The Shaping Series - Kilter - Episode 1

[@EricKarlsson]

Super happy to finally be able to show you guys what i have been working on these last few weeks! 1 video a day will come back for sure, but right now, these breaks really creates moments when i can really work on my craft, so it makes me super happy that you enjoy this video!

[@cameronward4066]

i love the different style video, your editing is looking great in this video. i wish there were more close up shots of the pieces in the light, i couldn't exactly see what he was talking about when he'd talk about the light hitting bumps.

[@jonahdavis3491]

Very cool series. Cant wait to see episode 2!

[@olgi2068]

I´d support a "less-but-better" concept! No criticism at all, I enjoy your videos anyway and have biggest respect for the work of all of you. Just that the videos have more content and are simply better crafted, when you have more time. Less repetitive etc. Well done! Suggestion: You started a series with climbers in the gym (the American guy who struggled with a 6B+ and then made the 7A). This is worth going on, I´d say. Spice all that up with regular vids on Tor! He has this humble, yet funny and self-ironic way that I absolutely like (plus he climbs like a beast). ;-)

[@frankkramer7086]

The effort is appreciated, and all those daily videos seem to be paying off. The two shots starting around 9:40 are great; you keep the subject framed well, show what he's referencing when appropriate, moment is relatively smooth, and the music choice and level really help to create a moment. The first part of the video is a cool close up of his process, with a particular feeling, then I get this awesome moment in the middle, then cut back to process. I think what may be a next step for your craft is telling a compelling story with each video and each sequence within a video. I don't know how easily you can manage that organically with your subject matter, but it is noticeably closer with these videos you've spent more time on. I'd also cut more off the end on some shots. Although as the filmmaker that last sentence might feel connected, and the dedicated fan might be waiting patiently for it, a wider audience might not be with you for that half second pause. Disconnect and edit ruthlessly!

[@stevieward7048]

One of the things I love most about your channel is that you try to present all aspects of climbing to an audience, not just the physical parts! It really leaves me guessing as to what's going to be the next video, and "regular" climbing videos never become boring because of the way they are spaced between the other varied topics you put out. Wonderful job as always, Eric! :))

[@EricKarlsson]

Thanks for the nice words Stevie :) I try my best to have a good variation of videos that could bring something knew to all of you :)

[@qthemusiq4461]

I researched how to make homemade climbing holds one time and eventually some of the suggestions were about shaping. This guy explains a lot more in-depth, especially about differen foam and styles. Thanks

[@ericeinarson6654]

I never even thought about holds and their shapes before- makes me appreciate the work that goes into them a lot more, and also will make me approach my climbing a bit differently and think about how the holds were meant to be used!

[@corvuslaeus9540]

Fascinating. Can tell a true artist and sharing so much free knowledge. Thanks for bringing this to us Eric. As a beginner climber, I love experiencing all holds for the first time and share Ian's sentiment of interacting with sculpture and art.

[@koala8313]

he's a good presenter as well, articulate and engaging.

[@lukeharty1344]

Super cool idea for a video! Really interesting how he aims to make the holds comfortable but has to match that with random chaos of real rock. I definitely see it as more of an art form now.. never thought of it as sculpture before. Cheers Eric and the team!

[@jonathanzimm5511]

Super excited for the molding part!

[@ianpowell1631]

Jonathan, hey brotha, we don't actually make any new molds, we just look around the mold room for a second. I just don't want you to be too disappointed. Some day maybe we'll get around to a longer molding video.

[@alexbarnard1372]

He's the bob Ross of climbing! Happy little holds

[@ianpowell1631]

Oh man I forgot! I was totally gonna talk about the "happy little slots" or a "crimp that needs a friend"

[@leolenhardt2401]

I can't wait to see more of you, your explanations are really interesting!

[@KilterClimbingGrips]

Haha yes Alex we describe him this way too. Especially when he'll cut off half of something you think is beautiful and then make an even better hold out of it - reminds me of when Bob Ross puts a big black streak into a beautiful landscape and the next thing you know there's a waterfall there or something.

[@alexbarnard1372]

KilterClimbingGrips either way so far in these videos the holds looked great and I wish we had more like it at my excuse for a climbing gym at my college.

