1 00:00:03,045 --> 00:00:06,135 [fire whooshing] 2 00:00:06,173 --> 00:00:09,053 [hammer impact echoes] 3 00:00:09,092 --> 00:00:11,802 [dramatic music] 4 00:00:11,845 --> 00:00:13,345 - For the past few weeks, 5 00:00:13,388 --> 00:00:15,308 we scoured the blacksmithing hotbeds of America... 6 00:00:15,349 --> 00:00:16,349 [flames whoosh] 7 00:00:16,350 --> 00:00:17,890 To learn the local secrets 8 00:00:17,893 --> 00:00:19,193 and uncover the country’s top smiths. 9 00:00:19,228 --> 00:00:21,018 [hammer impacts echoing] 10 00:00:21,063 --> 00:00:22,693 [metallic grinding] 11 00:00:22,731 --> 00:00:25,651 Now after four intense local competitions, 12 00:00:25,692 --> 00:00:27,736 each hand-picked by one of our judges 13 00:00:27,736 --> 00:00:31,566 in Texas, Montana, North Carolina, and Michigan, 14 00:00:31,615 --> 00:00:32,995 the best smith from each forge 15 00:00:33,033 --> 00:00:34,953 will now head to our home forge 16 00:00:34,993 --> 00:00:36,373 for one final battle. 17 00:00:36,411 --> 00:00:37,581 - Ooh, that’s hot. 18 00:00:37,621 --> 00:00:39,501 ♪ 19 00:00:39,540 --> 00:00:41,250 - With $20,000 on the line 20 00:00:41,250 --> 00:00:43,500 and $10,000 worth of forging equipment for their shop, 21 00:00:43,502 --> 00:00:45,552 who will be crowned the first-ever 22 00:00:45,587 --> 00:00:47,707 "Forged In Fire: On The Road" champion? 23 00:00:47,714 --> 00:00:51,384 ♪ 24 00:00:51,385 --> 00:00:54,475 [energetic rock music] 25 00:00:54,513 --> 00:00:55,933 - My name is Blake Maddox 26 00:00:55,973 --> 00:00:58,023 and I’m representing Combat Ready Art 27 00:00:58,058 --> 00:00:59,348 from Kalamazoo, Michigan. 28 00:00:59,393 --> 00:01:01,228 It’s been a long, strange trip. 29 00:01:01,228 --> 00:01:03,938 The first round, my dagger broke in testing, 30 00:01:03,981 --> 00:01:06,151 but I got onto the next round 31 00:01:06,191 --> 00:01:08,068 because someone didn’t meet parameters. 32 00:01:08,068 --> 00:01:11,908 And then I won the next round and now I’m sitting here. 33 00:01:11,947 --> 00:01:14,277 ♪ 34 00:01:14,283 --> 00:01:16,083 - My name is Jason Bivens. 35 00:01:16,118 --> 00:01:18,618 It’s a great honor to be here at the "Forged in Fire" forge 36 00:01:18,662 --> 00:01:20,832 representing John C. Campbell Folk School 37 00:01:20,872 --> 00:01:22,291 in North Carolina. 38 00:01:22,291 --> 00:01:24,381 Overall, it’s been a great experience. 39 00:01:24,418 --> 00:01:26,418 I’ve met some really great people 40 00:01:26,461 --> 00:01:29,091 and won round one with my pitchfork. 41 00:01:29,131 --> 00:01:32,261 Hopefully, I’ve got what it takes to win this whole thing. 42 00:01:32,301 --> 00:01:33,760 ♪ 43 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:35,429 - I’m Jacob Anstaett and I’m representing 44 00:01:35,429 --> 00:01:38,389 the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing in Texarkana. 45 00:01:38,432 --> 00:01:40,982 I’ve already won two rounds to get here 46 00:01:41,018 --> 00:01:43,438 and going up against three new competitors, 47 00:01:43,478 --> 00:01:45,188 it’s a little nerve-wracking, but in my eyes, 48 00:01:45,230 --> 00:01:47,940 I feel like a "Forged in Fire" champion already. 49 00:01:47,983 --> 00:01:49,233 ♪ 50 00:01:49,276 --> 00:01:51,106 - My name is Silas Maddox. 51 00:01:51,111 --> 00:01:53,071 I’m here representing the New Agrarian School 52 00:01:53,113 --> 00:01:54,953 in Bigfork, Montana. 53 00:01:54,990 --> 00:01:57,330 I have a lot of skills and experience to draw on 54 00:01:57,367 --> 00:01:59,037 for this competition. 55 00:01:59,077 --> 00:02:00,697 I’m inherently competitive 56 00:02:00,746 --> 00:02:04,166 and one step closer to $20,000. 57 00:02:04,166 --> 00:02:06,456 I’m here to win. 58 00:02:06,501 --> 00:02:09,551 - Bladesmiths and blacksmiths, welcome to our forge. 59 00:02:09,588 --> 00:02:11,006 [suspenseful music] 60 00:02:11,006 --> 00:02:12,166 Now gentlemen, the four of you 61 00:02:12,174 --> 00:02:13,174 have proven yourselves 62 00:02:13,175 --> 00:02:14,305 as a cut above the rest 63 00:02:14,343 --> 00:02:15,393 in your respective 64 00:02:15,427 --> 00:02:17,007 competitions across America. 65 00:02:17,054 --> 00:02:19,564 You are here for the final leg of the tournament, 66 00:02:19,598 --> 00:02:21,468 where only one of you will be left standing 67 00:02:21,475 --> 00:02:23,101 as a tournament champion, 68 00:02:23,101 --> 00:02:26,231 taking home a check for $20,000 to go in your pocket 69 00:02:26,271 --> 00:02:28,981 and up to $10,000 in gear and supplies 70 00:02:28,982 --> 00:02:31,692 to go back to your respective forges. 71 00:02:31,693 --> 00:02:33,987 There are three rounds in this competition. 72 00:02:33,987 --> 00:02:35,697 At the end of each one, there will be an elimination. 73 00:02:35,739 --> 00:02:37,529 And those eliminations will be made 74 00:02:37,532 --> 00:02:39,282 by the judges sitting behind me, 75 00:02:39,326 --> 00:02:42,656 which each one of you will be representing in the finals. 76 00:02:42,704 --> 00:02:46,504 Now bladesmiths, you all have your own very unique styles, 77 00:02:46,541 --> 00:02:47,831 and it’s clear that you’ve been molded into 78 00:02:47,834 --> 00:02:49,378 the blacksmith or bladesmith you are 79 00:02:49,378 --> 00:02:51,498 because of the area of America you came from 80 00:02:51,546 --> 00:02:53,416 and the forges that turned you into who you are. 81 00:02:53,465 --> 00:02:55,185 With that in mind, we’ve decided that 82 00:02:55,217 --> 00:02:57,297 instead of asking you to make a specific blade today, 83 00:02:57,344 --> 00:02:59,680 we want you to showcase your skills 84 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:02,680 by giving the opportunity to make whatever blade you want 85 00:03:02,724 --> 00:03:05,060 in whatever style you want using this. 86 00:03:05,060 --> 00:03:10,565 ♪ 87 00:03:10,565 --> 00:03:12,355 In front of me here is a table 88 00:03:12,359 --> 00:03:15,195 chock-full of all kinds of good, high-carbon steel 89 00:03:15,195 --> 00:03:17,565 that you can use to make your blades. 90 00:03:17,572 --> 00:03:19,822 We’ve got springs, we got ball bearings. 91 00:03:19,866 --> 00:03:21,696 You name it, we have it. 92 00:03:21,702 --> 00:03:23,242 Now the only thing we ask 93 00:03:23,245 --> 00:03:26,545 is that you use some sort of forge welding technique. 94 00:03:26,581 --> 00:03:28,371 - This is pretty awesome. 95 00:03:28,417 --> 00:03:31,247 There’s just sledgehammers, springs, 96 00:03:31,253 --> 00:03:35,093 fish hooks, there’s chains, so I’m gonna get my bearings 97 00:03:35,132 --> 00:03:37,262 and I’m gonna go out there and try to create something. 98 00:03:37,300 --> 00:03:39,720 - Now gentlemen, after that second round, 99 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:41,220 it will be in the hands of our judges 100 00:03:41,221 --> 00:03:43,098 and go through a series of tests. 101 00:03:43,098 --> 00:03:44,518 They’ll check for strength and durability. 102 00:03:44,558 --> 00:03:47,188 They will go through a giant bamboo chop. 103 00:03:47,227 --> 00:03:50,727 For edge retention, our famous playing card slice. 104 00:03:50,772 --> 00:03:52,402 So good luck, 105 00:03:52,482 --> 00:03:54,901 because this first round starts now. 106 00:03:54,901 --> 00:03:57,446 [energetic rock music] 107 00:03:57,446 --> 00:03:58,986 All right, off to the races. 108 00:03:59,030 --> 00:04:00,449 We got an all-out battle here, 109 00:04:00,449 --> 00:04:01,739 and you each have a horse in the race. 110 00:04:01,783 --> 00:04:04,413 J., you’ve got Jake, Ben, you’ve got Jason, 111 00:04:04,453 --> 00:04:06,913 Dave, Silas, and Doug, Blake. 112 00:04:06,955 --> 00:04:08,365 Now, these guys have all impressed me out on the road 113 00:04:08,415 --> 00:04:10,755 and it’s really anyone’s game at this point. 114 00:04:10,792 --> 00:04:13,882 - There’s a lot of steel laying on that table. 115 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:17,299 My plan is to try to do layered Damascus. 116 00:04:17,299 --> 00:04:18,929 - Jason from John C. Campbell Folk School 117 00:04:18,967 --> 00:04:20,587 in Brasstown, North Carolina-- 118 00:04:20,635 --> 00:04:22,425 now Ben, what do you think of him? 119 00:04:22,429 --> 00:04:24,889 - Yeah, we asked the guys to make a blacksmith knife 120 00:04:24,931 --> 00:04:27,431 and put some kind of artistic flair into the handle. 121 00:04:27,434 --> 00:04:29,269 And Jason is really the only one 122 00:04:29,269 --> 00:04:31,809 that did anything really interesting, really fun. 123 00:04:31,813 --> 00:04:34,363 I think that he’s technically and artistically 124 00:04:34,399 --> 00:04:36,819 got a good shot at getting this one. 125 00:04:36,860 --> 00:04:38,820 - Getting a little hot. 126 00:04:38,820 --> 00:04:40,740 ♪ 127 00:04:40,781 --> 00:04:43,451 - I decide to go with pattern-welded steel. 128 00:04:43,492 --> 00:04:45,702 That’s my bread and butter. 129 00:04:45,744 --> 00:04:47,954 - Expect to see a lot of good stuff coming out of Jake. 130 00:04:47,954 --> 00:04:49,584 - He is the only smith out here 131 00:04:49,623 --> 00:04:52,793 who was required to do 350 layers, 132 00:04:52,793 --> 00:04:54,343 and he knocked that out of the park. 133 00:04:54,377 --> 00:04:56,747 - Jake had no problems with the forge welds he did. 134 00:04:56,797 --> 00:04:58,457 Everything held up beautifully. 