We need a follow-up to this where Jamie is forced to edit a video within a 1 meter circle that shrinks to a 1 foot circle over the course of the editing period while Alec steals his equipment.
@pinheadlarry7663 I agree, the content is no where near like it used to be. It feels like he's now chucking ideas out to simply upload a video rather than really putting his energy and creativity to work. What is his workshop actually for day to day?
"I want to see if I can make a knife without stepping out of this circle." "How do we start?" "I have to step out of this circle." Just pure Alec Steele
In the industry of manufacturing, that is referred to as “A Cell” in more cases It is a right to Left operation in a U shape. Each tool and materials Needed should be right in front of you as you move to your left. There Are others who keep your area stocked with the products needed to keep The “Cell” moving. Very productive. When a product is finished it is tested, inspected, and available to ship.
Jamie is just a metaphor for life in this video.. No matter how many times life tries to throw Alec off his game. He finds a way and he keeps forging on. Keep forging on you lunatic.
I was really hoping that you had forgotten to put epoxy to hand so you would have to rivet the scales on. But no, you decided to do it because you liked the rivets on the vise grips you built. Riveting is kind of an essential smithing skill so it was so nice to see you use it.
Oh my goodness, the dog is adorable. It's so nice to see you explaining things to us while the dog is listening and watching the whole time, even on the table.
If I were to set up a small workshop, I'd actually set up 2 small areas. One for forging and quenching, and one for tempering and finishing. The forge and anvil would be right next to each other where it's the lowest safety hazard (in a corner near the escape door, or outside even), and some ten feet away I'd have a work bench with a grinder, a tempering oven, files, wood working tools and what not more in a large toolbox with drawers. One circle for hot work, and one for cold work. But as a former crafter (guitar builder) I know it's never that easy, I had a tiny work bench in the middle of the room, and would keep going back and forth between tools, materials and drawing, and before the day was half over everything would be everywhere 😂
I’m so proud to say I’ve been following you since you were just a kid on Facebook and I was an aspiring blacksmith. Amazing where life takes us. You carried on and became an amazing craftsman. I had an accident that altered my path, but set me on a new journey. All that to say, and I don’t know if it means anything, but I’m proud of you.
I make knives in my single car garage. I have 2 workbenches, heat treating oven, 2x72 grinder, band saw, and milling machine all on one side. I have it configured in a way that i can still park my vehicle in it. All i have to do is turn my belt grinder 90 degrees.
We need to get together and do a "teach a farmer to forge" episode! And then turn it around and do "teach a blacksmith to farm". We're only 4 hours apart! 😎
That is a sweet little EDC knife. I like these videos much better than the "let's do something not every hobbyist smith out there can do" like vice grips and ratchet wrenches. I like being inspired to make something by what I see. Granted, a $5000 sword is also nice to see being made, but "back to the roots" videos are always cool.
I found this to be a great return to your roots back in the old dirt floor original shop which was a big part of why I enjoyed your videos enough to subscribe originally. Not only that but this is a great example for folks with limited room to stop spouting excuses. So well done all around!
I think this goes to show that if you are passionate about something, there may be a way to make it happen. You could even start with less than this. Don't hold yourself back because you can't do it like someone else.
As someone who does all of his forging in a small shed, this doesn’t seem that difficult, but I’ve never had more, so I don’t know how else it would be.
Honestly if you want to start making knife subtractive is the way to go, and you could do that on a balcony no problems ... Just a grinder, a piece of flatbar, and lot of fun ! As soon as you add forging the complexity goes up (but so does the fun)
This video for some reason reminded me of the live streams with Sam all those years ago. I would post up and watch as if it were the big game! beers, snacks etc. The "dropped tool drinking game" was excellent
I'm now so anxious to make Alec some homemade pickles! not to torment him but because most pickles do have too much vinegar just to reach the safety standards. (Overkill will do is their motto) my pickles would have instead of a 50-50 water to vinegar ratio a 1 cup vinegar to 2 cups aqua and for the taste a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of salt, some dill flowers, and cumin powder, mustard seeds, bruised garlic gloves, and a bay leaf just for show put that and the pickles in a pot or jar fill with the brine put the pot/jar in a pan fill with water up to the pot/jar's neck and boil for ten mins then put the lid on the pot/jar and let it cool down and put it in the fridge or pantry until you eat them. I'm sure Alec will hate these pickles less than the store-bought ones.
