1 00:00:06,131 --> 00:00:08,221 [dramatic music] 2 00:00:08,258 --> 00:00:10,338 - Over the years, we’ve seen hundreds of smiths 3 00:00:10,385 --> 00:00:12,215 walk through our doors to compete for a chance 4 00:00:12,221 --> 00:00:14,811 of becoming a "Forged in Fire" champion. 5 00:00:14,848 --> 00:00:16,518 - Oh, yeah! 6 00:00:16,558 --> 00:00:19,308 - But now, for the first time, we’re going to them. 7 00:00:19,353 --> 00:00:23,941 ♪ 8 00:00:23,941 --> 00:00:25,981 We’re scouring the bladesmithing hotbeds 9 00:00:26,026 --> 00:00:27,566 of America, looking for the country’s 10 00:00:27,611 --> 00:00:30,201 best shops and their top smiths. 11 00:00:30,239 --> 00:00:32,199 Just like how barbecue is different in Saint Louis 12 00:00:32,282 --> 00:00:33,952 than it is in Texas, 13 00:00:33,992 --> 00:00:35,832 blacksmiths have unique styles and techniques 14 00:00:35,869 --> 00:00:37,659 that originate from the shop they call home. 15 00:00:37,704 --> 00:00:39,714 ♪ 16 00:00:39,748 --> 00:00:41,498 Each week, one of our judges 17 00:00:41,542 --> 00:00:43,422 will travel to one of the nation’s top forges 18 00:00:43,460 --> 00:00:45,420 to put their local style to the test 19 00:00:45,462 --> 00:00:47,632 and handpick their top bladesmith 20 00:00:47,673 --> 00:00:49,423 to come back to our home forge, 21 00:00:49,466 --> 00:00:52,046 where each forge’s champion will battle 22 00:00:52,094 --> 00:00:55,104 for $20,000 for themselves and $10,000 23 00:00:55,138 --> 00:00:57,348 of forging equipment for their shop. 24 00:00:57,391 --> 00:00:59,101 - It’s anyone’s game. 25 00:00:59,101 --> 00:01:01,521 - This is "Forged in Fire: On the Road." 26 00:01:01,603 --> 00:01:05,403 ♪ 27 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:07,900 For our next stop, we are traveling 28 00:01:07,943 --> 00:01:10,783 over 1,000 miles with our resident edge weapons expert, 29 00:01:10,821 --> 00:01:13,241 Doug Marcaida. 30 00:01:13,323 --> 00:01:15,083 - We’re heading to Combat Ready Art 31 00:01:15,117 --> 00:01:17,617 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. 32 00:01:17,661 --> 00:01:20,621 Once a manufacturing hub to automobiles, 33 00:01:20,664 --> 00:01:23,634 paper, and railway supplies, the area has been transformed 34 00:01:23,667 --> 00:01:26,207 into a thriving art community. 35 00:01:26,253 --> 00:01:28,423 And the forge I chose specializes 36 00:01:28,463 --> 00:01:32,263 in making blades and props for theater and stage combat. 37 00:01:32,301 --> 00:01:34,681 Now, three of their top smiths will compete 38 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:37,010 to represent both this shop and me for their chance 39 00:01:37,055 --> 00:01:39,305 at becoming a "Forged in Fire" champion. 40 00:01:39,349 --> 00:01:41,639 ♪ 41 00:01:41,685 --> 00:01:44,105 - My name is Jackson Scythe. I am 19. 42 00:01:44,146 --> 00:01:46,186 One summer, my parents asked me, 43 00:01:46,231 --> 00:01:47,521 "What are you gonna do this summer? 44 00:01:47,566 --> 00:01:48,816 "You’re not gonna, you know, 45 00:01:48,859 --> 00:01:50,489 sit and just play video games." 46 00:01:50,527 --> 00:01:52,027 So I said, "I want to try blacksmithing." 47 00:01:52,070 --> 00:01:53,860 My dad found Combat Ready Art. 48 00:01:53,905 --> 00:01:55,945 I just come here every couple of weeks 49 00:01:55,991 --> 00:01:58,581 for a couple of hours and do some blacksmithing. 50 00:01:58,619 --> 00:02:00,909 The whole building is just all about creativity. 51 00:02:00,954 --> 00:02:02,624 If you look around this room, 52 00:02:02,664 --> 00:02:04,214 there’s just tons of art everywhere. 53 00:02:04,249 --> 00:02:07,089 It’s beautiful, honestly. 54 00:02:07,127 --> 00:02:10,547 - My name is Breanna Lanier. I’m 32 years old. 55 00:02:10,589 --> 00:02:13,259 Here at Combat Ready Art, they really love for you 56 00:02:13,300 --> 00:02:15,140 to put your artistic spin on things. 57 00:02:15,177 --> 00:02:17,177 I’m really excited to test my skills, 58 00:02:17,220 --> 00:02:18,890 so I’m really looking forward to this challenge. 59 00:02:18,930 --> 00:02:20,890 ♪ 60 00:02:20,932 --> 00:02:23,982 - My name is Blake Maddox. I am 32 years old. 61 00:02:24,019 --> 00:02:25,809 Bladesmithing has always been something 62 00:02:25,854 --> 00:02:27,364 that I’ve been interested in. 63 00:02:27,397 --> 00:02:28,857 When I was in college, I got to take some 64 00:02:28,899 --> 00:02:30,279 metal sculpture classes. 65 00:02:30,317 --> 00:02:32,147 From there, I was able to do some welding, 66 00:02:32,194 --> 00:02:34,494 and that was really what kind of sparked my interest. 67 00:02:34,529 --> 00:02:36,949 And having the ability to come here 68 00:02:36,990 --> 00:02:38,370 and start bladesmithing at this forge 69 00:02:38,408 --> 00:02:40,988 was really just what took it to the next level. 70 00:02:41,036 --> 00:02:43,746 ♪ 71 00:02:43,789 --> 00:02:45,869 - Well, bladesmiths, I know I speak for all three of us 72 00:02:45,916 --> 00:02:47,786 when I say we are excited to be here with you 73 00:02:47,834 --> 00:02:49,844 at Combat Ready Art in Kalamazoo, Michigan. 74 00:02:49,878 --> 00:02:51,458 Now, hosting us today at the forge 75 00:02:51,505 --> 00:02:54,095 is your instructor, owner, and lead blacksmith here, 76 00:02:54,132 --> 00:02:56,342 Jon Reeves. 77 00:02:56,385 --> 00:02:58,055 And judging this competition is the person 78 00:02:58,095 --> 00:03:01,315 you will be representing in the finals, Doug Marcaida. 79 00:03:01,348 --> 00:03:03,308 Now, the three of you are about to take part 80 00:03:03,350 --> 00:03:05,890 in a two-leg tournament, the first of which 81 00:03:05,936 --> 00:03:07,726 consists of two rounds. 82 00:03:07,771 --> 00:03:08,901 At the end of each one of those rounds, 83 00:03:08,939 --> 00:03:10,569 there will be an elimination. 84 00:03:10,607 --> 00:03:12,857 But for whichever one of you three 85 00:03:12,901 --> 00:03:14,281 who comes out on top of this first leg, 86 00:03:14,319 --> 00:03:16,569 you’ll join us back at our forge 87 00:03:16,613 --> 00:03:19,073 for the final leg of the tournament. 88 00:03:19,116 --> 00:03:20,196 Now at that point, you’re gonna go up against 89 00:03:20,283 --> 00:03:21,783 three other smiths fighting for a check 90 00:03:21,827 --> 00:03:24,407 totaling $20,000 for yourself, 91 00:03:24,454 --> 00:03:27,424 and if one of you three wins, an additional $10,000 92 00:03:27,457 --> 00:03:29,327 worth of forging equipment for Combat Ready Art. 93 00:03:29,376 --> 00:03:30,916 - Awesome. 94 00:03:31,002 --> 00:03:33,802 I think it would be amazing to be able to kick back 95 00:03:33,839 --> 00:03:37,089 $10,000 to Combat Ready Art. They deserve it. 96 00:03:37,134 --> 00:03:38,894 They work really hard, and I’d love to see 97 00:03:38,927 --> 00:03:40,757 some more tools in there. 98 00:03:40,804 --> 00:03:42,514 - Now, bladesmiths, I know you’re all 99 00:03:42,556 --> 00:03:44,176 very familiar with this facility here, 100 00:03:44,224 --> 00:03:46,064 the artistry that’s gone into it. 101 00:03:46,101 --> 00:03:47,811 And since this forge is known for making 102 00:03:47,853 --> 00:03:49,813 both beautiful and functional blades for theater 103 00:03:49,855 --> 00:03:53,115 and stage combat, we decided that we’d embrace that theme 104 00:03:53,150 --> 00:03:54,730 by having you build this... 105 00:03:54,776 --> 00:03:57,526 ♪ 106 00:03:57,571 --> 00:04:00,491 William Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth’s dagger. 107 00:04:00,532 --> 00:04:02,742 Now, we’ve got two daggers here. 108 00:04:02,784 --> 00:04:04,584 Before you get ahead of yourselves, 109 00:04:04,619 --> 00:04:06,329 we’re not going to ask you to make two daggers 110 00:04:06,371 --> 00:04:07,621 in five hours. 111 00:04:07,664 --> 00:04:09,584 We only want you to make one of these. 112 00:04:09,624 --> 00:04:12,094 Just make sure your blades fall within these parameters. 113 00:04:12,127 --> 00:04:14,377 Along with having a double-edged blade, 114 00:04:14,421 --> 00:04:16,011 it needs to be between 9 and 11 inches 115 00:04:16,047 --> 00:04:17,967 from tip to guard. 116 00:04:18,008 --> 00:04:19,758 And much like in the name of this forge, 117 00:04:19,843 --> 00:04:22,183 it needs to be combat ready and featuring a handle 118 00:04:22,220 --> 00:04:24,560 and be quenched, hardened, and ready for testing 119 00:04:24,598 --> 00:04:26,388 by the end of the five hours. 120 00:04:26,433 --> 00:04:28,813 - I’m a little frightened because 121 00:04:28,852 --> 00:04:31,272 I’ve made a dagger once, but it was half the size. 122 00:04:31,313 --> 00:04:33,903 And it was definitely not in five hours. 123 00:04:33,940 --> 00:04:36,070 This is not nearly enough time. 124 00:04:36,109 --> 00:04:37,689 - Now, when the five hours is up, 125 00:04:37,736 --> 00:04:39,646 I’m gonna ask you to pass your blades over to Doug, 126 00:04:39,696 --> 00:04:41,156 and he’s going to put them through a series of tests. 127 00:04:41,198 --> 00:04:42,948 First off, to check tip retention, 128 00:04:42,991 --> 00:04:45,491 he’s gonna stab it into a wooden 4-by-4. 