1 00:00:01,262 --> 00:00:02,350 [metallic clank] 2 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:04,178 [steam hissing] 3 00:00:04,308 --> 00:00:06,093 [flames roar] 4 00:00:06,223 --> 00:00:08,008 ♪ 5 00:00:08,138 --> 00:00:10,532 - Here in The Forge, America's best bladesmiths 6 00:00:10,662 --> 00:00:12,577 have gone head-to-head in hopes of becoming 7 00:00:12,708 --> 00:00:13,796 a "Forged in Fire" champion. 8 00:00:13,926 --> 00:00:15,493 - Can you believe it? 9 00:00:15,624 --> 00:00:17,017 - Over the years, we've seen members 10 00:00:17,147 --> 00:00:19,671 of the same family compete in our arena... 11 00:00:19,802 --> 00:00:22,065 - I'm here to avenge my father, and I wanna win. 12 00:00:22,196 --> 00:00:25,677 - But never at the same time, until now. 13 00:00:25,808 --> 00:00:27,723 Tonight, in a "Forged in Fire" first, 14 00:00:27,853 --> 00:00:29,899 it's father versus daughter, dad versus son, 15 00:00:30,030 --> 00:00:31,640 and family versus family. 16 00:00:31,770 --> 00:00:33,642 Only one of these competitors 17 00:00:33,772 --> 00:00:35,774 can be the "Forged in Fire" champion. 18 00:00:35,905 --> 00:00:37,167 - I think I've got the advantage. 19 00:00:37,298 --> 00:00:39,082 All my joints are still nice and healthy. 20 00:00:39,213 --> 00:00:39,996 - I'm gonna give it everything I got. 21 00:00:40,127 --> 00:00:41,345 She's gotta earn it. 22 00:00:41,476 --> 00:00:43,217 - It's the ultimate family feud. 23 00:00:43,347 --> 00:00:45,219 Loyalties will be put aside, 24 00:00:45,349 --> 00:00:48,178 and only one of these smiths will bring home the title 25 00:00:48,309 --> 00:00:49,571 and $10,000. 26 00:00:49,701 --> 00:00:50,659 - Oh! 27 00:00:50,789 --> 00:00:56,360 ♪ 28 00:00:56,491 --> 00:01:00,277 [tense music] 29 00:01:00,408 --> 00:01:01,626 - My name is Ron Hardman. 30 00:01:01,757 --> 00:01:03,541 I'm from Colorado Springs, Colorado. 31 00:01:04,847 --> 00:01:07,458 - My name is Jessica Hardman. I am 20 years old. 32 00:01:07,589 --> 00:01:09,895 I am also from Colorado Springs, Colorado. 33 00:01:10,026 --> 00:01:13,073 - Jessica is my daughter. 34 00:01:13,203 --> 00:01:15,640 Think I was about 15 years old when I made my first blade. 35 00:01:15,771 --> 00:01:17,729 - My dad is actually the one who got me interested 36 00:01:17,860 --> 00:01:20,384 in blacksmithing. My grandpa was a shop teacher. 37 00:01:20,515 --> 00:01:22,038 I've just been around this my whole life, 38 00:01:22,169 --> 00:01:24,606 and found that I actually really liked it. 39 00:01:24,736 --> 00:01:27,130 - You're meticulous, you're detail-oriented, 40 00:01:27,261 --> 00:01:30,090 and so I think you are gonna do a spectacular job in this. 41 00:01:30,220 --> 00:01:31,482 - Thanks, Dad. 42 00:01:33,223 --> 00:01:36,096 - My name's Jesse Harrison. I'm from St. Augustine, Texas. 43 00:01:36,966 --> 00:01:38,968 - My name's Robert Harrison. 44 00:01:39,099 --> 00:01:41,231 When I was about eleven, I built a cowboy cooker 45 00:01:41,362 --> 00:01:43,494 for our 4H show. 46 00:01:43,625 --> 00:01:44,974 And that kinda kick-started everything. 47 00:01:45,105 --> 00:01:47,107 - This is my son. 48 00:01:47,237 --> 00:01:50,371 Robert's a great bladesmith because he is persistent. 49 00:01:50,501 --> 00:01:51,894 - I'm gonna say that my weakness 50 00:01:52,024 --> 00:01:53,852 is also that same persistence. 51 00:01:53,983 --> 00:01:55,245 ♪ 52 00:01:55,376 --> 00:01:57,421 - Bladesmiths, welcome to The Forge. 53 00:01:57,552 --> 00:01:58,944 You are here to engage 54 00:01:59,075 --> 00:02:01,425 in three potentially home-wrecking rounds 55 00:02:01,556 --> 00:02:03,340 of competition specifically designed to test 56 00:02:03,471 --> 00:02:04,863 every aspect of your skills, 57 00:02:04,994 --> 00:02:08,040 all in front of our panel of expert judges. 58 00:02:08,171 --> 00:02:09,564 These are the guys that will tell us 59 00:02:09,694 --> 00:02:11,522 which of you is our next "Forged in Fire" champion 60 00:02:11,653 --> 00:02:14,221 walking outta here with a check for $10,000. 61 00:02:14,351 --> 00:02:16,223 Let's meet your judges now. 62 00:02:16,353 --> 00:02:17,528 Up first, two-time "Forged in Fire" champion 63 00:02:17,659 --> 00:02:19,182 Ben Abbott. 64 00:02:19,313 --> 00:02:21,402 Next, historic weapons re-creation specialist 65 00:02:21,532 --> 00:02:23,012 David Baker. 66 00:02:23,143 --> 00:02:24,709 And last, edged weapons specialist 67 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:25,580 Doug Marcaida. 68 00:02:27,190 --> 00:02:29,497 Now, this is a free for all. 69 00:02:29,627 --> 00:02:32,500 There is only one title of "Forged in Fire" champion. 70 00:02:32,630 --> 00:02:35,067 Jessica, what do you think of your dad as a competitor? 71 00:02:35,198 --> 00:02:36,721 - He's a great teacher and a great smith, 72 00:02:36,852 --> 00:02:38,636 so I have my work cut out for me. 73 00:02:38,767 --> 00:02:41,509 We're usually a team, and--so it's very interesting 74 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:43,293 to be separate. 75 00:02:43,424 --> 00:02:46,296 I will be competitive, but he's also my dad, too, 76 00:02:46,427 --> 00:02:48,820 so I won't trash talk him that much. 77 00:02:48,951 --> 00:02:51,736 - All right. Robert, is Dad a good teacher? 78 00:02:51,867 --> 00:02:52,607 Can you whup his ass? 79 00:02:52,737 --> 00:02:54,261 - I think I can. 80 00:02:54,391 --> 00:02:56,001 If I beat my dad--well, I think there'd be 81 00:02:56,132 --> 00:02:57,438 a little tension, there. 82 00:02:57,568 --> 00:02:58,656 Might have to stay away from the house 83 00:02:58,787 --> 00:02:59,657 for a couple days. 84 00:02:59,788 --> 00:03:01,529 [laughter] 85 00:03:01,659 --> 00:03:04,793 - Okay. Bladesmiths, 86 00:03:04,923 --> 00:03:06,534 in your first round of competition today, 87 00:03:06,664 --> 00:03:08,362 you'll be using these. 88 00:03:08,492 --> 00:03:15,586 ♪ 89 00:03:15,717 --> 00:03:18,720 On this table, we've got ball bearings, band saw blades, 90 00:03:18,850 --> 00:03:22,114 bike chain, we've got all manner of high carbon steel. 91 00:03:22,245 --> 00:03:24,029 And in this first round of competition, 92 00:03:24,160 --> 00:03:26,336 you'll have to choose at least three of the steels 93 00:03:26,467 --> 00:03:28,295 here on the table and combine them 94 00:03:28,425 --> 00:03:31,515 with 1095 powder into a canoe canister 95 00:03:31,646 --> 00:03:33,474 to make a canister Damascus billet 96 00:03:33,604 --> 00:03:35,693 from which you will forge a signature blade 97 00:03:35,824 --> 00:03:37,565 in your signature style. 98 00:03:37,695 --> 00:03:39,915 - A canoe is something that neither one of us 99 00:03:40,045 --> 00:03:43,484 has done before, so it's gonna be a challenge, for sure. 100 00:03:43,614 --> 00:03:45,573 - If you make it to the second round, 101 00:03:45,703 --> 00:03:47,531 you'll have a chance to make your blades fully functional 102 00:03:47,662 --> 00:03:50,099 by attaching handles to them so that we can test them 103 00:03:50,230 --> 00:03:52,797 for strength and durability in a pole chop, 104 00:03:52,928 --> 00:03:56,018 and for edge retention in an apple slice. 105 00:03:56,148 --> 00:03:57,802 When the time runs out on the clock 106 00:03:57,933 --> 00:03:59,891 and the judges have evaluated your work, 107 00:04:00,022 --> 00:04:01,415 one of you will have to surrender your blade 108 00:04:01,545 --> 00:04:03,286 and leave The Forge. 109 00:04:03,417 --> 00:04:05,897 Good luck, and you young uns, 110 00:04:06,028 --> 00:04:07,334 make your mamas proud; whup your dads' asses. 111 00:04:08,726 --> 00:04:09,814 Your time starts now. 112 00:04:09,945 --> 00:04:11,947 ♪ 113 00:04:12,077 --> 00:04:14,515 We've got the Hardmans versus the Harrisons over here 114 00:04:14,645 --> 00:04:17,082 competing against each other, 115 00:04:17,213 --> 00:04:20,303 and then against each other at the same time, 116 00:04:20,434 --> 00:04:22,610 but you're seeing them communicate together. 117 00:04:22,740 --> 00:04:24,046 How does that work? 118 00:04:24,176 --> 00:04:25,917 - I think each of them would like to win, 119 00:04:26,048 --> 00:04:28,180 but their larger goal is to make sure that the family wins. 120 00:04:28,311 --> 00:04:29,791 - You need any of this material here? 121 00:04:29,921 --> 00:04:31,575 - Um, I will, yes. 122 00:04:31,706 --> 00:04:34,099 - Well, my plan is to, first, get everything clean 123 00:04:34,230 --> 00:04:36,667 to make sure that it's gonna be a good forge weld. 124 00:04:36,798 --> 00:04:39,366 So I've got a bike chain, some nice small ball bearings, 125 00:04:39,496 --> 00:04:41,193 and then some band saw blades. 126 00:04:41,324 --> 00:04:43,457 - Mind if I use some of this? - Go for it. 127 00:04:43,587 --> 00:04:45,110 - I am using the same metals. 