Secrets of Gold-Inlaid Weapon and Armor-Making Tools! (at

[@tested]

Do you ever contemplate the makers of artifacts in museums? This Ancient Mace Hides a Big Surprise: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6OwlYx8f5WZp6M Adam Savage Meets Real Armored Gauntlets: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2qQaoOid5J5Z7s Adam Savage Meets Real Ancient Swords: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXvcoXukqKqhbtE More Met videos: kzbin.info/aero/PLJtitKU0CAeiUv8endzt93QO2_T96n_xe The Met's Arms and Armor Department: www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/collection-areas/arms-and-armor

[@kevincolwell9575]

Adam- Jordan LaMothe will teach you to do koftgari. He studied it in India. He taught me, at the New England School of Metalwork.

[@MonkeyChessify]

I'm sure many echo this comment but I adore these videos where you can see how truly skilled armorers/craftsmen were back in the day, and how much of a flex it was to pay for someone to do 9 months of gilding on your entire armor. So neat

[@thesilverdragon1963]

“The absurdity of the work was the point”---this from the man who spent years on tv showing us absolutely absurd ridiculous things (lead balloon springs to mind) that enthralled, educated, and inspired so many people !❤❤❤

[@kevinjohanson5718]

As a modern day metal worker (pipefitter/welder fabricator) i love the fact the tools have personalization markings. We still do that to keep folks honest on the jobsite lol. I always put three notches in my hammers, mauls and wrenches

[@peckenstein]

Sean has a kick-a$$ job and is a great communicator.

[@tested]

Right? He’s wonderful at explaining things!

[@ericthompson3982]

I've spent the last several months making a wooden 17th century cavalry saber replica for my daughter with a fuller and detailed filigree. Its been so much fun.

[@michaelanderson2166]

This is something I want to get good at. Engraving and inlaying make normal things feel more special.

[@xaracen7207]

and for the tactical advantage

[@charlesparr1611]

I learned the basics of this, from a jeweller and sculptor who also helped me make the tools about 40 years ago. Its actually very simple technique, but the learning curve for consistency and above all for the design is very steep. A lot of the time you have to basically draw the patterns directly on the object with the gold. The thing is, with not a huge amount of initial practice you can do very basic ornamentation and then just naturally start getting more complex and intricate as you master the tools. Then I learned something crucial... One neat modern twist that can make the attaining enormously easier is photoecthing. Basically you do an extremely light photoetch of your desired pattern onto the steel, then use the photo etch as the 'lines you have to stay inside while colouring' as you crosshatch or dovetail into the steel. This makes it almost infinitely easier to transfer the design onto the metal. Then you proceed as usual with gold leaf or wire. That was several lives ago, I don't even have a single one of the things I made back then, the tools also wandered away, but the experience of it is something I will value forever. I probably spent an hour or so a day on it for a couple of years, and with the assistance of the photo etch hack, and modern materials, I was able to come close to equalling the best work of the old bastards. But I am well aware I was essentially cheating, so there is that ;) The reason the hammers look like that, by the way, is you don't hold them like other hammers. you cup the ball in your palm, and you kind of spin the hammer up and down like you're doing jazz-hands. This gives you very rapid light taps that are also pretty accurate. Also, one of those hammers would be a 'pick'...The pick is used to rough up extremely localized areas too small for the repurpose razor blades, and if you look at the surface worked with the pick hammer, it looks exactly like the teeth of a wood rasp, only microscopic.when you add the gold leaf (you need two to three thicknesses of leaf)and press it down, it looks speckled because those steel teeth stick up. Thats where the burnishing comes in. The burnisher pushes the teeth down below the surrounding metal. then you add one more piece of leaf and it looks like a pool of gold in the metal. It's pretty neat. Once you get really comfortable, you can literally frehand draw on the metal with the pick hammer, no patterns or wirework needed. I found that was the best way to work curved surfaces, the one I did was a silver cup with gold detail. Man, I don't even have pictures of any of this. It was long before digital photos, and any photo albums I ever had have also wandered away. Cool to think that probably every one of the things I made are still out there though, and probably very treasured by whoever found them. Most of my practice was making hair barrettes early on. Small, cheap materials, and I've never met a pretty girl that didn't love a beautiful and unique thing for her hair.

