Ireland Post 1

I just returned from a series of performances in Ireland. Aside from the formal demonstrations and motivational talks I went there to deliver, I also did a bit of impromptu feats around the country.

After hiking up 1,500 feet and breaking for lunch, I thought this would be a good place to do a traditional feat of strength. With a 1,300 foot vertical rise in the background, I wrap up a 60 D spike (1/4" x 6") in only a thin bandanna and bend it around my index fingers.

Be sure to check back for more from this incredible voyage.

Interesting Spike

I'm always on the look out for new and different items for use in my training and shows. This spike fits right into that. It's made from a piece of 15-1/4" long 1/2" thick rebar. But it gets better, this isn't regular "run of the mill" rebar. This metal has a gray tone to it and felt much tougher than what you might find at a home improvement store at the same length. Plus it is very sharp, check out that chisel point. Ouch!

3/8" x 12" "S"pike

Last week I posted a 6" spike that I had bent into an "S" design. Early this morning I decided to attempt this style of bend with a 3/8" thick by 12" long steel spike as well. Shown in the photo is the 6" spike and a U.S. quarter for scale along with the 12"er.

The year is almost complete. There is not much left of 2008. Did you make this past year a productive one? Are you ready for the challenge of improving yourself in 2009? As great a year as it has been for me, I'm looking forward to conquering new challenges and advancing all the more in the coming 12 months. Now is the time to make that commitment to yourself!

"S"pike Bending

My good friend and fellow strongman John McGrath sent me a few spikes recently and said "Can't wait to see what you do to them". I had thought about that for a little while and wanted to do something special for my friend. I decided that since I'm known for bending assorted items into an "S" shape like hammers and adjustable wrenches, why not a six inch spike? Here is the result, what do you think John?

New T-Shirts Are Available NOW!

They are here, in stock and ready to ship! Pre-shrunk, 100% cotton screen printed T's with full size front and back designs!

This two color design features a white "tribal" pattern overlayed in metallic silver with some of the implements I have become known for destroying - framing hammer, 12" spike, 12" adjustable wrench, and of course the # 5 draft horseshoe.

The front of the shirt features these items in the before stage, and on the back - AFTER...including my signature "S" hammer!

Show your love for the oldetime feats in this unique printed shirt. Sizes from Large through XXX-Large. $20.00 U.S. plus $5.00 U.S. shipping to the Continental United States via first class insured mail. Combined shipping on multiple orders available as well as international shipping quotes per request. At this time I am accepting postal money orders and Pay pal.



X-LARGE

XX-LARGE

XXX-LARGE

Spike Bending...Un-braced

Among the most widely recognised feats of the Oldetime Strongman is the bending of a steel spike. There are many different sizes of spikes, the ones I am going to mention here are from left to right the 60d, 70d, and 8 inch log spike.

The standard strongman bend - the 60d. This spike has the dimensions of 1/4" thick by 6" long. It is the spike normally performed with both by the strongmen of old and the modern strongmen as well. The head and the point are wrapped in a piece of cloth, handkerchief, bandanna, small piece of supple suede, something to protect the hand without adding any additional leverage. The spike is then grasped tightly in the grip and bent with the strength of the hands and wrists. The hands do not make contact with the legs, abdomen, ground, floor, wall, or anything else that would aid in the bend. This is a demonstration of hand and wrist strength.

The 70d is a considerably larger spike that measures 5/16" thick by 7" long. The increase in length makes this spike more awkward than the 60d while the increased thickness makes it substantially harder to bend as well. Again, this is performed with a small but adequate amount of hand padding and UN-braced.

The 8" log spike shown is 5/16" thick twisted square stock measuring of course 8" long. Not only is this spike extremely strong it is quite a challenge to have enough flexibility coupled with enough strength to bend it in an UN-braced manner.

There are several other large spikes that are used in the strongman demonstrations as well, they typically measure 3/8" thick by 10" or 12" in length and are bent by pushing down over the thigh or hip. That is a style known as braced and will be a topic for another day.