135 00:04:58,465 --> 00:05:00,175 - Just waiting for my steel to get to temp, 136 00:05:00,217 --> 00:05:01,757 then we’re gonna be gold, man. 137 00:05:01,843 --> 00:05:03,263 ♪ 138 00:05:03,303 --> 00:05:04,853 - I’m gonna make a simple Damascus billet. 139 00:05:04,888 --> 00:05:06,848 I have 13 layers. 140 00:05:06,848 --> 00:05:09,768 These pieces are all the right size already. 141 00:05:09,810 --> 00:05:12,270 I can just weld ’em together. 142 00:05:12,312 --> 00:05:14,232 - Silas is a really talented smith. 143 00:05:14,272 --> 00:05:16,232 When he came back with that felling axe, 144 00:05:16,274 --> 00:05:17,824 that thing was dialed in. 145 00:05:17,859 --> 00:05:19,859 Polished, the lines were fantastic, 146 00:05:19,861 --> 00:05:21,651 and just fit my hands perfectly. 147 00:05:21,696 --> 00:05:23,156 Spot-on. Great piece of work. 148 00:05:23,198 --> 00:05:25,158 - I got my money on Silas. 149 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:28,200 - ♪ I want it hotter 150 00:05:28,245 --> 00:05:29,955 ♪ I want it to get hotter 151 00:05:29,996 --> 00:05:31,206 ♪ 152 00:05:31,248 --> 00:05:35,038 - I’m choosing to go with Damascus. 153 00:05:35,085 --> 00:05:38,385 13 layers, which four of ’em, 13, I mean, 154 00:05:38,421 --> 00:05:41,301 you know, the number 13’s just my lucky number, 155 00:05:41,341 --> 00:05:42,841 something I’ve always gravitated towards. 156 00:05:42,884 --> 00:05:44,434 ♪ 157 00:05:44,469 --> 00:05:46,009 - So Blake’s the last one to go to the welder, 158 00:05:46,054 --> 00:05:47,514 but unfortunately, 159 00:05:47,556 --> 00:05:49,266 he didn’t use a C-clamp to keep his stack together. 160 00:05:49,307 --> 00:05:51,347 He’s kinda welding freehand, 161 00:05:51,393 --> 00:05:53,143 and it looks like the stack’s kind of fanning out. 162 00:05:53,186 --> 00:05:56,186 - You know, we’ve seen this problem in setup before 163 00:05:56,189 --> 00:05:58,189 where smiths go to do that initial weld 164 00:05:58,233 --> 00:06:00,283 and it just doesn’t hold. 165 00:06:00,318 --> 00:06:02,528 - Doug, how you feel about his setup so far? 166 00:06:02,571 --> 00:06:03,951 - He’s got a lot of refining to do, 167 00:06:03,989 --> 00:06:05,659 but there’s no give-up on him. 168 00:06:05,699 --> 00:06:06,699 He had to make a "Macbeth" dagger 169 00:06:06,741 --> 00:06:08,161 and then a "Macbeth" sword, 170 00:06:08,243 --> 00:06:10,543 and it performed very well in the final. 171 00:06:10,579 --> 00:06:12,247 ♪ 172 00:06:12,247 --> 00:06:13,367 - Hoo. 173 00:06:13,415 --> 00:06:14,835 - It’s crazy to me, guys. 174 00:06:14,875 --> 00:06:16,175 We’ve got four different smiths 175 00:06:16,209 --> 00:06:17,709 from four different places around the U.S. 176 00:06:17,752 --> 00:06:19,712 with four different skill sets and every single one of ’em 177 00:06:19,754 --> 00:06:21,514 appear to be doing layered Damascus. 178 00:06:21,548 --> 00:06:23,258 - It’s like the four of us go to brunch together, 179 00:06:23,258 --> 00:06:24,928 and we all get the cheese omelet. 180 00:06:24,968 --> 00:06:26,888 [laughter] 181 00:06:26,928 --> 00:06:28,218 ♪ 182 00:06:28,263 --> 00:06:30,013 - My plan is to fold it at least once 183 00:06:30,056 --> 00:06:32,926 so if I had roughly 18 layers, 184 00:06:32,976 --> 00:06:36,726 that should give me at least 30, 40-ish layers. 185 00:06:36,771 --> 00:06:38,398 Uh, I don’t know. [chuckles] 186 00:06:38,398 --> 00:06:40,066 Hopefully, it’ll make the judges have to know, 187 00:06:40,066 --> 00:06:42,066 maybe give me some brownie points. 188 00:06:42,110 --> 00:06:43,530 ♪ 189 00:06:43,570 --> 00:06:45,990 - Jason, he’s the only smith to re-stack. 190 00:06:46,031 --> 00:06:48,071 Everybody else is playing it very safe. 191 00:06:48,116 --> 00:06:50,236 - You’re out there against three other champions, 192 00:06:50,285 --> 00:06:53,622 so why would you not go above and beyond? 193 00:06:53,622 --> 00:06:55,122 I’ll tell you what. 194 00:06:55,165 --> 00:06:57,751 If we have two knives that perform the same, 195 00:06:57,751 --> 00:07:01,296 and one of them has an outrageous pattern on it, 196 00:07:01,296 --> 00:07:03,126 guess who I’m voting for? 197 00:07:03,173 --> 00:07:04,758 - Man, this is exciting. I love this. 198 00:07:04,758 --> 00:07:06,128 ♪ 199 00:07:06,134 --> 00:07:07,969 - All right, here goes Jake on the press. 200 00:07:07,969 --> 00:07:09,259 Got the whole billet, 201 00:07:09,262 --> 00:07:11,182 squeeze the whole thing down in one shot. 202 00:07:11,222 --> 00:07:12,722 If Jake doesn’t cut and stack that, 203 00:07:12,766 --> 00:07:14,266 I’ll be very surprised. 204 00:07:14,309 --> 00:07:16,639 - I don’t think he is. - That’s the wrong move. 205 00:07:16,645 --> 00:07:18,985 He’s playing it safe, and in the finals, 206 00:07:19,022 --> 00:07:21,402 safe isn’t gonna get you $20,000. 207 00:07:21,483 --> 00:07:23,573 You want to shout advice out. - Oh, yeah. 208 00:07:23,610 --> 00:07:25,278 - You want to just put a note on there, 209 00:07:25,278 --> 00:07:26,898 tie it around a rock, and throw it at him. 210 00:07:26,947 --> 00:07:28,407 [Ben laughs] 211 00:07:28,448 --> 00:07:30,868 - Bladesmiths, you’ve got two hours left! 212 00:07:30,909 --> 00:07:32,327 - Press. 213 00:07:32,327 --> 00:07:34,496 - [chuckles] Those are going on your tab! 214 00:07:34,496 --> 00:07:36,116 [Jake laughs] 215 00:07:36,164 --> 00:07:37,624 - I’m making a Damascus knife 216 00:07:37,666 --> 00:07:41,746 and I want the pattern to be visible and cool. 217 00:07:41,795 --> 00:07:42,965 Right behind you. 218 00:07:43,004 --> 00:07:45,340 So I’m gonna forge it out 219 00:07:45,340 --> 00:07:48,300 so you would see the layers that’re horizontal lines 220 00:07:48,301 --> 00:07:49,841 going down the length of the blade. 221 00:07:49,886 --> 00:07:51,426 - Wait a minute. 222 00:07:51,471 --> 00:07:54,311 Did Silas start with a stack like this... 223 00:07:54,349 --> 00:07:56,019 ♪ 224 00:07:56,059 --> 00:07:58,439 And then work it down this way? 225 00:07:58,478 --> 00:08:01,268 ♪ 226 00:08:01,314 --> 00:08:03,524 - Yeah, that’s actually difficult. 227 00:08:03,566 --> 00:08:06,526 Flip the billet 90 degrees and draw it in that direction. 228 00:08:06,569 --> 00:08:07,949 - As you push those layers down, 229 00:08:07,988 --> 00:08:09,528 they tend to want to open out. 230 00:08:09,531 --> 00:08:11,451 That’s why Silas was taking his time on the hammer. 231 00:08:11,491 --> 00:08:12,451 He’s taking his time on the press, 232 00:08:12,492 --> 00:08:13,827 just being gentle with it. 233 00:08:13,827 --> 00:08:15,537 - When you’re manipulating metal in a pattern 234 00:08:15,537 --> 00:08:18,367 and you have to have it work a certain way 235 00:08:18,373 --> 00:08:21,043 to make the pattern, that takes a lot of skill. 236 00:08:21,084 --> 00:08:23,004 - I am a professional metal worker 237 00:08:23,044 --> 00:08:26,381 and so I have a lot of skills and experience to draw on 238 00:08:26,381 --> 00:08:27,761 for this competition. 239 00:08:27,799 --> 00:08:29,509 Hopefully, it’ll carry me through. 240 00:08:29,509 --> 00:08:31,219 [suspenseful music] 241 00:08:31,261 --> 00:08:32,261 [Blake sighs] 242 00:08:32,303 --> 00:08:33,643 - The other smiths are 243 00:08:33,680 --> 00:08:35,350 definitely pulling ahead of me at this point. 244 00:08:35,390 --> 00:08:38,100 My stack isn’t heating up to the temp that I’m looking for. 245 00:08:38,143 --> 00:08:40,023 I’m losing time. 246 00:08:40,061 --> 00:08:41,901 I am going to go over to the press, 247 00:08:41,938 --> 00:08:43,898 try to speed this process up. 248 00:08:43,940 --> 00:08:48,030 - Okay, here we go with that leaning stack of pizza. 249 00:08:48,069 --> 00:08:49,569 - I’m really nervous. 250 00:08:49,571 --> 00:08:51,571 A lot of things can go wrong with the forge weld. 251 00:08:51,573 --> 00:08:53,573 I don’t have the time to start over. 252 00:08:53,616 --> 00:08:57,246 ♪ 253 00:08:57,287 --> 00:08:59,867 That seemed to forge weld. 254 00:08:59,914 --> 00:09:02,083 The ends aren’t opening up on me at all. 255 00:09:02,083 --> 00:09:03,673 I can move forward. 256 00:09:03,710 --> 00:09:06,250 ♪ 257 00:09:06,254 --> 00:09:07,714 [energetic music] 258 00:09:07,714 --> 00:09:10,224 - I’m going with a nice, Bowie-style chopper, 259 00:09:10,258 --> 00:09:11,508 ’cause I just want to stick with something 260 00:09:11,551 --> 00:09:13,091 that I’ve done many a times. 261 00:09:13,094 --> 00:09:14,514 [loud clacking] 262 00:09:14,554 --> 00:09:15,934 - That’s aggressive. 263 00:09:15,972 --> 00:09:17,392 [clacking] 264 00:09:17,432 --> 00:09:19,142 - As I look up, I see Grady kind of going like, 265 00:09:19,184 --> 00:09:20,774 "Oh, my God, this guy’s going after it." 266 00:09:20,810 --> 00:09:22,395 [Grady laughs] 267 00:09:22,395 --> 00:09:24,055 You know, it might not look it, I’m kind of a lanky guy, 268 00:09:24,105 --> 00:09:25,395 but I can swing a hammer. 269 00:09:25,398 --> 00:09:28,228 ♪ 270 00:09:28,276 --> 00:09:30,066 - I can’t imagine that Jake can keep up 271 00:09:30,111 --> 00:09:31,241 that hammer style for long. 272 00:09:31,279 --> 00:09:33,819 He’s raising that hammer so fast. 273 00:09:33,865 --> 00:09:36,745 It’s almost the same speed up as it is down. 274 00:09:36,785 --> 00:09:38,875 - How does my hair look? [laughs] 275 00:09:38,912 --> 00:09:40,412 ♪ 276 00:09:40,455 --> 00:09:41,915 - Just gonna make a Bowie kind of chopper 277 00:09:41,956 --> 00:09:43,746 with a little bit of curve in it. 278 00:09:43,750 --> 00:09:45,750 - Look at the color that Silas’ metal at. 279 00:09:45,794 --> 00:09:49,589 It’s at that beautiful melting butter color. 