As a full time illustrator/animator and hobby smith, smithing has a lot of romantic aspects you just can't capture in the same way as painting The smell of hot steel and coals, the heat on your hands, the tension in your forearms, the magic of seeing metal move like clay, and the joy of having created a real tool at the end. I've chased a lot of creative paths, got good at a few and made money from some, and nothing has given me a sense of fulfillment like blacksmithing
really god video, brings fond memory back from when you was in that really old garage with the big green door and you startet out here on YT, i kind of miss those old style videos you made back then
Love the channel and videos as always Alec but I feel like it's becoming much more a machinist channel than a blacksmithing channel. Very VERY happy to see just a good old fashioned blacksmithing video
You should have been able to go out, because it's like a tiny shed in your back yard that you use as the forge, and you would have a house to go into or some bushes outside to go in. Also, you need to find a better friend.
Having the tip of the knife curve upwards as you think down the edge is something I never would've thought of, but makes a lot of sense once you pointed it out; super neat!
i say let jamie have a crack at that setup and alec be the camera man ... now THAT should be a challenge both of endurence and how manny times does alec have to step in and help
I had to show this to my girlfriend to explain to her that sometimes you can do a lot with not very much! She replied by repeating the word "sometimes". I'm not sure what she meant by that. 🥺
I've come to the conclusion that Jamie is a bastard! That really does look like a paring knife, but it's a top tier paring knife- great build! Also, I wanted to see the pee bucket.
I would love to see you try and make a set of woodturning chisels. I have recently been given a wood lathe and have made myself some really rough tools from some old chisels that were lying around and would love to see a professional doo it😊
*MORE BACK TO BASIC STUFF PLEASE* reading the comments pretty much everyone agrees - the early more Bacis content was the best. Its MORE RELATABLE if we feel that we could do it without having to inherit £3 million to buy the kit.
I do find it funny how he mentions space as a stopping point and recommended their grinder, I think the thousands in tools is the issue for most people, not space :D
This was my favorite video of the day! I'm working out of town right now and don't have access to my tools. It is killing me not to make knives, but watching you make one is the next best thing.
Your smiling a whole lot bigger now. I know I’ve been a jerk toward you about leaving Montana but, if you remember I recommended you move closer to family. You have done that and stood behind it and I’m proud you held your ground. Don’t let anyone try to convince you otherwise your a righteous dude and a perfectionist keep the hammer on the anvil and let the beat go on.
see it shows you do not need a huge shop. awesome blade. keep up the great craftsmanship an hard work my friend. Forge on. Fab On. weld on. keep forge lit. keep making. god bless.
I have a coal forge and homemade anvil that have to sit outside, a tiny shed that I stand in the doorway of to do my forging and everything else is done with files etc so I think you had that pretty easy there, indoors, belt grinder to hand, having said that you have proved all the fancy tuff is not needed and was a fun video, would love to see more back to basics stuff
Alex Steel you are incredible. I've watched you trying to become a expert at black smithing. I've seen you fail, and keep getting back up! Al you really need to do is .slow down and take your time. Your getting there. Be patient everything happens at exactly the right time according to the Buddha. I believe he's right. You will be as good of Blacksmith as you want shortly. You have the skill. Now all you need to do is stop trying to force yourself to be skillful and let yourself be skillful.
When I was in the Navy most of my time was spent assigned on a Frigate; I actually prefer workspaces to be small and compact where I don't need to move much.
Now that you've made parallel tongs and locking pliers.... Have you considered trying to make a pair of parallel locking tongs? I very highly recommend checking out the design of the Stahlwille 6562!
