@SouthernCross33 Well on his website, the last listed price for a number 10 long bodkin is 5.50£, which is incredible considering the craftsmanship that goes into these.
@empiregeneral31 That price is unbelievable, how can he do it for such a low price. The amount of effort alone would be worth more than that and thats without the cost of running a forge,the cost of all the tools and materials, then you get the knowledge factor as well. All up an incredible bargain in anyones language. I'll be buying a few of these glorious handmade bodkins, the way the world is heading we may need them
Absolutely brilliant, when you see someone who is very good at their art, they always make it look so easy, when someone is brilliant at their art like this fellow it makes us mere mortals think "gee i reckon i could do that" Thats a sure sign of brilliance when that happens. There is something deep inside our psyche that forging brings out,it must be hard wired into our DNA
Mr Cole thankyou very much for posting this video as you have been an inspiration to my love of medieaval weaponry ever since I saw you do this demo at the Tewksbury festival about 12 years ago. I filmed you making one of these bodkins and I have been making them ever since, I also own a few more heads purchased from your show stands please try and post more videos it is always humbling to watch such a master of his (may I say) our craft.
@barnsdalebob It is a pity that a man with such obvious skill and love for an age old tachnology only has 1 video up. What needs to be done is with his approval of course would be to have a film crew film all aspects of this very old art. Ppl like Mr Cole are in limited supply and if this isn't recorded it is amazing just how quickly techniques can be forgotten. By filming this it also inspires others to take it up and that is sorely needed in our times of computer games etc. This is our culture
Well, you can actually skip a step in that now. The Royal Armories have run tests on some of their bodkins and so far, none have been hardened. All tested were also more iron than any form of steel. On the other hand many of the war broadheads they tested were hardened. They're now speculating that the short amount of time and poor wounding effects of a straight point made the bodkin more of a Walmart cheap arrow vs. premium hardened broadheads.
@brainplay It's good to see that someone else actually reads this stuff. I wouldn't describe that arrowhead as a broadhead though. It's more of a lozenge with a prominent central ridge.
Really well done Video. Probably the best Arrowhead-forging video on YouTube. But with lots of professional equipment too. I’d like to see more instructional Videos from you.
This is simply the best instructional video I've seen so far. Excellent work, especially with the keeping the camera on the work itself, taking time to display the intermediate steps, and the finishing work. Thank you.
Hey, great video. I was wondering is you tempered the head or did you just keep it brittle? Also, what steel were you using and what characteristics are you looking for in the head when it hits plate armor(slightly softer, spring temper, or very hard)? Thanks! P.S. love your website.
I find it hard to believe that, as a matter of course, bodkins weren't hardened whereas broadheads were. That makes no sense at all. A hardened broadhead would be most unlikely, because of its shape, to penetrate mail or plate, although, I'm sure you'd still harden them. Maybe the bodkins that were tested hadn't been made properly. It wouldn't be the first time that defective weapons have been issued. Great video by the way. Thank you.
@Boutiquez A hardened broadhead has a smaller surface area: volume ratio than a bodkin because as its hardened, only a thin blade makes up the whole point. The broadheadf would be barbed and more rounded than one for hunting and it was estimated the majority of arrows on the mary rose were hardened broadheads
Hello,Hector!
Do you have a web site where people can contact you about the arrowheads you make?
You made the most perfect arrowheads I´ve ever seen on youtube.
Lucaarqueiro 4 weeks ago
An arrowhead takes so much effort to make... WOW!
TheDippyBoy 1 month ago
what size stock do you start with????
ronpardue 2 months ago
whats the thickness of the iron dowel
idontuploadjustwatch 2 months ago
slishkom mnogo usiusukaet s nakonerchnikom.v taskix usloviax daje interesno rabotat. ra tak rabota masterskaia.
BAKIR250882 2 months ago
What would be the cost to purchase such an item, if ppl sell these at all?
SouthernCross33 4 months ago
@SouthernCross33
HC's got a website, I think it's on his channel...
WatchRyder 3 months ago
@SouthernCross33 Well on his website, the last listed price for a number 10 long bodkin is 5.50£, which is incredible considering the craftsmanship that goes into these.
empiregeneral31 3 months ago
@empiregeneral31 That price is unbelievable, how can he do it for such a low price. The amount of effort alone would be worth more than that and thats without the cost of running a forge,the cost of all the tools and materials, then you get the knowledge factor as well. All up an incredible bargain in anyones language. I'll be buying a few of these glorious handmade bodkins, the way the world is heading we may need them
SouthernCross33 3 months ago
@SouthernCross33 Same thought I had. Beautiful work and extremely useful as well, can't beat it.
empiregeneral31 3 months ago
Absolutely brilliant, when you see someone who is very good at their art, they always make it look so easy, when someone is brilliant at their art like this fellow it makes us mere mortals think "gee i reckon i could do that" Thats a sure sign of brilliance when that happens. There is something deep inside our psyche that forging brings out,it must be hard wired into our DNA
SouthernCross33 4 months ago
Video needed a shot of the finished bodkin.
jpavlvs 5 months ago
That's just the most beutiful arrowhead i have ever seen!:O
God job!
swedishhunter21 5 months ago
Incredible work, Sir
my congratulations
MFBARCI 6 months ago
this video helped me make candlestick holders
traditionalsmith 7 months ago in playlist DIY
were bodkins steel or iron??