[@tomhorsley6566]

Clickspring has a lot of engraving videos.

[@michaelanderson2166]

@@charlesparr1611 thanks for the feedback.

[@gregw7920]

This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart. Thank you both for taking the time to explore and share.

[@Dakiraun]

The scene work on that mace is breathtaking - the mill with the silver-coloured river running by, jeeeeeeez. It would be interesting to know how long that took. Imagine, too, just how many people have been able to look at that over the centuries and appreciate it; I bet the original maker had no idea so many would come to appreciate the work.

[@michaelharrison8036]

I think the mace was decorated by a Spanish artisan named Diego de Caias. He was also known for decorating some Eared Daggers as well.

[@randelbrooks]

It's wonderful that we have people who still know a lot about these things and could apply it today.

[@chehalem]

When I see videos of your trips to the armor conservation lab at the Met it makes me want to see you have a maker to maker conversation with Tod Todeschini (of Tod's Workshop/Tod Cutler) since you both have similar backgrounds in special effects, props, and just a love of craft. I think his experience recreating medieval weapons would give you a lot to talk about.

[@themonarch8251]

Those are 2 of the three channels I subscribe to on KZbin, the 3rd being Matt Easton... But I'd love to see an Adam/Todd meetup! I think Adam would have fun with launching incendiaries from a trebuchet, for example. 😄

[@samuelmellars7855]

Yesssssss! Adam meets Tod would be amazing!

[@M-elephant7777]

I agree, Adam and Todd is an absolute must!!

[@shubinternet]

Oh, man. That fourteen minutes went by WAY TOO FAST!!! This is so amazing!

[@jonathanhendry9759]

These are the best episodes. IMHO.

[@mentalcog2187]

THIS was a fantastic adventure of learning. Went by too fast. Now,... research begins into the finer details of an art still in use! Thanks for this one!

[@smillman437]

Oh man I was hoping there was going to be another piece (or ten) to check out!

[@glennmorganfan9411]

I could honestly live in that place. It is the most amazing place I have ever seen.

[@willlycos5781]

I feel like all youtube building videos have a presentation style that's originally derived from Adams personality from mythbusters (even if they don't realise it). I hope people don't forget the impact that show had and still does have so many people. I'm so glad he is still doing this. He is a gift to the world.

[@BlueEyedColonizer]

Absolutely love these type videos

[@TimmyB1867]

Every so often you post a video that just fills me with so much -experience envy- I just wish I could be there in that physical space and see and be in the presence of this with you.

[@alexstewart839]

HELL YES, BROTHERS AND SISTERS! Every Met Armory video is one more than I deserve and one fewer than I need. I didn't know that I was so interested in this area of history until Savage/Tested started this series.

[@iLLDiSScrafts]

again. thanks for the kick in my butt. i finally restarted my artworks with new tools and ideas. you and rewatching mythbusters helped so much getting off the couch

[@Felenari]

Damascening is really fun. Very zen to work with.

[@mikemcdonald2755]

I'm a complete need over this kind of stuff. Amazing craft and craftsmen and their tools! Awesome!

[@bentationfunkiloglio]

I’ve been thinking about adding this skill to my novice-level jewelry making. Although, I didn’t know anything about its history until now. Great timing for video! Thanks

[@randelbrooks]

A wonderful craftsman to be able to explain all this to us. I've worked goldleaf things myself and I understand exactly what he's talking about. Wanted to do some of the stuff for our armor when we worked at a Renaissance Festival but ended up not doing it. You can see why

[@Tinkerbell9332]

Hey Adam! So I'm new to this channel, but have been binging myth busters a lot and am glad I found this!😊

[@patrickdiehl6813]

Such beautiful works of art, the weapons and the tools ❤

[@vladdracula2643]

The process of Damascening is the most amazing art

[@rogergadley9965]

Adam, The curator said that the gold inlay work is a current skill and profession. That’s true, and some of the professionals make KZbin videos. Alec Steele, a blacksmith several years ago did extensive gold inlay on some of his work, knives mostly. The neat thing about those inlay jobs was that he was at the time, a novice engraver and was learning the craft. We got to watch as he learned. Several well experienced engravers do their own KZbin videos and most of them seem to do gold and silver inlay.