129 00:04:45,535 --> 00:04:46,695 Now, to finish things off, 130 00:04:46,745 --> 00:04:48,205 he’s gonna check your edge retention 131 00:04:48,246 --> 00:04:50,456 and sharpness in a water bottle slice. 132 00:04:50,499 --> 00:04:51,959 So good luck. 133 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,460 You’ve got five hours, and that time starts now. 134 00:04:54,503 --> 00:04:58,513 ♪ 135 00:04:58,548 --> 00:05:00,588 This place is outrageous. 136 00:05:00,634 --> 00:05:02,514 How long have you been running Combat Ready Art? 137 00:05:02,552 --> 00:05:05,562 - We have been in this space now for 13 years. 138 00:05:05,597 --> 00:05:08,387 I got into the world of weapons and theater. 139 00:05:08,433 --> 00:05:11,193 My early days in working in theater 140 00:05:11,228 --> 00:05:15,398 and picking up a prop sword, thinking, what a piece of junk 141 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:20,820 this is, and that drove my first designs of weapons, 142 00:05:20,862 --> 00:05:24,702 for weapons that could take the abuse 143 00:05:24,741 --> 00:05:28,491 that an untrained performer will unleash. 144 00:05:28,537 --> 00:05:29,747 ♪ 145 00:05:29,788 --> 00:05:31,658 - Smiths have the option of choosing 146 00:05:31,706 --> 00:05:33,496 any of the steel on the table. - Yes. 147 00:05:33,542 --> 00:05:37,842 We have a good selection of steels, both 5160 spring. 148 00:05:37,879 --> 00:05:39,589 We have leaf spring. 149 00:05:39,631 --> 00:05:41,971 We have 1095 knife steel 150 00:05:42,008 --> 00:05:44,888 and a beautiful selection of L6. 151 00:05:44,928 --> 00:05:47,888 - So Breanna grabbed a bar of 5160, 152 00:05:47,931 --> 00:05:49,391 welded up a work stick onto it. 153 00:05:49,432 --> 00:05:50,932 She’s the first into the fire. 154 00:05:50,976 --> 00:05:54,896 - I choose the 5160 because that is something 155 00:05:54,938 --> 00:05:56,518 I’ve actually used before, and I think 156 00:05:56,565 --> 00:05:57,985 it will be enough material without being 157 00:05:58,024 --> 00:06:01,034 too much material to get the length I need. 158 00:06:01,069 --> 00:06:03,989 - What kind of temperatures does this coal forge reach? 159 00:06:04,030 --> 00:06:07,580 - We figure it reaches upwards of about 2,800. 160 00:06:07,617 --> 00:06:09,407 - Holy smokes. 161 00:06:09,452 --> 00:06:11,502 OK, so burning is an absolute possibility. 162 00:06:11,538 --> 00:06:14,118 - And 2,500 is failure. - Yeah, OK. 163 00:06:14,165 --> 00:06:15,915 - Stick my steel in until it gets 164 00:06:15,959 --> 00:06:19,129 to a bright yellowy color, but not a white color. 165 00:06:19,170 --> 00:06:21,380 - With the heat that Breanna’s got this fire going, 166 00:06:21,381 --> 00:06:23,091 are you concerned about the steel burning at all? 167 00:06:23,133 --> 00:06:24,343 - Yeah, at those temperatures, 168 00:06:24,384 --> 00:06:26,094 it’s one of those you just can’t 169 00:06:26,136 --> 00:06:27,676 leave it alone for a second. 170 00:06:27,762 --> 00:06:31,312 We’ve seen so many smiths burn their steel that way. 171 00:06:31,349 --> 00:06:33,309 - Oh, you’re [bleep] kidding me. 172 00:06:33,351 --> 00:06:35,481 I got a little more heat than I wanted there, 173 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:37,230 just melted a spot. 174 00:06:37,272 --> 00:06:38,942 ♪ 175 00:06:38,982 --> 00:06:40,072 - So, John, tell me a little bit 176 00:06:40,108 --> 00:06:41,688 about your coal forge here. 177 00:06:41,735 --> 00:06:44,615 - We have what is a traditional coal forge, 178 00:06:44,654 --> 00:06:48,324 and that allows us to have six to eight people around it 179 00:06:48,366 --> 00:06:50,076 without a problem. 180 00:06:50,118 --> 00:06:51,578 - You know what’s interesting about this forge, 181 00:06:51,620 --> 00:06:53,620 is that it seems that all the contestants 182 00:06:53,622 --> 00:06:56,422 have to work together in order to keep the fire going. 183 00:06:56,458 --> 00:06:59,748 - Yep, it is part of the experience. 184 00:06:59,794 --> 00:07:01,844 - Sorry, I feel like I’m gonna be in your way all day. 185 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:03,210 - It’s all good. 186 00:07:03,256 --> 00:07:04,376 - I’d call this, like, a community forge. 187 00:07:04,424 --> 00:07:05,974 - Yeah, it is. 188 00:07:06,009 --> 00:07:07,589 - We all come together in the same spot. 189 00:07:07,636 --> 00:07:08,886 - It’s warm. 190 00:07:08,929 --> 00:07:12,059 - I was like, "I’m feeling it already." 191 00:07:12,098 --> 00:07:14,018 - I’ve worked a lot with 5160, 192 00:07:14,059 --> 00:07:15,439 so I’m just gonna choose to go with that. 193 00:07:15,477 --> 00:07:18,307 I haven’t made a dagger quite this thin, 194 00:07:18,355 --> 00:07:20,115 but I’m ready to give it a go. 195 00:07:20,148 --> 00:07:22,398 I got to get it in the fire. 196 00:07:22,484 --> 00:07:24,284 - John, tell me a little bit about this shop. 197 00:07:24,319 --> 00:07:28,359 I mean, everywhere you look, there is just amazing art. 198 00:07:28,406 --> 00:07:32,786 - It developed out of working with a local tattoo artist. 199 00:07:32,827 --> 00:07:35,327 We came up with this Edgar Allen Poe theme. 200 00:07:35,372 --> 00:07:39,832 And the skulls, we actually made all of those skulls. 201 00:07:39,876 --> 00:07:42,036 - I feel like this is like a dark version 202 00:07:42,087 --> 00:07:43,587 of "Where’s Waldo." 203 00:07:43,630 --> 00:07:45,800 There could be so much hidden inside the artistry here. 204 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:47,590 - Yeah, I’d go with that. 205 00:07:47,634 --> 00:07:48,724 - And all this time, I thought that all the skulls 206 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:50,800 were just a homage to George 207 00:07:50,845 --> 00:07:52,635 from our ballistics study group. 208 00:07:52,722 --> 00:07:56,272 - Oh, there’s probably one up there that is. 209 00:07:56,309 --> 00:08:00,349 - When he is in his jelly form, I call him Jelly George. 210 00:08:00,397 --> 00:08:03,517 When the gel falls off and it’s all skull and bones, 211 00:08:03,566 --> 00:08:06,816 I call him George Bones. 212 00:08:06,861 --> 00:08:08,491 ♪ 213 00:08:08,530 --> 00:08:10,240 - So Jackson picked up the 1084, 214 00:08:10,323 --> 00:08:11,743 and it looks to be about 2 inches wide, 215 00:08:11,783 --> 00:08:13,533 definitely enough to make his dagger. 216 00:08:13,576 --> 00:08:14,946 - Yes. 217 00:08:14,995 --> 00:08:16,705 - This is my first time trying to make 218 00:08:16,746 --> 00:08:18,326 anything under a time limit. 219 00:08:18,373 --> 00:08:20,753 I am much more comfortable just taking my time, 220 00:08:20,792 --> 00:08:22,342 trying to get everything perfect. 221 00:08:22,377 --> 00:08:24,457 Did I seriously just lose the piece in there? 222 00:08:24,504 --> 00:08:27,382 Like, are you kidding me? Where the heck did it go? 223 00:08:27,382 --> 00:08:29,302 - It looks like Jackson can’t find his piece of steel 224 00:08:29,342 --> 00:08:31,512 under all that coal. That’s not good. 225 00:08:31,553 --> 00:08:33,803 If it’s in too long, it could burn. 226 00:08:33,847 --> 00:08:35,967 - Oh, I think I see it. There it is. 227 00:08:36,016 --> 00:08:38,976 Found it. - Whew, crisis averted. 228 00:08:39,019 --> 00:08:40,729 - The pressure of being in the competition 229 00:08:40,770 --> 00:08:42,310 just keeps me going. 230 00:08:42,355 --> 00:08:44,355 I’m just trying to get things done. 231 00:08:44,399 --> 00:08:46,189 ♪ 232 00:08:46,234 --> 00:08:48,114 - So tell me more about this facility. 233 00:08:48,153 --> 00:08:54,623 - We did not want to have that kind of white, dirty wall shop, 234 00:08:54,659 --> 00:08:56,539 right, that we have behind us or anything. 235 00:08:56,578 --> 00:08:58,368 [laughter] 236 00:08:58,413 --> 00:09:00,923 And so we came up with a haven 237 00:09:00,957 --> 00:09:03,707 for artists of all kinds. 238 00:09:03,752 --> 00:09:05,132 - I couldn’t help but notice 239 00:09:05,170 --> 00:09:06,670 when we walked through this building, 240 00:09:06,713 --> 00:09:08,423 you are far from alone here. 241 00:09:08,465 --> 00:09:11,885 There’s other artisans all over this place. 242 00:09:11,926 --> 00:09:14,046 - The Park Trades Building is an old factory. 243 00:09:14,095 --> 00:09:16,555 It used to be the Sand Wax Paper Company. 244 00:09:16,598 --> 00:09:20,308 That in the ’70s became a haven for artists, 245 00:09:20,351 --> 00:09:25,191 and we currently have over 90 studios in the building. 246 00:09:25,231 --> 00:09:28,231 And it’s everything from papermaking 247 00:09:28,276 --> 00:09:31,946 to pottery to glass blowing. - Everything. 248 00:09:31,988 --> 00:09:33,568 All right, bladesmiths, 249 00:09:33,615 --> 00:09:35,835 you’ve got four hours remaining. 250 00:09:35,867 --> 00:09:39,447 Looks like Blake’s working in what will be his tip already 251 00:09:39,496 --> 00:09:41,456 in the beginning, setting himself up to go 252 00:09:41,498 --> 00:09:43,618 do some drawing on the hammer. 253 00:09:43,666 --> 00:09:46,086 - We’re up here all the time, and it’s the home forge, 254 00:09:46,127 --> 00:09:49,007 so I just feel like it’s any other day right now. 255 00:09:49,047 --> 00:09:52,257 - He’s got a nice triangle shape built at this point. 