[@NickyAztec]

Lol that is exactly the vibe I got, what a dude

[@sjipman]

amazing video, very nice to have a look into the designing process of holds. As he was speaking a little bit about; it has sculpture aspects and interactions at the same time. Very cool, thanks!

[@shinyorangenarwhal]

AHHHHHHHH i love that this is going back to our old style of filming and doing the cinematic opening! so much love for it and how i've missed it.

[@MichaelMontella]

Awesome to see a video like this especially from Kilter. My coach hooked me and my friend up with Jackie when we came to Boulder to look at colleges and we got to check out Kilter's HQ. Awesome to see their work again and here more details about how they shape their holds.

[@davidclark2998]

At first i was sad that the videos weren't coming out everyday, but when the quality is this high it makes it ok, great work man keeped it up

[@masaisaenz5110]

This is absolutely amazing, Eric! Great stuff as always!

[@EricKarlsson]

Glad you like it man!

[@masaisaenz5110]

@@EricKarlsson makes me want to create my own holds and jugs :D (p.s.: i´m a woman ;) )

[@EricKarlsson]

@@masaisaenz5110 aah sorry :D

[@masaisaenz5110]

@@EricKarlsson hahaha it´s ok, Eric. Don´t worry about it ;)

[@pierrez8570]

Absolutely amazing, there is some kind of poetry when he's talking about the shaping of the holds. The quality of the video is perfect to, it's great. Thanks so much!

[@borislau1125]

Amazing editing amazing content. Keep it up Eric!!!

[@andrewramsby]

This has quickly become my favorite channel, and now this will likely be my favorite series. I love and greatly appreciate all of the knowledge and fine details you provide about climbing. Truly next level work you're doing!

[@tomasspasiuk2429]

Wonderful video! This kinda throws everything in my life together- I’m a design student with a passion for sculpture and a love of climbing! This guy had a lot of good inspiring points and thoughts!

[@BESTCLIMBER]

Does Ian use some airway protection usually ? Otherwhise it seems really dangerous throughout years of work.

[@EricKarlsson]

Yeah they use mask usally :)

[@adinwarner-rosen1221]

he sacrificed his respiratory system so you could have an audible video

[@leolenhardt2401]

Not all heroes wear capes ^^

[@RonaldoMessina]

we probably breath as much chalk dust when climbing indoors!

[@88Grey]

@@EricKarlsson I hope so. Cool video, but all I could think about was interstitial lung disease. It's a slow, shitty death.

[@felixchan8746]

thanks for bringing this to us! Such a rare and worthwhile behind the scenes. Ian was fantastic at introducing shaping to us too 👍

[@merlinjover144]

super informative, never thought about that process, I would love that job

[@animaiscool]

This really gives me a new appreciation for holds, can't wait for the next video

[@EricKarlsson]

Psyched! :D

[@ShellShockedFarms]

Wow! Really cool video. It's the art I never knew I wanted to watch👏🤠🤙

[@georgepilkington9350]

Erik this is awesome! I love this series and the route setting one, they are both awesome! should definitely get the guy who set The Project and video him setting a few more routes but for a young route setter this is amazing., I might even be inspired to shape my own holds

[@ralfrussel1950]

We have some of their holds in our gym and I pay much more attention to details after seeing this. Nice video.

[@joehenshall8735]

dude , you're doing some amazing things with your channel. Best climbing channel on youtube.

[@alexd5023]

I will never see holds the same way again

[@EricKarlsson]

Same here :D

[@joshualee8568]

Sasha Dimov sasha!!!! Lol

[@Alex.overseas]

I absolutely loved this. Seeing the amazing amount of thought that goes into them is absolutely wonderful.

[@johann-space]

buff version of adam savage! love this guy!

[@joh382]

This is such a cool series!

[@benbrucevid]

Great to gain insight into the craft which makes training so much fun and feel so natural! You're doing great work with the vids, Thanks for spreading stoke

[@haleypierce6636]

Eric I loved this! Can't wait til part 2. And don't be sorry about the breaks, we all understand. ^_^

[@EricKarlsson]

Glad you liked it Haley! and Thanks :)

[@jesseelliot]

Ditto

[@Sebastian-cq7sf]

super awesome start of this series of videos! love it.