[@Isteak80]

I actually was always curious about how this technique was done at the time, very fascinating!

[@poozizzle]

That Festool stack in the background makes me really happy.

[@Mengmoshu]

Amusingly I heard of wire inlay work a few days before this video was published, from an Ilona Andrews novel 😁 Pretty cool to actually see tools used for the work, and a description of the process so soon after seeing it referenced in a piece of fantasy fiction.

[@AldoSchmedack]

Adam, this absolutely fascinating my friend! TY for sharing with us!

[@tauIrrydah]

We wouldn't know this without some nerd who had a really specific hobby.

[@garychaiken808]

Great job guys. Thank you 😊

[@Jamnoris5]

I would love to see a collab with adam and Tod of tods workshop. I feel like theyre kindred spirits if in different fields.

[@tuhkathri9126]

Can't get enough of these videos ❤

[@pmarr98]

I love these Met videos so jealous you get to take to people . I have to see the armor exhibit but these videos are amazing

[@tuekaae5218]

It would be so cool to have a piece from the same damasciner workshop, as the tools were from, so you'd have both the tools and the work.

[@larrystrayer8336]

I feel so unworthy to even pass judgement just all i can muster is AWESOME.

[@MikkellTheImmortal]

I absolutely love the randomness of the silver on the mase. It really breaks up the gold making me want to look closer. Clearly it was crafted by a master.

[@HitokiriRaiden]

Such a neat and interesting collection of tools. Would love to see you adam do some inlaying with one of your projeccts.

[@bigsarge2085]

Fascinating!

[@Enhancedlies]

more,more more! 10/10 these videos are so good

[@nahte123]

Shout out to Master Bladesmith Jordan LaMothe, who went to India on a grant to learn Indian damascening (koftgari). Also the late Ford Hallam who was an expert in Japanese decorative metalwork, including Japanese damascening (nunome zogan). He made a KZbin series about it, but I'm not sure if it's still up.

[@_D_P_]

Adam should go to a damascening shop in a future video. Also I really like that handle bar with burnishing rock. Looked like hematite?

[@Gilathorn]

More videos about how historic arms and armaments are embellished please

[@aurysage3043]

Seems like something I would like to try. Probably using copper wire. Just amazing. Will need to do a bunch more research. I have done some mechanical engraving without the inlaying aspect.

[@ibanezleftyclub]

Adam hanging out in museums should be a tv/netflix series.

[@tested]

It is! See: kzbin.info/aero/PLJtitKU0CAejAaw7ZSM9gxwo-zrkzMwld

[@ibanezleftyclub]

@@tested sorry, I mean like a full fledged Netflix series or something.

[@gustavofigueiredo1798]

I get what you mean, and partially agree. But that's not the same compliment it used to be years ago. The current format (in the internet, through youtube/patreon) allows for much more flexibility and freedom. I mean, have you seen the state of the Discovery, History and National Geographic Channels? Netflix is pretty bad too.

[@vladdracula2643]

Anyone interested in this subject, I implore you to go watch Forgotten Weapon's video on the damascene process

[@theangrymarmot8336]

I second this! Was a great video (and a great channel!)

[@justinwilliams4212]

Adam, you should reach out to Jordan LaMothe - a master bladesmith in Upstate NY. He studied damascening/Koftgari in India

[@michaelottenberg7023]

If you haven't, go watch Alec Steele's Viking sword series. He learns how to do this during the creation.

