purify ore.

[@ReySilverskin]

I was thinking a magnet would be useful as well, but unfortunately with a primitive level of technology there's no way (that I know of) to make one. Back in ancient times the only way to get a magnet would be to find a naturally-occurring lodestone.

[@bigmack1992]

There is magnetite in australia, so it is theoretically possible to find or make a lodestone to use as a magnet.

[@davidwilson6577]

Just wait for a meteorite to smack the forest.

[@melodiedewz5590]

the most field expeidient magnet wold be electromagnetcally piece of iron

[@bur1t0]

Short of a permanent magnet, the only other source of a magnetic field would be an electric current. At the very least 2 metals that are of differing electronegativity would be needed to create a galvanic cell. This is territory where mass production starts changing from a good idea and into a necessity.

[@randubis7880]

Been watching these videos for years. I always get super excited when a new one comes out. Watching the progression from Stone Age to Iron Age has been a ride. Also… are we just not talking about that giant freaking spider?

[@anon_y_mousse]

Looked average size to me, but then I live in Texas and I have seen some doozies.

[@chir0pter]

I just love the handmade primeval aesthetic of everything- knowing that dish at 8:37 is something you made from earth you dug up and shaped and treated yourself- the charring on the mud brick walls as you fire iron ore you've dug with charcoal you've made- and it's also always surprising to me what a substantial looking building you can make with just earth and ash- the tiling of the roof is particularly impressive, it's just a more rough-hewn version of roof tiles you see today

[@Serahpin]

Building houses is extremely cheap. Paying the tens of thousands in taxes to build a house (building permits, water permits, sewage permits, electrical inspections, house inspections, zone certifications, etc) is why they are so expensive. Such is the price of safety (is freedom).

[@zakolache4490]

Always watch it twice.. first without subtitles, second with. That smelting sequence of 3-3-2 was so satisfying!

[@Bumpkin_fen]

As always John, your content is another level. thank you so much..

[@ah2347]

I think this might be my favorite aspect of your videos so far... the methodical improvement of your harvesting and purifying iron techniques.

[@Moist_yet_Crispy]

These videos and the massive amount of work that goes into them is legendary. It's incredible you're smelting at all and testing out these methods per the iron bacteria. Massive respect.

[@philkieran7521]

Love how the iron age is coming along John. Bought your book for my 9 year old and he is obsessed now. Keep up the fantastic worl

[@zaclassiterdrums]

My mans is out here doing primitive alchemy, I love how far this has come

[@sebastiansantiagodiazrodri424]

Apart from the content, which in itself is excellent, the quality of the editing is on the same level. It's a perfect combo. There are some videos in which I don't really get what he's doing, due to my lack of knowledge about certain topics, but I still watch them because of how good the editing is.

[@aaron-dsp-fpga3931]

if you turn on closed-captions (CC) then he explains each step as he goes along :)

[@sebastiansantiagodiazrodri424]

@@aaron-dsp-fpga3931 Yes, sure, I always do that. But still, some topics for me are a bit hard to understand. Anyway, thank you for the tip!

[@Rdac0]

my favourite parts about these recent videos is seeing how the very pragmatic design choices that you make for your tools (pots, furnaces, huts) eventually lead to a design that is present in the modern day. Like, "oh, I need better firing, so I need a taller furnace. Oh, now I can't reach in, I need a door' suddenly you have the modern furnace shape

[@Serahpin]

Same reason most culture develops measurements easily divisible by 2, 3 and 4. Because when building things, those are the most used divisions of larger measurements. Also why SI is an abomination upon mankind.

[@raptor4916]

@@Serahpin Based

[@jstan5802]

@@Serahpin I can somewhat accept most imperial measurements, except Fahrenheit, that's completely lost to me.

[@Serahpin]

@@jstan5802 It's a 180 degrees between water freezing and water boiling. Water freezes at 32 and boils at 212. Again, a unit easily divisible by 2, 3 and 4.

[@uprktk]

@@Serahpin thats very cool apart from the fact you literally never need to divide temperature measurements by 2, 3 or 4. Also defending imperial units based on the fact they are primitive is kinda hilarious, i just hope this is a joke im not getting

[@EricaCalman]

8:30 Panning for Iron! Never thought about it but I guess that is the best way to separate it from all the slag when it's in tiny droplets like that, super coo!

[@miguelduarte75]

I love the videos build upon each other, it gets more efficient, just marvelous to witness your progress

[@cavemankris]

Iron collections coming along nicely. Loving these videos mate. Great stuff. 👍

[@bsmepe74]

This makes my day to have a new video. This guy's content has been some of the most consistent out there.