128 00:04:45,241 --> 00:04:47,243 It seems to me that the smaller pieces, 129 00:04:47,374 --> 00:04:49,158 things that are all roughly about the same size, 130 00:04:49,289 --> 00:04:51,508 usually work together best. 131 00:04:51,639 --> 00:04:53,423 - I like what I see going on over here. 132 00:04:53,554 --> 00:04:54,903 They're actually cleaning the material 133 00:04:55,033 --> 00:04:57,079 that they're gonna be putting in their canister. 134 00:04:57,209 --> 00:04:58,515 - It's smart work, 'cause you know, 135 00:04:58,646 --> 00:05:00,604 how many times have we seen where you save 136 00:05:00,735 --> 00:05:02,432 five minutes on prep but it costs you 137 00:05:02,563 --> 00:05:03,912 another hour and a half on starting a new can? 138 00:05:04,042 --> 00:05:06,131 - Right. 139 00:05:06,262 --> 00:05:07,785 - Coming in here as a family 140 00:05:07,916 --> 00:05:09,961 and working together with Robert, 141 00:05:10,092 --> 00:05:13,400 I really cherish this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 142 00:05:13,530 --> 00:05:15,358 - Did you get enough? - Yeah. 143 00:05:15,489 --> 00:05:19,275 - I think we both know that we need to pick our three metals 144 00:05:19,406 --> 00:05:21,886 based on how clean we can get 'em. 145 00:05:22,017 --> 00:05:25,325 The fishhooks look good, the ball bearings look good, 146 00:05:25,455 --> 00:05:26,935 so, really, the only ones we need to clean 147 00:05:27,065 --> 00:05:29,590 are the cylindrical bearings. 148 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:31,940 And we didn't even have to communicate that, you know? 149 00:05:32,070 --> 00:05:36,118 We just both knew, that's what the plan was. 150 00:05:36,248 --> 00:05:38,468 - And I'm making sure that we get plenty 151 00:05:38,599 --> 00:05:41,428 of 1095 powder into the canister 152 00:05:41,558 --> 00:05:43,343 to fill it completely up. 153 00:05:43,473 --> 00:05:45,562 I know that that's one of the most important things, 154 00:05:45,693 --> 00:05:48,130 is not leaving any voids in there that could show up later. 155 00:05:48,260 --> 00:05:50,480 - There's no white out going on out there at all, 156 00:05:50,611 --> 00:05:52,569 which is great. That means these smiths 157 00:05:52,700 --> 00:05:54,615 are gonna save themselves, what, 158 00:05:54,745 --> 00:05:57,313 20 to 30 minutes of banging those cans off? 159 00:05:57,444 --> 00:06:01,317 ♪ 160 00:06:01,448 --> 00:06:03,580 - Welding! 161 00:06:03,711 --> 00:06:06,714 - Jessica, she's the last one of our smiths doing prep work. 162 00:06:06,844 --> 00:06:09,717 - The potential biggest issue for me in this challenge is, 163 00:06:09,847 --> 00:06:12,372 I have never had a canister fail on me, 164 00:06:12,502 --> 00:06:14,330 so I don't know what to do if it does. 165 00:06:14,461 --> 00:06:15,723 I have done... 166 00:06:15,853 --> 00:06:19,596 three canisters. [laughs] 167 00:06:19,727 --> 00:06:22,425 - Ron's taking his billet over to the drill press. 168 00:06:22,556 --> 00:06:24,079 - Yeah, he might put a vent hole in his canister. 169 00:06:24,209 --> 00:06:25,950 - If you wanna be exacting, 170 00:06:26,081 --> 00:06:29,214 do it the same way every time and you'll get the same results 171 00:06:29,345 --> 00:06:30,955 She's going for drilling a hole as well. 172 00:06:31,086 --> 00:06:32,870 - There you go. Same thing. 173 00:06:33,001 --> 00:06:34,089 - This is the way the family does it. 174 00:06:34,219 --> 00:06:37,048 - Yep. - Looking good. 175 00:06:37,179 --> 00:06:39,224 - My biggest concern is making sure 176 00:06:39,355 --> 00:06:41,923 that my billet is heated thoroughly. 177 00:06:42,053 --> 00:06:44,491 It's not hot enough, like, your welds will fail. 178 00:06:44,621 --> 00:06:45,840 - Don't swing for the fences. 179 00:06:47,145 --> 00:06:48,930 - Yeah. 180 00:06:49,060 --> 00:06:50,453 - Wow, that's--look at that. That's a glowing billet. 181 00:06:52,673 --> 00:06:55,458 - We take turns getting our welds set, 182 00:06:55,589 --> 00:06:56,546 then neither one of us has to sit there and wait 183 00:06:56,677 --> 00:06:58,026 on the other one. 184 00:06:58,156 --> 00:07:00,202 - Robert and Jesse are on the same page, 185 00:07:00,332 --> 00:07:01,899 you know what I mean? 186 00:07:02,030 --> 00:07:03,988 They're working at pretty much the exact same pace. 187 00:07:04,119 --> 00:07:07,470 - There's gotta be some kind of comfort being in a competition 188 00:07:07,601 --> 00:07:09,559 with somebody else that taught you, like, you know, 189 00:07:09,690 --> 00:07:11,605 a father-son, father-daughter thing. 190 00:07:11,735 --> 00:07:13,345 They're right there. There's an emotional support. 191 00:07:14,825 --> 00:07:16,436 - We're gonna help each other as much as possible, 192 00:07:16,566 --> 00:07:19,395 and at the same time, do what we came to do. 193 00:07:19,526 --> 00:07:21,528 But this little rascal's been following me around 194 00:07:21,658 --> 00:07:23,138 ever since he was big enough to walk, 195 00:07:23,268 --> 00:07:25,357 so he knows everything Dad knows. 196 00:07:25,488 --> 00:07:26,794 - Hot metal. 197 00:07:26,924 --> 00:07:28,491 - So Ron comes off the press-- 198 00:07:28,622 --> 00:07:30,319 - Hot metal coming back through. 199 00:07:30,450 --> 00:07:32,756 And like clockwork, Jessica's right there to take his place. 200 00:07:32,887 --> 00:07:34,671 ♪ 201 00:07:34,802 --> 00:07:36,630 - Okay, Jessica's not really pressing 202 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:38,066 as much as she oughta be. 203 00:07:38,196 --> 00:07:39,850 - I don't have enough weight behind me 204 00:07:39,981 --> 00:07:41,548 to actually make the bar go down 205 00:07:41,678 --> 00:07:43,550 as much as I want it to go down. 206 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:45,726 I have to kind of rock myself, kind of put my weight forward 207 00:07:45,856 --> 00:07:47,902 and move back, and have to go forward again. 208 00:07:48,032 --> 00:07:49,860 - I noticed Ron while she was doing that 209 00:07:49,991 --> 00:07:51,645 - Of course, you're watching over 210 00:07:51,775 --> 00:07:54,038 your little apprentice, there, your own child; it's like-- 211 00:07:54,169 --> 00:07:56,693 and either you're beaming with hope, or you're concerned. 212 00:07:56,824 --> 00:07:57,694 - How you doin' on your schedule? 213 00:07:57,825 --> 00:07:59,609 - So far, so good. - Yep. 214 00:07:59,740 --> 00:08:01,655 - My first reaction is to run over there and help her, 215 00:08:01,785 --> 00:08:03,004 but I resist the urge. 216 00:08:03,961 --> 00:08:06,486 I have a really good forge weld. 217 00:08:06,616 --> 00:08:08,879 I know that I'm gonna do an integrated bolster, 218 00:08:09,010 --> 00:08:11,142 and so I'm setting that up. 219 00:08:11,273 --> 00:08:13,144 The reason I'm putting in the bolster in the first place, 220 00:08:13,275 --> 00:08:15,973 is because I've got such a long blade, 221 00:08:16,104 --> 00:08:18,759 I want more weight to be right back by the index finger. 222 00:08:18,889 --> 00:08:22,763 - Bladesmiths, 90 minutes has elapsed! 223 00:08:22,893 --> 00:08:24,765 ♪ 224 00:08:24,895 --> 00:08:27,289 Jesse's profile is coming along great. 225 00:08:27,419 --> 00:08:29,204 - I wanna make that I have holes in my tang 226 00:08:29,334 --> 00:08:31,075 by the end of the round. 227 00:08:31,206 --> 00:08:33,817 And drilling through hard steel is never a good option. 228 00:08:33,948 --> 00:08:37,168 So I've decided to go ahead and drift those holes in. 229 00:08:37,299 --> 00:08:41,172 Couple of heats and had all three of my holes done. 230 00:08:41,303 --> 00:08:43,392 ♪ 231 00:08:43,523 --> 00:08:45,655 - Drifting your holes should, in theory, 232 00:08:45,786 --> 00:08:47,396 save you some time. 233 00:08:47,527 --> 00:08:49,833 But for some reason I just can't get my holes 234 00:08:49,964 --> 00:08:51,313 to drift correctly. 235 00:08:52,444 --> 00:08:53,881 ♪ 236 00:08:54,011 --> 00:08:56,666 - Jessica's really gonna have to ramp it up here, 237 00:08:56,797 --> 00:08:59,756 because she still just has a rectangular billet. 238 00:08:59,887 --> 00:09:01,497 - It's taking me slightly longer 239 00:09:01,628 --> 00:09:04,979 to forge out my billet than I had hoped. 240 00:09:05,109 --> 00:09:06,850 I'm behind everybody on the floor. 241 00:09:08,330 --> 00:09:10,506 Hopefully, if I pace myself right, I should be okay. 242 00:09:12,464 --> 00:09:14,597 ♪ 243 00:09:14,728 --> 00:09:16,381 - I'm under a lot of pressure. 244 00:09:16,512 --> 00:09:19,950 I'm behind my dad, but I can't quit on it. 245 00:09:20,081 --> 00:09:21,473 - So Robert's using close to 20 minutes 246 00:09:21,604 --> 00:09:23,954 just trying to drift a hole in there. 