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Bending Steel. Almost A Review. But Not Quite

by Claude Whitacre
8 replies
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Saturday, I saw a documentary that I had been waiting to see for nearly a year.

It's called Bending Steel.

I have an unusual fascination with Old Time Strong Men's feats of strength. Some of these men are almost mythic in the power they can generate in short bursts.

Years ago, I read The Mighty Atom. It was a biography of Joseph Greenstein. At the turn of the 20th century, he was a small man, who showed physical powers just this side of unimaginable. He would bend horseshoes with his bare hands, bend a quarter in half, with his thumb. He was in Madison Square Garden at the age of 80, breaking chains across his chest....driving a spike through a thick pine board...with his bare hands.

The book The Mighty Atom, was the single most inspiring book I've ever read.

Anyway, I love reading about these guys, and I have used many of their methods to increase grip strength. No, Riffle..not for that.

Here's a preview of the documentary. I just felt like sharing.

  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    So, where's the review?

    I actually watched this Saturday night, too. (Oddly enough, when I saw the listing in the guide, I thought, "Claude's probably watching this right now." The difference between the two of us? I kept my pants on while watching.)

    While the background stories were interesting, I just couldn't stand the guy in the main storyline. I can understand having an unyielding passion for something, but I found myself rooting against him. I cringed every time he opened his mouth, especially when in front of a crowd.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

      So, where's the review?

      I actually watched this Saturday night, too. (Oddly enough, when I saw the listing in the guide, I thought, "Claude's probably watching this right now." The difference between the two of us? I kept my pants on while touching myself.)

      While the background stories were interesting, I just couldn't stand the guy in the main storyline. I can understand having an unyielding passion for something, but I found myself rooting against him. I cringed every time he opened his mouth, especially when in front of a crowd.
      Fixed that for you.

      As I was typing the post, the store closed, and I just posted what I had.


      The guy in the documentary had social issues. He wasn't really likable, I grant you. But the old guy with the hammers? That was Slim "The Hammer Man" Farman. At 76 years old, still one of the strongest men (in hand strength) in the world. And the short footage of The Atom? Worth the watch to me. Farman looked like a weathered old man...until he did his leverage lifts. Did you get a look at the size of his forearms?

      The main guy, Chris...was kind of distracting. None of these guys are really showmen. They are mostly blue collar workers, who have a passion to become extraordinary in specific feats of strength. ( Every time I say "feats of strength" I think of the Jerry Seinfeld Festivus episode).

      Anyway, You and I are probably the only two here that saw it, so a review isn't really necessary.

      But I've been fascinated by bending steel, ripping licenses plates, bending steel spikes.....things that are nearly impossible.

      These feats symbolize to me the power of will. Sure, there is some technique to it....And the main guy had challenges, other than just bending a steel bar. But Farman, The Mighty Atom, and Dennis Rogers are true strength legends.

      I didn't know you would be interested enough to watch the documentary. It's a very small audience. And as you saw, strong man shows are pretty boring, unless you are really into it. And I thought that the main kid did a decent show after a ton of coaching.
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Sometimes when I'm walking down the street I just start bending things, bicycle racks, street signs, lamp post, mailboxes, fire hydrants...

    I don't know what it is, I just see stuff & say to myself: I need to bend that.
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    • Profile picture of the author positivenegative
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      Sometimes when I'm walking down the street I just start bending things, bicycle racks, street signs, lamp post, mailboxes, fire hydrants, blondes...

      I don't know what it is, I just see stuff & say to myself: I need to bend that.
      Fixed that for you.
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    • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      Sometimes when I'm walking down the street I just start bending things, bicycle racks, street signs, lamp post, mailboxes, fire hydrants...

      I don't know what it is, I just see stuff & say to myself: I need to bend that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
    Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post


    Anyway, I love reading about these guys, and I have used many of their methods to increase grip strength.
    There's a good few IM guys who might prove useful.

    They're always 'crushing it'...
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