Charliekillick 8 months ago
how long does it take to make 1?
lukeyboy553 10 months ago
Comment removed
snaiper663 11 months ago
Fantastic Mr. Cole! You help me so much!
God Bless you!
niemans 1 year ago 7
A true artisan. Thank you Mr Cole.
Crecybowman 1 year ago 7
Mr Cole thankyou very much for posting this video as you have been an inspiration to my love of medieaval weaponry ever since I saw you do this demo at the Tewksbury festival about 12 years ago. I filmed you making one of these bodkins and I have been making them ever since, I also own a few more heads purchased from your show stands please try and post more videos it is always humbling to watch such a master of his (may I say) our craft.
barnsdalebob 1 year ago 2
@barnsdalebob It is a pity that a man with such obvious skill and love for an age old tachnology only has 1 video up. What needs to be done is with his approval of course would be to have a film crew film all aspects of this very old art. Ppl like Mr Cole are in limited supply and if this isn't recorded it is amazing just how quickly techniques can be forgotten. By filming this it also inspires others to take it up and that is sorely needed in our times of computer games etc. This is our culture
SouthernCross33 4 months ago 2
@SouthernCross33
you got that right
Jamesvids00 4 months ago
Absolutely beautiful until that 4:50 crime!! Hahaha, sharp it on the rock!!
Congratulations for the video! Absolutely fantastic!
danbiazoto 1 year ago
1 down 19 more to go :)
desertdude517 1 year ago
Gorgeous technique, Maestro!!
r22accipiter 1 year ago
That has to be the coolest thing Ive ever seen. Simply badass
Waltorian 1 year ago
omg freaking hell that arrow tip wat totaly of the striaigt line omg
SNIPERL0V3 1 year ago
Well, you can actually skip a step in that now. The Royal Armories have run tests on some of their bodkins and so far, none have been hardened. All tested were also more iron than any form of steel. On the other hand many of the war broadheads they tested were hardened. They're now speculating that the short amount of time and poor wounding effects of a straight point made the bodkin more of a Walmart cheap arrow vs. premium hardened broadheads.
brainplay 1 year ago
@brainplay It's good to see that someone else actually reads this stuff. I wouldn't describe that arrowhead as a broadhead though. It's more of a lozenge with a prominent central ridge.
halfassedfart 1 year ago
Nicely done, Sir!
r22accipiter 1 year ago
what type of metal are you using and where do you get it? is it plain steel or cast iron or something else entirely?
huckleberry803 1 year ago
@huckleberry803 I think it's a high carbon steel because it can be hardened... ;-)
kariii333 1 year ago
@kariii333 You can also see the distinctive spark pattern when he's grinding the arrowhead.
halfassedfart 1 year ago
@halfassedfart Well i didn't notice that but yes you're right...
kariii333 1 year ago
Really well done Video. Probably the best Arrowhead-forging video on YouTube. But with lots of professional equipment too. I’d like to see more instructional Videos from you.
99pppo 1 year ago
AAAAAAAAAH! I love the sound of that anvil, the hammer is just drum rolling.
cavemanss 1 year ago
One of the greatest video about bodkin forging on youtube!
Thanks from France
Isalys555 1 year ago
great job! i'll try it at mi amateur workshop.
edgardoheffele3 1 year ago
This is simply the best instructional video I've seen so far. Excellent work, especially with the keeping the camera on the work itself, taking time to display the intermediate steps, and the finishing work. Thank you.
PaulieFetz 1 year ago
Hey, great video. I was wondering is you tempered the head or did you just keep it brittle? Also, what steel were you using and what characteristics are you looking for in the head when it hits plate armor(slightly softer, spring temper, or very hard)? Thanks! P.S. love your website.
Thecando 1 year ago
G R E A T!!!!!
MrSnorreke 1 year ago
hector can u make me 500 war bodkins and ill buy them off u lol
mattklein100 2 years ago
@mattklein100
I find it hard to believe that, as a matter of course, bodkins weren't hardened whereas broadheads were. That makes no sense at all. A hardened broadhead would be most unlikely, because of its shape, to penetrate mail or plate, although, I'm sure you'd still harden them. Maybe the bodkins that were tested hadn't been made properly. It wouldn't be the first time that defective weapons have been issued. Great video by the way. Thank you.
Boutiquez 8 months ago
@Boutiquez A hardened broadhead has a smaller surface area: volume ratio than a bodkin because as its hardened, only a thin blade makes up the whole point. The broadheadf would be barbed and more rounded than one for hunting and it was estimated the majority of arrows on the mary rose were hardened broadheads
minxel16 8 months ago
Damn fine wizardry:) A pleasure to watch:)
sunaJH 2 years ago