bulch
Total Posts: 4276
|
06-05-06 02:20 AM - Post#209195
I've been reading a load of strong man stuff recently and the inch dumbell caught my eye, looks a great challenge to get the thing off the ground. I found a place that sells a dumbell handle the same thickness. i would get one but i don't have any plates so it would be a bit pointless. Just wondered if anyone on here has ever lifted one? My guess would be that Wicked Willie would have at least tried it once ;@) bulch :@)
|
Neander
Total Posts: 7755
|
|
bulch
Total Posts: 4276
|
|
Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
|
Wonder why my name always comes up when people mention grip oriented things? Hmmmmmm.
The Inch dumbbell and Thomas Inch have and "interesting" and colorful history. Joe Roark would be your best source on accurate information about the two.
Apparently, Inch made claims about his dumbbell being "unliftable," and it's true...many, many people couldn't even clear the floor with the thing, while Inch would appear to lift it easily.
Long story short...there may have been "several" Inch bells or weight was added to the bell for spectator attempts. It seems like the bell would be brought out on stage where Inch would lift it...and then it would be taken offstage while challenges were made. Then, it would be returned for the challenger to try.
Hmmmmmm. Coincidence? I think not.
IronMind's copy is a fairly accurate copy with some minor differences. I believe it weighs 172 pounds. The handle is short, making it difficult to get your hand around it without cramping your fingers. It's overall length is 20 inches, while the handle is nearly 2 1/2 inches in diameter (I think 2.47 inches.)
For a short while, it was considered a good feat to just deadlift the thing...but now numerous lifters (including Mr. Henry) have gone overhead with it. Kaz and Hugo Girad come to mind and I've seen videos of two other lifters actually pressing it, rather than jerking it.
I haven't tried one...yet.
Based on my ability with a one inch bar...I would have a hard time with the Inch, although I think if I trained for it for a month, I would master it...that being a deadlift, of course. I've yet to see anyone under 250 pounds get it overhead.
Thanks for thinking of me, Pete!
Wicked
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
|
ccrow
Total Posts: 10055
Signature: The most important test a lifter has to pass
is the test of time.
-Jon Cole
Show User Page
(Blog, Gallery, Shoutbox & Buddies etc...): No
Last Login IP: 172.70.134.229
Last Online: 03-14-23
User ID: 18
Login Name: ccrow
Primary Training Purpose: Health
Real Email Address: ccrowsmail@yahoo.com
Primary Training Style: Volume
old hand
Bio: No Bio
|
I have seen a couple videos of people cleaning the Inch with two hands and jerking it with one hand. That is an impressive feat but it's difficulty is maybe on par with a 300 pound jerk, not the sort of thing only a handful of people can do. There was also a hole through the handle of the Inch dumbbell. I have read that someone with a strong grip could strap a short thin rod to their wrist, and insert the rod into that hole, and the bell could be lifted more easily; the rod prevented if from rolling out of the hand. I don't know it that is true, and even if it is, that doesn't indicate Inch himself used such a trick, even though he did wear leather wrist straps.
The most important test a lifter has to pass
is the test of time.
-Jon Cole
|
|
Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
|
I hadn't heard that, Byron. What I did hear and read was that the bell Inch lifted was 172 pounds, handles variously reported as from 2.38-2.50 inches diameter. It was solid cast iron, so there was no provision to add weight...hence the idea that there were several Challenge bells (which is what the Inch bell was originally called.) This beast is hard to lift, it wants to roll out of your grip. I'm good for 200 most days with a one inch bar...go up to a two inch bar and you can cut that almost in half. (I think I've done 125 pounds with IronMind's Axle.) I can't imagine pulling 172 with a bar over two inches thick...let alone going overhead with it. Wicked
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
|
Laree
Total Posts: 26002
Country: Z
Show User Page
(Blog, Gallery, Shoutbox & Buddies etc...): No
Last Login IP: 162.158.63.64
Last Online: 06-15-23
User ID: 3
Login Name: ldraper
Date Agreed to Rules: 12-09-10
Country: Z
Occupation: Website work
info_have_been_training_since: 12-31-79
Primary Training Purpose: Fitness and strength beats aging badly
Real Email Address: ld@davedraper.com
Homepage: davedraper.com
(Rhymes with Marie)
Full name: Laree Draper
Gender: female
|
I wrapped my hand around a replica a few years ago. Steve Gardener made what he called the Millenium 'bell and set up a Millenium Challenge at the Oscar Heidenstam Foundation Awards dinner in London, the night Dave received an award. It was great fun to be there, although we had some trouble along the way and were pretty much fried that night after arriving in England a few hours before (a day late), and upon arrival getting a message to go home immediately because Dave's mom was hospitalized and not expected to live.  More about Steve via the Heavy Grips site 
|
Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
|
My kind of guy. Wicked
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
|
bulch
Total Posts: 4276
|
Interesting stuff. I think i saw a video of Jesse Marunde cleaning and then pressing it several times with each arm at a contest but i don't know where the video is. He's one strong mutha.
|
cajinjohn
Total Posts: 12495
|
On page 63 of Milo Dec. 2002 Vol. 10 Number 3 is a picture of Chris James of the UK two handed cleaning and one hand pressing the 172lb INCH. On the same page he is one handed cleaning and pressing the John Citrones 115lb anvil. Chris works in a foundry, and loves the old time feats of strength. Have you noticed that a lot of the really strong men work in foundrys?
|
/sk
Total Posts: 4826
|
I tried to pick one up at a powerlifting contest one time as they were offering $100.00 to anyone who could get it to waist height. I had picked up 180 one handed at that point and thought it might be possible even though I could see how big the handle was.
