1 00:00:01,958 --> 00:00:04,667 [fire whooshes] 2 00:00:04,792 --> 00:00:08,417 [dramatic music] 3 00:00:08,542 --> 00:00:10,667 - Here in The Forge, we have seen hundreds of smiths 4 00:00:10,750 --> 00:00:12,792 create some of the most feared edged weapons in history. 5 00:00:12,917 --> 00:00:14,833 ♪ ♪ 6 00:00:14,917 --> 00:00:17,000 Now in honor of History's mini series event 7 00:00:17,083 --> 00:00:19,292 "Colosseum," we have decided to transform 8 00:00:19,375 --> 00:00:21,833 our forge into a Roman gladiators arena. 9 00:00:21,917 --> 00:00:23,500 ♪ ♪ 10 00:00:23,625 --> 00:00:26,000 Over the next few weeks, we are doing a competition 11 00:00:26,167 --> 00:00:28,333 series unlike anything you've ever seen. 12 00:00:28,500 --> 00:00:29,667 ♪ ♪ 13 00:00:29,750 --> 00:00:31,792 This is Gladiators of The Forge. 14 00:00:31,917 --> 00:00:33,667 ♪ ♪ 15 00:00:33,792 --> 00:00:35,167 Over the course of five episodes 16 00:00:35,250 --> 00:00:37,208 and ten battles, we will see bladesmiths 17 00:00:37,333 --> 00:00:39,792 go head to head in sudden death competitions. 18 00:00:39,917 --> 00:00:41,417 ♪ ♪ 19 00:00:41,542 --> 00:00:43,333 The winner will become the Gladiator of The Forge 20 00:00:43,458 --> 00:00:45,667 and earn a check for $5,000. 21 00:00:45,792 --> 00:00:46,958 ♪ ♪ 22 00:00:47,083 --> 00:00:48,333 Then they'll have the opportunity 23 00:00:48,458 --> 00:00:50,292 to go back into the arena and fight again. 24 00:00:50,417 --> 00:00:51,333 ♪ ♪ 25 00:00:51,458 --> 00:00:52,667 Now if they keep winning, they will earn 26 00:00:52,750 --> 00:00:55,417 more and more money with bonuses along the way. 27 00:00:55,542 --> 00:00:57,708 ♪ ♪ 28 00:00:57,833 --> 00:00:59,167 After two battles, 29 00:00:59,292 --> 00:01:00,708 one gladiator has reigned supreme. 30 00:01:00,875 --> 00:01:02,708 - Congratulations, you are a two-time 31 00:01:02,833 --> 00:01:03,875 Gladiator of The Forge. 32 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:05,500 You now have $10,000. 33 00:01:05,583 --> 00:01:06,875 - Right now nothing's for sure. 34 00:01:07,042 --> 00:01:07,875 It's daunting. 35 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:09,167 There's a lot going on, 36 00:01:09,292 --> 00:01:10,625 both physically and mentally. 37 00:01:10,708 --> 00:01:12,417 It's tough. 38 00:01:12,542 --> 00:01:14,625 - Tonight, we will find out if Kurt has what it takes 39 00:01:14,708 --> 00:01:16,833 to earn his third Gladiator of The Forge title, 40 00:01:16,958 --> 00:01:20,333 bringing him one step closer to that prize of $75,000. 41 00:01:20,458 --> 00:01:22,333 Or will a new competitor come in 42 00:01:22,458 --> 00:01:24,000 and knock him out of the arena? 43 00:01:24,125 --> 00:01:26,542 - I'm here to win. 44 00:01:26,667 --> 00:01:29,500 - The Gladiators of The Forge competition continues now. 45 00:01:29,625 --> 00:01:33,000 [angelic chorus] 46 00:01:33,125 --> 00:01:39,875 ♪ ♪ 47 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:41,875 - My name is Kurt, 48 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:42,875 and I'm a two-time 49 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:44,167 Gladiator of The Forge. 50 00:01:44,292 --> 00:01:45,333 Being Gladiator of The Forge 51 00:01:45,458 --> 00:01:46,667 is cool. 52 00:01:46,792 --> 00:01:48,625 And if I can be the only ever 53 00:01:48,708 --> 00:01:51,667 Gladiator of The Forge, that would be even coole. 54 00:01:51,833 --> 00:01:52,833 I absolutely want another win. 55 00:01:52,958 --> 00:01:54,250 If I didn't want another win, 56 00:01:54,375 --> 00:01:57,000 I wouldn't be here doing another eight hours. 