I'm testing a new brick kiln as this is the dry season and is the right weather for making bricks. I have no definite plans on what I'll build but know the bricks will come in handy later on. The new kiln design uses fewer bricks (74 instead of 100) and is simpler to construct so the viewer at home might be able to easily assemble. It can also be used for pottery.
I love the little shade thrown at other fake creators. Showing the whole firing process, no miracle cement, "No excavators were harmed...". Just beautiful
Really makes you admire the process: seeing the pile of clay get bigger slowly (25 buckets), seeing every brick being formed (50 bricks), the pile of wood is stacked up and then slowly used for the kiln. A lot of work for just 50 bricks! Also great seeing the elements reused, the wood ash will become the mortar, the old bricks are the brick kiln, all the prep here like the hole can be used for more bricks. A slow process to create the new bigger hut that will enable him to do even more
it's crazy to think i've ben watching your videos for years and never once heard your voice. being able to capture an audience without so much as a word is pretty astounding
after all these years this is still the best channel on youtube. People don't realize how much effort goes into a video like this. All the videos have a soul - thank you.
I'm a machinist, and I tell anyone who will listen that everything, literally everything you interact with in the modern world is either made by machine tools, or made with tools that were themselves made by machine tools. Your videos are the perfect explanation of that. You literally have to go back to the dirt and stone to get anything that wasn't made by a machine. It never ceases to amaze me that all of our technological innovation has been built on top of the very things you are doing.
@Ragnhild I guess technically even a hammer can be called a machine....but that would also apply to these stone age tools... The original comment is pretty flawed
@@EternalShadow1667 We do see an example of a simple machine being used here: the lever, which I suspect is the oldest of the six classical simple machines.
It does make you appreciate how much time it would take to make a full size shelter out of brick. He said that "little" brick kiln alone is 100 bricks?! But it also got me thinking two things: First, that having even just one other person would speed it up a lot, more than twice as fast, since you can pass the brick mold and the clay around and you don't have to spend time walking. Second, that as the kiln is firing, you can mold more bricks (taking breaks to stoke the kiln), so you can get a pipeline going that might start outputting bricks at a surprising rate. Those two things alone, even with primitive technology, might be considered "industrial." I don't think you need a lot of physical technology (tools, materials, etc.) to come up with improvements to a process that transform it to "industry". I wonder how long it took for the first industry to evolve? It could have predated agriculture even...
@@Wasabiofip Interestingly enough theres some solid evidence some form of early industry did predate agriculture! Both Karahan Tepe and Gobekli Tepe are megalithic structures that predate agriculture. Miniminuteman talks about them in part 3 of his debunking 'Ancient Apocalypse' series. He's an all around great channel if you're interested in Anthropology and Archaeology.
I love that you played the ambient noise of the forest during the time-lapses. It's a small detail that might go unnoticed, but it's a phenomenal choice that amplifies just how great this content is.
He's also the first, genuine, and original. ❤ Others are copycats who use excavators and assistants behind the scenes, clickbait, and do another dirty tricks to get more views.
What I truly appreciate about these primitive technology videos is that they authentically depict the extensive effort invested in a project and shows the potential value of having tribe members to share the workload and lighten the burden.
Moving the logs is another example. A second person would have made it go 4 times faster. I'm a construction worker and even with modern equipment, having a second pair of hands makes things go more than double the speed.
With John saying 'it is the right weather to make bricks' it also brings to mind a village saying 'brick making time' and getting the brick making team together to pump out bricks for a few days/weeks to last the village until next brick making season. After that is done the brick team disbands and goes back to plowing fields team or collecting wood team depending on the season. The right job done at the right time of year by the right people :)
That pile of wood also demonstrates why other energy sources (fossil fuels and later renewables) were such a game changer. With enough people, the amount of fuel wood that could grow in a season would become the limiting factor on production.
One of the best lines ever. I actually watch excavators on other channels. Some take a flogging, some fall over. Better if it's done by hand, as here... primitively.