247 00:09:24,085 --> 00:09:25,913 - Well, I'm a little worried about running out of time. 248 00:09:26,043 --> 00:09:29,046 But stubbornness kicks in, I have to make sure 249 00:09:29,177 --> 00:09:31,919 those holes get drifted. 250 00:09:32,049 --> 00:09:35,096 - If you allow your punch to warm up like Robert just did 251 00:09:35,226 --> 00:09:37,228 then next time you punch down, you start to feel that anvil. 252 00:09:37,359 --> 00:09:39,274 You're actually swelling your punch out. 253 00:09:39,404 --> 00:09:41,711 It gets stuck more and more easily every time that happens. 254 00:09:41,842 --> 00:09:43,408 - Come on. 255 00:09:43,539 --> 00:09:44,322 - He's getting his ass kicked. 256 00:09:44,453 --> 00:09:44,975 ♪ 257 00:09:48,239 --> 00:09:50,807 - For some reason, I can't get my holes to drift correctly. 258 00:09:50,938 --> 00:09:53,723 - Flip it over. Punch it from the back. 259 00:09:53,854 --> 00:09:55,899 - Robert's been wasting time on that. 260 00:09:56,030 --> 00:09:57,771 - There you go. 261 00:09:57,901 --> 00:10:00,861 - Bladesmiths, 30 minutes remaining in the round! 262 00:10:00,991 --> 00:10:05,082 ♪ 263 00:10:05,213 --> 00:10:07,607 - I've got a small warp, it's nothing I can't take off 264 00:10:07,737 --> 00:10:09,173 with the grinder 265 00:10:09,304 --> 00:10:10,610 - Jesse, really doing a bang-up job. 266 00:10:14,091 --> 00:10:15,745 - I'm behind schedule. 267 00:10:15,876 --> 00:10:18,139 And so I start to second guess, a little bit, 268 00:10:18,269 --> 00:10:20,054 the decision on putting a bolster in there. 269 00:10:20,184 --> 00:10:21,621 There are risks with doing this. 270 00:10:21,751 --> 00:10:23,797 This was not something that the judges asked for. 271 00:10:23,927 --> 00:10:25,842 I don't know if they're going to appreciate it. 272 00:10:25,973 --> 00:10:29,237 - I like what Ron's doing, putting in an integral bolster. 273 00:10:29,367 --> 00:10:30,325 - Super sexy pants. 274 00:10:30,455 --> 00:10:31,674 - Do it. How you doing? 275 00:10:31,805 --> 00:10:33,981 - Hangin' in there. - Time good? 276 00:10:34,111 --> 00:10:35,417 - I think so. 277 00:10:35,547 --> 00:10:37,114 - It's different in this environment 278 00:10:37,245 --> 00:10:38,986 with my daughter here because I'm not just thinking 279 00:10:39,116 --> 00:10:40,378 about my own thing in my head 280 00:10:40,509 --> 00:10:41,771 I'm also thinking about hers. 281 00:10:41,902 --> 00:10:43,904 I'm not interfering, not doing anything, 282 00:10:44,034 --> 00:10:45,166 but it's still in the back of my head, 283 00:10:45,296 --> 00:10:46,210 "I wonder how she's doing." 284 00:10:46,341 --> 00:10:48,517 ♪ 285 00:10:48,648 --> 00:10:49,997 - Look at Jessica swing this hammer 286 00:10:50,127 --> 00:10:51,563 like she wants the money. 287 00:10:51,694 --> 00:10:53,130 - Finally, Jessica's making a blade. 288 00:10:53,261 --> 00:10:55,350 ♪ 289 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:57,700 - So my plan now is to be done forging in about five minutes, 290 00:10:57,831 --> 00:10:59,746 and then have my holes drilled through my tang, 291 00:10:59,876 --> 00:11:03,053 and then get it to brine, to quench, and get it etched. 292 00:11:03,184 --> 00:11:04,228 And there's a lot of little steps, 293 00:11:04,359 --> 00:11:05,665 which means a lot could go wrong. 294 00:11:05,795 --> 00:11:06,970 But a lot could also go right. 295 00:11:08,885 --> 00:11:09,843 - Looks awesome, Jessie. - Thanks. 296 00:11:11,235 --> 00:11:13,324 - 20 minutes! 297 00:11:13,455 --> 00:11:14,761 - Oh, this is definitely coming right down to the wire. 298 00:11:14,891 --> 00:11:16,327 ♪ 299 00:11:16,458 --> 00:11:17,459 - Yeah, Dad. Whoo. 300 00:11:17,589 --> 00:11:18,678 - Yes! - Good. 301 00:11:18,808 --> 00:11:20,070 - Nice. - There we go. 302 00:11:20,201 --> 00:11:21,724 - At this point, both fathers have quenched, 303 00:11:21,855 --> 00:11:23,944 and neither child has quenched. 304 00:11:24,074 --> 00:11:26,468 ♪ 305 00:11:26,598 --> 00:11:28,862 - Robert, where he drifted those holes, 306 00:11:28,992 --> 00:11:32,126 they are not in-line with anything on his blade. 307 00:11:32,256 --> 00:11:34,432 - And it's not only that, it's the dimensions 308 00:11:34,563 --> 00:11:36,086 he's gone for that flair, you know? 309 00:11:36,217 --> 00:11:37,435 - Man, it's-- - Big handle. 310 00:11:37,566 --> 00:11:39,960 ♪ 311 00:11:40,090 --> 00:11:42,484 - Whoa! 312 00:11:42,614 --> 00:11:44,834 You didn't need that ponytail, did you kid? 313 00:11:46,183 --> 00:11:48,403 Jessica's blade seems to be very, very thick, 314 00:11:48,533 --> 00:11:51,841 and she has yet to grind down to a high carbon steel edge. 315 00:11:53,930 --> 00:11:55,279 - Yeah, and then get it clean enough you can ash it. 316 00:11:55,410 --> 00:11:56,672 - Yep. 317 00:11:56,803 --> 00:11:58,935 - What I love is the family dynamics here. 318 00:11:59,066 --> 00:12:00,545 Because you're not doing it alone, 319 00:12:00,676 --> 00:12:02,286 there's a spiritual support that you're going through. 320 00:12:02,417 --> 00:12:04,985 - I know my blade is too thick. 321 00:12:05,115 --> 00:12:07,639 So I try to hog some steel off real quick. 322 00:12:07,770 --> 00:12:09,685 ♪ 323 00:12:09,816 --> 00:12:11,252 - Robert just quenched. 324 00:12:11,382 --> 00:12:13,689 - During the quench, I'm definitely nervous. 325 00:12:13,820 --> 00:12:17,127 My blade could warp. It could crack. 326 00:12:17,258 --> 00:12:18,868 If it cracked, it would be all over. 327 00:12:18,999 --> 00:12:20,870 It's got a slight warp, 328 00:12:21,001 --> 00:12:22,872 but it's something that I could work out 329 00:12:23,003 --> 00:12:24,439 at the grinder. 330 00:12:24,569 --> 00:12:27,094 I'm just trying to get something turned in. 331 00:12:29,661 --> 00:12:31,576 - Ten, nine, 332 00:12:31,707 --> 00:12:33,491 eight, seven, 333 00:12:33,622 --> 00:12:35,537 six, five, 334 00:12:35,667 --> 00:12:37,844 four, three, 335 00:12:37,974 --> 00:12:40,107 two, one! 336 00:12:40,237 --> 00:12:42,544 Bladesmiths, pull your blades out of the acid! 337 00:12:42,674 --> 00:12:45,373 This first round of competition is over. 338 00:12:45,503 --> 00:12:48,028 [applause] 339 00:12:48,158 --> 00:12:49,551 - Time's finally up, and I don't know 340 00:12:49,681 --> 00:12:50,944 whether to pass out or lay down. 341 00:12:51,074 --> 00:12:53,685 ♪ 342 00:12:53,816 --> 00:12:56,297 - Good job, kiddo. - Good job. 343 00:12:56,427 --> 00:12:57,689 - At the end of the round, 344 00:12:57,820 --> 00:12:59,648 I'm definitely a little nervous. 345 00:12:59,779 --> 00:13:02,607 The most apparent thing is that my handle's not complete. 346 00:13:03,652 --> 00:13:05,436 - Bladesmiths, it's time for the judges 347 00:13:05,567 --> 00:13:07,134 to take a closer look at what you've done. 348 00:13:07,264 --> 00:13:08,570 Ron, you're up first. 349 00:13:08,700 --> 00:13:10,224 Please present your blade to the judges. 350 00:13:10,354 --> 00:13:12,226 ♪ 351 00:13:12,356 --> 00:13:13,662 - Well, Ron, the first thing that strikes me 352 00:13:13,793 --> 00:13:15,882 on picking this up is the sheer mass of it. 353 00:13:16,012 --> 00:13:18,623 I mean, this is a heavy, heavy blade. 354 00:13:18,754 --> 00:13:21,278 That being said, this integral bolster you put in here, 355 00:13:21,409 --> 00:13:23,324 I give you mad props for doing it 356 00:13:23,454 --> 00:13:25,021 in this short amount of time. 357 00:13:25,152 --> 00:13:26,806 But if you move forward from here, 358 00:13:26,936 --> 00:13:27,937 there's gonna have to be a lot of grinding. 359 00:13:28,068 --> 00:13:29,373 - Yes, sir. 360 00:13:29,504 --> 00:13:30,766 - All right, Jessica, you're up. 361 00:13:30,897 --> 00:13:32,333 Please present your blade to the judges. 362 00:13:32,463 --> 00:13:34,030 ♪ 363 00:13:34,161 --> 00:13:35,423 - All right, Jessica. 364 00:13:35,553 --> 00:13:37,164 It's a straightforward camp knife. 365 00:13:37,294 --> 00:13:39,949 There's nice scaling to it, but then when you look 366 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:42,169 at the edge over here, there are no bevels here. 367 00:13:42,299 --> 00:13:44,998 It doesn't taper to its edge. 368 00:13:45,128 --> 00:13:47,827 So if you're gonna move forward, there's a lot of metal 369 00:13:47,957 --> 00:13:49,611 here that needs to be removed. 370 00:13:49,741 --> 00:13:50,830 - Thank you. 371 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:52,527 - All right, Jesse, you're up. 372 00:13:52,657 --> 00:13:54,964 ♪ 373 00:13:55,095 --> 00:13:56,183 - So nicely done, Jesse. 374 00:13:56,313 --> 00:13:58,185 It's a clean profile 375 00:13:58,315 --> 00:13:59,882 that doesn't really need to change that much. 376 00:14:00,013 --> 00:14:02,798 But there's certainly a lot of mass in this blade 377 00:14:02,929 --> 00:14:04,887 that has to just go away. 378 00:14:05,018 --> 00:14:06,106 You know, if you move forward, 379 00:14:06,236 --> 00:14:07,585 it's gonna be a lot of grinding 380 00:14:07,716 --> 00:14:09,283 and not a lot of time to do it in. 381 00:14:09,413 --> 00:14:11,067 - Thank you. 382 00:14:11,198 --> 00:14:12,286 - All right, Robert, you're up next. 383 00:14:12,416 --> 00:14:14,462 Please present your blade to the judges. 