256 00:09:52,300 --> 00:09:55,140 He could go on the press here, get it out to length, 257 00:09:55,178 --> 00:09:57,558 and then hit the grinder. He’s getting pretty close. 258 00:09:57,597 --> 00:10:00,267 - He is quite good at getting that point. 259 00:10:00,308 --> 00:10:02,518 - I’ve not done many of this style. 260 00:10:02,560 --> 00:10:04,310 Just staying in the parameters for sure, 261 00:10:04,354 --> 00:10:06,274 instead of freestyling. 262 00:10:06,314 --> 00:10:07,941 I’m really happy with the way my blade’s shaped. 263 00:10:07,941 --> 00:10:10,281 My next step is I’m gonna head over to the grinder 264 00:10:10,318 --> 00:10:11,858 and then start to work my center line. 265 00:10:11,903 --> 00:10:15,573 But before I grind, I am going to let it cool down 266 00:10:15,615 --> 00:10:16,985 because I could get a crack. 267 00:10:17,033 --> 00:10:22,083 ♪ 268 00:10:22,163 --> 00:10:26,253 - The window cooling method is very common in here. 269 00:10:26,292 --> 00:10:28,502 - It’s thinking outside the box, 270 00:10:28,545 --> 00:10:30,135 literally. - Yeah. 271 00:10:30,171 --> 00:10:31,631 - I mean, they’re all very versed in the tools. 272 00:10:31,673 --> 00:10:33,303 - We have a window, and it’s colder outside. 273 00:10:33,341 --> 00:10:36,091 - I just worry about the people walking by. 274 00:10:36,136 --> 00:10:38,136 - You know, I’m looking at some of the equipment 275 00:10:38,179 --> 00:10:41,059 you have in your forge, and a lot of them 276 00:10:41,099 --> 00:10:43,019 have their own names. - Yeah. 277 00:10:43,059 --> 00:10:44,309 - Tell us a little bit more. - Yeah. 278 00:10:44,352 --> 00:10:45,812 What are the different names? 279 00:10:45,854 --> 00:10:46,734 The only one I’m seeing right now 280 00:10:46,771 --> 00:10:48,111 is the Tell-Tale Heart. 281 00:10:48,148 --> 00:10:49,398 - The Tell-Tale Heart, 282 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:51,610 which is our inline treadle hammer. 283 00:10:51,651 --> 00:10:53,861 And then we have-- all of the anvils 284 00:10:53,903 --> 00:10:59,203 are named after various women in the Poe history. 285 00:10:59,284 --> 00:11:01,914 - But wait, there’s Nevermore. - There is. 286 00:11:01,953 --> 00:11:03,413 Nevermore is over there. 287 00:11:03,454 --> 00:11:05,674 ♪ 288 00:11:05,707 --> 00:11:07,417 - Some things are going really well, 289 00:11:07,458 --> 00:11:10,538 and I’m just trying to focus on the length I need. 290 00:11:10,587 --> 00:11:14,417 So the dagger has to be between 9 and 11 inches. 291 00:11:14,465 --> 00:11:16,005 - And Mr. Squishy gets a workout. 292 00:11:16,050 --> 00:11:17,510 - Yeah. 293 00:11:17,552 --> 00:11:18,972 - I’m going to make, like, a more thin dagger 294 00:11:19,012 --> 00:11:20,392 just ’cause it’s what I think Lady Macbeth 295 00:11:20,430 --> 00:11:22,180 would be carrying. 296 00:11:22,182 --> 00:11:24,642 Most women back then carried daggers on their thighs. 297 00:11:24,684 --> 00:11:26,814 So it’s a little thin, 298 00:11:26,853 --> 00:11:28,403 or than like a big fighting dagger. 299 00:11:28,438 --> 00:11:30,978 - The one thing I’m noticing, as they’re drawing out, 300 00:11:31,024 --> 00:11:33,574 the steel’s getting fairly thin fairly quickly. 301 00:11:33,610 --> 00:11:36,700 We asked for 9 to 11 inches, so management of that steel 302 00:11:36,738 --> 00:11:38,318 to make sure they can meet the parameters 303 00:11:38,364 --> 00:11:40,164 is gonna be something they have to think about. 304 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:43,080 - I got the length, but I think mine’s gonna end up 305 00:11:43,119 --> 00:11:45,289 being real, real thin by accident. 306 00:11:45,330 --> 00:11:46,870 I got a little overzealous. 307 00:11:46,915 --> 00:11:48,375 I am nervous, but we’ll see what happens. 308 00:11:48,416 --> 00:11:52,876 ♪ 309 00:11:52,962 --> 00:11:56,382 - Jackson’s doing a great job of it working the steel now. 310 00:11:56,424 --> 00:11:58,344 He’s definitely got the shape he’s going for. 311 00:11:58,384 --> 00:12:00,094 - Once I get my tip established, 312 00:12:00,136 --> 00:12:02,136 I need to start drawing this blade out. 313 00:12:02,180 --> 00:12:03,850 I need to meet that parameter. 314 00:12:03,890 --> 00:12:05,430 So I use the mix of the treadle hammer 315 00:12:05,475 --> 00:12:08,235 and the press to get it drawn out. 316 00:12:08,269 --> 00:12:09,729 - There we go. 317 00:12:09,771 --> 00:12:11,981 I’m excited to see the treadle hammer work. 318 00:12:12,023 --> 00:12:13,483 Holy smokes. 319 00:12:13,524 --> 00:12:14,944 [laughter] 320 00:12:14,984 --> 00:12:16,574 How is that possible? 321 00:12:16,611 --> 00:12:18,071 - What do you mean, how is it possible? 322 00:12:18,112 --> 00:12:19,822 - He’s barely putting any force into it, 323 00:12:19,864 --> 00:12:21,164 and it’s just smoking the steel. 324 00:12:21,199 --> 00:12:23,829 - 90 pounds, the hammer. - It’s a 90-pound head. 325 00:12:23,868 --> 00:12:26,748 - Yeah. - It is a beast. 326 00:12:26,788 --> 00:12:29,288 I’ll take Big Blu on any day 327 00:12:29,332 --> 00:12:31,792 because that’s better exercise. - Yeah. 328 00:12:31,834 --> 00:12:33,424 - And dancing. - You get one leg-- 329 00:12:33,461 --> 00:12:35,131 - You can switch. 330 00:12:35,171 --> 00:12:39,301 ♪ 331 00:12:39,342 --> 00:12:41,802 - Looking at Breanna’s design, if you’re watching 332 00:12:41,844 --> 00:12:43,394 the way she’s grinding on it, 333 00:12:43,429 --> 00:12:46,309 the coal fire she has isn’t symmetrical. 334 00:12:46,349 --> 00:12:48,849 And with daggers, you really need to have that. 335 00:12:48,893 --> 00:12:50,483 Whether it tapers to a point, 336 00:12:50,520 --> 00:12:52,770 or it’s parallel lines that go to a point, 337 00:12:52,814 --> 00:12:55,074 it still needs to be very symmetrical. 338 00:12:55,108 --> 00:12:57,898 - Ah, I just ground my knife too short. 339 00:12:57,944 --> 00:13:00,034 - Not catastrophic, but definitely 340 00:13:00,071 --> 00:13:00,911 not what you wanted to happen right now. 341 00:13:00,947 --> 00:13:02,777 - No. 342 00:13:02,824 --> 00:13:05,084 - And this could be really bad ’cause I don’t meet parameters. 343 00:13:05,118 --> 00:13:09,288 Right now, my knife is short. 344 00:13:09,330 --> 00:13:12,250 - And this is why you aim for the longest parameter. 345 00:13:12,292 --> 00:13:14,502 - Right. - And you can always pull back. 346 00:13:14,502 --> 00:13:17,382 You cannot add steel after the fact. 347 00:13:17,422 --> 00:13:20,422 - I’ve never done anything like this in my life. 348 00:13:20,466 --> 00:13:22,546 I made it too thin to fix any of the flaws 349 00:13:22,593 --> 00:13:24,093 that I’m currently looking at, 350 00:13:24,137 --> 00:13:25,887 and I don’t have enough material, 351 00:13:25,930 --> 00:13:27,430 and I panicked. 352 00:13:27,473 --> 00:13:30,563 [grunts] [bleep]. 353 00:13:30,643 --> 00:13:33,313 I need to go out. - You all right? 354 00:13:33,354 --> 00:13:35,274 - Yeah, I just need to go out for a second. 355 00:13:35,315 --> 00:13:37,655 - Breanna, she stepped out. - [sighs] 356 00:13:37,692 --> 00:13:42,030 - Oh, no. 357 00:13:42,030 --> 00:13:44,370 - We’re here in Kalamazoo, Michigan, 358 00:13:44,866 --> 00:13:46,616 making Lady Macbeth’s dagger. 359 00:13:46,659 --> 00:13:48,829 But Breanna is running into a lot of trouble 360 00:13:48,870 --> 00:13:50,700 and is now under parameters. 361 00:13:50,705 --> 00:13:54,175 - My knife is short. 362 00:13:54,208 --> 00:13:57,208 I’ve never done anything like this in my life. 363 00:13:57,295 --> 00:13:58,465 I just need to go out for a second. 364 00:13:58,504 --> 00:14:00,554 And I panic. 365 00:14:00,631 --> 00:14:02,171 - Breanna, she stepped out. - [sighs] 366 00:14:02,216 --> 00:14:04,296 - Oh, no. 367 00:14:04,344 --> 00:14:05,684 - I’m OK. I’m just panicking. 368 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:06,640 [chuckles] 369 00:14:08,681 --> 00:14:10,471 - No, I’m just gonna panic a little bit, 370 00:14:10,516 --> 00:14:12,386 and I’ll be fine. 371 00:14:12,393 --> 00:14:14,563 I’m just gonna make it work. 372 00:14:14,645 --> 00:14:17,015 I don’t want to give up, 373 00:14:17,065 --> 00:14:19,567 so I just get to work. - Reset. Take a breath. 374 00:14:19,567 --> 00:14:20,897 I think that’s probably the best use of the-- 375 00:14:20,902 --> 00:14:22,192 - Smart move. - Yeah, very much so. 376 00:14:22,236 --> 00:14:23,646 - Take a knee. 377 00:14:23,696 --> 00:14:26,366 - So what are her options to get that 9 inches? 378 00:14:26,407 --> 00:14:30,537 - I think the first option is what I think I see happening, 379 00:14:30,578 --> 00:14:34,998 which is stretching that handle first to get some length, 380 00:14:35,041 --> 00:14:39,251 and then hopefully working that ricasso area 381 00:14:39,253 --> 00:14:42,053 at the shoulder and getting the length she needs. 382 00:14:42,090 --> 00:14:44,010 [energetic rock music] 383 00:14:44,050 --> 00:14:45,380 - All right, so using the treadle hammer, 384 00:14:45,426 --> 00:14:47,006 trying to get some length. 385 00:14:47,053 --> 00:14:50,723 Looks like she’s getting a little bit, but is it enough? 386 00:14:50,765 --> 00:14:54,395 - If we’re talking a half an inch or so, very doable. 