@@theoneandonlyowl3764 Sometimes you only get to see them trying to spell out help me in the giant underground pool digs made in the middle of nowhere. The amount of labor they do, obliterated by a jump cuts, and credit taken by men with stick.
Often imitated, never duplicated, I have a great respect for your commitment to doing things without taking shortcuts. You are real, and that is a quality the world finds itself slowly running out of these days. Keep at it, and here's to 10 million more!
The timelapse was a very welcome change for this video, I preferred it to the time skips that you have done previously. I was also greatly relieved to see that no excavators were harmed during filming! Keep it up dude, your videos are therapeutic, entertaining, and genuine!
@@Zippsterman yeah... so few know that this guy is the Original. He started his experiments and I absolutely have learned So much from him, it is as if I look back into the olden times when people discovered what they all cold make from the wood around them and soils beneath their feet! And I honestly find it sad to see him, in contrary to the other 'copy cats' that have millions more subs then this man who deserves it truly. I know, the amount he has now is okay too, I mean, I wished I was so lucky, but so little know he IS the true O.G. ! And he honestly deserves WAY more subs!
Words cannot express how much peace of mind having you back creating videos gives me. The world went to hell in a handbasket, and this videos remind me of better times.
i think we all feel a certain loyalty to him too. he doesn't post often, but when he does, it reminds us that he was the first on YT to do all this kind of stuff
@@Vindsvelle Near cacked myself when the scrub-turkey strutted past and those captions came up. It's good to have such a dry sense of humour... true aussie.
I'm glad the first part of removing the log was included even though it wasn't in the video's title. I love watching all of the steps taken in making this primitive habitation.
I love the entire video, especially the middle finger for the fake, copycat-like channels with 'no excavators were harmed'. Genius. Also, your book is possibly the only thing i would bring with myself to the wilderness, or to a postapocalyptic scenario. Keep doing your precious work, OP!
I feel like him showing the entire process of collecting the clay and water and whatnot to fire the bricks was just to add insult to injury at all the people who think this channel is faked, and poke fun at the channels which just like find concrete in the water and whatnot
It’s crazy how the legitimacy of these builds differs from other channels. Actually posting the whole process even though RU-vid culture has deemed stuff like that tedious is just so cool
What I find so impressive is the sheer patience you have to do the brutal, time-consuming grunt work needed to bring your idea into reality. Your head must be full of things that need doing, improving, testing, yet you knuckle down and focus on the task at hand.
@@A_Simple_Neurose He slips effortlessly into a flow state and literally shapes his world with his own hands, out of whatever he finds around him (limited to naturally occurring stuff). There are no words for the respect I have for this dude and this channel.
Years later and I still can't get over how good you are with a fire stick. There are tons of people who can't start a fire with a magnesium rod as fast as you can with just a reasonably straight stick.
The original, one-and-only, often imitated, never duplicated, Primitive Technology. I'm so glad you're posting content again in 2023. I really support what you're teaching here; I bought your hardcover upon release and was/am looking forward to your TV show (on Discovery I think it was). Is that still on? Continued survival, best regards.
This felt pretty good to watch- the wide shots, the time-lapse that really makes you appreciate the work being done, the mild snark that burns hotter than that log you needed to move- great viewing for sure.
This is really impressive from a repeatability and tolerance side. The fact that these handmade bricks can be built into a stable structure while on end is really cool
He says at the start of the video that using fire to cut the fallen tree saves tool wear. Imagine if basic tools took so much effort to make that they were too precious to use on menial tasks!
@@DisorderedArray stone tools are very hard to make and wear easily. Using them to cut a big log is inefective, and requires a lot of energy from him. But with fire you can just light it once, and just check on the process to make sure nothinh else is burned.
It's neat to see you refining the batch sizes of your materials. You've got the volume of clay for X bricks, which will exactly fit in the kiln, and needs Y volume of wood. With Y needing to be bigger, but you know the Y you used because you measured it with the sticks, so you can make a pretty accurate adjustment next batch.
Fascinated by the idea that different quality clays are good for different things. With bricks, impurities aren't as bad because it's just a solid slab of clay. But in thinner pieces, it's vital for the clay to be as free of impurities as possible. It makes sense, it's just interesting to see it in practice.