384 00:14:14,592 --> 00:14:16,029 ♪ 385 00:14:16,159 --> 00:14:17,334 - All right, Robert. 386 00:14:17,465 --> 00:14:19,684 This is the heaviest of the lot. 387 00:14:19,815 --> 00:14:21,904 You know, I commend people who never quit, 388 00:14:22,035 --> 00:14:24,907 but in a timed competition, it was 20 minutes spent 389 00:14:25,038 --> 00:14:26,474 to try to drift these holes in. 390 00:14:26,604 --> 00:14:29,042 That could be 20 minutes spent grinding away. 391 00:14:29,172 --> 00:14:30,957 I like your blade shape, 392 00:14:31,087 --> 00:14:32,872 it's just that the scale of this handle, 393 00:14:33,002 --> 00:14:36,353 putting your hand around it, makes it very uncomfortable. 394 00:14:36,484 --> 00:14:38,834 If you move forward, this is your big problem child 395 00:14:38,965 --> 00:14:41,097 right here. 396 00:14:41,228 --> 00:14:42,446 - All right, bladesmiths, 397 00:14:42,577 --> 00:14:44,448 the judges' deliberation is complete. 398 00:14:44,579 --> 00:14:46,668 They've made their final decision. 399 00:14:46,798 --> 00:14:47,930 The bladesmith leaving The Forge is... 400 00:14:48,061 --> 00:14:54,632 ♪ 401 00:14:54,763 --> 00:14:55,764 Robert. 402 00:14:55,895 --> 00:14:57,809 Your blade didn't make the cut. 403 00:14:57,940 --> 00:14:59,986 Doug Marcaida's gonna tell you why. 404 00:15:00,116 --> 00:15:02,466 - Robert, where the amount of metal and weight were an issue, 405 00:15:02,597 --> 00:15:04,338 your blade was the heaviest. 406 00:15:04,468 --> 00:15:06,557 That, and the size and scale of your handle: 407 00:15:06,688 --> 00:15:08,255 It's for these reasons, we're sending you home. 408 00:15:08,385 --> 00:15:10,344 - Robert, you did a great job. 409 00:15:10,474 --> 00:15:12,085 But at this time I have to ask you to, please, 410 00:15:12,215 --> 00:15:12,999 surrender your blade. 411 00:15:13,129 --> 00:15:14,783 ♪ 412 00:15:14,914 --> 00:15:16,959 - Of course I'm disappointed. 413 00:15:17,090 --> 00:15:19,744 Time management is a huge factor 414 00:15:19,875 --> 00:15:23,487 and I just let stubbornness get the best of me, I guess. 415 00:15:23,618 --> 00:15:24,967 I'm not coming home as a winner, 416 00:15:25,098 --> 00:15:26,926 but, Dad, give 'em hell, 417 00:15:27,056 --> 00:15:28,057 To represent the family. 418 00:15:29,319 --> 00:15:31,539 - Good job, man, good job. 419 00:15:31,669 --> 00:15:32,670 - Thank you. - Love you. 420 00:15:32,801 --> 00:15:34,846 - I love you. You got this. 421 00:15:34,977 --> 00:15:35,673 I think you can bring this home. 422 00:15:35,804 --> 00:15:38,676 ♪ 423 00:15:38,807 --> 00:15:41,114 - Bladesmiths, congratulations, 424 00:15:41,244 --> 00:15:43,551 you've made it to the second round of this competition, 425 00:15:43,681 --> 00:15:46,119 which for you, Jesse, I'm sure is bittersweet. 426 00:15:46,249 --> 00:15:47,816 This is a competition 427 00:15:47,947 --> 00:15:49,731 where we take sons and daughters and fathers, 428 00:15:49,861 --> 00:15:50,819 and pit them against each other. 429 00:15:50,950 --> 00:15:53,082 So we thought it only appropriate 430 00:15:53,213 --> 00:15:54,692 to add this to the competition. 431 00:15:54,823 --> 00:16:00,437 ♪ 432 00:16:00,568 --> 00:16:02,439 [clock ticking] 433 00:16:02,570 --> 00:16:04,180 A grandfather clock. 434 00:16:04,311 --> 00:16:05,965 In this second round of competition, 435 00:16:06,095 --> 00:16:08,010 you'll source the material that you need 436 00:16:08,141 --> 00:16:11,796 to finish your blades, from this grandfather clock. 437 00:16:11,927 --> 00:16:14,234 You'll have just two hours to finish your blades, 438 00:16:14,364 --> 00:16:16,584 make the handle, attach it to your blades, 439 00:16:16,714 --> 00:16:19,152 and have them acid etched so that we can test them 440 00:16:19,282 --> 00:16:22,111 for strength and durability in a pole chop 441 00:16:22,242 --> 00:16:25,854 and for edge retention in an apple slice. 442 00:16:25,985 --> 00:16:29,075 Good luck, bladesmiths, your two hours starts now. 443 00:16:29,205 --> 00:16:30,424 ♪ 444 00:16:30,554 --> 00:16:31,947 - That's what you're looking for. 445 00:16:32,078 --> 00:16:33,862 - What about this bottom piece right there? 446 00:16:33,993 --> 00:16:36,212 Let me get--I'm gonna go grab a whole band. 447 00:16:36,343 --> 00:16:37,518 - All right, let me get a crowbar. 448 00:16:37,648 --> 00:16:38,867 - I can go get another one, too. 449 00:16:38,998 --> 00:16:41,348 - These guys have to basically harvest wood 450 00:16:41,478 --> 00:16:43,132 off of this grandfather clock. 451 00:16:43,263 --> 00:16:44,786 - I'm thinking that all the panels and all 452 00:16:44,916 --> 00:16:45,830 will be hardwood. 453 00:16:45,961 --> 00:16:46,875 And they're not. 454 00:16:47,745 --> 00:16:49,225 No good. 455 00:16:49,356 --> 00:16:51,358 - Some of it's just straight up cardboard. 456 00:16:51,488 --> 00:16:53,012 - Right there. 457 00:16:53,142 --> 00:16:54,970 - Look at Jesse, he's pointing at it saying, 458 00:16:55,101 --> 00:16:55,840 "look, check this thing out." - Yeah. 459 00:16:55,971 --> 00:16:56,885 - That's good, man. 460 00:16:57,016 --> 00:16:59,409 - One, two, three. 461 00:16:59,540 --> 00:17:01,716 - It's cool to see people working together like this. 462 00:17:01,846 --> 00:17:05,067 - I'm pretty sure these two pieces are the only good ones. 463 00:17:05,198 --> 00:17:07,026 - All right, let's get to the saw. 464 00:17:07,156 --> 00:17:08,810 I wanna take care of the handle first to get that epoxied 465 00:17:08,940 --> 00:17:10,246 and in place. 466 00:17:10,377 --> 00:17:11,421 Seems like it's hickory. 467 00:17:11,552 --> 00:17:13,206 Hickory is great stuff. 468 00:17:13,336 --> 00:17:14,468 We use it actually when we're making hammer handles. 469 00:17:14,598 --> 00:17:16,861 Nice. 470 00:17:16,992 --> 00:17:19,299 - Ron and Jessica, you know, they have the benefit 471 00:17:19,429 --> 00:17:22,302 of putting four hands on any project, which can make, 472 00:17:22,432 --> 00:17:24,652 you know, the workload a little bit lighter. 473 00:17:24,782 --> 00:17:26,567 - So the handle's my top priority, 474 00:17:26,697 --> 00:17:28,525 and then grinding, so it's a lot to do. 475 00:17:28,656 --> 00:17:30,266 So I really need to plan, 476 00:17:30,397 --> 00:17:32,703 and, hopefully, stick to that plan. 477 00:17:32,834 --> 00:17:35,663 - All these guys need are scales, flat wooden scales. 478 00:17:35,793 --> 00:17:37,752 Keep it simple 'cause get to the grinder, 479 00:17:37,882 --> 00:17:39,406 those are heavy blades right now. 480 00:17:39,536 --> 00:17:40,798 - For my handle construction, 481 00:17:40,929 --> 00:17:42,974 I'm just gonna stay with something simple, 482 00:17:43,105 --> 00:17:46,239 something that the judges can swing with no issue. 483 00:17:46,369 --> 00:17:48,110 I wanna put my blade on a diet 484 00:17:48,241 --> 00:17:50,417 and get some of the weight off of it. 485 00:17:50,547 --> 00:17:52,332 Robert's not here, I'm gonna just keep grinding. 486 00:17:52,462 --> 00:17:53,724 I've gotta represent both of us now. 487 00:17:55,944 --> 00:17:57,946 - I wanna get the handle on there right now 488 00:17:58,077 --> 00:18:00,383 so that the epoxy has time to set 489 00:18:00,514 --> 00:18:02,690 while I, then, turn my attention back over 490 00:18:02,820 --> 00:18:05,214 to the blade to turn this beast into a knife. 491 00:18:05,345 --> 00:18:07,782 I'm just watching every minute and trying to go methodically 492 00:18:07,912 --> 00:18:09,131 through this process. 493 00:18:09,262 --> 00:18:10,480 It's a little stressful. 494 00:18:10,611 --> 00:18:11,916 ♪ 495 00:18:12,047 --> 00:18:13,483 - I wanna spend this first hour 496 00:18:13,614 --> 00:18:15,311 getting the weight down on that blade. 497 00:18:15,442 --> 00:18:17,313 And then second hour, I'm gonna tackle the handle. 498 00:18:17,444 --> 00:18:19,663 - Jesse, he's got grinding skills. 499 00:18:19,794 --> 00:18:21,187 He just has to do a lot of it. 500 00:18:21,317 --> 00:18:22,884 ♪ 501 00:18:23,014 --> 00:18:25,321 - I'm hoping that this drop-point Bowie 502 00:18:25,452 --> 00:18:28,368 that I'm making will kind of be the answer for both tests. 503 00:18:28,498 --> 00:18:30,979 Historically, it's been used to do everything 504 00:18:31,110 --> 00:18:33,547 from chop brush out of the way to cut up your dinner. 