This was awesome. I would LOVE to see you do this again but with a sword and maybe a 2x2 meter or 3x3 meter circle (i don’t think it would be safe to make a sword in 1x1)
This was quite impressive and entertaining, though I must admit I felt more than a bit of aggravation at Jaime’s attempts to thwart your endeavors. You might want to consider docking him a day’s pay. 😂
Love the product placement at the end. I'll be making purchases as soon as I'm no longer homeless, but do you think we could do a video conference so you can walk me through setting everything up? I don't handle written directions very well and get easily confused with them.
The work area in my shed is not much larger than the original 1m circle you had. Forge, vice, anvil and swage all within 1 step for the most part. The drill press is 2 steps. Grinder used to be 2 steps but I've since moved it into its own metal shed. But goes to show, if you want to do it, you'll find a way.
This makes me wonder if the radiant heat would have been a bit nicer with a solid fuel forge such as a coal forge. I have a challenge for you Alex. I've wondered if you can use feed corn as forge fuel for forging a san mai knife. I believe it's possible but I'm not sure of the potential difficulties associated with corn as a forge fuel. Fantastic video man.✌️
I'd love to see you guys make a liuyedao in the style of Tristan's sword in the 2004 king Arthur movie. I absolutely love the look and use of the sword in the movie and would love to see one made.
We need a follow-up to this where Jamie is forced to edit a video within a 1 meter circle that shrinks to a 1 foot circle over the course of the editing period while Alec steals his equipment.
no standing desk allowed, and the chair has to be stolen
Sounds fair to me.
Oh man, seconded
on a laptop so you can also steal the desk
I second that motion!
Reminds me of the hand-tools-only knife build, one of my favorite video series you’ve done. Love the simple, constrained style of working.
Awesome demonstration of not only the space necessary, but also limiting yourself to a essential list of tools
OSHA (and the HSE) is not very happy with this new arrangement 🤓😳😂
Luckily, OSHA has no power in the uk. Unluckily Health and Saftey is worse
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
This is the best video Alec has made in ages. Fun simple premise, a focus on process, project complete in one episode. Delightful.
Agreed. It felt more like a making video and less like a music video.
No wait, 65 parts projects is his signature man 😂
I really liked the recent Crescent wrench series though
His content isn't what it used to be for sure. Sure, the camera work and video editing is good. But meh.. content has been suffering for years
@pinheadlarry7663 I agree, the content is no where near like it used to be. It feels like he's now chucking ideas out to simply upload a video rather than really putting his energy and creativity to work.
What is his workshop actually for day to day?
I love how helpful and supportive Jamie is.
"I want to see if I can make a knife without stepping out of this circle."
"How do we start?"
"I have to step out of this circle."
Just pure Alec Steele
Next time he tries to sabotage you, you might want to remind Jamie that you're making a knife not a pillow.
Underrated comment 😂
ngl, i'm shocked at how perfect of a circle Jaime drew under those conditions...
In the industry of manufacturing, that is referred to as “A Cell” in more cases
It is a right to Left operation in a U shape. Each tool and materials
Needed should be right in front of you as you move to your left. There
Are others who keep your area stocked with the products needed to keep
The “Cell” moving. Very productive. When a product is finished it is tested, inspected, and available to ship.
Jamie is just a metaphor for life in this video.. No matter how many times life tries to throw Alec off his game. He finds a way and he keeps forging on. Keep forging on you lunatic.
Fantastic episode! I'd like to see every 3-5 episodes being something different like this.
Forging a knife while hanging upside-down. Blindfolded. With one arm.
I was really hoping that you had forgotten to put epoxy to hand so you would have to rivet the scales on. But no, you decided to do it because you liked the rivets on the vise grips you built. Riveting is kind of an essential smithing skill so it was so nice to see you use it.
He clearly chose rivets because he didn't want to wait an extra few minutes in the circle 😂
I've always heard of a blacksmith's triangle, but never a blacksmith circle. Very cool idea. 👍
Oh my goodness, the dog is adorable. It's so nice to see you explaining things to us while the dog is listening and watching the whole time, even on the table.
Now let's see if it can be done in the largest shop available with the tools spread out on opposite corners of the shop.