[@robinhofan10]

Hey Eric really nice video, I could really tell that you were really happy about this new series and that you put in a little more oomph into this one. I definitely have a new appreciation for shapers and all the minutiae that they put into their holds. I'll definitely try to be aware of those details and set in a more aware manner and be less hectic about it 👍

[@tegidos]

Awsome material Eric. God I love those insights. It is fascinating to watch routesetters and this - the technical aspect of creating and shaping holds is just awsome. Hyped for the next vid.

[@ArmenJosh]

As someone who is a novice shaper tis video was awesome to watch!

[@gregtregoning2082]

Dude this is cool! Excited to see more! Cheers .

[@Elfenjagd]

this video is absolutely fantastic. i greatly appreciate the effort you put into cinematography and editing

[@DubReligion]

Finally a shaping series!!!!

[@2beercandi]

You're killing it, Eric! Thanks for he hard work and super cool, creative, new content!

[@thatkidwhoclimbs1505]

ahhhhhh! thank you I have waiting for a series like this for so long!!!

[@bouldermatt8884]

Super interesting Eric, you always come out with some great content ideas!

[@rorybrown7955]

I bet you that this dude is super good at climbing just because he knows how to hold onto all the holds!

[@manarm13]

I love to build stuff and really like climbing so this video fits me perfect!! Awesome video!! :D

[@socccerdemon]

This is amazing!! I love you branching out and trying new things, this turned out great and I cant wait for episode 2 :D

[@JacksDaft]

Such a cool video, can't wait for episode 2 ! Love the channel

[@soulseek2]

wow stunning series. really happy you got to make those videos and i am super excited for the next ones

[@AidanXavier1]

This is such a great video. Amazing how much thought and precision goes into these shapes

[@MrDziuka]

Amazing 😍

[@AMordenA]

Very interesting, great episode!

[@lolytard5000]

Soooooo professional! Loved watching!

[@joshtimothybaker]

Quality work man! Such good content! Thanks Eric!

[@stevenswm9844]

So many questions I would ask this shaper, but hopefully some will be answered in future installments of this series! And a little off topic, but I'd also ask him why the wrap on his left wrist, which, when looking at the skin, appears to be extremely tight?! Yes, I'm the inquisitive type. lol Great idea for a series, as I've wondered about this stuff for quiet some time! :)

[@ianpowell1631]

StevenSWM , I just have a grumpy left wrist that I've been taping this year when I move stuff around the shop. I almost heal it then I forget and move something and it flares up again. I must have been moving something before the video. Nothing to do with shaping in this case. It is easy to get some overuse soreness in wrists elbows and shoulders from shaping many days in a row. If I get those I usually heal them lifting sort of heavy weights.

[@stevenswm9844]

Hey Ian, thanks for the explanation, as I was wondering if it had to do with the shaping specifically(?). Hope it begins a more permanent healing process soon, as the wrist is a very complex joint! I liked how you think about these pieces (these creations), as fine art, but yet art that people interact with, that keeps your interest peaked in this shaping work...that's pretty intense...and you are definitely an Artist! Take Care!

[@SamCronenberg]

Super excited for the series! That was some tasty B-Roll in the beginning Eric, keep it up! :)

[@vlillebo]

This is great Eric!

[@Ktv.24]

I love this episode!!!!!!

[@gemmatus]

this is so interesting! I wonder what they do to keep innovating. I can imagine that gyms have enough holds at some point, how do they make them want new ones all the time. I find it really interesting how he mentioned trying to imitate different types of stone, does he use reference material while shaping sometimes too? Can't wait for part 2!

[@ianpowell1631]

Gemma Driessen, Yeah its hard to believe there are still hold designs to make but the more you shape, the more shapes you think of, at least so far. Maybe one day I'll run out of ideas but I think I'm good for at least another 10 years.

[@ianpowell1631]

And yes sometimes we use reference materials like pictures of different rock styles, limestone, sandstone and Granite are popular among shapers.

[@KilterClimbingGrips]

Gyms never have enough holds! Part of the fun in gym climbing is the ephemeral and infinite nature of it. The continual change keeps the gym looking and feeling fresh, the setters psyched, and the customers coming back. Also setting trends change, colors change, holds eventually get worn out, faded, or broken, and there are infinite shape possibilities so there are a lot of reasons to keep making more climbing holds!

[@ZANF3R]

Having new holds in a gym is always exciting to see. The place I work at just got new holds recently and man I am happy they finally got some new ones for us to play with.