505 00:18:35,157 --> 00:18:36,985 - My tang is really thick right now. 506 00:18:37,116 --> 00:18:38,813 And I decided to keep it that way 507 00:18:38,943 --> 00:18:41,468 because I think that my knife will need a lot of balance, 508 00:18:41,598 --> 00:18:42,991 because it's so long. 509 00:18:43,122 --> 00:18:45,124 - Setting a handle on that tang, at this point, 510 00:18:45,254 --> 00:18:46,951 absolutely pointless. 511 00:18:47,082 --> 00:18:49,476 That tang is still 3/8 of an inch thick. 512 00:18:49,606 --> 00:18:52,957 It needs to be ground down. It needs to be reshaped. 513 00:18:53,088 --> 00:18:55,525 - Then I realized, because I haven't ground my tang, 514 00:18:55,656 --> 00:18:59,399 there are several gaps between the pieces of my handle. 515 00:18:59,529 --> 00:19:02,750 And the less contact I have, the less sturdy 516 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:04,491 it's going to be, which means later, in testing, 517 00:19:04,621 --> 00:19:05,318 it might break. 518 00:19:09,235 --> 00:19:11,454 - Bladesmiths, you have less than an hour remaining 519 00:19:11,585 --> 00:19:13,195 to finish your work! 520 00:19:13,326 --> 00:19:15,806 - So I gotta think of a way to improvise. 521 00:19:15,937 --> 00:19:18,722 And I decide to put more epoxy down in it, 522 00:19:18,853 --> 00:19:20,420 and, hopefully, when grinding, it will kind of fill 523 00:19:20,550 --> 00:19:23,074 with some sawdust, and kind of be unnoticeable. 524 00:19:23,205 --> 00:19:24,946 - How's it going? Doin' all right? 525 00:19:25,076 --> 00:19:26,643 - I think so. 526 00:19:26,774 --> 00:19:29,168 - Jesse's trying to work on his handle now. 527 00:19:29,298 --> 00:19:31,213 - My handle construction's just gonna be 528 00:19:31,344 --> 00:19:35,609 my two handle slabs, epoxy, and a stainless steel pin. 529 00:19:35,739 --> 00:19:39,134 Give it a good mechanical and chemical connection. 530 00:19:39,265 --> 00:19:41,310 - Starting with the blade, going to the handle, 531 00:19:41,441 --> 00:19:43,443 coming bacto the blade. It's a great tactic. 532 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:45,967 ♪ 533 00:19:46,097 --> 00:19:47,360 - You can definitely tell we're related. 534 00:19:47,490 --> 00:19:49,927 Just the way we're doing stuff. Kind of funny. 535 00:19:50,058 --> 00:19:52,191 I still need to finish grinding, 536 00:19:52,321 --> 00:19:54,628 get the edge on there, and finish the handle. 537 00:19:54,758 --> 00:19:56,978 And finally etch, so I have a lot to do. 538 00:19:57,108 --> 00:20:00,895 - Bladesmiths, you've only got 20 minutes left, 539 00:20:01,025 --> 00:20:04,028 and then we're testing the hell out of these things! 540 00:20:04,159 --> 00:20:04,899 - I know I'm not gonna be able to spend 541 00:20:05,029 --> 00:20:06,683 anywhere near the time 542 00:20:06,814 --> 00:20:08,511 that I would normally spend on the handle with this, 543 00:20:08,642 --> 00:20:10,644 but you gotta do what you gotta do. 544 00:20:10,774 --> 00:20:13,081 - I could take my blade down slightly thinner, 545 00:20:13,212 --> 00:20:15,953 but I'm looking at the clock, and I decide it still needs 546 00:20:16,084 --> 00:20:17,607 more sharpening work done on it. 547 00:20:17,738 --> 00:20:20,436 ♪ 548 00:20:20,567 --> 00:20:23,613 - Time's ticking down, and I've got to etch my blade. 549 00:20:23,744 --> 00:20:26,050 ♪ 550 00:20:26,181 --> 00:20:27,617 - We have 45 seconds left. 551 00:20:27,748 --> 00:20:29,445 Both Jessica and I are at the grinders, 552 00:20:29,576 --> 00:20:31,055 and no communication was necessary. 553 00:20:31,186 --> 00:20:32,883 We need to etch. 554 00:20:33,014 --> 00:20:35,495 - Both of the Hardmans going to the acid right now. 555 00:20:35,625 --> 00:20:37,671 Oh, my God, don't struggle with that lid. 556 00:20:37,801 --> 00:20:39,020 Don't struggle with the lid. [inhales deeply] 557 00:20:39,150 --> 00:20:40,064 There we go. 558 00:20:40,195 --> 00:20:44,982 ♪ 559 00:20:45,113 --> 00:20:46,375 Hurry up! 560 00:20:46,506 --> 00:20:48,377 Five, four, 561 00:20:48,508 --> 00:20:50,379 three, two, 562 00:20:50,510 --> 00:20:51,989 one! 563 00:20:52,120 --> 00:20:53,469 Bladesmiths, stop what you're doing. 564 00:20:53,600 --> 00:20:55,863 Pull your blade out of that acid. 565 00:20:55,993 --> 00:20:57,343 - [laughs] 566 00:20:57,473 --> 00:20:59,736 - This second round of competition is over. 567 00:20:59,867 --> 00:21:00,694 - Oh, my God. 568 00:21:00,824 --> 00:21:01,651 [applause] 569 00:21:01,782 --> 00:21:03,740 - Good job. 570 00:21:03,871 --> 00:21:05,742 - Did you see Ron squirt Jessica's blade as he ran by. 571 00:21:05,873 --> 00:21:07,135 - I saw it. 572 00:21:07,266 --> 00:21:09,398 - I don't get to neutralize mine, 573 00:21:09,529 --> 00:21:11,400 but I never would have made it back to my blade. 574 00:21:11,531 --> 00:21:13,663 I'm 46 years old, and I don't run that fast anymore. 575 00:21:13,794 --> 00:21:15,535 - [laughs] 576 00:21:16,449 --> 00:21:18,102 - Bladesmiths, welcome to the strength test. 577 00:21:18,233 --> 00:21:19,974 To test the strength and durability of your edge 578 00:21:20,104 --> 00:21:21,932 as well as the overall construction of your blades, 579 00:21:22,063 --> 00:21:24,500 I'll be bashing them mercilessly into these poles. 580 00:21:25,675 --> 00:21:26,850 Ron, you're up first. You ready for this? 581 00:21:26,981 --> 00:21:28,591 - Absolutely, have at it. - All right. 582 00:21:28,722 --> 00:21:30,419 ♪ 583 00:21:30,550 --> 00:21:31,855 - I know that I didn't have enough time 584 00:21:31,986 --> 00:21:34,249 to put on a good edge. 585 00:21:34,380 --> 00:21:36,512 You could end up with a broken blade on something like this. 586 00:21:36,643 --> 00:21:38,209 It could roll an edge. 587 00:21:38,340 --> 00:21:39,863 I don't know what's gonna happen. 588 00:21:39,994 --> 00:21:46,870 ♪ 589 00:21:58,273 --> 00:22:01,232 - Well, Ron, you've got a pretty obtuse edge, 590 00:22:01,363 --> 00:22:03,017 which is good at avoiding damage, 591 00:22:03,147 --> 00:22:05,193 not the best for fine cutting. 592 00:22:05,324 --> 00:22:08,457 There's one tiny place here that has glinting on it, 593 00:22:08,588 --> 00:22:11,242 but other than that, the edge is in good shape. 594 00:22:11,373 --> 00:22:15,159 One thing I don't like about this knife is right here. 595 00:22:15,290 --> 00:22:18,075 It is round and small, and there was a couple times 596 00:22:18,206 --> 00:22:19,120 when I was hitting where the blade would just 597 00:22:19,250 --> 00:22:21,122 twist in my hand. 598 00:22:21,252 --> 00:22:23,777 But it's comfortable, it's just difficult to control 599 00:22:23,907 --> 00:22:24,778 because of the size of it. 600 00:22:24,908 --> 00:22:26,475 - Yes, sir. 601 00:22:27,650 --> 00:22:28,956 - All right, Jessica, you see what we're up to. 602 00:22:29,086 --> 00:22:30,305 You ready? - Yes, sir. 603 00:22:30,436 --> 00:22:31,524 - All right, let's do it. 604 00:22:31,654 --> 00:22:33,830 ♪ 605 00:22:33,961 --> 00:22:35,745 - I am starting to sweat a little bit. 606 00:22:35,876 --> 00:22:38,095 I mean, did my heat treat go okay? 607 00:22:38,226 --> 00:22:39,619 If it breaks, will it break big 608 00:22:39,749 --> 00:22:41,882 or will it just make a dent in the side? 609 00:22:42,012 --> 00:22:44,493 I am both excited and very nervous. 610 00:22:47,888 --> 00:22:54,590 ♪ 611 00:23:00,944 --> 00:23:04,252 - Good job. 612 00:23:04,383 --> 00:23:06,950 - Well, Jessica, there's a glint 613 00:23:07,081 --> 00:23:08,387 that happened right there. 614 00:23:08,517 --> 00:23:10,345 The rest of your edge held up really well, 615 00:23:10,476 --> 00:23:13,609 but there are sharp corners here on the handle 616 00:23:13,740 --> 00:23:16,046 that were biting into my pinky, 617 00:23:16,177 --> 00:23:17,526 but much less weight than it had before, 618 00:23:17,657 --> 00:23:18,527 so well done. 619 00:23:18,658 --> 00:23:20,050 - Thank you. 620 00:23:20,181 --> 00:23:22,444 - Jesse, you're up. How're you thinking? 621 00:23:22,575 --> 00:23:24,707 - Little nervous, but have fun. 622 00:23:24,838 --> 00:23:25,578 - All right, I will. 623 00:23:25,708 --> 00:23:28,798 ♪ 624 00:23:28,929 --> 00:23:30,670 - I'm concerned, 625 00:23:30,800 --> 00:23:33,324 I didn't have quite as much time as I'd like to. 626 00:23:33,455 --> 00:23:35,196 The other two blades have survived 627 00:23:35,326 --> 00:23:37,764 with hardly any damage whatsoever. 628 00:23:37,894 --> 00:23:41,332 So the pressure's really on for my blade to perform. 629 00:23:41,463 --> 00:23:48,209 ♪ 630 00:23:57,914 --> 00:24:00,700 - Well, Jesse, I like the profile you've got here. 631 00:24:00,830 --> 00:24:03,964 It's got a pretty obtuse edge for everyday use, 632 00:24:04,094 --> 00:24:05,661 but it makes a good chopper 633 00:24:05,792 --> 00:24:07,620 so it held up well in this test. 634 00:24:07,750 --> 00:24:09,578 Although it's a relatively simple looking handle, 635 00:24:09,709 --> 00:24:11,014 it's a comfortable handle. 