Spiked

[MrZsasz]

So I walk into the local hardware store to pick up a few G5 bolts. Of course, I left there with a bunch of G5s, Some G8s, and a couple of 10" spikes. I have no idea why I bought these, but I will blame it on the X-mas impulsive shopping spirit.

Anyway, I wanted to take today off as I bent yesterday but that damn spike was just sitting there. So I tried to bend it inbetween sets and got a nice enough kink in it. Nice, not great. I am finding that I just can't get any extra pull or leverage at this point. It's also not kinked enough to post it down on my thigh. I have watched a few vids of people bending spikes, and that helped believe me, but if anyone could offer some more tips, I would be most appreciative.

First of all, I'm thinking I should have maybe started with a 12" one.

[Tim71]

A 10" by 3/8" spike or 100d nail is a very very tough way to start spike bending. I recommend starting with the 12" length and preferably the spiral cut spikes which are the easiest. Also, the galvanized are typically easier than the shiny ones. If you got a good kink in the 10" then you could probably get the 12" I'd say.

Are you bending over your thigh or pulling around your knee? I started pulling around my knee and just occasionally bending over my thigh. I was much better pulling around my knee at first however the pushing down over the thigh method quickly caught up and passed it in effectiveness. Also, don't be afraid to use a towel or other padding which from my understanding is totally legal. Also, if you can't get it to move posting it on your thigh then the "between the thighs" method can really break it loose. Painful at first but you get used to it real fast.

I just posted a pic in my gallery of my first 100d nail bend. Definately keep after because they look awesome when bent.

Good job getting anything in a 10" on your first spike attempt.

Later,

Tim

[guru20]

I got some spikes in my benders bag...i had no idea that you were allowed to brace, so i was trying to bend them DO unbraced, lol. I couldnt believe anyone bent them that way, i couldnt produce ANY power. Im glad to know that youre allowed to brace...that makes MUCH more sense. lol...im retarded.

[Brad Manion]

For the most part, I've bent over my knee, top of the shin, with padding, and that's really easy. However, I just recently started bending over the thigh, and it is painful to say the least. In time, I imagine, you get used to that. The main thing I've come to learn there is that the thigh bend is probably quite difficult the larger your thighs are. You won't have as much open space to push down on the ends of the spike to start the kink.

That being said, once you get a nice kink, and it doesn't have to be a whopper of a kink, the sweep is not hard. Post the point on one thigh, the arm/hand going on the same side as the thigh. I post the point in my left hand, which goes on my left thigh, just above the knee. With the other hand on the head of the nail, squeeze really hard and use not only your arm, but the entire weight of your upper body, to do the sweep. Done properly, you should be able to crush the nail almost to full closure (2" separation between the ends. If need be, you can finish the crush just like any normal DO.

Also, as you may have already guessed from this description, you can do the sweep to varying degrees and then get some serious crushdown work on a 3/8" spike. Though I'm not real real close to the Red or the Bastard yet, that extra crushdown strength has come in real handy for me on the shorter 1/4" thick Grade 8 bolts.

BTW, you will find this is probably one of the easier bends you'll do, much easier than unbraced short bending. But, if you're doing an exhibition of any sort, it is a definite jaw-dropper

Best of luck to you in your quest to conquer the timber spikes

Edited December 19, 2006 by Brad Manion

[antarath]

I got some spikes in my benders bag...i had no idea that you were allowed to brace, so i was trying to bend them DO unbraced, lol. I couldnt believe anyone bent them that way, i couldnt produce ANY power. Im glad to know that youre allowed to brace...that makes MUCH more sense. lol...im retarded.

haha that would be mighty impressive!

I tried to bend it over my neck, like I always do with long bar bending, but... nah

Edited December 19, 2006 by Mats Erik

[Tim71]

Brad,

What length of spikes are you bending that you consider easy? If you're doing 10" spikes and they seem easy to you then maybe try a 8" spike. Man that would look awesome and not many at all have done it. Matter of fact I've not been able to find any posts where someone says for sure they've done it so maybe and I mean maybe it's never been done. Also, I've run into different brands that are night and day difference. Hardest 12" spike I've tackled is a non-galvanized keystone spike. I'd love to see someone get an 80d nail or 8" by 3/8" spike. I've love it even more if it was me but I'm not anywhere near close to that.