[@blackoak4978]

There's a video series by Alec Steele where he makes a dagger, or a short sword, but he's decided to learn to do gold inlays for that piece. I found it very interesting because it wasn't a master just doing his thing. It was someone learning, and he would comment on the things he learned through the process, and things that surprised him about the process. Stuff that a master wouldn't think twice about, let alone mention in describing their work

[@blackoak4978]

The series is called "Making a Viking Sword"

[@Trav_Can]

I have always heard this technique referred to as koftgari in India. I have antique and contemporary pieces that I purchased on ebay. For not too much money you can find some awesome old tulwar swords and tulwar hilts if you keep your eyes out for them.

[@michaelhill9738]

Adam, have you heard of the Prince Armory KZbin channel? They show how to make some seriously amazing suits of armor out of leather.

[@scottyydo]

The larger hammer was probably used as a chasing hammer for the texturing work done with the stakes or gravers.

[@tinkeringinthailand8147]

This guy was great!

[@williexyz]

Wonder if Adam has ever attempted a 3d print of something like the Mace with a shiny gold filament as an inlay.

[@RowanHawkins]

Adam loves the little hammers😊.

[@althesmith]

They did sucessfully scarf-weld iron tangs onto wootz blades without destroying the pattern. I'm thinking possibly doing some heat-cycling on the piece after the welding might have been instrumental.

[@billbucktube]

Like me some Adam at the big museum ‼️

[@mattmoore1311]

Ask to see the Hauschka boar gun. The carving is incredible. I hope you do a show on it!

[@BillyTzENDURO]

Very cool! Alec steele has some interesting videos where e learns how to engrave steel and inlay gold wire, filmed in parts through a microscope really showing how it works

[@justinbanks2380]

11:30 This whole exploration into the skill and technique is fascinating! But my brain won't let me let go of the question: "why is there a ukulele on the wall in the armor room?"

[@Xearrik]

Shad is going to love this. Very interesting watch! So cool

[@ChadLand011]

Jesse James firearms have some amazing engraving and gold.

[@qoaa]

Donec totum impleat orbem. "Till he replenish the whole world."

[@Charlie_12x3]

The best sword smiths with generations in their bloodlines are from the Mediterranean region, Rome and Toledo Spain

[@matthewdavies2057]

I've always wondered what modern alloy a sword could be made of that would beat the Damascus swords of days past. Titanium, inconel etc.

[@charlesparr1611]

Just ordinary 440 would blow the finest historical blades out of the water. Wootz and folded blades existed purely because steel was so awful that was the only way to get inclusions out of the metal: forge it by folding and welding over and over until the crap had all been knocked out of it. Start with decent metal and it's unnecessary. However, it is beautiful, and worth it just for that. More key are the small details that modern smiths seem to usually omit, like the point on those spearheads, the design for punching armour without breaking.... You rarely see that kind of understanding of functional engineering, because lets face it, we have no direct knowledge anymore about why a lance head would fail in battle, so the details slip out of knowledge. Not even the living history guys are actually driving steel points into their friends armoured spines in a rout, so they have no personal opinions on the nuances of point construction that keep it from breaking and leaving you disarmed in the battle....

[@rzrx1337]

I WANT THAT DAGGER

[@cholulahotsauce6166]

I bet Terry English would like a tour

[@blasianray]

“The absurdity of the work was the point” that ideal really sticks when you see these pieces. (At least imo 😅) EDIT: like in a good way! 😂 just want to be clear

[@ashmaybe9634]

Pretty sure Henry 2nd of France didn't ever "work for" Henry the 8th. That Spanish mace is incredible. I wonder if it was made for him when he was in exile there.

[@theangrymarmot8336]

Pretty sure you should rewatch the video - as he didn't say the 2nd worked for the 8th. He was talking about the craftsman who made the mace.... Lol....

[@alienfac32]

can we get adam visiting places where they do the gold inlay and different specific crafts maybe?

[@gustavofigueiredo1798]

Awesome.

[@iainburgess8577]

at 6.55 thaaatlooks like a "bigger" hammer head, unfinished, forworking "large" lumps of gold... or a "dolly" for fone wire,metal, foil work, or a miniature anvil/stake.

[@NixFaux]

Wears gloves presumably to protect the tools from oils yet touches back of the neck, forehead, behind the ear, bridge of glasses, ignoring the transfer from any other number of things touched, how much did the gloves truly help..