636 00:24:11,145 --> 00:24:14,061 So, in all, your edge held up well. 637 00:24:14,191 --> 00:24:16,063 It's a good feeling and good working knife. 638 00:24:16,193 --> 00:24:17,368 Well done. - Thank you. 639 00:24:18,500 --> 00:24:22,896 ♪ 640 00:24:23,026 --> 00:24:25,289 - All right, gang, it's time for the sharpness test, 641 00:24:25,420 --> 00:24:26,943 the apple slice. 642 00:24:27,074 --> 00:24:28,292 Now, I'm looking for cuts where the apple is cut 643 00:24:28,423 --> 00:24:30,120 all the way through. 644 00:24:30,251 --> 00:24:32,906 Not cut partially through and broken the rest of the way. 645 00:24:33,036 --> 00:24:34,081 Ron, you're up first. You ready? 646 00:24:34,211 --> 00:24:35,735 - Absolutely. - Okay. 647 00:24:35,865 --> 00:24:37,432 - I'm concerned about Ben saying, 648 00:24:37,563 --> 00:24:39,521 "There isn't a sharp edge on this." 649 00:24:39,652 --> 00:24:42,393 There might be more applesauce than apple slices. 650 00:24:42,524 --> 00:24:43,394 You know, I could be sent home. 651 00:24:45,527 --> 00:24:52,360 ♪ 652 00:24:57,844 --> 00:25:01,674 - Okay, Ron, so--pretty obtuse edge. 653 00:25:01,804 --> 00:25:05,504 And you can see that half that apple is cut smoothly, 654 00:25:05,634 --> 00:25:07,070 and then it cracks. 655 00:25:07,201 --> 00:25:09,072 It's a fat edge, but will it cut? 656 00:25:09,203 --> 00:25:10,421 Yes, it will cut. 657 00:25:10,552 --> 00:25:11,945 - Gotcha. 658 00:25:12,075 --> 00:25:13,163 - All right, Jessica, you're up next. 659 00:25:13,294 --> 00:25:14,077 You ready? - Yes, sir. 660 00:25:14,208 --> 00:25:15,644 - Okay. 661 00:25:15,775 --> 00:25:18,604 [dramatic music] 662 00:25:18,734 --> 00:25:25,524 ♪ 663 00:25:36,491 --> 00:25:38,885 So, Jessica, you can see on this blade 664 00:25:39,015 --> 00:25:42,105 that one side is almost flat and the other side 665 00:25:42,236 --> 00:25:43,933 kinda curves down to it. 666 00:25:44,064 --> 00:25:45,456 So I start going through the apples 667 00:25:45,587 --> 00:25:47,023 It's just "whoosh," like a wing, 668 00:25:47,154 --> 00:25:48,895 rode right up out of them. 669 00:25:49,025 --> 00:25:52,115 The biggest thing is the square edges on this handle. 670 00:25:52,246 --> 00:25:54,161 I feel all these corners. 671 00:25:54,291 --> 00:25:56,598 But you did a good job getting a lot of the weight 672 00:25:56,729 --> 00:25:58,774 out of the blade of this knife, and it will cut. 673 00:25:58,905 --> 00:25:59,819 You got that going for you. 674 00:26:01,385 --> 00:26:02,909 - All right, Jesse, you're up. 675 00:26:03,039 --> 00:26:04,171 You ready? - I think so. 676 00:26:04,301 --> 00:26:05,302 - Okay. 677 00:26:05,433 --> 00:26:12,266 ♪ 678 00:26:30,763 --> 00:26:32,503 So, Jesse, what I'm looking at here 679 00:26:32,634 --> 00:26:35,028 is actually some pretty clean cuts on these apples. 680 00:26:35,158 --> 00:26:36,725 - Thank you. 681 00:26:36,856 --> 00:26:39,380 - That's a good shape, cut apples nicely. 682 00:26:39,510 --> 00:26:42,078 Good job. - Thank you. 683 00:26:42,209 --> 00:26:43,645 - All right, bladesmiths. 684 00:26:43,776 --> 00:26:45,560 The judges' deliberation is complete. 685 00:26:45,691 --> 00:26:46,953 They have made their final decision. 686 00:26:47,083 --> 00:26:50,043 It's time for one of you smiths to leave The Forge. 687 00:26:50,173 --> 00:26:51,958 The bladesmith leaving The Forge is... 688 00:26:52,088 --> 00:26:56,876 ♪ 689 00:26:57,006 --> 00:26:59,356 - Jessica, your blade did not make the cut, 690 00:26:59,487 --> 00:27:01,837 Doug Marcaida's gonna tell you why. 691 00:27:01,968 --> 00:27:03,883 - Jessica, your edge wasn't as sharp 692 00:27:04,013 --> 00:27:05,536 as that of your competitors. 693 00:27:05,667 --> 00:27:07,626 And your handle had some hot spots 694 00:27:07,756 --> 00:27:09,149 that made it uncomfortable for Ben to swing 695 00:27:09,279 --> 00:27:10,411 during the strength test. 696 00:27:10,541 --> 00:27:11,804 For that reason, we're sending you home. 697 00:27:11,934 --> 00:27:13,153 - Right. 698 00:27:13,283 --> 00:27:14,981 - Jessica, you did a fantastic job. 699 00:27:15,111 --> 00:27:16,939 But at this time, I have to please ask you 700 00:27:17,070 --> 00:27:19,028 to surrender your blade and leave The Forge. 701 00:27:20,639 --> 00:27:22,162 - Obviously I'm disappointed, but at the same time, 702 00:27:22,292 --> 00:27:25,208 I'm thrilled for my dad. 703 00:27:25,339 --> 00:27:27,558 I get to go back home and be my dad's biggest cheerleader. 704 00:27:27,689 --> 00:27:30,039 Take it for the Hardmans. - Aw. 705 00:27:30,170 --> 00:27:32,128 This competition came down to the details. 706 00:27:32,259 --> 00:27:34,478 When I get home, I'm gonna give my family a big hug, 707 00:27:34,609 --> 00:27:36,045 and go hang out with my dogs. 708 00:27:36,176 --> 00:27:41,311 ♪ 709 00:27:41,442 --> 00:27:44,445 - Ron, Jesse, I'm renaming this competition 710 00:27:44,575 --> 00:27:46,882 "Papa Don't Take No Mess," 711 00:27:47,013 --> 00:27:50,016 because it's just the patriarchs of the families 712 00:27:50,146 --> 00:27:52,148 goin' at it in our final round of this competition, 713 00:27:52,279 --> 00:27:53,933 where we're sending you back to your home forges 714 00:27:54,063 --> 00:27:56,805 to re-create this iconic weapon from history. 715 00:27:56,936 --> 00:27:59,460 ♪ 716 00:27:59,590 --> 00:28:02,028 [both gasp] 717 00:28:02,158 --> 00:28:04,421 The Inigo Montoya inspired rapier. 718 00:28:04,552 --> 00:28:05,771 You know the guy. 719 00:28:05,901 --> 00:28:07,642 "You killed my father, prepare to--" 720 00:28:07,773 --> 00:28:09,557 Forge, all right? 721 00:28:10,906 --> 00:28:12,691 - Considered one of the greatest swordsmen 722 00:28:12,821 --> 00:28:14,301 of his generation, 723 00:28:14,431 --> 00:28:16,216 Inigo Montoya is a fictional character 724 00:28:16,346 --> 00:28:17,652 from the cult classic "The Princess Bride." 725 00:28:17,783 --> 00:28:19,523 According to the story, 726 00:28:19,654 --> 00:28:21,438 this famous blade was the finest sword ever crafted 727 00:28:21,569 --> 00:28:24,528 by his father and parallels Spanish swept hilt rapiers 728 00:28:24,659 --> 00:28:26,313 of the 17th century, 729 00:28:26,443 --> 00:28:27,662 featuring a diamond cross section 730 00:28:27,793 --> 00:28:30,056 and a complex, elaborate guard. 731 00:28:30,186 --> 00:28:32,362 Intended for dueling, rapiers are lightweight 732 00:28:32,493 --> 00:28:34,756 and feature a narrow point allowing for quick cuts 733 00:28:34,887 --> 00:28:37,150 and deadly, accurate thrusts. 734 00:28:37,280 --> 00:28:39,674 One of the most recognized swordfights in pop culture, 735 00:28:39,805 --> 00:28:41,632 Montoya infamously uses the weapon 736 00:28:41,763 --> 00:28:42,982 against his father's killer, 737 00:28:43,112 --> 00:28:46,072 fulfilling his quest for revenge. 738 00:28:46,202 --> 00:28:49,989 - Inigo Montoya's rapier is a classic sword in movie lore, 739 00:28:50,119 --> 00:28:52,513 and my family and I have seen the movie a hundred times 740 00:28:52,643 --> 00:28:54,428 - In this final round of the competition, 741 00:28:54,558 --> 00:28:56,473 you will have to forge an effective 742 00:28:56,604 --> 00:28:58,780 and working version of the weapon that you see here. 743 00:28:58,911 --> 00:29:01,087 Make sure it falls within the following parameters. 744 00:29:01,217 --> 00:29:03,742 The length of the blade, from the tip to the ricasso, 745 00:29:03,872 --> 00:29:06,745 must be between 37 and 39 inches. 746 00:29:06,875 --> 00:29:09,443 Your handle must have two top rings, two side rings, 747 00:29:09,573 --> 00:29:13,969 two upswept quillion, two arms, a knuckle-bow, and a pommel. 748 00:29:14,100 --> 00:29:16,102 You'll have just four days at your home forges 749 00:29:16,232 --> 00:29:18,234 in which to complete all this work. 750 00:29:18,365 --> 00:29:19,801 And, of course, at the end of those four days, 751 00:29:19,932 --> 00:29:21,542 you'll return and present your weapons 752 00:29:21,672 --> 00:29:23,849 to our panel of expert judges. 753 00:29:23,979 --> 00:29:25,981 And after they've thoroughly tested them, 754 00:29:26,112 --> 00:29:28,462 they'll declare one of you the "Forged in Fire" champion, 755 00:29:28,592 --> 00:29:32,771 who gets to take his family a check for $10,000. 756 00:29:32,901 --> 00:29:34,773 Good luck, bladesmiths. We'll see you in four days. 757 00:29:36,949 --> 00:29:40,648 ♪ 758 00:29:40,779 --> 00:29:43,346 - It's day one, I'm about to start building 759 00:29:43,477 --> 00:29:45,827 Inigo Montoya inspired rapier. 760 00:29:47,089 --> 00:29:49,222 There's not a whole lot of room for error. 761 00:29:49,352 --> 00:29:52,965 So slow and steady will be the name of the game. 762 00:29:53,095 --> 00:29:55,489 But I would really like to be through with the blade today. 