280 00:09:49,589 --> 00:09:52,425 Silas’ energy in this forge is infectious. 281 00:09:52,425 --> 00:09:54,295 ♪ 282 00:09:54,302 --> 00:09:55,392 - Man, you’re pumped over here, dude. 283 00:09:55,428 --> 00:09:56,548 You look excited. 284 00:09:56,596 --> 00:09:57,426 - Just kinda... [Jake laughs] 285 00:09:57,472 --> 00:09:58,972 Just waiting on the heat. 286 00:09:58,973 --> 00:10:00,809 ♪ 287 00:10:00,809 --> 00:10:02,809 - It’s still pretty thick right now. 288 00:10:02,852 --> 00:10:07,062 I am a little concerned about any delams in there. 289 00:10:07,107 --> 00:10:10,277 Hopefully I can knock it out on the grinder. 290 00:10:10,318 --> 00:10:13,238 - Doesn’t even have the whole blade on that belt. 291 00:10:13,279 --> 00:10:15,109 You can see he’s only riding it back and forth. 292 00:10:15,115 --> 00:10:16,950 You want to see a good 2 inches of spark 293 00:10:16,950 --> 00:10:19,290 going down that whole blade. 294 00:10:19,327 --> 00:10:21,947 The way Blake has been treating this billet so far, 295 00:10:21,955 --> 00:10:23,790 he’s way behind the other three smiths. 296 00:10:23,790 --> 00:10:25,710 - He needs to speed up the process. 297 00:10:25,750 --> 00:10:26,920 - Right. - Come on, man. 298 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:28,290 You can do it. - I’m going for it. 299 00:10:28,336 --> 00:10:30,296 - [as Rob Schneider] You can do it! 300 00:10:30,338 --> 00:10:31,958 - Gentlemen, you’ve got one hour left. 301 00:10:32,006 --> 00:10:33,916 ♪ 302 00:10:33,967 --> 00:10:36,177 He’s in the oil. Jake’s the first one to quench. 303 00:10:36,177 --> 00:10:38,257 - He’s moving that blade up and down. 304 00:10:38,304 --> 00:10:41,854 - The more he takes out, the more chance it may warp. 305 00:10:41,891 --> 00:10:43,141 [Jake groans] 306 00:10:43,184 --> 00:10:45,274 - [sputters] Jeez, Louise, dude. 307 00:10:45,311 --> 00:10:46,851 [tense music] 308 00:10:46,855 --> 00:10:48,695 I see it warp and I’m like, "Oh, my God." 309 00:10:48,731 --> 00:10:50,271 That’s just one other thing I gotta deal with, 310 00:10:50,316 --> 00:10:52,646 so I gotta get this warp out as quick as I can, 311 00:10:52,694 --> 00:10:54,824 knowing that if it were to warp too bad 312 00:10:54,863 --> 00:10:56,493 or crack and break, 313 00:10:56,531 --> 00:10:59,121 I would have to completely scratch it and start over. 314 00:10:59,159 --> 00:11:01,239 - Oh, what the-- 315 00:11:02,662 --> 00:11:04,582 [flames whoosh, hammer thunks] 316 00:11:09,544 --> 00:11:11,504 [tense music] 317 00:11:11,546 --> 00:11:13,456 - I gotta get this warp out as quick as I can 318 00:11:13,506 --> 00:11:15,675 knowing that if it were to warp too bad 319 00:11:15,675 --> 00:11:17,425 or crack and break, 320 00:11:17,468 --> 00:11:20,888 I would have to completely scratch it and start over. 321 00:11:20,889 --> 00:11:25,729 I can feel it working out on the edge of my anvil... 322 00:11:25,768 --> 00:11:28,897 and I see that my warp is gone 323 00:11:28,897 --> 00:11:31,147 and it’s ready to grind. 324 00:11:31,191 --> 00:11:32,481 - Here we go. 325 00:11:32,567 --> 00:11:34,317 ♪ 326 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:35,530 Bam! 327 00:11:35,570 --> 00:11:37,660 ♪ 328 00:11:37,697 --> 00:11:38,857 It’s good and straight. 329 00:11:38,907 --> 00:11:39,947 Pretty darn good! 330 00:11:39,991 --> 00:11:41,161 The clock is ticking. 331 00:11:41,201 --> 00:11:42,869 Gotta get over and get to grinding. 332 00:11:42,869 --> 00:11:46,039 - Bladesmiths, you guys have 30 minutes left! 333 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:49,040 Silas is over here drilling his holes before the quench. 334 00:11:49,042 --> 00:11:51,172 - It’s always easier to drill the holes 335 00:11:51,211 --> 00:11:53,087 before you harden the blade. 336 00:11:53,087 --> 00:11:54,877 I didn’t spend a lot of time laying them out, 337 00:11:54,923 --> 00:11:58,683 and hopefully, it doesn’t come back to bite me. 338 00:11:58,718 --> 00:12:00,798 - Oh, that’s good. 339 00:12:00,887 --> 00:12:02,387 Best color on the floor. 340 00:12:02,388 --> 00:12:04,008 - He’d the third smith to quench. 341 00:12:04,057 --> 00:12:06,057 Now we’re just waiting on Blake. 342 00:12:06,100 --> 00:12:07,890 - I’ve spent quite a bit of time on the grinder, 343 00:12:07,936 --> 00:12:09,226 and it’s still pretty thick, 344 00:12:09,270 --> 00:12:10,690 but I’ve gotta get this thing up to temp 345 00:12:10,730 --> 00:12:12,106 and get it quenched. 346 00:12:12,106 --> 00:12:13,896 A lot of things can go wrong. 347 00:12:13,942 --> 00:12:15,072 You can get twists, you can get bends, 348 00:12:15,109 --> 00:12:16,689 it could bow. 349 00:12:16,736 --> 00:12:19,606 Hopefully, it goes well. 350 00:12:19,656 --> 00:12:21,986 I didn’t hear anything pop. I didn’t hear anything crack. 351 00:12:22,033 --> 00:12:23,993 It doesn’t look warped. 352 00:12:24,035 --> 00:12:27,205 Thank God. What a relief. 353 00:12:27,288 --> 00:12:32,208 - Five, four, three, two, one. 354 00:12:32,252 --> 00:12:33,586 All right, gentlemen. 355 00:12:33,586 --> 00:12:34,666 Turn off your machines, put down your tools! 356 00:12:34,712 --> 00:12:36,130 This first round is over! 357 00:12:36,130 --> 00:12:38,300 - Holy [bleep]. 358 00:12:38,341 --> 00:12:39,761 - Good job, man. - Nice work, dude. 359 00:12:39,801 --> 00:12:41,391 - That was awesome. 360 00:12:41,427 --> 00:12:43,757 When the clock hits zero, I look at my blade. 361 00:12:43,763 --> 00:12:45,563 I can see my patterns in my steel. 362 00:12:45,598 --> 00:12:47,976 It might not be the highest layer count 363 00:12:47,976 --> 00:12:49,936 and the most beautiful-looking Damascus, 364 00:12:49,978 --> 00:12:51,808 but I’ve met all the parameters 365 00:12:51,854 --> 00:12:53,439 and I couldn’t be happier. 366 00:12:53,439 --> 00:12:54,939 [suspenseful music] 367 00:12:54,983 --> 00:12:57,403 - Well, gentlemen, we gave you guys three hours 368 00:12:57,443 --> 00:12:59,821 and the choice of any kind of steel you wanted 369 00:12:59,821 --> 00:13:01,781 to make any blade you wanted, and somehow, 370 00:13:01,823 --> 00:13:04,743 you all ended up with layered Damascus. 371 00:13:04,784 --> 00:13:06,204 Now, you all met parameters, 372 00:13:06,244 --> 00:13:07,874 but the time has come for us to decide 373 00:13:07,912 --> 00:13:10,332 which one of you will not be joining us in the second round. 374 00:13:10,373 --> 00:13:12,083 So up first for the critiques, 375 00:13:12,125 --> 00:13:14,345 Blake, please present your work. 376 00:13:14,377 --> 00:13:16,167 ♪ 377 00:13:16,170 --> 00:13:17,630 - All right, Blake. 378 00:13:17,672 --> 00:13:20,466 So right off, you know, standard knife shape. 379 00:13:20,466 --> 00:13:21,716 I don’t see a lot of pattern, 380 00:13:21,759 --> 00:13:23,589 but unfortunately, what I do see, 381 00:13:23,636 --> 00:13:26,136 there’s a lot of mass in this blade still. 382 00:13:26,180 --> 00:13:27,720 And then a fair amount of delaminations 383 00:13:27,807 --> 00:13:29,307 up here at the tip. 384 00:13:29,350 --> 00:13:30,850 If you go forward, 385 00:13:30,893 --> 00:13:34,103 I’d like to see this blade get a lot of refinement. 386 00:13:34,147 --> 00:13:36,477 But it’s a layered Damascus, so good job. 387 00:13:36,482 --> 00:13:38,482 - Thank you. I appreciate it. 388 00:13:38,568 --> 00:13:40,688 - All right, Jason. You’re up. Please present your work. 389 00:13:40,695 --> 00:13:42,455 ♪ 390 00:13:42,488 --> 00:13:44,866 - All right, Jason, let’s talk about your blade here. 391 00:13:44,866 --> 00:13:46,616 First up, I commend you, 392 00:13:46,659 --> 00:13:48,369 because you didn’t play it safe. 393 00:13:48,369 --> 00:13:51,539 You folded it over to increase your layer count, 394 00:13:51,539 --> 00:13:52,829 and it shows. 395 00:13:52,874 --> 00:13:54,214 That’s what I like about this competition, 396 00:13:54,250 --> 00:13:55,960 when you go above and beyond. 397 00:13:56,002 --> 00:13:58,379 You have a nice shape here. Just a refined blade. 398 00:13:58,379 --> 00:14:00,506 And keep doing what you’re doing. 399 00:14:00,506 --> 00:14:02,796 - Next up, we got Jake. Please present your work. 400 00:14:02,842 --> 00:14:06,182 ♪ 401 00:14:06,220 --> 00:14:08,510 - All right, Jake. Did good work out there. 402 00:14:08,514 --> 00:14:10,474 I like the way you did that stack. 403 00:14:10,516 --> 00:14:12,016 The steel looks good. 404 00:14:12,060 --> 00:14:14,440 My big concern right now, 405 00:14:14,479 --> 00:14:16,859 your handle has got a good flare to it, 406 00:14:16,898 --> 00:14:18,318 but you got a lot of handle there. 407 00:14:18,358 --> 00:14:20,898 You might want to do something about that. 408 00:14:20,902 --> 00:14:22,742 But otherwise, you’re on the right path. 409 00:14:22,779 --> 00:14:24,906 Good job. - Thank you. 410 00:14:24,906 --> 00:14:27,866 - Last but not least, Silas, please present your work. 411 00:14:27,909 --> 00:14:29,739 ♪ 412 00:14:29,744 --> 00:14:31,204 - All right, Silas. 