387 00:14:54,435 --> 00:14:57,605 - It takes a while, but it actually does work. 388 00:14:57,605 --> 00:14:59,565 I’m happy that I got the length I need. 389 00:14:59,607 --> 00:15:01,437 - All right, bladesmiths. 390 00:15:01,526 --> 00:15:03,526 You’ve got 2 hours and 30 minutes remaining. 391 00:15:03,569 --> 00:15:05,069 - For me, right now, the dagger-- 392 00:15:05,113 --> 00:15:07,033 I’m just really trying to keeping it symmetrical. 393 00:15:07,073 --> 00:15:09,583 I’m not really planning on doing the bevel on the anvil. 394 00:15:09,617 --> 00:15:11,577 I’m gonna go to the grinder with that. 395 00:15:11,619 --> 00:15:12,949 I want to keep the blade straight. 396 00:15:13,037 --> 00:15:14,787 ♪ 397 00:15:14,872 --> 00:15:16,622 - We gave them a difficult blade to build. 398 00:15:16,707 --> 00:15:18,627 They’ve got two edges, so that’s four bevels. 399 00:15:18,709 --> 00:15:20,379 They’ve got a tip. 400 00:15:20,420 --> 00:15:22,590 And symmetry is important. - Very important. 401 00:15:22,630 --> 00:15:24,050 - Very important. 402 00:15:24,090 --> 00:15:26,380 - It is one of the hardest profiles to grind. 403 00:15:26,384 --> 00:15:28,302 - Absolutely. 404 00:15:28,302 --> 00:15:30,102 - The center line is a little different. 405 00:15:30,138 --> 00:15:32,218 I’ve only done this a couple of times, back and forth, 406 00:15:32,265 --> 00:15:33,395 trying to keep flip and make sure 407 00:15:33,433 --> 00:15:36,063 you keep count on which side you just did 408 00:15:36,102 --> 00:15:37,772 so that the line stays centered 409 00:15:37,812 --> 00:15:39,480 and, you know, you’re not chasing 410 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:41,400 that line back and forth. 411 00:15:41,441 --> 00:15:44,231 ♪ 412 00:15:44,277 --> 00:15:46,947 - The dagger has to have four different bevels, 413 00:15:46,988 --> 00:15:48,488 and it has to all be symmetrical. 414 00:15:48,489 --> 00:15:49,779 And that’s a delicate balance. 415 00:15:49,824 --> 00:15:55,084 ♪ 416 00:15:55,121 --> 00:15:57,291 I’m happy with how it looks. 417 00:15:57,331 --> 00:15:59,631 - I would suspect Jackson is getting ready to quench. 418 00:15:59,667 --> 00:16:01,747 - Awesome. 419 00:16:01,794 --> 00:16:02,837 - To get a good quench, I have to get it 420 00:16:02,837 --> 00:16:04,297 to the right temperature. 421 00:16:04,338 --> 00:16:05,668 If I quench a blade that’s too hot, 422 00:16:05,756 --> 00:16:08,006 I could very easily warp it, crack it. 423 00:16:08,009 --> 00:16:09,929 If I quench a blade too cold, it won’t harden. 424 00:16:09,969 --> 00:16:12,179 Only problem is, the heat’s pretty focused 425 00:16:12,180 --> 00:16:14,140 so I kind of have to move it around a lot. 426 00:16:14,182 --> 00:16:15,472 If I poke the tip out the other end, 427 00:16:15,516 --> 00:16:17,426 then it’s not getting heat, and it’ll cool off. 428 00:16:17,477 --> 00:16:21,017 So I have to move it back in for a second. 429 00:16:21,022 --> 00:16:22,652 Quenching. 430 00:16:22,690 --> 00:16:28,029 ♪ 431 00:16:28,029 --> 00:16:30,779 - Jackson was struggling so hard in the beginning. 432 00:16:30,823 --> 00:16:33,201 And by not giving up, he’s now the first smith 433 00:16:33,201 --> 00:16:34,869 to quench his blade. 434 00:16:34,869 --> 00:16:36,369 - From what I can tell, it looks good. 435 00:16:36,370 --> 00:16:38,660 I think I did all right. 436 00:16:38,664 --> 00:16:40,294 - Talk to me about the anvils. 437 00:16:40,333 --> 00:16:41,213 They look a little bit different than the ones 438 00:16:41,292 --> 00:16:43,211 we have in our forge. 439 00:16:43,211 --> 00:16:45,051 - These are called cavalry anvils. 440 00:16:45,129 --> 00:16:47,799 And the two coming out of the side 441 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:51,220 are bending forks for bending even knife handles. 442 00:16:51,302 --> 00:16:53,052 - Oh, OK. 443 00:16:53,054 --> 00:16:54,684 - So you can work those small details. 444 00:16:54,722 --> 00:16:56,522 - Interesting. 445 00:16:56,557 --> 00:16:58,057 - So they tend to be a slightly more versatile anvil 446 00:16:58,142 --> 00:16:59,692 because of that. 447 00:16:59,727 --> 00:17:02,017 - Bladesmiths, you’ve got 90 minutes left. 448 00:17:02,063 --> 00:17:04,863 - I have a lot of things left to do, 449 00:17:04,899 --> 00:17:06,979 and I really need to get this blade quenched 450 00:17:06,984 --> 00:17:08,654 within the next 20 minutes. 451 00:17:08,694 --> 00:17:10,824 ♪ 452 00:17:10,863 --> 00:17:12,703 The colors are looking great. 453 00:17:12,740 --> 00:17:14,240 It’s a good range of where I want to be, 454 00:17:14,325 --> 00:17:17,165 and I think I’m gonna quench. 455 00:17:17,203 --> 00:17:20,913 - All right, Blake’s quenching out too. 456 00:17:20,915 --> 00:17:24,175 - I didn’t hear anything crack, so I feel good about that, 457 00:17:24,210 --> 00:17:26,500 but there’s a slight kick towards the handle 458 00:17:26,546 --> 00:17:28,256 where the guard’s gonna be, 459 00:17:28,339 --> 00:17:30,419 but I think I’m gonna do that on the grinder later. 460 00:17:30,424 --> 00:17:33,594 I need to switch gears and start focusing on my handle. 461 00:17:33,594 --> 00:17:36,604 - We got zero handles attached. Getting kind of close here. 462 00:17:36,681 --> 00:17:38,766 ♪ 463 00:17:38,766 --> 00:17:40,556 - I have a ton of work left to do. 464 00:17:40,601 --> 00:17:42,061 I have to do the finish grinding 465 00:17:42,103 --> 00:17:43,563 to create a sharp blade. 466 00:17:43,604 --> 00:17:46,107 I still have to create a guard, 467 00:17:46,107 --> 00:17:48,687 weld the pommel in, and then grind the handle 468 00:17:48,734 --> 00:17:50,778 so it’s usable. 469 00:17:50,778 --> 00:17:52,738 - All right, so Breanna is back in the coal forge. 470 00:17:52,780 --> 00:17:55,030 It looks like she’s heating up, preparing for a quench. 471 00:17:55,074 --> 00:17:56,954 - The blade is really thin, 472 00:17:57,034 --> 00:17:58,452 so there are certain parts that are heating up 473 00:17:58,452 --> 00:18:00,872 faster than others. 474 00:18:00,913 --> 00:18:02,463 - Oh, no. 475 00:18:02,540 --> 00:18:03,958 She just quenched that blade, 476 00:18:03,958 --> 00:18:05,788 and it was really hot at the tip. 477 00:18:05,876 --> 00:18:07,456 - I quenched it, and the tip 478 00:18:07,545 --> 00:18:11,555 of my knife falls off. - Oh, that’s bad. 479 00:18:11,591 --> 00:18:14,551 - [bleep], there it is. 480 00:18:14,594 --> 00:18:19,181 ♪ 481 00:18:19,181 --> 00:18:21,017 [dramatic music] 482 00:18:21,017 --> 00:18:21,267 - So, we got just over an hour remaining 483 00:18:22,476 --> 00:18:23,686 here in Combat Ready Art forge in Kalamazoo, Michigan, 484 00:18:23,769 --> 00:18:26,189 but Breanna is running into a lot of trouble 485 00:18:26,272 --> 00:18:29,022 and is now, unfortunately, under parameters. 486 00:18:29,025 --> 00:18:30,818 - Oh, that’s bad. 487 00:18:30,818 --> 00:18:32,278 - We’ve seen time and again, 488 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:33,950 when you have a thin blade like Breanna’s, 489 00:18:33,988 --> 00:18:35,818 the tip could just break off. 490 00:18:35,865 --> 00:18:36,955 And she already stretched it out 491 00:18:36,991 --> 00:18:38,701 just to make parameters. 492 00:18:38,784 --> 00:18:40,664 She’s gonna have to thin it out even more now, 493 00:18:40,703 --> 00:18:43,663 and she’s not in a good spot. 494 00:18:43,706 --> 00:18:45,866 - I don’t care. I’m just gonna finish it. 495 00:18:45,958 --> 00:18:47,788 I’ll finish the blade. 496 00:18:47,835 --> 00:18:49,995 I’ll grind it to a tip instead of having a forged tip, 497 00:18:50,004 --> 00:18:52,384 and see how it goes. 498 00:18:52,465 --> 00:18:55,176 ♪ 499 00:18:55,176 --> 00:18:57,886 - This is stressful because my handle’s not attached yet, 500 00:18:57,970 --> 00:19:00,310 and I’ve wasted a ton of time on the whole thing. 501 00:19:00,348 --> 00:19:02,218 But my hands are also very sticky, 502 00:19:02,308 --> 00:19:04,638 so it makes it very difficult, but I’m just gonna 503 00:19:04,685 --> 00:19:05,845 do my best to get it done. 504 00:19:08,189 --> 00:19:10,189 It’s being a little difficult. 505 00:19:10,232 --> 00:19:11,732 I’m trying to get it together, 506 00:19:11,817 --> 00:19:15,357 and I’m just getting glue all over my hands. 507 00:19:15,488 --> 00:19:18,318 If I can’t get a handle on, that could end up being 508 00:19:18,366 --> 00:19:22,696 what decides who goes on. Oh, my God. 509 00:19:22,745 --> 00:19:25,715 I’m pretty much winging it on the handle at this point. 510 00:19:25,748 --> 00:19:27,708 - How do you guys feel about the competition thus far? 511 00:19:27,708 --> 00:19:29,328 - It’s coming along, 512 00:19:29,377 --> 00:19:31,545 but a lot of times, they don’t give enough time 513 00:19:31,545 --> 00:19:34,205 to work on the handle, and that’s what we’re holding. 514 00:19:34,256 --> 00:19:35,876 That’s what I got to grab on to. 515 00:19:36,008 --> 00:19:38,218 - Especially when it’s a more complicated handle, 516 00:19:38,260 --> 00:19:40,260 as these are. - Yep. 517 00:19:40,346 --> 00:19:42,216 - I’m trying to get pins in this 518 00:19:42,264 --> 00:19:46,524 and just get it together. 