57 00:01:57,083 --> 00:01:58,292 I'm exhausted. 58 00:01:58,375 --> 00:01:59,500 [laughs] 59 00:01:59,625 --> 00:02:02,667 ♪ ♪ 60 00:02:02,792 --> 00:02:03,833 - My name is Jesse Hu, 61 00:02:03,958 --> 00:02:05,667 I'm from Phoenix, Arizona, 62 00:02:05,792 --> 00:02:06,792 and I've been making knives 63 00:02:06,917 --> 00:02:07,917 for three years. 64 00:02:08,042 --> 00:02:09,083 From the outside, 65 00:02:09,208 --> 00:02:10,167 I look really unintimidating. 66 00:02:10,292 --> 00:02:12,833 I'm 160 pounds, fairly scrawny. 67 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:16,125 I feel like I might be very easy to underestimate. 68 00:02:16,250 --> 00:02:17,458 But with all this money on the line, 69 00:02:17,583 --> 00:02:19,333 I'm not gonna go down without a fight. 70 00:02:19,500 --> 00:02:24,042 ♪ ♪ 71 00:02:24,208 --> 00:02:26,667 - Kurt, Jesse, gentlemen, welcome to The Forge. 72 00:02:26,792 --> 00:02:28,458 ♪ ♪ 73 00:02:28,542 --> 00:02:30,458 The two of you are about to take part in the third batte 74 00:02:30,542 --> 00:02:32,833 in our Gladiators of The Forge competition series. 75 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:34,333 Now, Kurt, you know how this goes. 76 00:02:34,458 --> 00:02:36,333 But, Jesse, this round is going to consist 77 00:02:36,458 --> 00:02:38,500 of eight hours of bladesmithing competition 78 00:02:38,625 --> 00:02:41,167 where you're going to build a blade from start to finish. 79 00:02:41,292 --> 00:02:43,792 Now once that time is up, you're going to be asked 80 00:02:43,917 --> 00:02:46,167 to turn your blades over to our panel of expert judges, 81 00:02:46,333 --> 00:02:48,625 who will put your blades through a series of tests. 82 00:02:48,708 --> 00:02:50,750 At the end of that testing, they will decide which one 83 00:02:50,875 --> 00:02:52,333 of you has earned a title 84 00:02:52,417 --> 00:02:54,333 of Gladiator of The Forge. 85 00:02:54,458 --> 00:02:56,667 And that win will come with a check for $5,000. 86 00:02:56,792 --> 00:02:59,875 Now Kurt, you are currently standing with two 87 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:01,250 Gladiator of The Forge titles. 88 00:03:01,375 --> 00:03:02,667 You've racked up $10,000. 89 00:03:02,750 --> 00:03:05,667 If you win every single one of our ten competitions, 90 00:03:05,750 --> 00:03:09,833 you will also get a bonus check for 25 grand. 91 00:03:09,917 --> 00:03:13,583 That's a total of $75,000. 92 00:03:13,708 --> 00:03:15,417 Jesse, you're the challenger here. 93 00:03:15,542 --> 00:03:17,833 You're here to dethrone our current 94 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:19,458 winner and take your first 95 00:03:19,583 --> 00:03:21,792 Gladiator of The Forge title, 96 00:03:21,875 --> 00:03:23,500 and hopefully win $5,000. 97 00:03:23,625 --> 00:03:25,500 Now if you do, you will have the chance 98 00:03:25,583 --> 00:03:27,000 to move forward in the competition 99 00:03:27,167 --> 00:03:28,667 and potentially earn some more cash. 100 00:03:28,792 --> 00:03:31,083 - I'm here to win this competition as many times 101 00:03:31,208 --> 00:03:33,833 as I can, because that's what I came here to do. 102 00:03:33,958 --> 00:03:36,375 - Now first things first gentlemen, we need to find out 103 00:03:36,500 --> 00:03:38,333 what blade from our ever-changing wall 104 00:03:38,458 --> 00:03:40,000 of Roman gladiator weapons 105 00:03:40,167 --> 00:03:41,875 you guys will both be building today. 