413 00:14:31,287 --> 00:14:33,037 I see a couple of things that are really cool. 414 00:14:33,081 --> 00:14:36,171 One is that you have this nice recurve profile going on. 415 00:14:36,209 --> 00:14:37,879 It’s immediately stunning. 416 00:14:37,919 --> 00:14:40,709 And second is the way that you layered up your Damascus. 417 00:14:40,755 --> 00:14:42,095 To flip it 90 degrees, 418 00:14:42,131 --> 00:14:44,011 it’s a really interesting take on it 419 00:14:44,050 --> 00:14:45,380 and I like what you did there. 420 00:14:45,426 --> 00:14:48,096 Moving back to your handle, it’s really long, 421 00:14:48,137 --> 00:14:49,887 so if you move forward from here, 422 00:14:49,931 --> 00:14:51,641 make it more comfortable to hold on to. 423 00:14:51,682 --> 00:14:52,852 Other than that, though, 424 00:14:52,892 --> 00:14:54,392 I think you’re really on your way. 425 00:14:54,394 --> 00:14:56,771 - Cool. Thank you. 426 00:14:56,771 --> 00:14:58,771 - Gentlemen, this competition started back at your home forge 427 00:14:58,773 --> 00:15:01,073 where you fought against two other peers of yours 428 00:15:01,109 --> 00:15:02,529 and you came out on top. 429 00:15:02,568 --> 00:15:03,778 Now, you all did a great job 430 00:15:03,778 --> 00:15:05,358 in this first round of the final leg, 431 00:15:05,405 --> 00:15:06,906 but we do have to make a decision 432 00:15:06,906 --> 00:15:08,696 as to which one of you is not gonna be moving forward 433 00:15:08,741 --> 00:15:10,581 into the next round. 434 00:15:10,618 --> 00:15:12,238 The bladesmith leaving The Forge is... 435 00:15:12,245 --> 00:15:15,081 [dramatic music] 436 00:15:15,081 --> 00:15:16,711 ♪ 437 00:15:16,749 --> 00:15:18,626 Blake, unfortunately, your blade did not make the cut 438 00:15:18,626 --> 00:15:20,666 and Doug’s gonna tell you why. 439 00:15:20,711 --> 00:15:22,461 - Blake, from your home forge 440 00:15:22,463 --> 00:15:25,591 of Combat Ready Arts in Kalamazoo to our forge, 441 00:15:25,591 --> 00:15:28,591 it’s been a pleasure to watch you overcome the challenges, 442 00:15:28,594 --> 00:15:31,305 but at the end of the day, your blade is the least refined 443 00:15:31,305 --> 00:15:33,215 and has the most work moving into the second round. 444 00:15:33,266 --> 00:15:34,926 And that’s why we’re sending you home. 445 00:15:34,976 --> 00:15:36,516 - Understandable. 446 00:15:36,561 --> 00:15:38,101 - Blake, we wanna say thank you for coming out here, 447 00:15:38,146 --> 00:15:39,806 fighting so hard, but unfortunately this time, 448 00:15:39,856 --> 00:15:41,646 I’m gonna have to ask you to please surrender your work 449 00:15:41,649 --> 00:15:42,817 and step off The Forge floor. 450 00:15:42,817 --> 00:15:44,107 - Sure thing. 451 00:15:44,152 --> 00:15:45,442 I’m a little bummed, 452 00:15:45,528 --> 00:15:47,278 but also kind of saw it coming. 453 00:15:47,321 --> 00:15:48,821 I would’ve loved to have brought home 10 grand 454 00:15:48,865 --> 00:15:50,455 to Combat Ready Art 455 00:15:50,491 --> 00:15:51,951 and I would’ve loved to have brought 20 grand home 456 00:15:51,993 --> 00:15:54,623 to myself after all the effort that has gone into this, 457 00:15:54,662 --> 00:15:57,252 but I’m proud with what I’ve accomplished 458 00:15:57,290 --> 00:15:59,625 and maybe I’ll make it back again sometime. 459 00:15:59,625 --> 00:16:02,285 ♪ 460 00:16:02,336 --> 00:16:03,626 - Gentlemen, congratulations. 461 00:16:03,671 --> 00:16:05,339 Your hard work in the first round has paid off 462 00:16:05,339 --> 00:16:07,169 and all three of you are joining us in round two 463 00:16:07,216 --> 00:16:09,426 of this final tournament leg. 464 00:16:09,469 --> 00:16:10,759 For this second round, 465 00:16:10,803 --> 00:16:13,306 you can use whatever handle material you want 466 00:16:13,306 --> 00:16:15,466 to finish your custom blades, 467 00:16:15,516 --> 00:16:18,186 but there is a little bit of a catch. 468 00:16:18,186 --> 00:16:20,146 Instead of having two hours to finish your weapons, 469 00:16:20,188 --> 00:16:22,398 you will only have 90 minutes. 470 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:23,690 - [softly] What the... 471 00:16:23,691 --> 00:16:25,318 Honestly, I’m more nervous now 472 00:16:25,318 --> 00:16:27,528 than I was at the beginning of the first round. 473 00:16:27,528 --> 00:16:28,988 - Now, when this round is complete, 474 00:16:28,988 --> 00:16:30,488 you’ll turn your blades over to our judges 475 00:16:30,531 --> 00:16:31,781 and they’re gonna check for strength and durability 476 00:16:31,824 --> 00:16:33,534 in that giant bamboo chop 477 00:16:33,576 --> 00:16:35,156 and then check your edge retention 478 00:16:35,161 --> 00:16:36,701 in the playing card slice. 479 00:16:36,704 --> 00:16:38,334 Good luck, gentlemen. 480 00:16:38,372 --> 00:16:39,962 90 minutes is not a lot of time to get these blades done, 481 00:16:39,999 --> 00:16:42,959 and that time starts now. 482 00:16:43,002 --> 00:16:45,379 - Here we go. 483 00:16:45,379 --> 00:16:48,629 - 90 minutes to sharpen the blades, 484 00:16:48,674 --> 00:16:51,184 clean ’em up, add the handles, shape the handles, 485 00:16:51,219 --> 00:16:53,639 get an edge on-- it’s pretty rough. 486 00:16:53,679 --> 00:16:55,849 ♪ 487 00:16:55,890 --> 00:16:57,680 - Jason’s belly-up to the grinder, 488 00:16:57,767 --> 00:16:59,887 throwing sparks. 489 00:16:59,894 --> 00:17:03,356 - I feel like the judges want to see a finished product, 490 00:17:03,356 --> 00:17:06,566 so I’ve got to hog down the handle as fast as I can, 491 00:17:06,567 --> 00:17:07,985 as quick as I can, and get her done. 492 00:17:07,985 --> 00:17:09,985 I need the money. 493 00:17:10,029 --> 00:17:11,819 - [chuckles] Cutting out that 30 minutes? 494 00:17:11,864 --> 00:17:14,414 Man, that is a ball-buster. 495 00:17:14,450 --> 00:17:16,490 - Is Jake setting up a real thin piece of Micarta? 496 00:17:16,536 --> 00:17:17,826 - Yeah. 497 00:17:17,870 --> 00:17:19,000 - Is that gonna be enough to get a good grip 498 00:17:19,038 --> 00:17:20,788 on a 14-inch blade? 499 00:17:20,831 --> 00:17:23,631 - The kind of handle profile that Jake’s got going there, 500 00:17:23,668 --> 00:17:25,168 I would like to see something a little wider 501 00:17:25,211 --> 00:17:26,546 and some palm swells ground into it. 502 00:17:26,546 --> 00:17:27,956 - Yeah, it wouldn’t hurt. 503 00:17:28,047 --> 00:17:29,667 - I wish I had a little bit more time, 504 00:17:29,715 --> 00:17:31,005 but I’m feeling pretty good. 505 00:17:31,050 --> 00:17:33,260 We can do this. It’s feasible. 506 00:17:33,261 --> 00:17:36,221 ♪ 507 00:17:36,264 --> 00:17:39,064 - Silas has the issue where his handle is so long, 508 00:17:39,100 --> 00:17:40,350 so I mean, he cut some out of the middle 509 00:17:40,393 --> 00:17:41,643 and re-weld it together. 510 00:17:41,727 --> 00:17:43,847 - That would be the ideal thing to do. 511 00:17:43,896 --> 00:17:45,146 - Ben mentioned that 512 00:17:45,189 --> 00:17:46,769 my handle is a little bit long, 513 00:17:46,816 --> 00:17:49,396 but since we only have 90 minutes, 514 00:17:49,443 --> 00:17:52,783 there’s not a lot I can do at this point to address that. 515 00:17:52,822 --> 00:17:54,865 - Doesn’t look like Silas is gonna cut that handle in half. 516 00:17:54,865 --> 00:17:57,075 He was already grinding hard on that tang. 517 00:17:57,118 --> 00:17:59,578 - I feel like it fits my hand pretty well, 518 00:17:59,620 --> 00:18:01,620 so I’m just gonna try to make it as comfortable 519 00:18:01,664 --> 00:18:03,424 and functional as possible. 520 00:18:03,457 --> 00:18:06,537 Hopefully, it doesn’t come back to bite me. 521 00:18:06,586 --> 00:18:08,376 - So now that I’ve got the thickness that I want, 522 00:18:08,421 --> 00:18:10,261 I’m basically ready to start with the handle. 523 00:18:10,298 --> 00:18:13,048 ♪ 524 00:18:13,092 --> 00:18:14,969 Is that right? Is that right? 525 00:18:14,969 --> 00:18:16,137 ♪ 526 00:18:16,137 --> 00:18:18,097 No. [chuckles] 527 00:18:18,139 --> 00:18:19,807 [bleep]. 528 00:18:19,807 --> 00:18:22,226 Silly me put epoxy on the wrong side 529 00:18:22,226 --> 00:18:24,266 of my handle material that I got. 530 00:18:24,312 --> 00:18:26,442 Let’s do that again. - Uh-oh. 531 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:30,650 I think Jason’s had a little trouble with his handle. 532 00:18:30,651 --> 00:18:34,111 - First day making a knife. I’ll get her right in a minute. 533 00:18:34,155 --> 00:18:36,075 - This way, this way, this way. [David laughing] 534 00:18:36,115 --> 00:18:38,025 Glue’s on one face, wipes it off. 535 00:18:38,075 --> 00:18:41,115 - This is why it’s a good time to take a marker, 536 00:18:41,120 --> 00:18:43,620 put an R and an L and maybe an arrow 537 00:18:43,664 --> 00:18:46,792 on your scale before something like that happens. 538 00:18:46,792 --> 00:18:48,462 - Finally figured out the right side, 539 00:18:48,502 --> 00:18:51,592 I put it back on, but it’s kind of embarrassing. 540 00:18:51,631 --> 00:18:53,171 ♪ 541 00:18:53,215 --> 00:18:55,545 - This is go time. 542 00:18:55,593 --> 00:18:56,933 One of the critiques J. told me 543 00:18:56,969 --> 00:18:58,299 was my handle was too long, 544 00:18:58,346 --> 00:19:00,756 and I have to cut off the excess material 545 00:19:00,848 --> 00:19:02,768 to make my handle more comfortable. 546 00:19:02,808 --> 00:19:04,477 Not gonna half-ass it. 547 00:19:04,477 --> 00:19:05,767 Winning this tournament would mean everything. 