519 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:50,230 There’s a lot of work left to do. 520 00:19:50,272 --> 00:19:52,066 - So Blake’s got his guard slot, 521 00:19:52,066 --> 00:19:53,276 and he’s welding it to his tang, 522 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:55,069 but that’s got to be a risky move. 523 00:19:55,111 --> 00:19:57,911 There’s a lot of heat at that critical junction 524 00:19:57,947 --> 00:19:59,737 between the tang and the blade. 525 00:19:59,782 --> 00:20:01,575 - It’s a lot of heat, a lot of cooling off. 526 00:20:01,575 --> 00:20:03,365 We’ve seen it in the past. 527 00:20:03,411 --> 00:20:05,251 If he took the hardness out of it, 528 00:20:05,287 --> 00:20:07,577 too much heat, or the heat with the quenching 529 00:20:07,581 --> 00:20:08,916 just made it brittle. 530 00:20:08,916 --> 00:20:11,376 So hopefully, that’s not the case. 531 00:20:11,419 --> 00:20:13,587 - We could see a complete failure. 532 00:20:13,587 --> 00:20:14,757 - We could. 533 00:20:14,797 --> 00:20:17,627 ♪ 534 00:20:17,717 --> 00:20:19,377 - Ooh. 535 00:20:19,427 --> 00:20:22,297 - I am choosing to use 536 00:20:22,304 --> 00:20:24,932 some wooden scales for the handle. 537 00:20:24,932 --> 00:20:27,062 So I need to make sure my handle 538 00:20:27,101 --> 00:20:28,561 is definitely comfortable. 539 00:20:28,602 --> 00:20:31,312 and I know Doug’s not gonna go easy on it. 540 00:20:31,397 --> 00:20:33,267 Just running out of time. 541 00:20:33,274 --> 00:20:35,776 I’ve only got 34 minutes left. 542 00:20:35,776 --> 00:20:37,486 Just a little stressed. I gotta get this glued on. 543 00:20:37,570 --> 00:20:39,280 And I need to still finish my cutting edge, 544 00:20:39,280 --> 00:20:42,116 but need to make sure I have a handle first. 545 00:20:42,116 --> 00:20:43,776 - Getting close. 546 00:20:43,784 --> 00:20:44,785 We’re getting the handles glued up, 547 00:20:44,785 --> 00:20:46,445 final shaping the handles, 548 00:20:46,495 --> 00:20:47,905 making sure we’ve got viable blades 549 00:20:47,955 --> 00:20:49,405 that meet the parameters. 550 00:20:49,457 --> 00:20:51,117 - So the glue’s still wet on this. 551 00:20:51,167 --> 00:20:52,457 I’m not comfortable with it, 552 00:20:52,501 --> 00:20:54,001 but I’m choosing to clamp it 553 00:20:54,128 --> 00:20:55,958 and take it straight to the grinder. 554 00:20:55,963 --> 00:20:58,132 I don’t have the time to wait. 555 00:20:58,132 --> 00:20:59,682 - All right, bladesmiths, 556 00:20:59,759 --> 00:21:02,299 you’re down to the final 15 minutes. 557 00:21:02,303 --> 00:21:03,853 - I know I’m already behind, 558 00:21:03,929 --> 00:21:05,306 so I’m just trying to not look at the clock 559 00:21:05,306 --> 00:21:07,306 and focus on my work. 560 00:21:07,349 --> 00:21:08,849 I still have to make a handle 561 00:21:08,934 --> 00:21:11,194 and then grind the handle so it’s usable. 562 00:21:11,270 --> 00:21:13,310 - I’m getting really nervous about Breanna. 563 00:21:13,314 --> 00:21:15,364 She’s only got about 15 minutes left. 564 00:21:15,441 --> 00:21:17,651 - I don’t know. 565 00:21:17,651 --> 00:21:21,111 At this point, this is where everything is ramped up. 566 00:21:21,155 --> 00:21:23,165 I mean, they’re gonna be rushing. 567 00:21:23,199 --> 00:21:25,659 I’d say all three of them are in survival mode right now. 568 00:21:25,659 --> 00:21:26,869 - I’m gonna hammer for a second. 569 00:21:26,952 --> 00:21:29,162 ♪ 570 00:21:29,288 --> 00:21:31,288 [grunts] 571 00:21:31,332 --> 00:21:33,712 Unfortunately, I broke it. I was being too rough. 572 00:21:33,793 --> 00:21:37,838 [bleep]. Not this. 573 00:21:37,838 --> 00:21:40,338 I don’t have time for this. - There’s gonna be setbacks. 574 00:21:40,382 --> 00:21:41,842 But those setbacks, 575 00:21:41,884 --> 00:21:44,224 compiled into a time competition, 576 00:21:44,303 --> 00:21:46,347 make it a whole lot more difficult. 577 00:21:46,347 --> 00:21:48,557 And especially when we get down within the final minutes 578 00:21:48,641 --> 00:21:52,141 of competition, then it really starts messing with your head. 579 00:21:52,186 --> 00:21:54,896 - A lot of it boils down to time management. 580 00:21:54,980 --> 00:21:57,230 ♪ 581 00:21:57,316 --> 00:21:59,226 - I decided I’ll weld the pommel on 582 00:21:59,318 --> 00:22:02,488 and then kind of sand some wooden scales 583 00:22:02,530 --> 00:22:06,410 to kind of sandwich my handle together instead. 584 00:22:06,492 --> 00:22:08,702 I want to see how far I can get. 585 00:22:08,702 --> 00:22:10,871 Five minutes is not nearly enough time, 586 00:22:10,871 --> 00:22:12,251 but I’m not gonna quit. 587 00:22:12,331 --> 00:22:14,921 [groans] 588 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:17,880 - We see the handles come secondary 589 00:22:17,920 --> 00:22:19,710 almost every single time. 590 00:22:19,755 --> 00:22:22,585 - It’s so important to look at the blade as a whole. 591 00:22:22,675 --> 00:22:25,685 - Without the handle, you haven’t made anything. 592 00:22:25,719 --> 00:22:30,389 ♪ 593 00:22:30,391 --> 00:22:32,101 - Oh, no. 594 00:22:32,184 --> 00:22:33,944 Breanna’s scroll saw blade just broke. 595 00:22:34,019 --> 00:22:36,229 - What else could go wrong? 596 00:22:36,272 --> 00:22:39,402 I don’t want to give up, so I just get to work. 597 00:22:39,441 --> 00:22:41,691 ♪ 598 00:22:41,735 --> 00:22:43,735 - Five, four, 599 00:22:43,737 --> 00:22:47,237 three, two, one. 600 00:22:47,241 --> 00:22:48,911 Bladesmiths, turn off your machines. 601 00:22:48,951 --> 00:22:50,411 Put down your tools. 602 00:22:50,452 --> 00:22:52,792 This round is over. 603 00:22:52,872 --> 00:22:54,462 - The clock strikes zero. 604 00:22:54,540 --> 00:22:57,918 I’ve got a blade that’s shaped within parameters. 605 00:22:57,918 --> 00:22:59,798 I’m stoked that I got my handle to where it is. 606 00:22:59,879 --> 00:23:01,959 I feel pretty confident. 607 00:23:02,089 --> 00:23:07,049 - Bladesmiths, to test or not to test? 608 00:23:07,094 --> 00:23:08,764 That is the question. 609 00:23:08,804 --> 00:23:10,097 The answer, of course, 610 00:23:10,097 --> 00:23:11,887 is that we are testing your daggers 611 00:23:11,932 --> 00:23:14,982 for overall performance and its construction. 612 00:23:15,060 --> 00:23:16,600 First, I’m gonna take your dagger. 613 00:23:16,604 --> 00:23:18,105 I’m gonna hammer it into this piece of wood 614 00:23:18,105 --> 00:23:19,645 and try to pry it out. 615 00:23:19,732 --> 00:23:22,232 Then I’m gonna test its edges by chopping into the wood 616 00:23:22,276 --> 00:23:24,606 and check for sharpness by slicing 617 00:23:24,653 --> 00:23:26,113 through these water bottles. 618 00:23:26,155 --> 00:23:27,781 Jackson, you’re up first. Are you ready for this? 619 00:23:27,781 --> 00:23:28,951 - I think so. - All right. 620 00:23:28,991 --> 00:23:30,781 Let’s do this. 621 00:23:30,784 --> 00:23:33,254 - It is a awesome experience to see Doug Marcaida 622 00:23:33,287 --> 00:23:35,077 handling my dagger. 623 00:23:35,122 --> 00:23:36,922 It’s really nerve-racking though. 624 00:23:36,957 --> 00:23:38,327 If it breaks, I’m going home. 625 00:23:38,417 --> 00:23:40,747 ♪ 626 00:23:40,794 --> 00:23:43,764 [metal thudding] 627 00:23:43,797 --> 00:23:50,677 ♪ 628 00:23:55,935 --> 00:23:58,855 [metal thudding] 629 00:23:58,938 --> 00:24:02,478 ♪ 630 00:24:02,608 --> 00:24:03,648 [bottle pops] 631 00:24:03,651 --> 00:24:05,151 ♪ 632 00:24:05,194 --> 00:24:07,864 [bottle pops] 633 00:24:07,947 --> 00:24:14,787 ♪ 634 00:24:17,498 --> 00:24:20,788 [water sloshing] 635 00:24:20,834 --> 00:24:24,214 ♪ 636 00:24:24,296 --> 00:24:26,836 - Jackson, let’s talk about your 637 00:24:26,882 --> 00:24:30,342 Lady Macbeth dagger, your blade. 638 00:24:30,344 --> 00:24:32,514 It does have a symmetrical line, 639 00:24:32,554 --> 00:24:34,184 but toward the end over here, it curves a little bit 640 00:24:34,223 --> 00:24:36,353 on one side compared to the other. 641 00:24:36,392 --> 00:24:38,312 For daggers, you want that symmetry. 642 00:24:38,352 --> 00:24:42,189 But on the tip retention test, it survived nicely. 643 00:24:42,189 --> 00:24:43,899 No issues whatsoever. 644 00:24:43,983 --> 00:24:45,863 It dug in deep, no chips. 645 00:24:45,901 --> 00:24:49,071 Your edges held up also on the chop test. 646 00:24:49,154 --> 00:24:51,164 Now, your handle construction, 647 00:24:51,198 --> 00:24:52,908 a little bit on the spindly side. 648 00:24:52,992 --> 00:24:55,369 but in the tests, it performed very well. 649 00:24:55,369 --> 00:24:58,409 And overall, you have a sharp, strong blade. 650 00:24:58,497 --> 00:25:00,867 Good job. 651 00:25:00,916 --> 00:25:02,706 Blake, are you ready for this? - As ready as I will be. 652 00:25:02,751 --> 00:25:05,171 - All right. Let’s do this. 653 00:25:05,212 --> 00:25:06,712 - I am definitely nervous to see 654 00:25:06,755 --> 00:25:08,585 what’s gonna happen to my blade after this. 655 00:25:08,674 --> 00:25:11,344 I’m just really nervous that I could get a crack. 656 00:25:11,385 --> 00:25:13,435 I’m really not looking forward to this. 657 00:25:13,512 --> 00:25:19,601 ♪ 658 00:25:19,601 --> 00:25:22,187 - I’m just really nervous that I could get a crack. 