106 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:43,417 And what technique you're both going 107 00:03:43,542 --> 00:03:45,292 to be using to build that blade. 108 00:03:45,375 --> 00:03:47,292 In order to find that out, we're going back 109 00:03:47,375 --> 00:03:49,083 with an old-fashioned coin flip. 110 00:03:49,208 --> 00:03:52,375 I have an authentic Roman coin here. 111 00:03:52,500 --> 00:03:55,042 And if you win, you will have the opportunity to pick first. 112 00:03:55,208 --> 00:03:56,583 Now Jesse, do you want heads or tail? 113 00:03:56,708 --> 00:03:57,917 - I want heads. 114 00:03:58,042 --> 00:03:59,000 - You want heads, all right, ready? 115 00:03:59,125 --> 00:04:03,667 ♪ ♪ 116 00:04:03,792 --> 00:04:04,917 We have landed on heads. 117 00:04:05,042 --> 00:04:06,667 Do you want to pick the weapon you're both building? 118 00:04:06,750 --> 00:04:08,750 Or do you want to pick the forge welding technique? 119 00:04:08,875 --> 00:04:10,167 - The weapon. 120 00:04:10,250 --> 00:04:11,333 - You want to pick the weapon, all right. 121 00:04:11,458 --> 00:04:12,750 What are you thinking? 122 00:04:12,875 --> 00:04:13,958 ♪ ♪ 123 00:04:14,042 --> 00:04:15,500 - I'm thinking the kopis. 124 00:04:15,625 --> 00:04:18,292 ♪ ♪ 125 00:04:18,417 --> 00:04:20,083 - The kopis traces its origins back 126 00:04:20,208 --> 00:04:22,125 to seventh century BC Greece. 127 00:04:22,250 --> 00:04:23,833 But proved such a powerful fighting weapon, 128 00:04:23,958 --> 00:04:26,083 it stood the test of time and remained popular 129 00:04:26,208 --> 00:04:28,125 throughout the Roman Empire. 130 00:04:28,250 --> 00:04:29,833 Featuring a wide recurve blade that 131 00:04:29,958 --> 00:04:32,000 was designed to deliver deadly slashes, 132 00:04:32,125 --> 00:04:34,542 and then an enclosed guard that protected the hand, 133 00:04:34,708 --> 00:04:36,542 this one-handed weapon proved popular 134 00:04:36,708 --> 00:04:39,167 with cavalry soldiers and gladiators alike. 135 00:04:39,292 --> 00:04:40,833 The kopis previously made an appearance 136 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:43,333 in the "Forged in Fire" arena back in season five, 137 00:04:43,500 --> 00:04:45,917 when the competition came down to the finest details. 138 00:04:46,042 --> 00:04:47,375 ♪ ♪ 139 00:04:47,542 --> 00:04:49,542 - The reason I chose this blade was because 140 00:04:49,708 --> 00:04:51,333 I didn't want to make anything else up there. 141 00:04:51,458 --> 00:04:54,500 I've never made any axes or hammers, 142 00:04:54,625 --> 00:04:57,292 but the kopis I feel like I can do really well. 143 00:04:57,417 --> 00:04:58,833 - All right gentlemen, your blades 144 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:00,500 must meet these parameters. 145 00:05:00,625 --> 00:05:02,875 The blade length needs to be between 16 and 18 inches 146 00:05:03,042 --> 00:05:06,000 and your belly needs to be at least 2 and 1/4 inches. 147 00:05:06,167 --> 00:05:08,625 Now as far as the hilt goes, you guys both need to have 148 00:05:08,750 --> 00:05:11,750 a functional guard and an animal head pommel. 149 00:05:11,875 --> 00:05:14,500 All right, Kurt, since you lost the coin toss, 150 00:05:14,625 --> 00:05:17,000 that means you must choose the forge-welding technique. 151 00:05:17,125 --> 00:05:18,458 What have you got? 152 00:05:18,542 --> 00:05:20,500 - So, with a belly that big, I think some 153 00:05:20,625 --> 00:05:22,167 raindrop Damascus will look really good on that blade. 