548 00:19:06,062 --> 00:19:09,690 I mean, I’ve watched the show for as long as I can remember, 549 00:19:09,690 --> 00:19:12,026 and being on The Forge floor 550 00:19:12,026 --> 00:19:13,856 with all the judges in front of you, 551 00:19:13,861 --> 00:19:16,321 as an ABS member myself, I couldn’t be happier, man. 552 00:19:16,322 --> 00:19:17,952 Now we’re good. 553 00:19:17,990 --> 00:19:21,535 ♪ 554 00:19:21,535 --> 00:19:23,825 - I’ve got 22 minutes to finish my handle, 555 00:19:23,829 --> 00:19:27,459 and I gotta rush at this point. 556 00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:31,210 I drilled my holes in my handle for quarter-inch pins. 557 00:19:31,212 --> 00:19:33,052 Oh, [bleep]. - Uh-oh. 558 00:19:33,089 --> 00:19:35,049 - The holes are too small. 559 00:19:35,091 --> 00:19:37,801 I’m feeling very rushed. 560 00:19:37,843 --> 00:19:40,888 One wrong move can put a big crack in my steel, 561 00:19:40,888 --> 00:19:44,138 and I don’t have any time to start over. 562 00:19:44,183 --> 00:19:46,483 I’m starting to sweat a little bit. 563 00:19:46,519 --> 00:19:48,269 If I can’t put a handle on it, 564 00:19:48,312 --> 00:19:51,822 I definitely won’t make it to the next round. 565 00:19:51,857 --> 00:19:53,567 Now, I’m starting to freak out. 566 00:19:53,609 --> 00:19:56,699 ♪ 567 00:20:02,368 --> 00:20:03,577 - We’re now in the final minutes 568 00:20:03,577 --> 00:20:04,867 of the handle round here 569 00:20:04,870 --> 00:20:06,580 in our final leg of this tournament. 570 00:20:06,622 --> 00:20:08,207 Now we’ve got three smiths battling it out, 571 00:20:08,207 --> 00:20:09,537 giving everything they have 572 00:20:09,583 --> 00:20:11,503 in this hour-and-30-minute second round. 573 00:20:11,544 --> 00:20:14,424 Silas, running the risk of having to start over. 574 00:20:14,463 --> 00:20:16,173 - The holes are too small. 575 00:20:16,215 --> 00:20:18,085 If I can’t put a handle on it, 576 00:20:18,134 --> 00:20:19,804 I won’t make it to the next round. 577 00:20:19,844 --> 00:20:21,429 Now, I’m starting to freak out. 578 00:20:21,429 --> 00:20:23,929 [tense music] 579 00:20:23,931 --> 00:20:25,471 Waller out the holes a little bit, 580 00:20:25,516 --> 00:20:28,016 make sure these pins fit through. 581 00:20:28,060 --> 00:20:30,400 Certainly sweating it a little bit. 582 00:20:30,438 --> 00:20:32,018 ♪ 583 00:20:32,064 --> 00:20:33,107 Yes. 584 00:20:33,107 --> 00:20:34,517 My pins fit. 585 00:20:34,567 --> 00:20:37,107 I’m relieved and we’re all good to go. 586 00:20:37,111 --> 00:20:38,781 ♪ 587 00:20:38,821 --> 00:20:41,701 - My goal is to have my blade as nice as time will allow, 588 00:20:41,741 --> 00:20:44,241 and I don’t have much time. 589 00:20:44,285 --> 00:20:45,875 We need a good, thin blade, 590 00:20:45,911 --> 00:20:48,247 but you have to have that sweet spot 591 00:20:48,247 --> 00:20:50,537 so it doesn’t take damage in the strength test. 592 00:20:50,583 --> 00:20:52,293 - Jason probably won’t have any hair left on his arms. 593 00:20:52,293 --> 00:20:53,383 - Zero. 594 00:20:53,419 --> 00:20:54,709 Well, he started with his head. 595 00:20:54,754 --> 00:20:55,714 - He’s got a good edge on there. 596 00:20:55,755 --> 00:20:57,757 [Grady chuckles] 597 00:20:57,757 --> 00:21:01,127 - All righty, baby! Let’s get with it. 598 00:21:01,177 --> 00:21:02,587 - Jake’s up on the grinder. 599 00:21:02,636 --> 00:21:03,966 - He better hurry up. 600 00:21:03,971 --> 00:21:05,971 - Gentlemen, you’re down to five minutes! 601 00:21:06,015 --> 00:21:07,433 The playing card slice, 602 00:21:07,433 --> 00:21:09,773 it might seem like one of our more benign tests, 603 00:21:09,852 --> 00:21:11,232 but having learned from you guys, 604 00:21:11,270 --> 00:21:12,900 it’s actually one of the more telling 605 00:21:12,938 --> 00:21:14,898 sharpness tests we have. - Yeah. 606 00:21:14,940 --> 00:21:15,980 The nice thing about it is 607 00:21:15,983 --> 00:21:17,651 the blade that cuts nicely, 608 00:21:17,651 --> 00:21:20,279 you can see a nice, clean cut all the way through. 609 00:21:20,279 --> 00:21:23,279 If it’s not as sharp or the edge geometry is different, 610 00:21:23,324 --> 00:21:25,914 it may skip over some cards. 611 00:21:25,951 --> 00:21:28,081 - I got my blade as sharp as I think I can get it, 612 00:21:28,120 --> 00:21:30,410 so I’m feeling pretty good. 613 00:21:30,456 --> 00:21:32,036 We’re good. I like it. 614 00:21:32,082 --> 00:21:36,796 - Five, four, three, two, one! 615 00:21:36,796 --> 00:21:40,336 Gentlemen, shut it down! This round is over! 616 00:21:40,341 --> 00:21:42,971 - 90 minutes is up. I put down my knife. 617 00:21:43,052 --> 00:21:45,102 I got an edge on it. I got a handle on it. 618 00:21:45,137 --> 00:21:46,967 It meets parameters. 619 00:21:47,014 --> 00:21:48,934 I certainly could use an extra 30 minutes 620 00:21:48,974 --> 00:21:50,314 to refine everything, 621 00:21:50,351 --> 00:21:52,186 but now, it’s in the judge’s hands. 622 00:21:52,186 --> 00:21:53,646 [dramatic music] 623 00:21:53,646 --> 00:21:55,436 - All right, bladesmiths. 624 00:21:55,481 --> 00:21:57,481 We’re gonna start off with the strength test, 625 00:21:57,483 --> 00:22:00,693 giant bamboo chop. 626 00:22:00,694 --> 00:22:01,864 Now it’s gonna be cool to see 627 00:22:01,904 --> 00:22:03,030 what your blades do to the bamboo, 628 00:22:03,030 --> 00:22:04,698 but I want to see what the bamboo, 629 00:22:04,698 --> 00:22:07,448 especially this giant bamboo, is gonna do to your blades. 630 00:22:07,493 --> 00:22:09,333 Jason, you’re up first. You ready to go? 631 00:22:09,411 --> 00:22:10,621 - It’s [inaudible] time. 632 00:22:10,663 --> 00:22:12,213 - All right. Let’s go. 633 00:22:12,832 --> 00:22:14,832 - I’ve made this design many a time, 634 00:22:14,875 --> 00:22:17,375 but seeing past competitions, 635 00:22:17,378 --> 00:22:19,338 I know that bamboo can do some damage, 636 00:22:19,380 --> 00:22:21,210 so I’m worried to death. 637 00:22:21,215 --> 00:22:22,550 ♪ 638 00:22:22,550 --> 00:22:25,800 [J. grunting] 639 00:22:25,845 --> 00:22:32,735 ♪ 640 00:22:35,396 --> 00:22:37,226 [chuckles] 641 00:22:37,231 --> 00:22:40,731 [suspenseful music] 642 00:22:40,776 --> 00:22:42,186 - All right, Jason. Nice job. 643 00:22:42,194 --> 00:22:44,029 Everything held together well. 644 00:22:44,029 --> 00:22:47,119 Blade is still straight, everything’s still in line. 645 00:22:47,157 --> 00:22:49,947 Good job. - Thank you. 646 00:22:49,994 --> 00:22:51,294 - All right, Jake. You ready to go, bud? 647 00:22:51,328 --> 00:22:53,038 - Let’s get after it. - Let’s do it. 648 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:55,040 ♪ 649 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:57,130 - J. is notorious for breaking blades, 650 00:22:57,167 --> 00:22:59,377 so I’m nervous right now. 651 00:22:59,420 --> 00:23:00,880 ♪ 652 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:02,550 [exhales] 653 00:23:02,590 --> 00:23:05,680 [dramatic music] 654 00:23:05,718 --> 00:23:12,598 ♪ 655 00:23:17,563 --> 00:23:20,566 [exhales] Damn. 656 00:23:20,566 --> 00:23:23,566 ♪ 657 00:23:23,569 --> 00:23:25,149 - All right, Jake. Nice. 658 00:23:25,195 --> 00:23:27,235 The steel held up well. 659 00:23:27,239 --> 00:23:30,199 There’s not a thing wrong with this edge whatsoever. 660 00:23:30,242 --> 00:23:32,870 So really nice job on the heat treat on this. 661 00:23:32,870 --> 00:23:36,160 As far as your handle, it’s just enough. 662 00:23:36,206 --> 00:23:38,826 Little bit longer would’ve been better for me. 663 00:23:38,876 --> 00:23:41,916 But overall, good job. - Thank you, sir. 664 00:23:41,921 --> 00:23:44,211 - All right. Silas, you ready to go, bud? 665 00:23:44,256 --> 00:23:45,756 - Born ready. - All right. 666 00:23:45,758 --> 00:23:47,378 Well, let’s keep going, then. 667 00:23:47,968 --> 00:23:50,968 - I’m certainly nervous going into this test. 668 00:23:50,971 --> 00:23:52,971 I do have a very thin blade, 669 00:23:53,015 --> 00:23:55,565 and so my biggest concern at this point 670 00:23:55,601 --> 00:23:57,441 is that my edge holds up. 671 00:23:57,478 --> 00:24:00,438 [dramatic music] 672 00:24:00,481 --> 00:24:03,781 ♪ 673 00:24:09,323 --> 00:24:11,158 [dramatic music] 674 00:24:11,158 --> 00:24:14,158 - I’m certainly nervous going into this test. 675 00:24:14,161 --> 00:24:15,829 Hopefully, it’ll hold up. 676 00:24:15,829 --> 00:24:17,998 ♪ 677 00:24:17,998 --> 00:24:20,828 [energetic rock music] 678 00:24:20,834 --> 00:24:27,844 ♪ 679 00:24:32,513 --> 00:24:35,023 [suspenseful music] 680 00:24:35,057 --> 00:24:36,517 - All right, Silas. Nice. 681 00:24:36,517 --> 00:24:39,517 No damage on the edge whatsoever. 682 00:24:39,520 --> 00:24:42,189 Edge is beautiful. Good job. 683 00:24:42,189 --> 00:24:44,319 - Thank you. 684 00:24:44,358 --> 00:24:47,858 ♪ 685 00:24:47,861 --> 00:24:49,991 - Bladesmiths, welcome to the sharpness test, 686 00:24:50,030 --> 00:24:52,530 the playing card slice. 687 00:24:52,533 --> 00:24:54,033 Jason, you’re up first. You ready for this? 688 00:24:54,034 --> 00:24:55,369 - Yes, sir. 689 00:24:55,369 --> 00:25:01,709 ♪ 690 00:25:01,709 --> 00:25:05,089 [energetic rock music] 691 00:25:05,170 --> 00:25:06,380 - [whistles] 692 00:25:06,422 --> 00:25:09,382 [all chuckling] - That was crazy. 