If I were to set up a small workshop, I'd actually set up 2 small areas. One for forging and quenching, and one for tempering and finishing. The forge and anvil would be right next to each other where it's the lowest safety hazard (in a corner near the escape door, or outside even), and some ten feet away I'd have a work bench with a grinder, a tempering oven, files, wood working tools and what not more in a large toolbox with drawers. One circle for hot work, and one for cold work. But as a former crafter (guitar builder) I know it's never that easy, I had a tiny work bench in the middle of the room, and would keep going back and forth between tools, materials and drawing, and before the day was half over everything would be everywhere 😂
If you're up for a challenge, can you make a single bladed cigar knife that cuts cleanly through different sized cigars?
I’m so proud to say I’ve been following you since you were just a kid on Facebook and I was an aspiring blacksmith. Amazing where life takes us. You carried on and became an amazing craftsman. I had an accident that altered my path, but set me on a new journey. All that to say, and I don’t know if it means anything, but I’m proud of you.
I make knives in my single car garage. I have 2 workbenches, heat treating oven, 2x72 grinder, band saw, and milling machine all on one side. I have it configured in a way that i can still park my vehicle in it. All i have to do is turn my belt grinder 90 degrees.
We need to get together and do a "teach a farmer to forge" episode! And then turn it around and do "teach a blacksmith to farm". We're only 4 hours apart! 😎
That is a sweet little EDC knife. I like these videos much better than the "let's do something not every hobbyist smith out there can do" like vice grips and ratchet wrenches. I like being inspired to make something by what I see. Granted, a $5000 sword is also nice to see being made, but "back to the roots" videos are always cool.
"I feel like im just making a knife in a chimney pipe at this point" lmao
That was pretty accurate and funny. Well done tho, very nice blade
10:09 "I've never used a hacksaw in a one-foot circle." You still haven't. That's a junior hacksaw.
I found this to be a great return to your roots back in the old dirt floor original shop which was a big part of why I enjoyed your videos enough to subscribe originally. Not only that but this is a great example for folks with limited room to stop spouting excuses. So well done all around!
I had been working in a 2.3 x 3.5 lean to shed for a long time, just built a new 3.5 x 6.5 shed 😊👍
Cool challenge, now you can test the knife on Jaime for being a giant pain..😅
I want to see a video of Alec using the same setup but making a blacksmith hammer with a carpenter's hammer
I think this goes to show that if you are passionate about something, there may be a way to make it happen. You could even start with less than this. Don't hold yourself back because you can't do it like someone else.
As someone who does all of his forging in a small shed, this doesn’t seem that difficult, but I’ve never had more, so I don’t know how else it would be.
I spent years woodworking in an 8' x 10' shed
Honestly if you want to start making knife subtractive is the way to go, and you could do that on a balcony no problems ... Just a grinder, a piece of flatbar, and lot of fun !
As soon as you add forging the complexity goes up (but so does the fun)
Pfff no skill
This video for some reason reminded me of the live streams with Sam all those years ago. I would post up and watch as if it were the big game! beers, snacks etc. The "dropped tool drinking game" was excellent
I needed to see this video. Crazy you can do this with far less space than i ever thought
Jamie, being a menace, the whole episode is amazing. 👏
This set up reminds me a lot of the old Barker St shop, little more than a shed, really, but where I learned so much of the basics from Alec
This is actually brilliant... someone could set up a forging workshop in a small shed.
0:27 i was half expecting you to make a skit where you just directed jamie to bring you the things you need so you dont have to leave the circle
Pickles are amazing!
Always love the back-to-the-basics and hand-tool-only videos. They’re some of the bests and probably good to refresh on from time to time I’m sure
5:03 is my favorite part.😂
Every time i come back to this channel its the attitude that i appreciate most. Good on ya Alec
I'm now so anxious to make Alec some homemade pickles!
not to torment him but because most pickles do have too much vinegar just to reach the safety standards. (Overkill will do is their motto)
my pickles would have instead of a 50-50 water to vinegar ratio a 1 cup vinegar to 2 cups aqua and for the taste a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of salt, some dill flowers, and cumin powder, mustard seeds, bruised garlic gloves, and a bay leaf just for show put that and the pickles in a pot or jar fill with the brine put the pot/jar in a pan fill with water up to the pot/jar's neck and boil for ten mins then put the lid on the pot/jar and let it cool down and put it in the fridge or pantry until you eat them.