154 00:05:22,250 --> 00:05:23,667 - Ooh. 155 00:05:23,792 --> 00:05:26,667 - I think it's a really cool pattern and maybe it'll 156 00:05:26,792 --> 00:05:30,083 give Jesse kind of a run for his money. 157 00:05:30,208 --> 00:05:31,667 - All right, gentlemen, you will have 158 00:05:31,750 --> 00:05:34,542 eight hours to build your kopis 159 00:05:34,708 --> 00:05:36,625 with raindrop Damascus pattern. 160 00:05:36,750 --> 00:05:40,583 Bladesmiths, good luck, your time starts now. 161 00:05:40,708 --> 00:05:43,167 ♪ ♪ 162 00:05:43,292 --> 00:05:46,208 That was a pretty risky pick with the kopis. 163 00:05:46,333 --> 00:05:47,625 I think that's the most intricate blade 164 00:05:47,708 --> 00:05:49,125 we have on the wall right now. 165 00:05:49,208 --> 00:05:50,458 - I think this is the most detailed 166 00:05:50,542 --> 00:05:51,708 of any of the blades up there. 167 00:05:51,833 --> 00:05:54,000 - And this is coming from a competitor 168 00:05:54,167 --> 00:05:55,417 who hasn't been here. 169 00:05:55,542 --> 00:05:57,333 So, it's going to be interesting. 170 00:05:57,458 --> 00:05:58,625 - Going into this competitio, 171 00:05:58,708 --> 00:06:00,750 exhaustion is definitely a concern of mine. 172 00:06:00,875 --> 00:06:03,417 So I'm making sure that I'm not getting lazy 173 00:06:03,542 --> 00:06:04,958 and skipping steps. 174 00:06:05,083 --> 00:06:07,333 I don't want to get complacent with what I'm doing. 175 00:06:07,458 --> 00:06:10,417 I'm hanging in there but it's tough. 176 00:06:10,542 --> 00:06:11,875 - This being Kurt's third battle, 177 00:06:12,042 --> 00:06:13,583 we get to know a little bit of the bladesmith, 178 00:06:13,708 --> 00:06:15,750 and we do know that when it comes 179 00:06:15,875 --> 00:06:18,500 to patterned Damascus he can do the job. 180 00:06:18,667 --> 00:06:20,375 - I end up starting with 18 layers, 181 00:06:20,500 --> 00:06:23,125 because I don't think I'm going to need all 20 pieces 182 00:06:23,208 --> 00:06:24,542 for this blade. 183 00:06:24,667 --> 00:06:26,333 And last battle, Brian was eliminated 184 00:06:26,500 --> 00:06:28,000 because his blade was too heavy. 185 00:06:28,083 --> 00:06:29,375 - I cannot, no. 186 00:06:29,500 --> 00:06:31,458 - So I want to make sure that I do anything 187 00:06:31,542 --> 00:06:33,292 that I can to avoid these problems. 188 00:06:33,417 --> 00:06:37,292 ♪ ♪ 189 00:06:37,375 --> 00:06:38,708 - Currently, I'm a sophomore 190 00:06:38,833 --> 00:06:40,792 at the University of Michigan and I'm double majoring 191 00:06:40,917 --> 00:06:43,250 in electrical and mechanical engineering. 192 00:06:43,375 --> 00:06:44,833 Oh, my god, that's so nerdy. 193 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:46,500 Coming in this competition, I'm a little bit nervous. 194 00:06:46,667 --> 00:06:48,667 I'm up against Kurt, who's already won twice, 195 00:06:48,792 --> 00:06:51,875 which means he'll be thinking more calmly than me. 196 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:54,333 But otherwise, I think I've prepared well 197 00:06:54,458 --> 00:06:55,708 for the competition. 198 00:06:55,833 --> 00:06:57,667 - Jesse is moving faster than Kurt 199 00:06:57,833 --> 00:06:59,542 has at all in this competition. 200 00:06:59,708 --> 00:07:01,833 - Jesse might be giving Kurt a run for his money. 201 00:07:01,917 --> 00:07:04,792 ♪ ♪ 202 00:07:04,917 --> 00:07:07,500 - Bladesmiths, one hour has elapsed. 