The big handle did me in; it just rolled out of my hand. Put your hand around a soda can, that's about the right size it seemed, maybe a little larger. If it had a hole as Byron mentioned, I might have gotten it to my waist, but certainly no higher.
/sk
|
Joe Roark
Total Posts: 446
|
Am in a rush- only part way through my 'Honey do' list and dare not get caught taking a break, so I am speedtyping.
The hole in the original Inch dumbell (the 172, I mean, Inch had at least four of differing weights, one about 75 lbs) is not all the way through the handle, although the current owner, Kim Wood declined my request to clean out the hole to see how deep it was.
The hole was filled in one night when word got out that Inch's trick was indeed a nail stuck into the hole to prevent rotation- Inch denied this, but rather than prove his point (men were intending to bring nails that night) he had the hole filled in. He had claimed the hole was for escaping gases during the casting- that question put by me to a foundry man elicited a huge laugh. Had he not filled in the hole, he would have been exposed, in my opinion.
These days very strong gripped men by placing a free hand ON TOP of one of the spheres and thus stopping rotation toward the thumb, can get the bell off the floor. Willoughby thought that the narrow handle width -four inches- prevented large handed men from having a chance, but the opposite is true, we now know, because a very wide hand 'wedges' between the spheres and acts as did the nail- to help prevent rotation.
Also, many men can hold the 172 in one hand in the finished deadlift position because the bells rest against the thighs (preventing rotation) so to see a photo of a man holding the bell in this position does not prove to deadlifted it- only that he held it.
I am convinced Inch never cleaned and pressed- or jerked- the Inch 172; indeed he never really claimed he could until others began deadlifting it- then the overhead aspect was mentioned.
It is my view that the 172 was cast probably in 1905 or 1906 - not in the 1800s as is generally thought. On cyberpump's paysite I presented a 22 installment history of the Inch bell and Inch- it is one of two subjects I feel confident enough to call myself an expert.
If you are on the GripBoard, I posted many times about the Inch, so a search may yield more details.
Yes, Dear...I'm coming...just had to get a drink....
|
Laree
Total Posts: 26002
Country: Z
Show User Page
(Blog, Gallery, Shoutbox & Buddies etc...): No
Last Login IP: 162.158.63.64
Last Online: 06-15-23
User ID: 3
Login Name: ldraper
Date Agreed to Rules: 12-09-10
Country: Z
Occupation: Website work
info_have_been_training_since: 12-31-79
Primary Training Purpose: Fitness and strength beats aging badly
Real Email Address: ld@davedraper.com
Homepage: davedraper.com
(Rhymes with Marie)
Full name: Laree Draper
Gender: female
|
Quote:
Joe Roark said:
Yes, Dear...I'm coming...just had to get a drink....
:~)
|
Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
|
Thanks, Joe. There you go, Pete...direct from the authority. Wicked
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
|
bulch
Total Posts: 4276
|
|
Robert Forbes
Total Posts: 10
|
Quote:
Joe Roark said:
Am in a rush- only part way through my 'Honey do' list and dare not get caught taking a break, so I am speedtyping.
The hole in the original Inch dumbell (the 172, I mean, Inch had at least four of differing weights, one about 75 lbs) is not all the way through the handle, although the current owner, Kim Wood declined my request to clean out the hole to see how deep it was.
The hole was filled in one night when word got out that Inch's trick was indeed a nail stuck into the hole to prevent rotation- Inch denied this, but rather than prove his point (men were intending to bring nails that night) he had the hole filled in. He had claimed the hole was for escaping gases during the casting- that question put by me to a foundry man elicited a huge laugh. Had he not filled in the hole, he would have been exposed, in my opinion.
These days very strong gripped men by placing a free hand ON TOP of one of the spheres and thus stopping rotation toward the thumb, can get the bell off the floor. Willoughby thought that the narrow handle width -four inches- prevented large handed men from having a chance, but the opposite is true, we now know, because a very wide hand 'wedges' between the spheres and acts as did the nail- to help prevent rotation.
Also, many men can hold the 172 in one hand in the finished deadlift position because the bells rest against the thighs (preventing rotation) so to see a photo of a man holding the bell in this position does not prove to deadlifted it- only that he held it.
I am convinced Inch never cleaned and pressed- or jerked- the Inch 172; indeed he never really claimed he could until others began deadlifting it- then the overhead aspect was mentioned.