I'm sure Alec will hate these pickles less than the store-bought ones.
The secret is thst the circle is like the TARDIS. It's bigger on the inside. But only for Alec.
I bet somebody else already said that.
Now you've done it, Alec, with a forced forfeit, I think Jamie should have to have a go...
Love watching you do crazy and fun things. I laughed way to hard at your disgust at pickles while I'm eating fried pickles
This reminds me of painting in VR. It would be cool to have an accurate blacksmithing VR experience
As a full time illustrator/animator and hobby smith, smithing has a lot of romantic aspects you just can't capture in the same way as painting
The smell of hot steel and coals, the heat on your hands, the tension in your forearms, the magic of seeing metal move like clay, and the joy of having created a real tool at the end.
I've chased a lot of creative paths, got good at a few and made money from some, and nothing has given me a sense of fulfillment like blacksmithing
What an awesome O Shapped cell! Rreally taking the U shaped cell to the extreme!
really god video, brings fond memory back from when you was in that really old garage with the big green door and you startet out here on YT, i kind of miss those old style videos you made back then
Love the channel and videos as always Alec but I feel like it's becoming much more a machinist channel than a blacksmithing channel. Very VERY happy to see just a good old fashioned blacksmithing video
You should have been able to go out, because it's like a tiny shed in your back yard that you use as the forge, and you would have a house to go into or some bushes outside to go in.
Also, you need to find a better friend.
Having the tip of the knife curve upwards as you think down the edge is something I never would've thought of, but makes a lot of sense once you pointed it out; super neat!
Man how funny would that have been if you had square space as the sponsor of this video seeings how you’re working in a circle.
Ooh. Next build. Knife in a square space and vid sponsored by them.
CIrclespace outbid them this time, I guess. 😂
i say let jamie have a crack at that setup and alec be the camera man ... now THAT should be a challenge both of endurence and how manny times does alec have to step in and help
I miss these kind of videos. Glad to see a return to this type of video.
I had to show this to my girlfriend to explain to her that sometimes you can do a lot with not very much! She replied by repeating the word "sometimes". I'm not sure what she meant by that. 🥺
I've come to the conclusion that Jamie is a bastard! That really does look like a paring knife, but it's a top tier paring knife- great build! Also, I wanted to see the pee bucket.
Glad to see you going to traditional projects!
Please try forging a multi pliers, like the famous Leatherman or my favorite the sog powerlock.
I would love to see you try and make a set of woodturning chisels. I have recently been given a wood lathe and have made myself some really rough tools from some old chisels that were lying around and would love to see a professional doo it😊
This week on "Jamie finds new ways to stay entertained at work"
in a work shop, I see space as a security thing. It allows for more space to steer clear of the dangerous areas.
I'm with Jamie, gherkins are indeed lovely
*MORE BACK TO BASIC STUFF PLEASE* reading the comments pretty much everyone agrees - the early more Bacis content was the best.
Its MORE RELATABLE if we feel that we could do it without having to inherit £3 million to buy the kit.
I do find it funny how he mentions space as a stopping point and recommended their grinder, I think the thousands in tools is the issue for most people, not space :D
throwback to the days when you were still in the super small workshop in England and had no more than 1 meter of free space to work in
This was my favorite video of the day! I'm working out of town right now and don't have access to my tools. It is killing me not to make knives, but watching you make one is the next best thing.
I really expected Alec to just grind the bar into a knife shape with so little space to work
Your smiling a whole lot bigger now. I know I’ve been a jerk toward you about leaving Montana but, if you remember I recommended you move closer to family. You have done that and stood behind it and I’m proud you held your ground. Don’t let anyone try to convince you otherwise your a righteous dude and a perfectionist keep the hammer on the anvil and let the beat go on.
So nice to see some pure hand forging every now and then!