203 00:07:07,583 --> 00:07:09,750 Kurt is taking some time to make everything 204 00:07:09,875 --> 00:07:11,167 right and even. 205 00:07:11,292 --> 00:07:12,333 I think very soon we're gonna see 206 00:07:12,458 --> 00:07:14,792 a cleanup, a cut, a restack, and a weld. 207 00:07:14,875 --> 00:07:17,667 - Oh, good, get up to at least 50 layers, 208 00:07:17,833 --> 00:07:20,458 'cause then that raindrop starts to become 209 00:07:20,583 --> 00:07:22,667 multiple rings, as opposed to what 210 00:07:22,750 --> 00:07:25,042 we tend to see as "puddle Damascus," 211 00:07:25,167 --> 00:07:27,333 where we have a round mark, 212 00:07:27,458 --> 00:07:29,458 but not really a lot of definition. 213 00:07:29,542 --> 00:07:31,333 - So right now I stretched my billet out, 214 00:07:31,458 --> 00:07:32,583 I'm going to cut it up into five pieces, 215 00:07:32,708 --> 00:07:34,958 which will overall give me 90 layers, 216 00:07:35,083 --> 00:07:37,792 and will make that raindrop Damascus stand out a lot more. 217 00:07:39,833 --> 00:07:40,542 ♪ ♪ 218 00:07:40,708 --> 00:07:42,333 - Jesse's out of the forge, 219 00:07:42,500 --> 00:07:45,333 doing a hammer set first before heading to the press. 220 00:07:45,458 --> 00:07:47,667 - I got started smithing by watching videos 221 00:07:47,750 --> 00:07:49,875 and being really bored, 222 00:07:50,042 --> 00:07:52,167 and also trying to avoid doing Chinese school homework. 223 00:07:52,333 --> 00:07:53,542 [chuckles] 224 00:07:53,667 --> 00:07:55,625 - Jesse looking for the press. 225 00:07:55,708 --> 00:07:58,333 Just evening everything out to a nice long rectangle, 226 00:07:58,458 --> 00:08:00,792 hopefully he'll cut and stack too. 227 00:08:00,917 --> 00:08:03,667 - 20 layers is too little for an intricate raindrop. 228 00:08:03,792 --> 00:08:05,542 So I decided that I have to stack it up 229 00:08:05,667 --> 00:08:08,667 at least three times, which will give me 60 layers. 230 00:08:08,792 --> 00:08:11,417 - What I like about this is that both competitors 231 00:08:11,542 --> 00:08:13,833 are not going with the minimal standards 232 00:08:13,917 --> 00:08:15,833 to make that raindrop Damascus. 233 00:08:15,958 --> 00:08:18,125 They're trying to add more layers, I love that. 234 00:08:18,250 --> 00:08:22,500 ♪ ♪ 235 00:08:22,583 --> 00:08:25,208 - I want to get close 236 00:08:25,375 --> 00:08:27,792 to the final length of the blade. 237 00:08:27,875 --> 00:08:29,333 That's when I want to start 238 00:08:29,458 --> 00:08:31,333 putting in the raindrop pattern. 239 00:08:31,458 --> 00:08:33,500 - So how exactly do you get to a proper 240 00:08:33,625 --> 00:08:35,333 raindrop Damascus pattern? 241 00:08:35,417 --> 00:08:37,167 Well, if you think of the different layers 242 00:08:37,250 --> 00:08:38,875 of steel having different colors, 243 00:08:39,042 --> 00:08:41,833 then you cut a round V-shaped hole, 244 00:08:41,958 --> 00:08:43,500 not all the way through, just partly through, 245 00:08:43,667 --> 00:08:45,750 then you flatten those layers out. 246 00:08:45,875 --> 00:08:47,958 Now you see these concentric rings. 247 00:08:48,042 --> 00:08:49,750 And if you do that all over the place, 248 00:08:49,875 --> 00:08:51,917 it looks like raindrops on a puddle. 249 00:08:52,042 --> 00:08:56,167 - I want to cut deep enough that when I forge it back out, 250 00:08:56,250 --> 00:08:58,667 it will show up, but not so deep 251 00:08:58,833 --> 00:09:00,417 that I could have all these voids 252 00:09:00,542 --> 00:09:02,542 in my blade that could develop weak points. 