It is my view that the 172 was cast probably in 1905 or 1906 - not in the 1800s as is generally thought. On cyberpump's paysite I presented a 22 installment history of the Inch bell and Inch- it is one of two subjects I feel confident enough to call myself an expert.
If you are on the GripBoard, I posted many times about the Inch, so a search may yield more details.
Yes, Dear...I'm coming...just had to get a drink....
Interesting read Joe. Thanks
We now know who wears the trousers in your family LOL!
|
Joe Roark
Total Posts: 446
|
By the way, for those on cyberpump, the 22 installments ran from Feb 6, 2002 through Nov 14, 2002, and can be found at the bottom of each installment (which contained other info). I have been married to Geni for 33 years. One of her lines to me is... "Do you want to be married, or do you want to be right?" Is there an easier question I can take a shot at? Easier to deadlift the Inch with thumb and forefinger than defeat her in an argument:)
|
Entz
Total Posts: 235
|
Quote:
/sk said:
I tried to pick one up at a powerlifting contest one time as they were offering $100.00 to anyone who could get it to waist height. I had picked up 180 one handed at that point and thought it might be possible even though I could see how big the handle was.
The big handle did me in; it just rolled out of my hand. Put your hand around a soda can, that's about the right size it seemed, maybe a little larger. If it had a hole as Byron mentioned, I might have gotten it to my waist, but certainly no higher.
/sk
I wanted to go grab a soda can to check how thick it is and I don't have one in the house. Man this healthy lifestyle just might turn me into a nut.
Lifting the Inch Dumbell is somewhere on my list of longterm goals. I just give myself time and have patience - I will be able to do it some day.
|
cajinjohn
Total Posts: 12495
|
OOOHHH Joe don't ever touch that question. Just get a blank look and change the subject.
|
Joe Roark
Total Posts: 446
|
Quote:
cajinjohn said:
OOOHHH Joe don't ever touch that question. Just get a blank look and change the subject.
The blank look is all mime; it matches the wise silence:)
|
Joe Roark
Total Posts: 446
|
Original Inch with filled-in hole:
|
Joe Roark
Total Posts: 446
|
Original Inch on left (hole underneath) Staver foundry replica on right:
|
bulch
Total Posts: 4276
|
|
Joe Roark
Total Posts: 446
|
Quote:
bulch said:
Have you lifted it Joe?
No, and I never will be able to. I sold both the Inch 152 and Inch 172 to John Beatty.
I believe it was John Wood who had the idea of using a small teeter-todder as a training device: put the Inch on one end, and enough weight on the other end so that you can deadlift it. When that becomes easy, remove some weight from the other end. Very clever I think.
|
ccrow
Total Posts: 10055
Signature: The most important test a lifter has to pass
is the test of time.
-Jon Cole
Show User Page
(Blog, Gallery, Shoutbox & Buddies etc...): No
Last Login IP: 172.70.134.229
Last Online: 03-14-23
User ID: 18
Login Name: ccrow
Primary Training Purpose: Health
Real Email Address: ccrowsmail@yahoo.com
Primary Training Style: Volume
old hand
Bio: No Bio
|
I heard Joe Roark can stand on a SWIS ball and juggle the Inch dumbbell, a running chainsaw, and Mike Katz's favorite T-shirt, which he actually stole from Arnold.
The most important test a lifter has to pass
is the test of time.
-Jon Cole
|
|
Joe Roark
Total Posts: 446
|
Quote:
ccrow said:
I heard Joe Roark can stand on a SWIS ball and juggle the Inch dumbbell, a running chainsaw, and Mike Katz's favorite T-shirt, which he actually stole from Arnold.
The tee shirt part is incorrect.
|
BTrull
Total Posts: 113
|
if you see the picture on my avatar ; that is me picking up a 265lb stone, at a Strong magazine exhibition ; they had an inch dumbell 172lb there, a replica. You had to do 3 feats to get a tee shirt.
I loaded the stone, bent the red nail, and pich gripped 2 twenty pound blocks. I lifted the inch off the ground , but it kept rolling out of my hand. I dont really think it is that big of feat if A) you have really big hands, I wear a size 8 glove, so if you had a size 10 hand, orB) you have monster thumb strength.
|
critter
Total Posts: 657
|
|
Boar
Total Posts: 2
|
11-21-09 04:34 PM - Post#591008
I have magaged to 'clean' the inch dumbell to my shoulder (with both hands though , cant budge it with 1 !!) but as for pressing it , no chance .. i know a couple of lads who can - kudos !!
|
Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
|
11-21-09 05:44 PM - Post#591018
I'd like to try the Inch...betcha I could deadlift it before that day was over. The thickness of the bar and the tendency of the dumbbell to "roll" once free of the ground provides most of the difficulty. I "imagine" that finding the "sweet spot" where the 'bell will roll into your grip would help...and that would take a few attempts to figure out.
Wicked
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
|
cajinjohn
Total Posts: 12495
|
11-24-09 11:01 AM - Post#591374
I would like to be with you on this one. We could trade off giveing it a try.
|
Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
|
11-24-09 01:19 PM - Post#591423
Wouldn't have it any other way.
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
|