659 00:25:22,187 --> 00:25:23,227 I’m really not looking forward to this. 660 00:25:23,230 --> 00:25:26,150 [dramatic music] 661 00:25:26,150 --> 00:25:29,110 [metal thudding] 662 00:25:29,153 --> 00:25:35,953 ♪ 663 00:25:49,882 --> 00:25:53,092 [metal thuds and rings] 664 00:25:53,135 --> 00:25:55,475 - Oh! - Aw. 665 00:25:55,512 --> 00:26:02,482 ♪ 666 00:26:02,519 --> 00:26:04,479 - All right, Blake. 667 00:26:04,521 --> 00:26:06,191 We have a little bit of a problem here. 668 00:26:06,231 --> 00:26:08,151 On the chop, your handle broke. 669 00:26:08,192 --> 00:26:09,942 Now, a lot of that could be because 670 00:26:09,985 --> 00:26:14,525 you actually used a lot of heat in welding your handle on. 671 00:26:14,573 --> 00:26:16,033 So that juncture right there could have 672 00:26:16,075 --> 00:26:18,665 made it very brittle, and that’s what caused it 673 00:26:18,702 --> 00:26:21,162 to break on impact. 674 00:26:21,205 --> 00:26:26,595 ♪ 675 00:26:26,627 --> 00:26:29,707 - Blake, a broken blade is absolutely never 676 00:26:29,755 --> 00:26:31,305 how we want to see testing end, 677 00:26:31,340 --> 00:26:32,470 but unfortunately, that’s exactly 678 00:26:32,508 --> 00:26:34,378 what happened to your dagger. 679 00:26:34,426 --> 00:26:35,716 And unfortunately, that is considered 680 00:26:35,761 --> 00:26:37,351 a catastrophic failure, and we cannot continue 681 00:26:37,387 --> 00:26:39,927 testing your weapon. 682 00:26:39,973 --> 00:26:43,943 However, Breanna, although you worked 683 00:26:43,977 --> 00:26:46,227 your ass off through the entire five-hour round, 684 00:26:46,271 --> 00:26:47,811 unfortunately, you were unable to affix 685 00:26:47,856 --> 00:26:51,436 a handle to your blade, therefore missing parameters. 686 00:26:51,485 --> 00:26:53,905 So because of that, Blake, you will be moving forward 687 00:26:53,946 --> 00:26:55,446 to the next round. 688 00:26:55,531 --> 00:26:56,701 And Breanna, unfortunately, your time 689 00:26:56,740 --> 00:26:57,990 in this competition has ended. 690 00:26:58,033 --> 00:26:58,993 I’m gonna have to ask you to please step off 691 00:26:59,034 --> 00:27:00,874 the forge floor. 692 00:27:00,911 --> 00:27:02,411 - Despite not being able to finish, 693 00:27:02,454 --> 00:27:05,424 I am proud that I didn’t give up. 694 00:27:05,457 --> 00:27:07,537 I’m happy that I got this opportunity 695 00:27:07,584 --> 00:27:09,924 to see where my skills are at compared to other blacksmiths. 696 00:27:09,962 --> 00:27:12,302 Definitely something new, definitely just 697 00:27:12,339 --> 00:27:14,129 a different experience I never could have 698 00:27:14,174 --> 00:27:16,474 predicted in a thousand years I’d be a part of. 699 00:27:16,510 --> 00:27:18,090 I think Blake and Jackson will represent 700 00:27:18,137 --> 00:27:19,757 Combat Ready Art really well, 701 00:27:19,805 --> 00:27:21,105 and I think they’ll do great in the next competition. 702 00:27:21,140 --> 00:27:23,850 ♪ 703 00:27:23,892 --> 00:27:25,692 - Gentlemen, congratulations. 704 00:27:25,727 --> 00:27:27,097 The two of you are now moving forward 705 00:27:27,146 --> 00:27:29,056 in the second round of this tournament. 706 00:27:29,106 --> 00:27:31,686 And gentlemen, we want you to build another iconic weapon 707 00:27:31,733 --> 00:27:33,493 from Shakespearean history. 708 00:27:33,527 --> 00:27:36,237 We want you to build this. 709 00:27:36,280 --> 00:27:37,990 ♪ 710 00:27:37,990 --> 00:27:41,280 This here is Macbeth’s sword. - Nice. 711 00:27:41,326 --> 00:27:42,656 ♪ 712 00:27:42,703 --> 00:27:44,413 - During the 11th century, the real Macbeth 713 00:27:44,454 --> 00:27:46,004 reigned as the King of the Scots 714 00:27:46,039 --> 00:27:49,329 for only 17 years, but his legacy famously lives on. 715 00:27:49,376 --> 00:27:52,046 Though based on fiction, William Shakespeare’s play 716 00:27:52,087 --> 00:27:54,297 features one of the greatest duels of all time, 717 00:27:54,339 --> 00:27:56,549 where Macduff notoriously decapitates Macbeth 718 00:27:56,592 --> 00:27:59,182 in the final battle. 719 00:27:59,219 --> 00:28:00,969 This interpretation of Macbeth’s sword 720 00:28:01,013 --> 00:28:02,813 is a faithful rendition of Scottish swords 721 00:28:02,848 --> 00:28:04,888 from the 11th century. 722 00:28:04,933 --> 00:28:07,023 Featuring a wide, double-edged blade, 723 00:28:07,060 --> 00:28:09,100 this sword is deadly enough for cutting and cleaving 724 00:28:09,146 --> 00:28:10,856 anyone and anything in its path, 725 00:28:10,898 --> 00:28:12,818 making it an ideal weapon for a king. 726 00:28:12,858 --> 00:28:15,318 ♪ 727 00:28:15,360 --> 00:28:17,280 Well, gentlemen, the ones you bring back to us 728 00:28:17,321 --> 00:28:18,411 in four days need to fall within 729 00:28:18,447 --> 00:28:20,027 these following parameters. 730 00:28:20,073 --> 00:28:23,493 The blade length needs to be between 28 and 30 inches. 731 00:28:23,535 --> 00:28:25,365 Now, you also need to have 3 to 4 inches 732 00:28:25,412 --> 00:28:27,872 of unsharpened ricasso and a base width of the blade 733 00:28:27,915 --> 00:28:30,295 no less than an inch and 7/8. 734 00:28:30,334 --> 00:28:31,884 You need to have a functional cross guard, 735 00:28:31,919 --> 00:28:34,169 a hand and a half handle, and a functional pommel. 736 00:28:34,213 --> 00:28:35,963 - I’ve never made anything 737 00:28:36,006 --> 00:28:38,006 this large in the forge before. 738 00:28:38,091 --> 00:28:39,551 The one thing I’m most worried about 739 00:28:39,593 --> 00:28:43,303 is being able to draw steel out to 28 to 30 inches. 740 00:28:43,347 --> 00:28:45,097 - There’s a lot on the line here. 741 00:28:45,140 --> 00:28:49,020 $20,000 could be yours, and an additional $10,000 742 00:28:49,061 --> 00:28:50,401 worth of forging equipment could come back here 743 00:28:50,437 --> 00:28:52,517 into John’s forge. 744 00:28:52,564 --> 00:28:54,574 So bladesmiths, we’ve got a unique situation here. 745 00:28:54,608 --> 00:28:57,738 Because you guys both work out of this forge, 746 00:28:57,778 --> 00:28:59,448 you’ll both be making your swords here 747 00:28:59,488 --> 00:29:02,028 at the same time. So good luck. 748 00:29:02,074 --> 00:29:05,204 We’ll see you both back at our home forge in four days. 749 00:29:05,244 --> 00:29:11,884 ♪ 750 00:29:11,917 --> 00:29:15,037 - Going into the next round, I’m excited and nervous 751 00:29:15,087 --> 00:29:16,917 for the opportunity to win $20,000 752 00:29:16,964 --> 00:29:18,804 and be able to kick back to the forge. 753 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:20,010 I have a bit of a game plan 754 00:29:20,092 --> 00:29:21,472 that I’m gonna try to stick to. 755 00:29:21,510 --> 00:29:24,640 My goal today is to try to get my shape pulled, 756 00:29:24,680 --> 00:29:26,310 and I’m ready to get going. 757 00:29:26,348 --> 00:29:28,558 I can’t get this thing warm. It won’t stay lit. 758 00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:31,810 - Put more fresh coal on it as well. 759 00:29:31,853 --> 00:29:36,073 - It is a bit weird to have my competitor in the same room 760 00:29:36,108 --> 00:29:38,228 as me, especially with the money 761 00:29:38,277 --> 00:29:39,897 that’s on the line here, you know? 762 00:29:39,945 --> 00:29:41,405 We’re still having to fight over 763 00:29:41,446 --> 00:29:42,856 some of the same equipment. 764 00:29:42,906 --> 00:29:44,316 So it does make it a little tough 765 00:29:44,366 --> 00:29:45,946 that we’re both in there working at the same time. 766 00:29:45,993 --> 00:29:50,043 ♪ 767 00:29:50,080 --> 00:29:51,500 - I made a dagger in the first round. 768 00:29:51,540 --> 00:29:53,750 It wasn’t my best work, but, hey, it stuck together. 769 00:29:53,750 --> 00:29:56,710 Now I need to make a sword for the second round. 770 00:29:56,753 --> 00:29:59,213 My plan for today is just gonna try and forge out 771 00:29:59,256 --> 00:30:01,836 as much as I can, just stretching it out. 772 00:30:01,883 --> 00:30:06,973 So I’m making the largest blade I’ve ever made in my life. 773 00:30:07,014 --> 00:30:08,354 With this material, I could probably make ten 774 00:30:08,390 --> 00:30:10,270 of what I’m used to. 775 00:30:10,309 --> 00:30:12,939 Once I get my tip established, I’m moving down blade. 776 00:30:12,978 --> 00:30:15,648 There’s too much material there to move my hammer. 777 00:30:15,731 --> 00:30:16,901 I’m gonna give my arms a break and go over 778 00:30:16,940 --> 00:30:18,780 to the treadle hammer. 779 00:30:18,817 --> 00:30:20,107 Treadle hammer is gonna to help me move 780 00:30:20,110 --> 00:30:22,150 more steel quicker than my arms can 781 00:30:22,195 --> 00:30:24,195 and also thin out my blade. 782 00:30:24,239 --> 00:30:25,869 - Really getting pretty nervous. 783 00:30:25,907 --> 00:30:27,447 With a link like this, you know, 784 00:30:27,492 --> 00:30:28,792 it leaves a lot of room for warping. 785 00:30:28,827 --> 00:30:31,997 ♪ 786 00:30:32,039 --> 00:30:35,329 I am not as far as I had intended to be today, 787 00:30:35,375 --> 00:30:38,835 but I’m not also as worn out as I thought I would be, 788 00:30:38,879 --> 00:30:40,839 so I’m feeling pretty good. 789 00:30:40,881 --> 00:30:42,261 - How’s it going over there, Jackson? 790 00:30:42,299 --> 00:30:44,299 - It’s going. It’s a bit heavy. 