693 00:25:09,383 --> 00:25:11,763 [suspenseful music] 694 00:25:11,844 --> 00:25:14,224 - All right, Jason. This is a sharp blade. 695 00:25:14,263 --> 00:25:17,683 The geometry of your edge was really set up for sharpness. 696 00:25:17,725 --> 00:25:20,355 Well done. - Thank you, sir. 697 00:25:20,394 --> 00:25:21,729 - All right, Jake. You ready? 698 00:25:21,729 --> 00:25:23,397 - Let’s do it. - All right. 699 00:25:23,397 --> 00:25:28,567 ♪ 700 00:25:28,569 --> 00:25:31,905 [energetic rock music] 701 00:25:31,905 --> 00:25:39,035 ♪ 702 00:25:39,246 --> 00:25:42,746 [tense music] 703 00:25:42,791 --> 00:25:44,541 All right, Jake. 704 00:25:44,585 --> 00:25:46,420 First off, let me say this is a sharp knife. 705 00:25:46,420 --> 00:25:49,210 But I had a little trouble starting the cut, 706 00:25:49,256 --> 00:25:51,416 and that has to do with the inconsistency 707 00:25:51,425 --> 00:25:53,093 in the edge geometry. 708 00:25:53,093 --> 00:25:54,433 Here, it’s a very fine edge. 709 00:25:54,470 --> 00:25:56,100 As you get towards the swell here, 710 00:25:56,138 --> 00:25:58,388 it gets a little fatter, it’s a little more obtuse, 711 00:25:58,432 --> 00:26:00,392 and just didn’t bite that first card, 712 00:26:00,434 --> 00:26:01,769 and once it doesn’t bite the first card, 713 00:26:01,769 --> 00:26:03,939 it kind of starts pushing over other cards 714 00:26:03,979 --> 00:26:06,607 until I ended up in that super sweet spot right there, 715 00:26:06,607 --> 00:26:08,477 and then the rest of ’em just got cut right through. 716 00:26:08,567 --> 00:26:10,107 But think you did a good job. 717 00:26:10,110 --> 00:26:12,320 - Thank you. 718 00:26:12,404 --> 00:26:13,784 All right, Silas. You’re up, man. You ready? 719 00:26:13,822 --> 00:26:15,949 - Let’s do this. - Let’s do it. 720 00:26:15,949 --> 00:26:18,619 [suspenseful music] 721 00:26:18,619 --> 00:26:20,287 ♪ 722 00:26:20,287 --> 00:26:23,457 [energetic rock music] 723 00:26:24,958 --> 00:26:26,627 - Thank you. 724 00:26:26,627 --> 00:26:30,007 [suspenseful music] 725 00:26:30,089 --> 00:26:31,965 - All right, Silas, you did a good job 726 00:26:31,965 --> 00:26:35,135 of balancing a strong blade with a sharp blade. 727 00:26:35,177 --> 00:26:38,137 The edge is fine all the way along. 728 00:26:38,138 --> 00:26:40,468 Your handle, it’s really comfortable, 729 00:26:40,474 --> 00:26:41,642 and you’ve designed well for the test. 730 00:26:41,642 --> 00:26:43,642 Nice job. - Thank you. 731 00:26:43,644 --> 00:26:45,314 ♪ 732 00:26:45,354 --> 00:26:48,614 [dramatic music] 733 00:26:48,649 --> 00:26:49,817 ♪ 734 00:26:49,817 --> 00:26:52,317 - Gentlemen, very, very well done. 735 00:26:52,319 --> 00:26:54,779 Guys, it’s been a long road to get into this final leg, 736 00:26:54,822 --> 00:26:57,122 but the bladesmith leaving The Forge is... 737 00:26:57,157 --> 00:27:00,827 ♪ 738 00:27:00,869 --> 00:27:02,996 Jake, unfortunately, your blade didn’t make the cut 739 00:27:02,996 --> 00:27:04,786 and Doug’s gonna tell you why. 740 00:27:04,832 --> 00:27:07,668 - Jake, this is not a regular competition. 741 00:27:07,668 --> 00:27:08,998 This is special. 742 00:27:09,002 --> 00:27:10,802 All of you had to win to get here, 743 00:27:10,838 --> 00:27:12,458 and it shows because 744 00:27:12,506 --> 00:27:15,175 the standards are very high with the blades presented. 745 00:27:15,175 --> 00:27:17,505 But your blade underperformed on the sharpness test, 746 00:27:17,511 --> 00:27:19,641 and that’s the reason why you’re not moving forward. 747 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:21,310 - Thank you. I appreciate it. 748 00:27:21,348 --> 00:27:23,016 - Jake, from Texas to here, 749 00:27:23,016 --> 00:27:24,556 it’s been an absolute honor watching you work, 750 00:27:24,643 --> 00:27:25,853 but unfortunately, your time 751 00:27:25,853 --> 00:27:28,689 in this specific tournament has ended. 752 00:27:28,689 --> 00:27:31,569 - You know, this whole experience has been awesome, 753 00:27:31,650 --> 00:27:33,400 and it is an honor to be a part of this 754 00:27:33,485 --> 00:27:35,315 and to represent the Bill Moran School. 755 00:27:35,362 --> 00:27:36,362 You win some and you lose some, 756 00:27:36,697 --> 00:27:39,867 but I still brought home a victory in the past round, 757 00:27:39,867 --> 00:27:42,867 and this whole experience has been awesome. 758 00:27:42,870 --> 00:27:45,330 ♪ 759 00:27:45,372 --> 00:27:46,707 - Gentlemen, we started this tournament 760 00:27:46,707 --> 00:27:49,077 with 12 smiths from around the country. 761 00:27:49,168 --> 00:27:50,838 We’ve ended with Ben’s pick 762 00:27:50,878 --> 00:27:52,748 from Clay Spencer Blacksmith Shop 763 00:27:52,838 --> 00:27:56,218 and Dave’s pick from the New Agrarian School in Montana. 764 00:27:56,258 --> 00:27:58,548 Guys, you’ve both proven yourselves to be worthy smiths, 765 00:27:58,594 --> 00:27:59,934 and you’ve earned your spot 766 00:28:00,012 --> 00:28:01,512 in this final round of the competition. 767 00:28:01,555 --> 00:28:03,225 And you guys are not only fighting for $20,000 768 00:28:03,265 --> 00:28:04,775 to go into your pocket, 769 00:28:04,850 --> 00:28:06,690 but up to $10,000 in gear and supplies 770 00:28:06,727 --> 00:28:08,896 to go back to the forge where we met you at. 771 00:28:08,896 --> 00:28:11,226 And in this final round, we’re sending you back home 772 00:28:11,273 --> 00:28:15,193 for four days to build a menacing blade from history. 773 00:28:15,235 --> 00:28:17,195 We want you to build this... 774 00:28:17,237 --> 00:28:19,067 ♪ 775 00:28:19,114 --> 00:28:21,074 The Moplah sword. 776 00:28:21,074 --> 00:28:22,374 - Whoa. 777 00:28:22,409 --> 00:28:23,909 ♪ 778 00:28:23,911 --> 00:28:25,411 - The Moplah sword traces its origins 779 00:28:25,412 --> 00:28:27,748 back to 17th century South India, 780 00:28:27,748 --> 00:28:28,916 where it has been the weapon of choice 781 00:28:28,916 --> 00:28:30,536 for the Moplah community. 782 00:28:30,584 --> 00:28:32,419 Featuring a broad, lightweight blade 783 00:28:32,419 --> 00:28:34,799 and a concave edge that flares to a pronounced point, 784 00:28:34,880 --> 00:28:36,757 making it an extremely lethal battle sword, 785 00:28:36,757 --> 00:28:38,587 capable of delivering deadly slashes 786 00:28:38,634 --> 00:28:40,594 and destructive blows upon its enemies. 787 00:28:40,594 --> 00:28:42,262 While it’s distinguished by its ornate wood 788 00:28:42,262 --> 00:28:44,222 or bone handle, this brutal blade 789 00:28:44,264 --> 00:28:45,933 also played an important role 790 00:28:45,933 --> 00:28:48,393 in the Moplah rebellion of the early 20th century, 791 00:28:48,435 --> 00:28:49,765 where it was used to take up arms 792 00:28:49,770 --> 00:28:52,105 against occupying British colonists. 793 00:28:52,105 --> 00:28:53,435 ♪ 794 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:54,770 Now gentlemen, listen closely. 795 00:28:54,816 --> 00:28:55,936 There are quite a few parameters 796 00:28:55,943 --> 00:28:57,236 you guys are gonna have to follow. 797 00:28:57,236 --> 00:28:58,606 Now starting with the blade, 798 00:28:58,612 --> 00:29:01,782 it will need to measure between 15 and 17 inches 799 00:29:01,782 --> 00:29:04,782 and swell to no less than 4 1/2 inches up toward the tip 800 00:29:04,785 --> 00:29:07,755 and finished off with a bird’s beak-style handle. 801 00:29:07,788 --> 00:29:08,956 How you feeling? 802 00:29:08,956 --> 00:29:10,456 - Not too good. 803 00:29:10,457 --> 00:29:12,125 Moplah sword? 804 00:29:12,125 --> 00:29:13,785 What the heck is a Moplah? 805 00:29:13,794 --> 00:29:16,129 I’ve made swords, I’ve made axes, 806 00:29:16,129 --> 00:29:20,089 but I’ve never made anything this wide or funky-looking. 807 00:29:20,133 --> 00:29:22,970 - Well, guys, we know you’re both very skilled. 808 00:29:22,970 --> 00:29:25,510 We’ve seen that proven through the work you’ve shown us. 809 00:29:25,597 --> 00:29:27,137 But over the next four days, 810 00:29:27,182 --> 00:29:29,810 we want to see your absolute best work. 811 00:29:29,810 --> 00:29:31,140 Gentlemen, good luck. 812 00:29:31,144 --> 00:29:32,980 We will see you both in four days. 813 00:29:32,980 --> 00:29:34,860 ♪ 814 00:29:35,482 --> 00:29:37,692 - Day one here at my home forge. 815 00:29:37,818 --> 00:29:40,148 I have to put my best foot forward, 816 00:29:40,195 --> 00:29:41,485 so there’s a lot at stake here. 817 00:29:41,488 --> 00:29:42,988 All right. 818 00:29:43,031 --> 00:29:46,159 It’s first place or nothing, so let’s get ’er done. 819 00:29:46,159 --> 00:29:47,989 [energetic rock music] 820 00:29:47,995 --> 00:29:51,965 I’m going to try to separate my blade from Silas’ blade 821 00:29:51,999 --> 00:29:54,959 and do San Mai Damascus, 822 00:29:55,002 --> 00:29:57,962 so I’m going to make two billets of Damascus. 823 00:29:58,005 --> 00:29:59,675 Fire in the hole. 824 00:29:59,715 --> 00:30:02,515 I’m going to sandwich the two billets of Damascus 825 00:30:02,551 --> 00:30:04,641 with a piece of 80CrV. 826 00:30:04,678 --> 00:30:06,508 Getting there. 827 00:30:06,513 --> 00:30:08,181 It’s the end of day one. 828 00:30:08,181 --> 00:30:11,181 I’ve got two billets that are 200 layers each, 829 00:30:11,184 --> 00:30:14,314 so I guess, I don’t know, 400 layers, 830 00:30:14,354 --> 00:30:16,314 but I ain’t much of a mathematician. 