253 00:09:02,708 --> 00:09:05,833 So there's that happy medium that I'm hoping I can nail. 254 00:09:05,958 --> 00:09:07,917 Too good. 255 00:09:08,042 --> 00:09:09,125 ♪ ♪ 256 00:09:09,208 --> 00:09:12,833 - Whoa, Jesse also got all of his drops drilled in. 257 00:09:12,958 --> 00:09:14,750 - So after I have all these holes drilled, 258 00:09:14,875 --> 00:09:16,333 it's time to flatten out the billet 259 00:09:16,417 --> 00:09:17,583 and get the actual raindrop pattern. 260 00:09:17,708 --> 00:09:19,250 And then once I have that, it's time to start 261 00:09:19,375 --> 00:09:20,708 forging out the blade. 262 00:09:20,875 --> 00:09:22,833 The kopis is a really unusually-shaped blade, 263 00:09:22,917 --> 00:09:24,500 and the belly height is actually 264 00:09:24,625 --> 00:09:26,167 one of the parameters that I have to follow. 265 00:09:26,292 --> 00:09:28,167 The belly of the kopis has to be the thinnest part, 266 00:09:28,333 --> 00:09:31,792 so I do my best to make the belly as thin as possibl. 267 00:09:31,917 --> 00:09:33,708 Ah, okay. 268 00:09:33,833 --> 00:09:35,417 I've got my blade forged out pretty close. 269 00:09:35,542 --> 00:09:37,167 So I go over to the grinder and I begin 270 00:09:37,250 --> 00:09:40,125 roughing out the profile. 271 00:09:40,208 --> 00:09:42,958 - Gentlemen, you have four hours left on the clock! 272 00:09:43,083 --> 00:09:44,333 ♪ ♪ 273 00:09:44,458 --> 00:09:46,000 - Once I'm comfortable with the shape of the blade 274 00:09:46,125 --> 00:09:48,333 and the bevels, I'm getting ready to quench. 275 00:09:48,458 --> 00:09:49,833 This is the most important step, 276 00:09:49,917 --> 00:09:52,875 because without the quench 277 00:09:53,042 --> 00:09:54,458 and hardening your blade, you have something that 278 00:09:54,542 --> 00:09:57,667 looks like a blade but it's not a blade. 279 00:09:57,792 --> 00:09:59,167 - Kurt's quenched. 280 00:09:59,250 --> 00:10:00,833 - Hotter than heck. 281 00:10:00,958 --> 00:10:05,292 - I immediately hear some sounds that I'm not happy with. 282 00:10:05,417 --> 00:10:07,292 It sounded like there was a crack. 283 00:10:07,375 --> 00:10:08,500 - Uh-oh. 284 00:10:08,625 --> 00:10:10,500 - I'm really hoping that it's not a crack, 285 00:10:10,583 --> 00:10:13,167 but I might have to start over. 286 00:10:13,292 --> 00:10:15,125 - Things are looking a little questionable 287 00:10:15,250 --> 00:10:16,333 for Kurt right now. 288 00:10:16,458 --> 00:10:17,667 - If I had to start over right now, 289 00:10:17,792 --> 00:10:19,333 I don't know if I'd be able to finish a blade. 290 00:10:22,958 --> 00:10:23,542 [angelic chorus] 291 00:10:23,708 --> 00:10:24,750 [suspenseful music] 292 00:10:24,875 --> 00:10:25,833 - The heat is on in the third battle 293 00:10:25,958 --> 00:10:26,875 of our Gladiator of The Forge competition. 294 00:10:27,042 --> 00:10:28,833 - Every step of the way so far, guys, 295 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:30,917 our smiths have been neck and neck. 296 00:10:31,042 --> 00:10:32,750 So basically what we're running into is our curret 297 00:10:32,875 --> 00:10:35,125 gladiator has met a worthy opponent. 298 00:10:35,250 --> 00:10:37,000 ♪ ♪ 299 00:10:37,167 --> 00:10:38,375 - Kurt's quenched. 300 00:10:38,542 --> 00:10:39,500 - Hotter than heck. 301 00:10:39,667 --> 00:10:41,750 ♪ ♪ 302 00:10:41,875 --> 00:10:43,958 - It sounded like there was a crack. 303 00:10:44,042 --> 00:10:45,000 - Uh-oh. 304 00:10:45,125 --> 00:10:46,667 - If I had to start over right now. 305 00:10:46,833 --> 00:10:48,500 I don't know if I'd be able to finish a blade. 