[@emredoga01]

the editing looks dope!!

[@bobshepler]

Dude, this is amazing content and photography. Thank you!

[@WhiteNoises]

Love this series! Super interesting

[@SPLEES266]

Love this type of video, so interesting !

[@robertobreve8623]

Amazing video super interesting thanks for filming this

[@foxstevens1356]

Super creative and a beautiful aesthetic

[@d3la]

So fucking amazing, so happy I found your channel

[@UnknownBnm]

This video is incredible!!!! Thank you so much

[@Drinkyoghurt]

492 Likes and not a single dislike. I think that says a lot about the quality of your videos and your channel :)

[@shinraninja]

great vid - these things are very interesting

[@elevated__arts]

Great quality vid. great guy also.

[@350zoo]

This was amazing! Keep up the great work Eric! Always look forward to your videos.

[@myapricotsky]

That's so cool!! Thank you for that video!

[@parkerwinton5661]

the fact you can boulder with those 100 lbs arms astounds me

[@maxb1037]

Really nice series! take your time to create and don't rush to upload a Video every day! :-) enjoy

[@Colin_Barnes]

such an amazing video!

[@rs1ng3r]

Great video! Congrats!! What type of foam is Ian using??

[@joakimc]

Kul att se, ser fram emot resten

[@2DNoodles]

I'm really curious about the legality to creating climbing holds. How do you log or register your copyright, and enforce it worldwide?

[@ianpowell9881]

It’s very difficult to protect the creative work.

[@FeeblePenguin]

This is really sweet!

[@diegobonnares9442]

Passion

[@owencunningham3477]

Great video!

[@d3la]

So fucking amazing, so happy I found your video

[@Shoteforrester]

Yes yes yes yes!!!!

[@EricKarlsson]

:D :D

[@atti1120]

what type of foam is used? / prefered?

[@gaio4844]

This was absolutely fantastic! It's really cool to see the process behind the holds! Any chance you know what the different kind of foams are called and which ones produce rougher then others?

[@panchomacias6499]

hi Eric i know its a little bit to late, but i would like to know what kind of foam is that, thx for your vids man cheers!!

[@dorthrithil]

super interesting, thanks!

[@apanserdig]

cool stuff!

[@melchizedekjitam]

Star video Eric..!

[@sancHuzao]

Ahh. I need to keep watching 😨

[@VinceW187]

Do they normally wear masks while working for the dust in the air?

[@kevinchan1408]

This is super cool. Who usually molds the holds? Does Kilter outsource to a 3rd party? Do most shapers outsource this function?

[@ianpowell1631]

Kevin Chan, People who are just starting out shaping often mold their holds themselves, which is the best way to go because you learn more about design if you do all of the processes yourself. Later most shapers focus more on the shaping and professional molders, usually employed by the larger hold factories, make molds for them. At Kilter we make a few molds ourselves but mostly just send the foam shapes (nervously because the foam is so fragile) to our two factories

[@kevinchan1408]

thanks, I love using Kilter holds. My local gym (Steeprock West) in NYC has a few Kilter routes and they're great!

[@kevinchan1408]

thanks, I love using Kilter holds. My local gym (Steeprock West) in NYC has a few Kilter routes and they're great!

[@jonandrew4316]

No dust mask or did he do that just for the show

[@daleduropapito]

Does anyone know the name of the material they are using to create the shapes? It looks like some sort of floral foam but that's usually green so I'm not sure. Great video!

[@arccazz]

I want more of this, so I can make my own holds for my home gym, that would be amazing..

[@Dothackfreak11]

Eric! Im trying to figure out how to train in the gym to be a better and stronger climber. What's a good gym routine to build strength and improve my climbing?

[@nirj5991]

cool video

[@ocindabo2231]

Ake rosen is it the brother of kajsa ? I enjoy yours video. But i dont speak english very well so its hard for me understand. Can you climb more in the video ? Good luck !

[@HerosofCarpeDiem]

YAY

[@stephenwilson1012]

me- I can't imagine having my dream job starts sanding Styrofoam me - Never mind

[@lyssalud6781]

what kind of foam is this?

[@brunodm1573]

Nice work! One question maybe someone can suggest me, which density for the pur foam would you suggest? 80kg/m³, 100kg/m³ or 120kg/m³?