831 00:30:16,356 --> 00:30:17,516 [chuckles] 832 00:30:17,524 --> 00:30:18,859 ♪ 833 00:30:18,859 --> 00:30:21,028 - It’s the beginning of day one. 834 00:30:21,028 --> 00:30:23,196 It feels great to be in the final round. 835 00:30:23,196 --> 00:30:25,696 I would love to win this competition 836 00:30:25,699 --> 00:30:28,535 and bring home the accolades for the New Agrarian School. 837 00:30:28,535 --> 00:30:30,695 This is it. 838 00:30:30,746 --> 00:30:34,706 The plan for today is to get my Damascus billet forged out, 839 00:30:34,708 --> 00:30:36,538 but we’ll see how far I get. 840 00:30:36,543 --> 00:30:37,711 ♪ 841 00:30:37,711 --> 00:30:39,671 That’s the business right there. 842 00:30:39,713 --> 00:30:41,381 I don’t really make Damascus, 843 00:30:41,381 --> 00:30:44,881 and I have never made something like this before, 844 00:30:44,885 --> 00:30:47,515 so, uh, this is a little bit of a new experience. 845 00:30:47,554 --> 00:30:50,057 But you gotta risk it for the biscuit. 846 00:30:50,057 --> 00:30:51,677 That looks pretty good. 847 00:30:51,725 --> 00:30:52,893 ♪ 848 00:30:52,893 --> 00:30:55,062 - Morning of day two. 849 00:30:55,062 --> 00:30:57,898 Two, huh? [laughs] 850 00:30:57,898 --> 00:31:01,068 My goals for the day is to have the blade 851 00:31:01,109 --> 00:31:04,029 completely forged out, if possible. 852 00:31:04,071 --> 00:31:05,571 I’ve made lots of Damascus, 853 00:31:05,572 --> 00:31:07,572 but nothing this big, 854 00:31:07,574 --> 00:31:09,743 so drawing it out and making it real wide-- 855 00:31:09,743 --> 00:31:11,703 that’s gonna be a task. 856 00:31:11,745 --> 00:31:14,965 I’m at 3 inches. I need another inch and a half. 857 00:31:15,040 --> 00:31:17,040 I don’t know if I got enough. 858 00:31:17,084 --> 00:31:19,419 Yeah, they’re making me earn this 20,000. 859 00:31:19,419 --> 00:31:21,799 ♪ 860 00:31:21,880 --> 00:31:24,590 Dang it. It’s not getting there. 861 00:31:24,591 --> 00:31:26,091 [growls] 862 00:31:26,093 --> 00:31:28,428 If I don’t get the width parameters met, 863 00:31:28,428 --> 00:31:30,218 I’m out of this competition. 864 00:31:30,263 --> 00:31:31,723 Yeah, I ain’t gonna make it. 865 00:31:31,765 --> 00:31:33,100 I’m starting to panic, 866 00:31:33,100 --> 00:31:34,480 and I know that I can’t start all over 867 00:31:34,559 --> 00:31:37,769 ’cause I’ve spent all this time on it. 868 00:31:37,771 --> 00:31:39,651 I ain’t got enough. 869 00:31:39,731 --> 00:31:41,271 I don’t know what I’m gonna do. 870 00:31:41,274 --> 00:31:42,984 ♪ 871 00:31:47,781 --> 00:31:49,031 [flames whoosh] 872 00:31:49,074 --> 00:31:51,118 - Dang it! 873 00:31:51,118 --> 00:31:55,198 I don’t have enough meat to spread out. 874 00:31:55,247 --> 00:31:57,417 If I don’t get the width parameters met, 875 00:31:57,457 --> 00:31:59,957 I’m out of this competition. 876 00:31:59,960 --> 00:32:01,790 [sighs] I don’t have enough steel 877 00:32:01,837 --> 00:32:03,417 to spread out, 878 00:32:03,463 --> 00:32:05,263 so I gotta do the unthinkable 879 00:32:05,340 --> 00:32:09,010 and just weld up a bunch of stuff on the spine 880 00:32:09,052 --> 00:32:10,892 to meet parameters. 881 00:32:10,929 --> 00:32:13,098 It’s about my only option right now. 882 00:32:13,098 --> 00:32:16,476 It’s a chancy move, lots that can go wrong, 883 00:32:16,476 --> 00:32:18,266 but I have to do something to fix it. 884 00:32:18,311 --> 00:32:21,111 ♪ 885 00:32:21,148 --> 00:32:22,608 We’re there. 886 00:32:22,649 --> 00:32:24,319 And that weld is ugly, 887 00:32:24,359 --> 00:32:26,319 but it’s gonna be what it’s gonna be at this point. 888 00:32:26,319 --> 00:32:27,819 End of day two. 889 00:32:27,821 --> 00:32:29,611 My parameters are all met, 890 00:32:29,656 --> 00:32:31,196 but this blade is gonna be 891 00:32:31,241 --> 00:32:33,827 a big pile of hot garbage when I’m done. 892 00:32:33,827 --> 00:32:36,407 - It’s the morning of day three. 893 00:32:36,455 --> 00:32:39,291 Yesterday, I got my blade all forged out 894 00:32:39,291 --> 00:32:41,131 and hardened. 895 00:32:41,168 --> 00:32:43,458 Looks good. 896 00:32:43,503 --> 00:32:44,838 [metal cracks] 897 00:32:44,838 --> 00:32:46,798 [bleep]. 898 00:32:46,840 --> 00:32:50,340 I just gave it a little flex, and a crack opened right up. 899 00:32:50,385 --> 00:32:52,255 You can see the crack right there 900 00:32:52,304 --> 00:32:54,724 in the edge of the blade. 901 00:32:54,764 --> 00:32:57,814 And the crack goes past where I could grind back 902 00:32:57,851 --> 00:32:59,271 to meet parameters, 903 00:32:59,311 --> 00:33:02,111 so looks like I’m starting over. 904 00:33:02,147 --> 00:33:05,727 That’s a huge setback. I lost two days, 905 00:33:05,775 --> 00:33:08,435 and I’m feeling a ton of pressure right now. 906 00:33:08,487 --> 00:33:11,107 I took a big risk going with Damascus, 907 00:33:11,156 --> 00:33:12,656 and unfortunately, it didn’t pay off. 908 00:33:12,657 --> 00:33:14,487 ♪ 909 00:33:14,493 --> 00:33:17,703 But got some 5160. I’m gonna forge a new blade. 910 00:33:17,746 --> 00:33:22,876 ♪ 911 00:33:22,876 --> 00:33:25,336 5160-- it’s not as beautiful, 912 00:33:25,420 --> 00:33:29,010 but I just need to churn out a finished weapon. 913 00:33:29,049 --> 00:33:31,469 Pretty good. 914 00:33:31,510 --> 00:33:33,550 - Morning of day four. 915 00:33:33,553 --> 00:33:36,643 [yawns] 916 00:33:36,681 --> 00:33:38,771 I’m tired. 917 00:33:38,808 --> 00:33:40,685 Yesterday, I got the blade quenched. 918 00:33:40,685 --> 00:33:42,145 [laughs] 919 00:33:42,187 --> 00:33:43,857 I also have all the parts made. 920 00:33:43,897 --> 00:33:45,187 I just gotta put it all together. 921 00:33:45,232 --> 00:33:46,522 Oh... 922 00:33:46,566 --> 00:33:48,186 This is the last step 923 00:33:48,235 --> 00:33:50,995 in a very long and difficult competition. 924 00:33:51,029 --> 00:33:53,359 I’ve put my entire heart and soul 925 00:33:53,365 --> 00:33:54,741 into this whole project, 926 00:33:54,741 --> 00:33:57,201 and if this don’t make it, 927 00:33:57,244 --> 00:33:59,204 then I get nothing. 928 00:33:59,204 --> 00:34:01,374 I think, overall, the blade will make 929 00:34:01,414 --> 00:34:04,544 Ben and Clay Spencer Blacksmith Shop proud. 930 00:34:05,043 --> 00:34:07,003 - It’s the morning of day four, 931 00:34:07,045 --> 00:34:09,545 and yesterday, I got my blade quenched 932 00:34:09,589 --> 00:34:10,839 and ground 933 00:34:10,882 --> 00:34:14,552 and ready to put it all together. 934 00:34:14,594 --> 00:34:16,429 Okay, I think it’s-- this is it. 935 00:34:16,429 --> 00:34:18,429 I feel pretty good about my progress. 936 00:34:18,473 --> 00:34:20,023 I had a pretty major setback, 937 00:34:20,058 --> 00:34:22,435 but I gotta rush at this point 938 00:34:22,435 --> 00:34:24,515 to finish my handle. 939 00:34:24,563 --> 00:34:27,273 Hopefully, this will perform well and look good. 940 00:34:27,274 --> 00:34:29,234 Things didn’t work out like I had hoped, 941 00:34:29,276 --> 00:34:31,026 but kept my head down, 942 00:34:31,069 --> 00:34:33,279 and proud of what I’ve done so far, 943 00:34:33,280 --> 00:34:35,530 and hopefully, I can bring home the win 944 00:34:35,574 --> 00:34:38,034 to Jeffrey for the New Agrarian School. 945 00:34:38,076 --> 00:34:39,116 Hwa! 946 00:34:39,119 --> 00:34:42,079 [dramatic music] 947 00:34:42,080 --> 00:34:46,918 ♪ 948 00:34:46,918 --> 00:34:50,248 - Jason, Silas, what a road it has been to get here, guys. 949 00:34:50,255 --> 00:34:51,925 We started this "On the Road" tournament 950 00:34:51,965 --> 00:34:54,475 with 12 talented smiths, 951 00:34:54,509 --> 00:34:56,839 and now we’re down to the two of you guys. 952 00:34:56,886 --> 00:34:59,256 Jason, you were chosen by Ben Abbott 953 00:34:59,306 --> 00:35:01,136 to represent the Clay Spencer Blacksmith Shop 954 00:35:01,141 --> 00:35:02,681 because of your skills. 955 00:35:02,726 --> 00:35:05,436 Silas, because of your skills, you were chosen by Dave 956 00:35:05,478 --> 00:35:07,148 to represent the New Agrarian School. 957 00:35:07,188 --> 00:35:08,518 And now it comes down 958 00:35:08,565 --> 00:35:10,442 to this final round of testing, gentlemen. 959 00:35:10,442 --> 00:35:12,402 One of you guys will be leaving this tournament 960 00:35:12,444 --> 00:35:14,154 $20,000 richer, 961 00:35:14,195 --> 00:35:15,945 and you’ll also be bringing back 962 00:35:15,989 --> 00:35:17,989 up to $10,000 worth of gear and supplies 963 00:35:18,033 --> 00:35:20,203 to go to your home forge. 964 00:35:20,243 --> 00:35:22,123 Now, before we put your blades through those serious tests, 965 00:35:22,162 --> 00:35:23,962 I wanna hear about them. Jason, let’s start with you. 966 00:35:23,997 --> 00:35:24,957 - Well... 967 00:35:24,998 --> 00:35:26,828 ♪ 968 00:35:26,833 --> 00:35:28,503 It’s not the prettiest blade I’ve ever made, 969 00:35:28,543 --> 00:35:30,593 but I made it out of Damascus, 970 00:35:30,629 --> 00:35:32,297 80CrV in the middle, 971 00:35:32,297 --> 00:35:33,627 burl for the handle, 972 00:35:33,673 --> 00:35:36,513 and also checkered the handle. 973 00:35:36,551 --> 00:35:38,591 - It looks good. Silas. 974 00:35:38,637 --> 00:35:39,967 Let’s hear about yours. 975 00:35:40,013 --> 00:35:41,640 ♪ 976 00:35:41,640 --> 00:35:45,518 - The blade I submitted is forged from 5160, 977 00:35:45,518 --> 00:35:48,978 the ricasso cover is forged silicon bronze, 978 00:35:49,022 --> 00:35:51,982 and then the handle is wenge. 