I think an easy 12" spike is easier than a hard unbraced short bend but at least in my opinion there are 10" made in the USA spikes that would be as hard or close to a good unbraced bend like say a Red.

Mats Erik. I can't immagine bending one of these around my neck.

Tim

[Brad Manion]

Right now, I'm doing 12" x 3/8" (120d) non-galvanized bright timber spikes from GripRite, which you can pick up at any HomeDepot or Lowe's. It is pretty easy, but I haven't tried anything really hard yet, so I think it's best to reserve my judgement for a little while. Depending on my technique, it can be done in as little as 5-8 seconds, or as long as 20-25 seconds on the 120d spike. Anyways, a slight lat strain has kept me from any training, including braced and unbraced bending. However, I am healing well and will be on vacation for a few weeks pretty soon, so I'm definitely going to give the 10" x 3/8" (100d) spikes a shot.

I agree wholeheartedly that the 8" x 3/8" (80d) spikes would be awesome outstanding bends. Simply trying to figure out the leverage for that one would be a pain in and of itself, let alone actually trying the bend. I read the bending article from the first issue of STRONG! and that's how I got into braced bending. I did try an 8" piece of 5/16" HRS across my knee/top-o'-the-shin, but I had no space to grab onto my wraps. The kink just might be possible if done just over the top of the knee, maybe 1-2" farther up on the thigh. As heavy as I am, I don't have really good leverage for this sorta thing.

Looks like I'm going to have to watch the Dennis Rogers "Odd Object Bending & Breaking DVD" once again for some pointers.

Edited December 20, 2006 by Brad Manion

[Scott Styles]

This contest is going to be handing out $50 to anyone that can bend an 80d nail:

http://powerandbulk.com/ushandstrength/mic...ripchamps5.html

[Tim71]

Notice it says HIS 80d spike. I immagine it's not the easiest brand. I think the 50 bucks is safe. At least I won't be collecting it. I did some spikes that I think are the bright 120d griprites. Pretty good spike. I did a 10" spiral one that a guy brought to work the other day.

I think the 80d nail is one of my ultimate goals in bending. There are some 80d 5/16" bridge spikes but those wouldnt' be that hard. I'm talking the 8" by 3/8" jobs. That would be awesome! Of course I say that about everything I can't bend then when I can't bend it I just up my goals ha ha!

Tim

[MrZsasz]

So I started with the 10" and my hands are still killing me. Some great advice and I will pick up some 12" spikes once my hands return to normal. I think I overdid it with the 10". Of course, I am going from a 10' to a 12" while all the discussion seems to be moving down to 8' length. Now that's just plain cruel.

[Scott Styles]

Don Larkin has bent 80d nails in the past, most recently a few years ago. A video of it was posted on the board I believe. I assume these spikes will be the same brand as what he bent, if not from the same batch.

Having met Don, I can assure you that he wants to give out the $50 to as many people as will show that are capable of bending the nail. The prize is an incentive to get others to embrace an aspect of the iron game Don enjoys. No smoke and mirrors at Larkin's gym.

I think there's a good chance more than one person will take an 80d down at the contest. Several of the Michigan guys are world class and it sounds like grip guys from all over the midwest are going to show.

[Tim71]

MrZ don't worry too much about the 80d nails and very very few people are capible of them.

I got to watch the video of Don Larkin today and that was simply inspirational to say the least. And he did it back in 1998 when Brookfield talked about only himself and Slim Farman that he knew of could bend a 100d nail. More amazing is that it looks like Don Larkin is starting the 80d unbraced.

Why wasn't he more well known with phenominal bending like that.

Here's the video; watch it it's awe-inspiring!

Don Larkin's 80d bend

That's one of my ultimate goals is an 80d nail.

Tim