I’ve got a Hell of a challenge for you build a Damascus steel Cuban link chain.
You should have been allowed to get Crazy to fetch tools for you.
YES we need more of these typa videos!!
I was waiting for a taskmaster style edit where it showed alec's toe a milimiter out of the circle in the very end... Great job on the knife!!!
I have a challenge for you:
Using a chimnea and an angle grinder make something cool (that's all the stuff I got)
The circle needs an invisible fence line hooked up to a shock collar on Alec.
I made my first two knives today. Partially thanks to you, forged in fire, and black bear forge
How make people stay while making a product placement: put a doggo on screen. Genius 👌
next challenge: making a knife while suspended from the ceiling. The floor is lava. I'm sure Jamie can help you with the ropes
see it shows you do not need a huge shop. awesome blade. keep up the great craftsmanship an hard work my friend. Forge on. Fab On. weld on. keep forge lit. keep making. god bless.
Don't forget your first workshop
That's right , the one that leaks when it rains
This video made me like my 10ft x 12ft shop much more!
I love the derp dog
I have a coal forge and homemade anvil that have to sit outside, a tiny shed that I stand in the doorway of to do my forging and everything else is done with files etc so I think you had that pretty easy there, indoors, belt grinder to hand, having said that you have proved all the fancy tuff is not needed and was a fun video, would love to see more back to basics stuff
Alex Steel you are incredible. I've watched you trying to become a expert at black smithing. I've seen you fail, and keep getting back up!
Al you really need to do is .slow down and take your time. Your getting there.
Be patient everything happens at exactly the right time according to the Buddha. I believe he's right.
You will be as good of Blacksmith as you want shortly. You have the skill. Now all you need to do is stop trying to force yourself to be skillful and let yourself be skillful.
When I was in the Navy most of my time was spent assigned on a Frigate; I actually prefer workspaces to be small and compact where I don't need to move much.
Now that you've made parallel tongs and locking pliers.... Have you considered trying to make a pair of parallel locking tongs?
I very highly recommend checking out the design of the Stahlwille 6562!
Oh also, I'd love to see a proper challenge, this was never going to be tricky for Alec, maybe drunk goggles?!
Good video and all, but i do feel that jamie shrinking the circle moved it from the realm of cool and funny into the realm of dangerous.
Never had I thought I'd ever hear Alec speak the name JonTron. You should reach out to Jon for a collab in making a weapon from the game!!!
The next level of this challenge is forging a knife while sitting on a stool without casters... Stationary but you can pivot
This was awesome. I would LOVE to see you do this again but with a sword and maybe a 2x2 meter or 3x3 meter circle (i don’t think it would be safe to make a sword in 1x1)
Great challenge Alec. Well done buddy. I'm proud of you. 😁👍
This was quite impressive and entertaining, though I must admit I felt more than a bit of aggravation at Jaime’s attempts to thwart your endeavors. You might want to consider docking him a day’s pay. 😂
Love the product placement at the end. I'll be making purchases as soon as I'm no longer homeless, but do you think we could do a video conference so you can walk me through setting everything up? I don't handle written directions very well and get easily confused with them.
The work area in my shed is not much larger than the original 1m circle you had. Forge, vice, anvil and swage all within 1 step for the most part. The drill press is 2 steps. Grinder used to be 2 steps but I've since moved it into its own metal shed. But goes to show, if you want to do it, you'll find a way.
This makes me wonder if the radiant heat would have been a bit nicer with a solid fuel forge such as a coal forge. I have a challenge for you Alex. I've wondered if you can use feed corn as forge fuel for forging a san mai knife. I believe it's possible but I'm not sure of the potential difficulties associated with corn as a forge fuel. Fantastic video man.✌️
I'd love to see you guys make a liuyedao in the style of Tristan's sword in the 2004 king Arthur movie.
I absolutely love the look and use of the sword in the movie and would love to see one made.
Who needs a alarm when u got Belgium Sheppard loving the content!!!!
Returning to your channel after years and seeing your face with hairs is amazing😂
Suggest you rename the video to, "Can you create a knife in a shop the size of a New York City apartment?"