979 00:35:52,025 --> 00:35:53,655 - From where I’m standing, they both look phenomenal. 980 00:35:53,693 --> 00:35:56,196 Guys, first up, we’ve got the dynamic KEAL test, 981 00:35:56,196 --> 00:35:57,856 and for that, I’m gonna hand you over to Doug. 982 00:35:57,864 --> 00:36:01,034 ♪ 983 00:36:01,076 --> 00:36:03,826 - Bladesmiths, welcome to our dynamic KEAL test... 984 00:36:03,870 --> 00:36:05,250 ♪ 985 00:36:05,288 --> 00:36:06,958 The ballistics dummy and sheets of ice chop. 986 00:36:06,998 --> 00:36:08,166 Jason, you’re up first. You ready? 987 00:36:08,166 --> 00:36:10,166 - Yes, sir. - Let’s do this. 988 00:36:10,168 --> 00:36:12,168 ♪ 989 00:36:12,212 --> 00:36:14,547 - Chopping an ice block-- that’s pretty grueling, 990 00:36:14,547 --> 00:36:16,547 and I’m worried about my edge retention. 991 00:36:16,549 --> 00:36:18,009 [exhales] 992 00:36:18,009 --> 00:36:20,387 Hopefully, mine will go through all this. 993 00:36:20,387 --> 00:36:23,507 ♪ 994 00:36:23,556 --> 00:36:25,176 [exhales] 995 00:36:25,225 --> 00:36:32,115 ♪ 996 00:36:51,793 --> 00:36:52,883 - All right, Jason, 997 00:36:52,919 --> 00:36:54,959 let’s talk about your Moplah sword. 998 00:36:55,004 --> 00:36:57,384 In hitting the ice blocks, 999 00:36:57,424 --> 00:37:00,384 no damage on your tip and edge. 1000 00:37:00,427 --> 00:37:02,047 It stayed true. 1001 00:37:02,095 --> 00:37:05,265 In chopping through the ballistics dummy, 1002 00:37:05,265 --> 00:37:07,565 very deep, deep cuts, 1003 00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:09,890 and overall, your weapon-- 1004 00:37:09,936 --> 00:37:11,726 it’ll KEAL. 1005 00:37:11,771 --> 00:37:13,191 - Thank you, sir. 1006 00:37:13,231 --> 00:37:14,521 - All right, Silas, are you ready? 1007 00:37:14,566 --> 00:37:17,106 - Yes, sir. - Let’s do this. 1008 00:37:17,110 --> 00:37:18,900 - I am absolutely nervous. 1009 00:37:18,945 --> 00:37:21,315 I only had two days to make my blade, 1010 00:37:21,364 --> 00:37:24,117 and ice is really hard on blades, 1011 00:37:24,117 --> 00:37:26,367 and so, hopefully, mine will hold up. 1012 00:37:26,411 --> 00:37:31,251 ♪ 1013 00:37:36,629 --> 00:37:38,629 [dramatic music] 1014 00:37:38,631 --> 00:37:40,801 - I only had two days to make my blade, 1015 00:37:40,842 --> 00:37:43,842 and ice is really hard on blades, 1016 00:37:43,887 --> 00:37:45,967 so, hopefully, mine will hold up. 1017 00:37:45,972 --> 00:37:52,902 ♪ 1018 00:38:15,335 --> 00:38:17,845 - Good job. - [chuckles] 1019 00:38:17,879 --> 00:38:22,049 ♪ 1020 00:38:22,091 --> 00:38:25,261 - All right, Silas, let’s talk about your Moplah sword here. 1021 00:38:25,345 --> 00:38:29,525 First up, this thing is light. 1022 00:38:29,557 --> 00:38:31,097 I can use velocity 1023 00:38:31,184 --> 00:38:33,524 to cut cleanly on the ice blocks, 1024 00:38:33,561 --> 00:38:35,271 and those are one of the deepest cuts 1025 00:38:35,355 --> 00:38:36,735 we have on the ballistics dummy. 1026 00:38:36,773 --> 00:38:39,613 But in the test, you have two spots here 1027 00:38:39,692 --> 00:38:41,742 where I can get my fingernail into that, 1028 00:38:41,778 --> 00:38:43,278 but that’s because you have 1029 00:38:43,363 --> 00:38:47,367 a very, very acute and sharp edge here. 1030 00:38:47,367 --> 00:38:49,617 And it’ll KEAL. 1031 00:38:49,702 --> 00:38:55,462 ♪ 1032 00:38:55,542 --> 00:38:59,212 - [chuckles] 1033 00:38:59,212 --> 00:39:02,048 All right, gentlemen, welcome to our dynamic strength test: 1034 00:39:02,048 --> 00:39:03,716 the chain mail and skull chop. 1035 00:39:03,716 --> 00:39:05,466 ♪ 1036 00:39:05,552 --> 00:39:06,642 Jason, you’re up first. You ready? 1037 00:39:06,719 --> 00:39:07,929 - Yes, sir. - Okay. 1038 00:39:07,971 --> 00:39:14,811 ♪ 1039 00:39:27,407 --> 00:39:34,327 ♪ 1040 00:39:43,923 --> 00:39:45,593 All right, Jason. 1041 00:39:45,633 --> 00:39:47,260 This thing’s a beast. 1042 00:39:47,260 --> 00:39:49,095 Everything’s still right and tight. 1043 00:39:49,095 --> 00:39:50,505 I really like what you did here. 1044 00:39:50,597 --> 00:39:52,765 This is really just beautiful work. 1045 00:39:52,765 --> 00:39:54,095 It’s a great-looking weapon, 1046 00:39:54,100 --> 00:39:55,520 it did the job, and it held up, 1047 00:39:55,602 --> 00:39:57,602 so nicely done. - Thank you. 1048 00:39:57,604 --> 00:39:59,864 - Silas, you ready? 1049 00:39:59,939 --> 00:40:01,269 - Let’s do this. 1050 00:40:01,274 --> 00:40:02,444 - I’m going to. 1051 00:40:02,483 --> 00:40:04,611 [laughter] 1052 00:40:04,611 --> 00:40:11,531 ♪ 1053 00:40:24,297 --> 00:40:26,047 [tense sting] 1054 00:40:26,132 --> 00:40:33,012 ♪ 1055 00:40:38,895 --> 00:40:40,813 - Good job. 1056 00:40:40,813 --> 00:40:44,483 ♪ 1057 00:40:44,484 --> 00:40:46,486 - All right, Silas, your handle-- 1058 00:40:46,486 --> 00:40:48,486 issue I have with it is that this-- 1059 00:40:48,488 --> 00:40:51,157 the handle is rounded in a way 1060 00:40:51,157 --> 00:40:54,827 that it wants to turn in my hand when I impact things. 1061 00:40:54,869 --> 00:40:56,159 ♪ 1062 00:40:56,204 --> 00:40:57,997 I couldn’t maintain a grip. 1063 00:40:57,997 --> 00:40:59,417 That’s a big issue. 1064 00:40:59,499 --> 00:41:01,167 - Thank you. 1065 00:41:01,167 --> 00:41:08,217 ♪ 1066 00:41:08,257 --> 00:41:10,507 - Gentlemen, it’s been a wild ride, guys. 1067 00:41:10,510 --> 00:41:12,845 I’ve been honored to travel across America with these guys, 1068 00:41:12,845 --> 00:41:15,095 visiting all four of the forges we went to, 1069 00:41:15,181 --> 00:41:16,931 watching you two work the entire time 1070 00:41:17,016 --> 00:41:18,676 through this competition, 1071 00:41:18,685 --> 00:41:20,605 and I can guarantee that both Jeffrey and Bell’s 1072 00:41:20,687 --> 00:41:22,607 will be extremely proud of your work, 1073 00:41:22,689 --> 00:41:24,269 but unfortunately, only one of you guys 1074 00:41:24,357 --> 00:41:26,187 can take home the $20,000 for yourself, 1075 00:41:26,234 --> 00:41:27,904 the $10,000 to go back 1076 00:41:28,027 --> 00:41:29,357 into the forge you’re representing 1077 00:41:29,404 --> 00:41:31,574 and the title of "Forged in Fire" champion. 1078 00:41:31,614 --> 00:41:33,533 The judges did make a decision, 1079 00:41:33,533 --> 00:41:35,868 and today’s "Forged in Fire" champion 1080 00:41:35,868 --> 00:41:38,198 and the winner of the "On the Road" tournament is... 1081 00:41:38,204 --> 00:41:41,207 ♪ 1082 00:41:41,207 --> 00:41:43,417 Jason. Very well done. 1083 00:41:43,459 --> 00:41:45,878 Now, Silas, you crushed it throughout the competition, 1084 00:41:45,878 --> 00:41:47,798 but unfortunately, just missed it by that much, 1085 00:41:47,880 --> 00:41:49,130 and Dave’s gonna tell you why. 1086 00:41:49,215 --> 00:41:51,295 - Silas, you gave us a great blade 1087 00:41:51,384 --> 00:41:52,724 with a lot of beautiful craftsmanship. 1088 00:41:52,760 --> 00:41:54,720 This came down to two things: 1089 00:41:54,762 --> 00:41:56,812 one, your blade took damage in the strength test, 1090 00:41:56,889 --> 00:41:58,139 and two, the shape of your handle 1091 00:41:58,224 --> 00:41:59,814 made it harder to control. 1092 00:41:59,892 --> 00:42:01,642 ♪ 1093 00:42:01,728 --> 00:42:03,558 - Silas, it’s been an honor to watch you work. 1094 00:42:03,563 --> 00:42:05,403 You’re an unbelievably talented smith, 1095 00:42:05,440 --> 00:42:07,400 but unfortunately, your time in this tournament has ended. 1096 00:42:07,400 --> 00:42:08,730 I’m gonna have to ask you to please step off 1097 00:42:08,735 --> 00:42:10,325 The Forge floor. 1098 00:42:10,403 --> 00:42:12,403 - I feel disappointed. 1099 00:42:12,405 --> 00:42:15,408 I certainly made some mistakes during my home forge, 1100 00:42:15,408 --> 00:42:19,245 and in a close competition, mistakes are what matter. 1101 00:42:19,245 --> 00:42:21,245 But I’m still really proud 1102 00:42:21,247 --> 00:42:23,747 of representing the New Agrarian School. 1103 00:42:23,750 --> 00:42:26,085 I wish that I had been able to bring it home for them, 1104 00:42:26,085 --> 00:42:28,955 but that’s competition. 1105 00:42:29,005 --> 00:42:31,424 - [exhales deeply] - Jason, congratulations. 1106 00:42:31,424 --> 00:42:33,426 You are now a "Forged in Fire" champion. 1107 00:42:33,426 --> 00:42:35,426 You came out on top of this "On the Road" tournament, 1108 00:42:35,470 --> 00:42:36,760 and you’re getting a check 1109 00:42:36,804 --> 00:42:38,598 not only for $20,000 going in your pocket, 1110 00:42:38,598 --> 00:42:40,928 but you’re bringing back $10,000 1111 00:42:40,933 --> 00:42:42,983 for gear and supplies to go back to Bell’s 1112 00:42:43,019 --> 00:42:44,649 and the Clay Spencer Blacksmith Shop. 1113 00:42:44,687 --> 00:42:47,106 Very, very well done. 1114 00:42:47,106 --> 00:42:49,016 - I am a "Forged in Fire" champion, 1115 00:42:49,108 --> 00:42:52,108 and I’m in shock and awe and disbelief. 1116 00:42:52,111 --> 00:42:53,531 It’s been an honor and a privilege 1117 00:42:53,613 --> 00:42:55,283 to go this far, to be the winner, 1118 00:42:55,323 --> 00:42:57,450 and to be bringing 10,000 1119 00:42:57,450 --> 00:42:59,285 in equipment and gear for John C. Campbell, 1120 00:42:59,285 --> 00:43:01,115 and my wife will be happy. 1121 00:43:01,120 --> 00:43:02,789 I’m coming home with 20 grand, hon. 1122 00:43:02,789 --> 00:43:04,289 [laughs] 1123 00:43:04,290 --> 00:43:09,880 ♪