763 00:29:55,619 --> 00:29:58,100 The guard is very intricate, and it's gonna take 764 00:29:58,231 --> 00:29:59,885 a lot of attention to detail. 765 00:30:00,015 --> 00:30:03,149 And the sooner I can get on it, the better off I'll be. 766 00:30:03,279 --> 00:30:04,411 Here, in a minute, we're gonna start getting ready 767 00:30:04,541 --> 00:30:05,368 for the heat treat. 768 00:30:05,499 --> 00:30:07,718 ♪ 769 00:30:07,849 --> 00:30:10,373 - I'm really worried that a blade this long 770 00:30:10,504 --> 00:30:11,548 is gonna come out warped. 771 00:30:11,679 --> 00:30:13,507 ♪ 772 00:30:13,637 --> 00:30:16,336 - This is the make or break moment. 773 00:30:16,466 --> 00:30:18,077 So we're kinda at a mystery place. 774 00:30:18,207 --> 00:30:19,774 We don't know whether it's hard 775 00:30:19,905 --> 00:30:20,688 and we don't know whether it's straight. 776 00:30:20,819 --> 00:30:22,777 Time's over for today. 777 00:30:22,908 --> 00:30:25,040 I guess we'll find out in the morning. 778 00:30:25,171 --> 00:30:28,043 ♪ 779 00:30:28,174 --> 00:30:30,437 - Jessica, I'm gonna tell you a story about making 780 00:30:30,567 --> 00:30:33,266 an Inigo Montoya inspired sword. 781 00:30:33,396 --> 00:30:35,616 As the story goes, Inigo Montoya's sword 782 00:30:35,746 --> 00:30:37,444 took a full year to make. 783 00:30:37,574 --> 00:30:38,793 I have four days. 784 00:30:38,924 --> 00:30:40,795 I am almost positive that 785 00:30:40,926 --> 00:30:42,928 they're gonna do some kind of a flex test. 786 00:30:43,058 --> 00:30:45,844 So I'm choosing 80CRV2, and that should help with that. 787 00:30:45,974 --> 00:30:48,150 The hilt is one of the more complex pieces here. 788 00:30:48,281 --> 00:30:50,979 I'm actually gonna use some really old wrought iron. 789 00:30:51,110 --> 00:30:52,894 One of the really nice things about wrought iron 790 00:30:53,025 --> 00:30:56,071 is that it's beautiful, and my plan is to acid etch 791 00:30:56,202 --> 00:30:57,290 so you can see the lines around this thing. 792 00:30:59,248 --> 00:31:00,989 I'm working on my normalization. 793 00:31:01,120 --> 00:31:02,643 This is make or break. 794 00:31:02,773 --> 00:31:05,776 If it works well, I'm all set. 795 00:31:05,907 --> 00:31:08,388 I grab hold of it with another pair of tongs and go for it. 796 00:31:09,650 --> 00:31:12,261 I am very pleased right now to have, at the end of day one, 797 00:31:12,392 --> 00:31:15,047 a quenched blade, ready for temper 798 00:31:15,177 --> 00:31:16,004 So far, I'm on track. 799 00:31:16,135 --> 00:31:17,876 [harp flourish] 800 00:31:18,006 --> 00:31:20,400 - That doesn't sound too bad. I'll try to stay awake. 801 00:31:20,530 --> 00:31:21,923 ♪ 802 00:31:22,054 --> 00:31:22,924 - After coming out of the temper, 803 00:31:23,055 --> 00:31:24,317 I noticed that there was 804 00:31:24,447 --> 00:31:26,928 just a slight little yaw in the edge. 805 00:31:27,059 --> 00:31:30,105 Try and take all that out in grinding today. 806 00:31:30,236 --> 00:31:32,542 Next, I'ma move on to the hilt. 807 00:31:32,673 --> 00:31:34,936 I'm planning on forging all the parts for the hilt 808 00:31:35,067 --> 00:31:37,808 out of an old wagon wheel that my grandfather used to own. 809 00:31:37,939 --> 00:31:43,075 ♪ 810 00:31:43,205 --> 00:31:46,165 So I'm flipping it over, and I ended up getting a crack. 811 00:31:46,295 --> 00:31:47,862 ♪ 812 00:31:47,993 --> 00:31:50,299 Got a small crack that's developed in the piece 813 00:31:50,430 --> 00:31:52,649 that I was forging for my pommel. 814 00:31:52,780 --> 00:31:54,086 I'm gonna try to see if I can get that crack out of it. 815 00:31:54,216 --> 00:31:57,872 [metal clanging] 816 00:31:58,003 --> 00:31:59,569 Crack seems to be just getting worse. 817 00:32:02,094 --> 00:32:05,097 I've been chasing this crack for about an hour. 818 00:32:05,227 --> 00:32:06,750 I'm wanting to make the whole thing out of wrought, 819 00:32:06,881 --> 00:32:08,056 but if this doesn't work out, 820 00:32:08,187 --> 00:32:10,406 I'm gonna have to find another option. 821 00:32:10,537 --> 00:32:13,409 Luckily, it took one more good, hot weld and heat, 822 00:32:13,540 --> 00:32:14,236 and we're good to go. 823 00:32:14,367 --> 00:32:16,282 ♪ 824 00:32:16,412 --> 00:32:19,285 I think I feel better today than I did on day one. 825 00:32:19,415 --> 00:32:22,462 End of day two, I'm ready to go put my feet up. 826 00:32:22,592 --> 00:32:24,768 ♪ 827 00:32:24,899 --> 00:32:27,554 - Well, my goal is to actually get done with the blade today. 828 00:32:27,684 --> 00:32:30,470 It leaves me two days to work on all of the embellishments. 829 00:32:30,600 --> 00:32:32,951 I may get into doing some of the hilt work today, 830 00:32:33,081 --> 00:32:34,953 I wanna see how it goes with the grinding. 831 00:32:35,083 --> 00:32:39,131 If I over grind, I could completely destroy the blade. 832 00:32:39,261 --> 00:32:41,263 There's a reason that it took Inigo Montoya's father 833 00:32:41,394 --> 00:32:42,961 a year to make this sword. 834 00:32:43,091 --> 00:32:45,006 There are so many pieces to this. 835 00:32:45,137 --> 00:32:47,835 But for Jessica, I'm gonna get this done in four days. 836 00:32:47,966 --> 00:32:49,968 ♪ 837 00:32:50,098 --> 00:32:52,274 - Got a little bit behind where I would like to be. 838 00:32:52,405 --> 00:32:54,450 I'm gonna try to make up a little time, 839 00:32:54,581 --> 00:32:56,800 I'm gonna go ahead and forge out a knuckle-bow, 840 00:32:56,931 --> 00:32:58,759 and hopefully by lunchtime, 841 00:32:58,889 --> 00:33:00,282 I'ma startfabricating the hilt. 842 00:33:00,413 --> 00:33:02,023 ♪ 843 00:33:02,154 --> 00:33:04,460 This hilt's been pretty demanding. 844 00:33:04,591 --> 00:33:06,245 There's about six different pieces here. 845 00:33:06,375 --> 00:33:08,943 We spent a lot of time trying to make sure 846 00:33:09,074 --> 00:33:11,990 everything was dialed in. 847 00:33:12,120 --> 00:33:15,994 End of day three, my hilt all came together pretty nicely. 848 00:33:16,124 --> 00:33:18,779 Just pulled it out of the etch, everything looks good. 849 00:33:18,909 --> 00:33:21,521 Tomorrow will just be fit and finish. 850 00:33:21,651 --> 00:33:23,871 My boys popped in to see it. 851 00:33:24,002 --> 00:33:26,395 - Daddy, he's the one that taught us everything we know. 852 00:33:26,526 --> 00:33:29,050 - That--you'll never hear that again. 853 00:33:29,181 --> 00:33:30,921 That's the only time they'll ever admit that. 854 00:33:31,052 --> 00:33:32,923 [laughter] 855 00:33:33,054 --> 00:33:35,230 I would have much rather be forging 856 00:33:35,361 --> 00:33:38,320 with and against my son, but now I need to try 857 00:33:38,451 --> 00:33:40,714 to bring this home for me and for him, too. 858 00:33:40,844 --> 00:33:42,629 ♪ 859 00:33:42,759 --> 00:33:45,545 - Last day, I have to get done, well, everything. 860 00:33:45,675 --> 00:33:48,417 Now I can focus on getting that really complex 861 00:33:48,548 --> 00:33:50,419 handle and hilt all together. 862 00:33:50,550 --> 00:33:51,986 I'm forging out these bigger rings 863 00:33:52,117 --> 00:33:54,293 that are on the side of the handle. 864 00:33:54,423 --> 00:33:58,036 That's eventually gonna become this really complex basket. 865 00:33:58,166 --> 00:34:00,168 Not perfect, but for day four, I'll take it. 866 00:34:00,299 --> 00:34:02,083 Regardless of the outcome on this thing, 867 00:34:02,214 --> 00:34:04,216 I've had a blast making this. Win, lose, or draw, 868 00:34:04,346 --> 00:34:05,869 it's just been so much fun. 869 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:08,524 - Good job. - Thank you. 870 00:34:09,090 --> 00:34:13,312 ♪ 871 00:34:13,442 --> 00:34:15,966 - Ron, Jesse, welcome back to The Forge. 872 00:34:16,097 --> 00:34:18,273 - Ron, tell us about your blade. 873 00:34:18,404 --> 00:34:22,408 - It's 80CRV2 for the blade, wrought iron for the guard, 874 00:34:22,538 --> 00:34:24,062 and for the pommel. 875 00:34:24,192 --> 00:34:26,455 And then it's a resin-ivory handle. 876 00:34:26,586 --> 00:34:29,023 - Okay. Jesse, how'd it go for you? 877 00:34:29,154 --> 00:34:30,633 - Went pretty well. 878 00:34:30,764 --> 00:34:33,680 I've used 80CRV2 as well for my steel, 879 00:34:33,810 --> 00:34:37,640 and the wrought iron for the hilt and the pommel, 880 00:34:37,771 --> 00:34:41,253 and the handle is a green lemon Micarta. 881 00:34:41,383 --> 00:34:42,645 - All right, gentlemen. 882 00:34:42,776 --> 00:34:43,994 The judges will now put your blades 883 00:34:44,125 --> 00:34:45,518 through a series of three tests. 884 00:34:45,648 --> 00:34:47,868 There will be a strength test, a sharpness test. 885 00:34:47,998 --> 00:34:50,175 And up first, Doug? 886 00:34:50,305 --> 00:34:52,655 ♪ 887 00:34:52,786 --> 00:34:55,397 - All right, daddy bladesmiths, 888 00:34:55,528 --> 00:34:58,661 my name is Douglas Marcaida, I will kill the dummies. 