Continuing my love of old British Pathé videos is today’s post on Harold ‘the Champion Nail Breaker’. Based in Derbyshire, Harold’s feats of strength and not only impressive but also shine a light on a by then disappearing trend in health and fitness.
By the time of this video (1963), fewer and fewer individuals were engaging in the kinds of strength acts conducted by Harold. In a world where powerlifting was now popular and world’s strongest men competitions were just around the corner, Harold was something of a throwback to the time when Eugen Sandow and others used circus tricks to dazzle audiences.
That, for me, makes Harold all the more special.
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Hi Conor. I used to train with Harold Cope in the 1960s when I was in my late teens.We gave demonstrations at Fetes and Miners Social Clubs and Harold “ taught me how to break 6” nails. The “weaker ones” amongst us broke “ standard wire gauge “ nails but Harold used to use the next thickness up as his “training nails” but for shows and challenges he used the next thickness up – his “ Specials” these wer tested by Rolls Royce and myself at Loughborough university and wer found to be incredibly 2.5 to 3 times as strong as standard nails!! Some strength- I only know one other person at the time who could break the Specials and that was a one off by me in front of an audience with the adrenaline pumping. Harold could break 5 nails in a minute and if I recall correctly his record for I nail was 5point 6 seconds.
Hey Graham, Happy new year!
That is awesome. I love that and what a world where we can meet each other. If you had any time or interest I would so love to talk about your experiences. Either the phone, email or Zoom/Skype etc. Please do reach out to heffercp@tcd.ie if you have an inclination