Part of this is actually caused by what clay IS. Not only are clay particles tiny, they're plate-shaped. That's what gives it the ability to hold shape, and why thinner, finer shapes require purer clay--the impurities just don't have that ability, and at a certain point the clay content will be too low to hold everything else together without crumbling.
John I don't know if it is more work to the timelapses but, man those are awesome! It's so nice to see you doing a 'simple' task that demands much time to complete but in seconds hahha Keep up the great work! Your channel will always be number one!
I on the other hand thought it was a bit off form, I understand the need for it but I think this channel thrives by embracing the time and patience each step takes. I for one would watch every second of him working but I understand I may not be the majority 💟
This man restarted the civilization on his own and by a few years he will be making videos like "how to make your own processor chip in the woods". Mad respect to him for blessing us with such calming and educational content.
The comedy in these videos is rare, but when it shows up, it's a warm, welcome reminder that the man on-screen is a human like the rest of us. I particularly enjoyed the line "like with most problems, fire is the solution." A thoroughly human line -- just a little nugget of wit. Love it.
Enjoyed the little dig in there. The hole you made was nice too. Look forward to seeing what you decide to build with the bricks. Also had another little pleasure of these videos strike me with this one too... the fact that all of the tools, pots etc... you use; we can go and see you making. Up-to and including the buildings (foundations and all).
One of my favorite channels on YT and literally the only one of this type that I will watch. All the others are too fake and honestly kind of useless, but this, this has a peaceful environment, interesting and useful information, as well as a chill vibe. The fact you show food stuffs sometimes and add in the subtitles so those of us that are curious can learn, well it keeps me coming back. Been subscribed to you since your first video went viral on Facebook and can't wait to see what else you'll teach us! You're like the primitive survival child of Bob Ross and Steve Irwin.
There was ONE of the "copycat" channels, Primitive Skills, that also showed the whole process. I think the only "done for sake of convenience" was the amount of iron had access to for forging into tools. Woodcrafting, building, forging, pottery, agriculture all done on his own by hand, otherwise.
only channel i watch that's close to this is the chinese guy who is constantly making different things (usually from bamboo, sometimes wood or stone) and ends with making some sort of meal....
I love watching your videos twice. The first time without subtitles to take it all in, then a second time with your carefully written subtitles turned on to explain your process. It's brilliant!
@@ajsparx4133 oh man, you really should watch the last year of videos again. The subs explain all the material science that has seriously come into play on the channel for the last dozen or so videos.
i love how you keep it consistent to show where you keep getting stuff from, or show progress of doing things while being sped up instead of cutting the video. way too many fake primitive channels keep doing shady stuff between cuts... i know you've always included footage of you doing the stuff, i just wanted to point out and appreciate the effort you make
This reminds me of the story, my mother told me of her father Carroll Barbour helping to build a log cabin. They had very long poles to help raise the logs up to the top of the cabin wall. And one started to roll backwards on the men, and my grandfather helped by holding it up in the middle to keep it from crushing the men below. He was tall and very very strong if you’ve ever tried to hold up a whole log by yourself you’ll understand.
Your channel has spurred me throughout the years and my love for primitive survival has only grown! I attribute much of my fascination to these videos and we’re all thankful to have you still uploading for our enjoyment!!! Thank you forever for giving us a look into a simpler but also intricate way of life
you know, it took me a few years to get that you use captions. that's just how mesmerizing your videos are- no explanation needed, but much more richer when they are added into the mix.
I love the pragmatic approach you took with starting the fire. Bow and cord drill look cool, but firesticks are easier to maintain, so it makes sense to roll back to them. No to progress for the sake of progress
John looking shredded and killing it with the closed captioning jokes! This is what sets him apart from all the copycat channels out there. I love that he doesn't cut the video when starting friction fires, we get to see it from start > smoke > ember > flame. Most channels have people rubbing two sticks together for 10 seconds then boom - look a raging fire lol.