889 00:34:58,792 --> 00:34:59,532 They are prepared to die. 890 00:34:59,662 --> 00:35:01,621 ♪ 891 00:35:01,751 --> 00:35:03,405 To find out what kind of lethal damage your weapons will do, 892 00:35:03,536 --> 00:35:05,015 I will take your rapiers and deliver some thrusts 893 00:35:05,146 --> 00:35:06,756 and slashes on this ballistics dummy. 894 00:35:06,887 --> 00:35:08,236 Ron, you're up first. You ready for this? 895 00:35:08,367 --> 00:35:09,281 - Absolutely. 896 00:35:09,411 --> 00:35:11,457 - Let's do it. 897 00:35:11,587 --> 00:35:12,675 - When Doug picks up the sword, 898 00:35:12,806 --> 00:35:14,112 I know exactly what he's thinking 899 00:35:14,242 --> 00:35:16,288 and that it's a little bit on the tip heavy side. 900 00:35:16,418 --> 00:35:17,506 And I'm pretty nervous. 901 00:35:19,204 --> 00:35:25,906 ♪ 902 00:35:53,194 --> 00:35:54,630 [applause] 903 00:35:57,938 --> 00:36:00,593 - All right, Ron, let's talk about your rapier here. 904 00:36:00,723 --> 00:36:01,942 It is a little bit on the heavier side, 905 00:36:02,072 --> 00:36:03,639 but it's wieldable, 906 00:36:03,770 --> 00:36:08,253 and with a nice swish of a slash, it cuts deeply. 907 00:36:08,383 --> 00:36:10,820 Overall, sir, your rapier, it will KEAL. 908 00:36:10,951 --> 00:36:12,213 Good job. - Thank you. 909 00:36:12,344 --> 00:36:13,345 - All right, Jesse, it's your turn. 910 00:36:13,475 --> 00:36:15,129 Are you ready, sir? - Yes, sir. 911 00:36:15,260 --> 00:36:16,391 - Let's do this. 912 00:36:16,522 --> 00:36:18,350 - I'm extremely nervous. 913 00:36:18,480 --> 00:36:20,830 I immediately start questioning my heat treat 914 00:36:20,961 --> 00:36:22,658 and, you know, just a million things go through your head. 915 00:36:23,920 --> 00:36:30,753 ♪ 916 00:36:51,687 --> 00:36:54,255 - All right, Jesse, let's talk about your blade here. 917 00:36:54,386 --> 00:36:56,170 It's about the same weight, 918 00:36:56,301 --> 00:36:58,216 the thrusts penetrate all the way, 919 00:36:58,346 --> 00:37:01,306 and to slash, well, deep cuts. 920 00:37:01,436 --> 00:37:04,309 Overall, sir, your blade, it will KEAL. 921 00:37:04,439 --> 00:37:05,571 - Thank you, sir. That's what I came to hear. 922 00:37:06,876 --> 00:37:08,878 ♪ 923 00:37:09,009 --> 00:37:10,010 - All right, gentlemen, 924 00:37:10,140 --> 00:37:11,490 it's time for the strength test. 925 00:37:11,620 --> 00:37:14,057 And yes, I am going to torture your blades. 926 00:37:14,188 --> 00:37:15,320 Ron, you're up first. 927 00:37:15,450 --> 00:37:16,277 - All right. 928 00:37:18,279 --> 00:37:19,976 [slams] 929 00:37:22,588 --> 00:37:27,897 ♪ 930 00:37:28,028 --> 00:37:31,074 - If you haven't guessed already, it's a flex test. 931 00:37:31,205 --> 00:37:33,642 - I'm feeling a little nervous coming in to this test. 932 00:37:33,773 --> 00:37:36,036 If I left any uneven spots, that could impact 933 00:37:36,166 --> 00:37:37,124 the flexibility of that blade. 934 00:37:39,735 --> 00:37:46,525 ♪ 935 00:38:05,195 --> 00:38:07,807 - Good job, man, good job. 936 00:38:07,937 --> 00:38:10,157 - Okay, Ron, that's a brutal test, 937 00:38:10,288 --> 00:38:12,028 and you did really well. 938 00:38:12,159 --> 00:38:13,726 If you look at your blade, 939 00:38:13,856 --> 00:38:17,120 there's the slightest bend in one direction, 940 00:38:17,251 --> 00:38:18,731 barely noticeable. 941 00:38:18,861 --> 00:38:21,647 The dimensions of the guard are spot on 942 00:38:21,777 --> 00:38:23,126 - Thank you. 943 00:38:23,257 --> 00:38:24,650 - And it's definitely a strong blade. 944 00:38:24,780 --> 00:38:26,347 Nicely done. - Thank you very much. 945 00:38:26,478 --> 00:38:27,740 - Jesse, you ready for this? 946 00:38:27,870 --> 00:38:29,481 - 'Bout as nervous as a long-tailed cat 947 00:38:29,611 --> 00:38:30,656 in a room full of rocking chairs. 948 00:38:30,786 --> 00:38:31,700 But go ahead. - [laughs] 949 00:38:34,399 --> 00:38:41,275 ♪ 950 00:38:59,032 --> 00:38:59,902 [exhales] 951 00:39:01,991 --> 00:39:03,210 - First thing is, Jesse, 952 00:39:03,341 --> 00:39:05,473 the guard's in the proper scale. 953 00:39:05,604 --> 00:39:07,127 Really nicely done. 954 00:39:07,257 --> 00:39:10,435 Issue is, you picked up a bit of a bend. 955 00:39:10,565 --> 00:39:12,872 Still a completely functional, useable blade. 956 00:39:13,002 --> 00:39:14,743 Well done. - Thank you. 957 00:39:17,442 --> 00:39:19,835 - Bladesmiths, this is the sharpness test. 958 00:39:19,966 --> 00:39:21,576 This is all about how sharp your blade is. 959 00:39:21,707 --> 00:39:24,318 What it does to this dummy. 960 00:39:24,449 --> 00:39:25,580 Ron, you're up first, you ready for this? 961 00:39:25,711 --> 00:39:27,365 - Yes, sir. - Let's do this. 962 00:39:29,018 --> 00:39:35,764 ♪ 963 00:39:41,727 --> 00:39:43,555 All right, Ron, let's talk about your edge here. 964 00:39:43,685 --> 00:39:47,210 This cut through the clothing and right into the foam. 965 00:39:47,341 --> 00:39:49,474 Of course, when thrusting it goes deep. 966 00:39:49,604 --> 00:39:53,303 Overall, sir, it will cut. - Thank you. 967 00:39:53,434 --> 00:39:54,304 - All right, Jesse, it's your turn. 968 00:39:54,435 --> 00:39:55,567 So you ready? - Yes, sir. 969 00:39:55,697 --> 00:39:56,481 - Let's do this. 970 00:39:56,611 --> 00:40:03,444 ♪ 971 00:40:11,844 --> 00:40:14,107 All right, Jesse, I can still see the little bend 972 00:40:14,237 --> 00:40:17,545 it took at the tip, but the edges are razor sharp. 973 00:40:17,676 --> 00:40:20,287 On the thrust it goes deep, it will cut. 974 00:40:20,418 --> 00:40:21,680 - Thank you, sir. 975 00:40:21,810 --> 00:40:23,246 ♪ 976 00:40:23,377 --> 00:40:24,900 - Ron, Jesse, you guys have turned in 977 00:40:25,031 --> 00:40:27,381 some really quality blades. 978 00:40:27,512 --> 00:40:29,209 This is a difficult decision for us to make. 979 00:40:29,339 --> 00:40:32,212 Our "Forged in Fire" champion is... 980 00:40:35,868 --> 00:40:36,869 - Ron. 981 00:40:36,999 --> 00:40:38,479 Congratulations, 982 00:40:38,610 --> 00:40:40,133 you are the new "Forged in Fire" champion. 983 00:40:40,263 --> 00:40:42,004 Jesse, unfortunately, 984 00:40:42,135 --> 00:40:44,485 your blade did not make the cut. 985 00:40:44,616 --> 00:40:46,966 Ben Abbott's gonna tell you why. 986 00:40:47,096 --> 00:40:50,752 Well, Jesse, the craftsmanship on your sword is commendable, 987 00:40:50,883 --> 00:40:53,451 and the balance on it was really well done. 988 00:40:53,581 --> 00:40:55,061 But at the end of the day, in the strength test, 989 00:40:55,191 --> 00:40:57,237 your blade took a bend, and that brings into question 990 00:40:57,367 --> 00:40:58,847 the heat treat on your sword. 991 00:40:58,978 --> 00:41:00,501 It's for this reason, we're letting you go. 992 00:41:00,632 --> 00:41:03,330 - Jesse, please surrender your blade. 993 00:41:03,461 --> 00:41:05,375 - Not being the "Forged in Fire" champion 994 00:41:05,506 --> 00:41:07,073 is, kinda, not what I was looking for, 995 00:41:07,203 --> 00:41:09,336 but, I lost to a heck of a competitor 996 00:41:09,467 --> 00:41:10,468 and a heck of a blade. 997 00:41:10,598 --> 00:41:12,034 - Well done. - Thank you. 998 00:41:12,165 --> 00:41:13,558 I'm very proud of the blade I turned in, 999 00:41:13,688 --> 00:41:15,603 but if I made this blade again, 1000 00:41:15,734 --> 00:41:17,213 I woulda took a little more time on my heat treat, 1001 00:41:17,344 --> 00:41:19,172 made sure I had it perfect. 1002 00:41:19,302 --> 00:41:20,913 Being able to start this journey 1003 00:41:21,043 --> 00:41:22,828 with my son was pretty awesome, 1004 00:41:22,958 --> 00:41:25,613 and I may not be the "Forged in Fire" champion, 1005 00:41:25,744 --> 00:41:28,094 but I think I represented my family well. 1006 00:41:30,009 --> 00:41:31,967 - Ron, congratulations. 1007 00:41:32,098 --> 00:41:33,752 You are the "Forged in Fire" champion 1008 00:41:33,882 --> 00:41:36,494 You've led your family to this position, 1009 00:41:36,624 --> 00:41:39,758 and you'll be taking home a check for $10,000. 1010 00:41:39,888 --> 00:41:40,585 Good job, brother. - Thank you. 1011 00:41:40,715 --> 00:41:41,673 [applause] 1012 00:41:41,803 --> 00:41:43,152 It feels spectacular. 1013 00:41:43,283 --> 00:41:44,589 From beginning to end, 1014 00:41:44,719 --> 00:41:46,199 this has been a great experience. 1015 00:41:46,329 --> 00:41:48,680 Getting to come here with my daughter, Jessica, 1016 00:41:48,810 --> 00:41:50,203 getting to go through this experience with her, 1017 00:41:50,333 --> 00:41:52,379 has been amazing. 1018 00:41:52,510 --> 00:41:53,685 So the Hardman house is getting 1019 00:41:53,815 --> 00:41:55,251 the "Forged in Fire" championship. 1020 00:41:55,382 --> 00:42:00,126 ♪