791 00:30:44,343 --> 00:30:46,470 - It is a bit awkward. 792 00:30:46,470 --> 00:30:48,720 ♪ 793 00:30:48,764 --> 00:30:51,064 - I get my blade pretty much drawn out. 794 00:30:51,099 --> 00:30:52,979 I start measuring a lot. 795 00:30:53,018 --> 00:30:54,308 I didn’t want to finish and realize, 796 00:30:54,353 --> 00:30:56,483 oh, I didn’t make one of the parameters. 797 00:30:56,521 --> 00:30:59,071 So I’m just gonna measure it as much as I really need to. 798 00:30:59,107 --> 00:31:01,187 I’m liking the progress I’m making. 799 00:31:01,234 --> 00:31:02,904 I like the shape so far. 800 00:31:02,944 --> 00:31:04,574 It looks like a sword. 801 00:31:04,613 --> 00:31:06,573 I just have some straightening to do tomorrow, 802 00:31:06,615 --> 00:31:08,665 and I should be good for doing grinding. 803 00:31:08,700 --> 00:31:10,740 Not too bad. 804 00:31:10,786 --> 00:31:12,536 ♪ 805 00:31:12,579 --> 00:31:14,709 - It’s beginning of day two. 806 00:31:14,748 --> 00:31:16,958 I have my blade shaped like I want. 807 00:31:17,000 --> 00:31:19,669 My main goal for today is to quench. 808 00:31:19,669 --> 00:31:21,709 ♪ 809 00:31:21,755 --> 00:31:23,555 - If I’m not quenched by the end of the day, 810 00:31:23,590 --> 00:31:26,470 then I am seriously behind. 811 00:31:26,510 --> 00:31:28,510 I’m pretty nervous about this quench. 812 00:31:28,553 --> 00:31:29,803 This is the biggest thing 813 00:31:29,846 --> 00:31:32,346 I’ve ever tried quenching before. 814 00:31:32,391 --> 00:31:35,391 ♪ 815 00:31:35,435 --> 00:31:37,935 - So the quench is definitely the most nerve-racking thing 816 00:31:37,979 --> 00:31:39,729 about this process for me. 817 00:31:39,773 --> 00:31:42,653 I’ve never heat treated a blade to this length. 818 00:31:42,692 --> 00:31:45,192 I could end up with cracks. I could end up with warps. 819 00:31:45,237 --> 00:31:46,857 Here goes nothing. 820 00:31:46,905 --> 00:31:51,195 ♪ 821 00:31:51,243 --> 00:31:53,123 Well, I’m glad to get that over with. 822 00:31:53,161 --> 00:31:55,541 [laughs] 823 00:31:55,580 --> 00:31:59,330 It’s looking fairly straight. 824 00:31:59,376 --> 00:32:01,586 It was definitely the most stressful part 825 00:32:01,628 --> 00:32:04,008 of this process, in my opinion. 826 00:32:04,047 --> 00:32:06,257 All I have left to do is shape the handle 827 00:32:06,299 --> 00:32:07,719 and do some sharpening. 828 00:32:07,759 --> 00:32:10,179 Sounds pretty good to me. 829 00:32:10,220 --> 00:32:12,760 - Oh, my God. Blake already quenched. 830 00:32:12,806 --> 00:32:14,056 I have to catch up. 831 00:32:14,099 --> 00:32:16,939 ♪ 832 00:32:16,977 --> 00:32:18,477 Oh, that’s warped. 833 00:32:18,520 --> 00:32:20,770 I need to fix this warp somehow, 834 00:32:20,814 --> 00:32:22,364 or I will be in trouble. 835 00:32:22,399 --> 00:32:26,945 [bleep]. 836 00:32:26,945 --> 00:32:27,815 [dramatic music] 837 00:32:28,029 --> 00:32:28,149 - Well, it’s warped. 838 00:32:29,030 --> 00:32:29,860 I need to fix this warp somehow, 839 00:32:29,906 --> 00:32:33,866 or I will be in trouble. 840 00:32:33,910 --> 00:32:35,120 I don’t have time to pick them up, 841 00:32:35,162 --> 00:32:37,872 so I just stand on it. 842 00:32:37,873 --> 00:32:40,423 I end up melting my shoe on it a little bit. 843 00:32:40,459 --> 00:32:42,749 Oh, well. They’re old, so... 844 00:32:42,752 --> 00:32:44,882 It’s not straight. 845 00:32:44,921 --> 00:32:47,801 It’s straighter than it was, though. 846 00:32:47,841 --> 00:32:49,631 I’ll deal with it later. 847 00:32:49,676 --> 00:32:52,256 ♪ 848 00:32:52,304 --> 00:32:54,514 - How’s it going, Jackson? - Going. 849 00:32:54,556 --> 00:32:56,426 - Nice, that’s looking pretty good. 850 00:32:56,433 --> 00:32:58,563 - I put a big warp in it. - Oh, yeah? 851 00:32:58,602 --> 00:33:00,352 - Yeah, look at that. - Aw, man. 852 00:33:00,395 --> 00:33:02,015 Well, good luck. 853 00:33:02,063 --> 00:33:03,563 So it’s the start of day four. 854 00:33:03,607 --> 00:33:04,567 I’m pleased where my blade’s at 855 00:33:04,608 --> 00:33:06,228 at the moment. 856 00:33:06,276 --> 00:33:07,736 Now I’m gonna start working on my guard. 857 00:33:07,777 --> 00:33:10,407 I’m not planning on welding the guard on. 858 00:33:10,447 --> 00:33:12,777 In the last round, one of the reasons my dagger 859 00:33:12,824 --> 00:33:14,954 may have broken is because I heated it up 860 00:33:14,993 --> 00:33:16,913 too much when welding the guard. 861 00:33:16,953 --> 00:33:18,083 So I’m gonna use a steel epoxy. 862 00:33:18,121 --> 00:33:20,791 ♪ 863 00:33:20,832 --> 00:33:22,882 - The warp on my "Macbeth" sword is, 864 00:33:22,918 --> 00:33:24,878 like, super noticeable. 865 00:33:24,920 --> 00:33:28,760 I don’t really have time to fix it today. 866 00:33:28,798 --> 00:33:32,588 I need a mechanical connection for my handle. 867 00:33:32,636 --> 00:33:34,636 A downside to using the plasma cutter 868 00:33:34,679 --> 00:33:37,429 to put a hole through my handle, 869 00:33:37,432 --> 00:33:39,312 I am not very accurate with it, 870 00:33:39,351 --> 00:33:40,811 and they’re not gonna have the greatest fit 871 00:33:40,894 --> 00:33:44,814 with the pins, but I think it’ll work. 872 00:33:44,856 --> 00:33:48,566 ♪ 873 00:33:48,610 --> 00:33:50,150 - I am very proud of what I made. 874 00:33:50,195 --> 00:33:51,995 At the end of the day, 875 00:33:52,030 --> 00:33:53,660 regardless of how it holds up in the test, 876 00:33:53,698 --> 00:33:56,528 I’m super stoked on my final product. 877 00:33:56,576 --> 00:33:58,326 I would love to be the representative 878 00:33:58,370 --> 00:34:00,870 of Combat Ready Art at the final. 879 00:34:00,914 --> 00:34:02,584 And that being said, I just-- I would love 880 00:34:02,624 --> 00:34:04,384 to see one of us from Combat Ready bring it home. 881 00:34:04,417 --> 00:34:06,917 Not too shabby. 882 00:34:06,962 --> 00:34:09,802 - I’m pretty content with how my guard looks, how it feels. 883 00:34:09,839 --> 00:34:13,719 I need to fit the handle, pommel, 884 00:34:13,760 --> 00:34:16,260 and clean up my blade to finish it. 885 00:34:16,304 --> 00:34:19,224 I think this sword will give me a chance at $20,000. 886 00:34:21,226 --> 00:34:24,596 ♪ 887 00:34:24,646 --> 00:34:26,186 - Blake, John, Jackson, gentlemen, 888 00:34:26,231 --> 00:34:27,861 welcome to our forge. 889 00:34:27,899 --> 00:34:29,859 Now guys, we started this competition 890 00:34:29,901 --> 00:34:31,901 back in beautiful Kalamazoo, Michigan, 891 00:34:31,945 --> 00:34:33,995 at John’s Combat Ready Art, where you guys 892 00:34:34,030 --> 00:34:35,740 made Lady Macbeth’s daggers. 893 00:34:35,782 --> 00:34:39,622 Now, we gave you four days to build Macbeth’s sword. 894 00:34:39,661 --> 00:34:41,831 I think both of you guys did a great job. 895 00:34:41,871 --> 00:34:43,541 Now we’ve got to find out which one of you 896 00:34:43,582 --> 00:34:45,582 is going to stay in this competition, 897 00:34:45,625 --> 00:34:47,835 in the fight for $20,000 for yourself 898 00:34:47,877 --> 00:34:49,667 and $10,000 in gear and supplies 899 00:34:49,713 --> 00:34:51,593 to go back to Combat Ready Art. 900 00:34:51,631 --> 00:34:53,171 Before we test those blades, I want to hear about them. 901 00:34:53,216 --> 00:34:54,966 So, Blake, tell us about yours. 902 00:34:55,010 --> 00:34:56,720 - I’m pretty proud with what I turned out. 903 00:34:56,761 --> 00:34:58,471 ♪ 904 00:34:58,513 --> 00:35:02,523 My blade is 5160 with a brass guard, 905 00:35:02,559 --> 00:35:04,939 and the pommel is a piece of stainless steel 906 00:35:04,978 --> 00:35:07,978 from a sailboat rudder, and went with Osage orange 907 00:35:08,023 --> 00:35:09,903 for the handle. - Fantastic. 908 00:35:09,941 --> 00:35:11,941 Jackson, tell us about yours. 909 00:35:11,985 --> 00:35:14,575 - My blade is 5160. 910 00:35:14,654 --> 00:35:17,124 I made my guard out of a piece of a sawblade, 911 00:35:17,157 --> 00:35:19,867 spalted maple handle, and then hexagonal stock 912 00:35:19,909 --> 00:35:21,869 for the pommel. - Fantastic. 913 00:35:21,911 --> 00:35:23,331 Well, gentlemen, we’ve got to find out 914 00:35:23,371 --> 00:35:25,211 which one of these swords is gonna launch 915 00:35:25,248 --> 00:35:27,458 its smith into the final leg of this tournament 916 00:35:27,500 --> 00:35:29,000 against three other smiths that we picked up 917 00:35:29,044 --> 00:35:31,384 across America, and for that testing, 918 00:35:31,421 --> 00:35:33,261 I’m gonna hand you over to Doug. 919 00:35:33,298 --> 00:35:36,258 ♪ 920 00:35:36,301 --> 00:35:40,101 - Bladesmiths, welcome to the KEAL test. 921 00:35:40,138 --> 00:35:42,558 Well, your Macbeth swords look dramatic. 922 00:35:42,599 --> 00:35:44,679 ♪ 923 00:35:44,726 --> 00:35:46,306 But are they lethal? 924 00:35:46,353 --> 00:35:47,983 Well, to find that out, I’m gonna take your weapon, 925 00:35:48,021 --> 00:35:49,481 deliver some thrusts and slashes 926 00:35:49,522 --> 00:35:51,152 on this ballistics dummy. 927 00:35:51,191 --> 00:35:52,981 Blake, you are first. Are you ready for this? 928 00:35:53,026 --> 00:35:54,276 - I’m ready. - All right. 929 00:35:54,319 --> 00:35:55,739 Let’s do this. 930 00:35:55,779 --> 00:35:57,409 - My heart’s pounding. 