[@chix1]

He was gone for years? Lol

[@jasonfarkas4719]

@@chix1 the dark ages before the iron ages

[@slickgiraffe6650]

Spider friend @0:20

[@charr7188]

Scrolled way too far to see someone mention the spider

[@condorb7756]

@@charr7188 Same lol. kinda shocked

[@sirshotty7689]

I love the iron videos they’re some of my favorite. I don’t know the feasibility but I’d be cool to see you recreate come of the old copper smelting techniques.

[@crisislars4748]

that shorts of his has been through tough times for 7 years and still holding. thats some high quality shorts right there

[@piousminion7822]

Man, I am so glad that you're back from that long stent away. I love your videos and you are the true OG on youtube when it comes to this topic. Don't ever change.

[@robertwilliams7768]

Dude i cant begin tell you how much i enjoy your content. I hope you have great success with your youtube channel. Love it all, its quiet and soothing, entertaining , educational, and most of all its REAL.

[@Spiderferal]

this man has touched the fire with his bare hands MULTIPLE times holy hell

[@larsrd4307]

Thank you so much. I don't even mind waiting for your content. You put so much work into it. Again, thanks.

[@partlycurrent]

It's been 10 years or something and this is still the best Channel on youtube no discussion end of story. Fin. Goat!

[@azimuth6855]

Something so serene about these videos, and something so attractive about a guy with real, applicable survival skills like being able to light a fire with just sticks

[@JaMaMaa1]

I think somebody needs to keep an eye on you.

[@Ferny1415]

Thank you for showing us and for showing me how fire is made. I really am grateful.

[@MysteryKar]

love how the flame turns pink during the smelting

[@alexrogers777]

I love the metal smelting videos like this! A tour of the local area you're in would be cool too, we've never really seen it

[@LabGecko]

There is a tour of the places he's built. Not really a great idea to show a lot of landscape if he doesn't want a crapload of visitors out there ruining the place. People make a living identifying places from Google Maps, and others do it as a competitive hobby. Landscapes can be dangerous these days :)

[@Theshaze69]

I want you to know that these videos aren't just a great source of education. For me and I suspect many others, they are a very cathartic and relaxing way to unwind and meditate on something positive at the end of a shitty day. Please keep making them, even just for fun.

[@stevencrawford3458]

These videos help with my anxiety and I couldn’t thank the dude more 😊 only thing I would dream for would be another channel where he posts the unedited footage cos honestly I could watch mans smash slag up for literal hours 😂

[@salvatore7777777]

The mud is PLENTY. Don't give up, such a great work!

[@nuketeacup]

How is wood gathering handled? Do you have a specific area you harvest, or just collect whatever is available/convenient? Smelting seems like an extremely resource intensive process so just curious how resource management is being handled. Thanks for years of incredible content, probably my favourite youtube channel of all time!

[@primitivetechnology9550]

Just dead wood that falls from the trees. Collect it as it falls periodically. Thanks.

[@ILCorvo001]

The area he is in is known for sustainably harvestable species of trees. He is not harming the environment doing what he does. That aspect is a big part of his videos.

[@kondziu1992]

​@J.L Bigboote well... he is burning wood... it's not THAT ecological... :D it's his prerogative - i just wouldnt call that safe for enviroment...

[@Ithilion]

@@kondziu1992 Even if he is burning wood, his hobby still remains orders of magnitude more carbon friendly than any other "modern" ones.

[@Dan-yk6sy]

@@kondziu1992 If you want to be that pedantic, your respiration is also adding co2 to the atmosphere, so you better knock it off.

[@Xanderviceory]

over years I've watched this man cut down probably hundreds of trees to run his furnaces, and all with a simple rock axe. so epic. please keep this amazing content coming, I learn so much watching these videos

[@mitchellcouchman1444]

Maybe he will eventually have enough for an iron one

[@itsshrimpinabag9544]

"Gay" is Satan-worship, you must repent unto Lord Jesus Christ.

[@eiriktandberg7304]

Some of the best content on YT.

[@evandrofilho8323]

I remember the first iron work and how small the nuggets were. You are evolving, friend. STRENGTH! ✊️😁 Me lembro do primeiro trabalho com ferro e quão pequenas as pepitas eram. Você está evoluindo, amigo. FORÇA! ✊️😁

[@chrissaunders8284]

Thank you for the content. I find this absolutely fascinating. I really appreciate that you respond to questions and suggestions.

[@cmw184]

Youre really motivating me to smelt up the magnetite i have in a couple jars laying around... also have anthracite coal i found at a local mine good job man i love this stuff a lot.