[@P-Mouse]

i suppose if you're looking for a damascening-workshop, Damascus would be a good place to start..

[@AndreaPicco]

I don't know if It Is up to you or youtube but an ads After 1 minute and 17 seconds it's quite annoying. I get that ads are and important part and that they allow you to deliver to us great Pieces of content but doing like this it's de facto ruining the content itself. Sorry about the rant...love you and please keep going with all your Amazing work

[@themonarch8251]

Love. 😍

[@wanglydiaplt]

Is there a more modern process that will allow gold to be applied without using mercury??

[@anthonymoser86]

Kyle Royer has a very informative knife making channel that he does alot of gold inlay stuff. You should check him out

[@Resident-cb3yz]

Look pretty basic tools on goldsmiths now. I have all similar and way more. Usually i just work with gold, silver and gems. I have engraved few guns and knifes and swords. Inlaying gold is fun.

[@ezioauditoredafirenze8352]

Sweet. It's Adam time 👍

[@nathkrupa3463]

Great

[@AseGarcia]

The story untold: "Good day sir, I'd like to buy an entire set of your fine armour making tools." "But of course! Here you have. It will be five gold." "Excellent! It's been a pleasure to make business with you." "Father, what did you sell to that foreigner?" "Just some crappy tools I never use." I'm just kidding :)

[@bearformdruid]

To whoever is cutting the Adam Savage Tested videos. Please please please, stop cutting away to scenic aftershots of the pieces as adam is saying "would you loook at this..." you do it all the time and it annoys me to no end. I want to see what Adam clearly is pointing to, running his hand over or focussuing on, but instead you show stuff filmed after the fact. It makes me almost not want to watch the videos just because of the annoyance of it all. I even took the time to log into and pull up this video on the computer to write this.

[@derrickstorm6976]

I think it's done deliberately so you'd pay for the full videos...

[@tested]

@@derrickstorm6976 Nope, not at all. We sometimes do real time versions of one day builds, but if you look at our playlist of member videos, not a single one is a "full" version of a video like this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoWYpaxrgZqXZqM

[@kevincolwell9575]

Jordan LaMothe will teach you how to do koftgari (the Indian version). He did a Fulbright and studied in India. He taught me. He will teach you.

[@jeromethiel4323]

Gold damascening (sic) is still done in some places. Spain, i believe, still has some craftsmen who do it the old ways. You can find gold damascened (sic) firearms that were done not that long ago.

[@kylelee9474]

[@wootzmilitaria]

@tested If you would like to make some crucible steel and damascene it, come by the workshop anytime :)

[@althesmith]

Looks to be a hard stone in the burnisher. Agate?

[@WastrelWay]

I'm curious about the stone (I think it is) that's in that burnisher. Is it obsidian, or flint, or what?

[@ianjackson8643]

Agate is normally used In burnishing

[@charlesparr1611]

I can't say what that one is, but my burnisher was stainless steel. You need to ensure the burnisher will not leave flakes or filings of itself lodged in the gold. They didn't HAVE stainless steel back then. The key to a burnisher is it must be smooth and harder than whatever you are burnishing, and it cannot be brittle.

[@Nicolchu_]

Joe Rogan will love this

[@MasterCommandCEO]

You need to look up Alec steele

[@tested]

We know him well!

[@iLLDiSScrafts]

the material you are talking about could be tar out of swamps. just a guess!

[@leonardo.1024]

find and interview one of those people still doing that?

[@wobblysauce]

And not one Tappy Tap Tap joke.

[@ARobertBluefield]

bring back still untitled

[@tested]

No plans to do that, sorry.

[@writerpatrick]

I suspect armorers added the details to the weapons to make them look fancier so they could charge more for them. The performance wouldn't be any better.

[@jakesnelling8331]

These would be commissioned, so the design would be dictated by the customer according to the latest fashion of time. If you were part of the elite, you could afford the most ornate items. Wealth normally meant power in these times. And also bear in mind, that these elite were notorious for not paying their bills. And if you complained or made a scene? 🪓