931 00:35:57,447 --> 00:35:58,777 I really didn’t have a whole lot of time 932 00:35:58,823 --> 00:36:00,453 to work on my cutting edge at the end, 933 00:36:00,533 --> 00:36:03,543 so I am extremely excited and extremely nervous 934 00:36:03,578 --> 00:36:06,118 to see how everything goes with the test round. 935 00:36:06,164 --> 00:36:13,094 ♪ 936 00:36:32,315 --> 00:36:35,775 ♪ 937 00:36:35,819 --> 00:36:37,319 - All right, Blake. 938 00:36:37,362 --> 00:36:39,532 Let’s talk about your sword here. 939 00:36:39,614 --> 00:36:43,584 First up, your edge is sharp and took no damage. 940 00:36:43,618 --> 00:36:46,828 It’s a good start to the masterpiece. 941 00:36:46,871 --> 00:36:49,621 Your handle construction is smooth, 942 00:36:49,666 --> 00:36:51,706 but one thing about your handle here 943 00:36:51,751 --> 00:36:53,541 is that it’s actually much more comfortable 944 00:36:53,586 --> 00:36:57,336 to hold it this way as it is this way. 945 00:36:57,382 --> 00:36:59,382 But I like how it feels and how it moves 946 00:36:59,426 --> 00:37:01,466 with the movement. 947 00:37:01,511 --> 00:37:04,851 Overall, sir, your weapon will KEAL. 948 00:37:04,889 --> 00:37:06,429 - Hell yeah. 949 00:37:06,474 --> 00:37:08,274 - All right, Jackson. Are you ready? 950 00:37:08,309 --> 00:37:11,309 - Yep, I’m ready. - Let’s do this. 951 00:37:11,312 --> 00:37:13,312 - Doug is about to test my sword, 952 00:37:13,356 --> 00:37:15,146 and the thing I worry about with this 953 00:37:15,191 --> 00:37:17,531 is the comfort of the handle for Doug. 954 00:37:17,569 --> 00:37:19,149 I’m hoping it holds up. 955 00:37:19,195 --> 00:37:26,075 ♪ 956 00:37:42,635 --> 00:37:46,345 ♪ 957 00:37:46,389 --> 00:37:47,679 - Who would have thought the old man 958 00:37:47,724 --> 00:37:50,274 would have so much blood on him? 959 00:37:50,310 --> 00:37:52,850 Jackson, let’s talk about your Macbeth sword here. 960 00:37:52,896 --> 00:37:54,556 First off, before we started, 961 00:37:54,606 --> 00:37:56,356 your blade already had two bends. 962 00:37:56,399 --> 00:37:59,149 You have one at this juncture and another one up here. 963 00:37:59,194 --> 00:38:01,154 It’s almost like an S-bend on that. 964 00:38:01,196 --> 00:38:03,026 But it didn’t get any worse. 965 00:38:03,072 --> 00:38:05,742 Your edge-- your edge is sharp. 966 00:38:05,784 --> 00:38:07,954 It was easy to wield and cut deeply 967 00:38:07,994 --> 00:38:09,704 into the ballistics dummy. 968 00:38:09,746 --> 00:38:13,036 Overall, your weapon, it will KEAL. 969 00:38:13,082 --> 00:38:14,042 - Thank you. 970 00:38:14,083 --> 00:38:16,713 ♪ 971 00:38:16,753 --> 00:38:18,173 - All right, bladesmiths. 972 00:38:18,254 --> 00:38:20,054 This is a dynamic strength test, 973 00:38:20,089 --> 00:38:23,799 the paint can bash and the sandbag slice. 974 00:38:23,843 --> 00:38:25,393 Blake, you’re up first. You ready for this? 975 00:38:25,428 --> 00:38:26,638 - Yes, Sir. - All right. 976 00:38:26,679 --> 00:38:28,009 Let’s do this. 977 00:38:28,056 --> 00:38:29,676 ♪ 978 00:38:29,724 --> 00:38:32,024 - I’m definitely nervous going into the strength test. 979 00:38:32,060 --> 00:38:34,020 This is what got me in the last round. 980 00:38:34,062 --> 00:38:36,312 It snapped off right at the guard. 981 00:38:36,356 --> 00:38:37,896 [metal thuds and rings] - Oh. 982 00:38:37,941 --> 00:38:39,191 - Aw. 983 00:38:39,234 --> 00:38:41,152 It’s definitely haunting me. 984 00:38:41,152 --> 00:38:42,952 I’m extremely nervous to see how things go. 985 00:38:42,987 --> 00:38:47,325 ♪ 986 00:38:47,325 --> 00:38:48,575 [dramatic music] 987 00:38:48,785 --> 00:38:49,085 - In the last strength test, my dagger snapped off 988 00:38:49,452 --> 00:38:50,952 right at the guard. 989 00:38:50,995 --> 00:38:52,705 It’s definitely haunting me. 990 00:38:52,747 --> 00:38:54,287 I’m extremely nervous to see how things go. 991 00:38:54,332 --> 00:39:01,302 ♪ 992 00:39:25,446 --> 00:39:26,986 - All right, Blake. 993 00:39:27,031 --> 00:39:28,871 Let’s talk about your sword here. 994 00:39:28,908 --> 00:39:31,618 I love the balance you have on your sword. 995 00:39:31,661 --> 00:39:35,541 Your edge suffered no damage cutting into these paint cans, 996 00:39:35,582 --> 00:39:38,042 and they slice nicely on the sandbags. 997 00:39:38,084 --> 00:39:41,504 Overall, your weapon-- it is strong, and it will cut. 998 00:39:41,546 --> 00:39:43,336 - Thank you. - All right, Jackson. 999 00:39:43,381 --> 00:39:44,471 Your turn. You ready? 1000 00:39:44,507 --> 00:39:45,717 - I’m ready. - Let’s do this. 1001 00:39:47,594 --> 00:39:54,434 ♪ 1002 00:40:21,544 --> 00:40:22,754 - All right, Jackson. 1003 00:40:22,795 --> 00:40:25,085 Let’s talk about your sword. 1004 00:40:25,131 --> 00:40:28,631 Your edge suffered no damage cutting into these paint cans, 1005 00:40:28,676 --> 00:40:31,386 and they sliced nicely on the sandbags. 1006 00:40:31,429 --> 00:40:34,469 Color me impressed. - [chuckles] 1007 00:40:34,515 --> 00:40:38,095 - But your blade earlier had a little bit of a bend, 1008 00:40:38,144 --> 00:40:40,234 and it did get worse. 1009 00:40:40,271 --> 00:40:42,481 There’s some movement that happened during the test. 1010 00:40:42,523 --> 00:40:45,733 Your edge did not have any damage, though. 1011 00:40:45,777 --> 00:40:49,487 And overall, you have a strong and sharp sword. 1012 00:40:49,530 --> 00:40:52,030 Good job. - Thank you. 1013 00:40:52,033 --> 00:40:54,953 ♪ 1014 00:40:54,994 --> 00:40:57,374 - I’m feeling a little nervous, but I mean, 1015 00:40:57,455 --> 00:40:59,415 we’ll just see what happens. 1016 00:40:59,457 --> 00:41:00,877 - Well, gentleman, Doug chose your forge, 1017 00:41:00,917 --> 00:41:02,417 Combat Ready Art, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1018 00:41:02,460 --> 00:41:04,000 to represent him in the finals 1019 00:41:04,045 --> 00:41:05,305 of our "On the Road" tournament. 1020 00:41:05,338 --> 00:41:07,208 You both turned in impressive swords, 1021 00:41:07,256 --> 00:41:11,256 but unfortunately, only one of you can move forward. 1022 00:41:11,302 --> 00:41:12,392 And the blacksmith moving forward 1023 00:41:12,428 --> 00:41:15,468 in this competition is... 1024 00:41:15,515 --> 00:41:16,975 Blake. 1025 00:41:17,016 --> 00:41:19,096 Congratulations. 1026 00:41:19,143 --> 00:41:21,443 Now, you fought very hard, Jackson, 1027 00:41:21,479 --> 00:41:23,019 but unfortunately, your blade did not make the cut. 1028 00:41:23,064 --> 00:41:25,444 And Doug is gonna tell you why. - All right, Jackson. 1029 00:41:25,483 --> 00:41:26,863 You should be proud of your work. 1030 00:41:26,901 --> 00:41:29,611 You presented us with a sharp, strong sword, 1031 00:41:29,696 --> 00:41:31,316 but it did show up with some bends, 1032 00:41:31,364 --> 00:41:33,034 and one of those bends actually moved 1033 00:41:33,074 --> 00:41:34,704 during the strength test. 1034 00:41:34,742 --> 00:41:36,702 That brings to question, the heat treat. 1035 00:41:36,744 --> 00:41:38,624 - Well, Jackson, from the very beginning, 1036 00:41:38,663 --> 00:41:39,963 it was clear that you put everything 1037 00:41:39,998 --> 00:41:41,538 you had in this competition, and we want to say, 1038 00:41:41,582 --> 00:41:42,962 thank you for coming out, but unfortunately, 1039 00:41:43,001 --> 00:41:44,791 your time in this tournament has ended. 1040 00:41:44,794 --> 00:41:45,884 I’m gonna have to ask you to please step off 1041 00:41:45,920 --> 00:41:47,300 the forge floor. - Good job. 1042 00:41:47,338 --> 00:41:49,128 - Good job. 1043 00:41:49,215 --> 00:41:51,925 - I agree with Doug’s assessment of my sword. 1044 00:41:51,968 --> 00:41:54,798 It was very difficult, but I did make it this far, 1045 00:41:54,846 --> 00:41:56,556 and I’m proud of that. 1046 00:41:56,597 --> 00:41:58,427 My sword came in with some warps, 1047 00:41:58,433 --> 00:42:01,893 and during the testing, it moved, which is not good. 1048 00:42:01,936 --> 00:42:04,396 I’m going home, but I’m gonna keep making blades 1049 00:42:04,439 --> 00:42:06,189 and doing blacksmithing. 1050 00:42:06,232 --> 00:42:09,242 ♪ 1051 00:42:09,277 --> 00:42:10,567 - Well, Blake, congratulations. 1052 00:42:10,611 --> 00:42:11,991 That means you are moving forward 1053 00:42:12,030 --> 00:42:13,320 in the final leg of this tournament, 1054 00:42:13,364 --> 00:42:15,574 still in the fight for $20,000 for yourself 1055 00:42:15,616 --> 00:42:16,986 and an extra $10,000 1056 00:42:16,993 --> 00:42:18,123 that could potentially go to John. 1057 00:42:18,161 --> 00:42:19,251 Come on up here and shake our hands, man. 1058 00:42:19,287 --> 00:42:21,077 - I appreciate it. 1059 00:42:21,122 --> 00:42:22,542 I’m super stoked. 1060 00:42:22,582 --> 00:42:24,122 I’m very pleased with what I created, 1061 00:42:24,167 --> 00:42:27,037 but I’m also really curious what these next rounds 1062 00:42:27,086 --> 00:42:28,666 are gonna have for us. 1063 00:42:28,713 --> 00:42:30,213 It’s pretty surreal. 1064 00:42:30,256 --> 00:42:31,916 I’m proud to be the representative 1065 00:42:31,966 --> 00:42:33,676 of Combat Ready Art at the final. 1066 00:42:33,718 --> 00:42:36,138 So let’s see what we do. 1067 00:42:36,179 --> 00:42:41,429 ♪