Always really impressed by your research and planning that goes unremarked in the videos, obviously as well as the clarity. Particularly liked the way you could see the bricks starting to progressively glow with heat higher and higher up the kiln. Bit of a concern, though: as you mentioned you're going into the dry season, you didn't clear the area around it of readily flammable material. Maybe just not a concern with that sort of tropical environment? I'll readily admit I'm more familiar with the temperate climes where that'd be unconscionable.
I believe he does these on a friend's property so I'm sure he takes due care - he seems a conscientious, patient, hardworking type that doesn't cut corners.
Love this channel and I feel like there are Very true fans here. Being real and true never loses , its what we are lacking right now. Learn skills people , learn and learn! I mean look how far this channel has came . He didn't any of this at the beginning.
Your videos are my favorite thing on RU-vid. Every time you post a new one, I get way too excited. I wish you were able to post them weekly but I obviously understand that you do it at your own pace.
For more permanent work areas, would it be worth adding flat stones underneath areas you want to with clay? For example, the bottom of the mixing pit so extra soil doesn't get mixed into the clay
Thank you for the text description as well. Very informative near the end. Also, it's a great example of how metal tools got stuff done exponentially faster. No more burning a trunk for a day. Chop it in a couple of minutes with your sharp metal axe
Your videos are great, thank you so much! Every month I'm excited again for a few minutes of piece and quiet (plus the occasional mosquito) and to be amazed by your skills and perseverance. Please never change!
I unconsciously always have a hard time sleeping when you upload a new video and then stumble upon it at 3 AM. That’s how much my body craves this content 😂 Thank you for being legit and true to who you are and making great, entertaining and educational content.
Благодарю за видео! Полезная информация, толковая лекция, интересные знания! Thank you for the video! Useful information, an intelligent lecture, interesting knowledge!
I like to think this dude is extremely wealthy and is deep in land owned by his family. He went to an Ivy League college and his parents are just like, “Yeah he could work anywhere in the world, or never work a day in his life, but he chose the life of an early hominid”. They haven’t seen him for months and he just growls at them. It’s a movie called “Mud Boy” and the lead is 90s Pauly Shore. Caveat is that the bricks are made from his own.. 😦🙏
It was nice and refreshing to see some more humor in this video. Also, are you ever worried about forest fires when burning things overnight? Great video as always!
I love watching your videos! But I've always wondered... the overnight fires, who watches/monitors them? If only to make sure they stay safely contained to where you start them? I understand that the area your in is unlikely to take an errant spark but I was wondering how you would typically handle long burners like how you cleared the large log, especially as you do this by hand alone. Again, love learning from and watching your content! Thank you!
Some places just aren't prone to forest fires. Wet enough and green enough. And if it hasn't caught fire in the first hour or two of burning, it's not gonna catch fire when it's smaller
@@christianlassen1577 That's what I assume but I'm still curious to know if he monitors the fires through the night when they aren't contained like in the brink kiln ^_^
This content makes my day, and the fact that I am pretty sure this is real shows that clearly, this man is very skilled and has a lot of experience, unlike the fake channels. Anyway, these videos are visual masterpieces. I really enjoy watching them.
We've actually lost track of Primitive Technology. It appears that he's constructed his own camera from available resources and started his own TV show.
I love your use of timelapses here, and would enjoy more timelapses of other long monotonous tasks in future videos. It really helps show just how much effort you put in.
What this highlights is how humanity benefited from a shared workload within tribes and settlements. That was 3-4 days work for just 50 bricks, and whilst an impressive achievement, excludes the other activities for long term survival - hunting and gathering, shelter maintenance, food preparation and so on. With multiple people involved in different roles, sharing their work, the opportunity for humans to specialise in certain activities for the good of the community really stands out, when only PT is the one seen doing all the work.
I cleared some brush in my backyard last weekend and sit here with 1/2 my body covered in poison ivy rash. Watching you push through that underbrush is giving me the chills. I thought wood ash was caustic and prolonged contact with you skin would cause problems. Your audience would forgive you some modern gloves if it means keeping yourself safe.