306 00:10:48,583 --> 00:10:50,333 - Things are looking a little questionable 307 00:10:50,417 --> 00:10:51,833 for Kurt right now. 308 00:10:51,958 --> 00:10:54,625 - I'm not seeing anything, which is very relieving. 309 00:10:54,750 --> 00:10:56,875 I think what I was feeling 310 00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:59,167 was some of the oil splashing 311 00:10:59,250 --> 00:11:00,333 up on the tang 312 00:11:00,417 --> 00:11:01,667 and just popping, 313 00:11:01,833 --> 00:11:03,917 but it's strong all the way through. 314 00:11:04,042 --> 00:11:05,917 And it kind of settled my nerves a little bit. 315 00:11:06,042 --> 00:11:09,042 ♪ ♪ 316 00:11:09,208 --> 00:11:10,750 - Now that I've got this blade rough ground, 317 00:11:10,875 --> 00:11:11,958 it's time for the heat treat. 318 00:11:12,042 --> 00:11:14,500 $5,000 is riding on this quench. 319 00:11:14,583 --> 00:11:15,833 ♪ ♪ 320 00:11:15,958 --> 00:11:17,667 - All right, we've got two quenched blades. 321 00:11:17,792 --> 00:11:19,625 That was an immaculate color. 322 00:11:19,708 --> 00:11:21,208 ♪ ♪ 323 00:11:21,333 --> 00:11:23,000 - The quench could not have gone better. 324 00:11:23,125 --> 00:11:26,292 I test it with a file, skates like nobody's business. 325 00:11:26,375 --> 00:11:27,708 - He seems happy with it. 326 00:11:27,833 --> 00:11:30,583 - Jesse's proven he's a force to be reckoned with. 327 00:11:30,708 --> 00:11:32,000 ♪ ♪ 328 00:11:32,125 --> 00:11:35,167 - Kurt, Jesse, guys, you have two hours left! 329 00:11:35,292 --> 00:11:39,542 - So I start working on this animal head pommel. 330 00:11:39,667 --> 00:11:42,458 I draw what looks like it might be a horse. 331 00:11:42,583 --> 00:11:44,833 I don't know what it's gonna look like when I'm finished, 332 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:47,417 but right now I'm kind of going for a hors. 333 00:11:47,542 --> 00:11:49,250 - Well, they need to do some fine grinding 334 00:11:49,375 --> 00:11:51,667 on that pommel to make it into an animal head. 335 00:11:51,833 --> 00:11:54,167 They need to have it identifiable as the anima. 336 00:11:54,292 --> 00:11:57,083 - It's gonna be a fun game of What's That Animal? 337 00:11:57,208 --> 00:11:58,625 - Kind of resembles a wolf face. 338 00:11:58,750 --> 00:11:59,708 ♪ ♪ 339 00:11:59,875 --> 00:12:01,417 - That's an animal. 340 00:12:01,542 --> 00:12:02,875 - You know what? I'm gonna call it Cody. 341 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:04,833 'Cause my dog's name is Cody. 342 00:12:04,958 --> 00:12:06,958 Honestly, the pommel looks like her head, 343 00:12:07,083 --> 00:12:08,917 and she's always on her back wanting belly rubs. 344 00:12:09,042 --> 00:12:11,958 So it's the old belly rub kopis. 345 00:12:12,042 --> 00:12:14,125 Totally intentional, planned that from the beginning. 346 00:12:14,208 --> 00:12:15,625 ♪ ♪ 347 00:12:15,750 --> 00:12:17,000 - Now that I've got a quenched blade, 348 00:12:17,167 --> 00:12:19,000 it's time to start working on the handle. 349 00:12:19,125 --> 00:12:21,000 I have all my pieces, but they're just blocks 350 00:12:21,167 --> 00:12:23,333 at this point and I need to start shaping them. 351 00:12:23,458 --> 00:12:25,167 So I begin working on the wooden part of the handle. 352 00:12:25,333 --> 00:12:27,167 This part's super tricky, because I have to get the wod 353 00:12:27,333 --> 00:12:30,333 to fit basically exactly to the pommel and the guard. 354 00:12:30,500 --> 00:12:32,083 ♪ ♪ 355 00:12:32,208 --> 00:12:33,167 Ahh. 356 00:12:33,250 --> 00:12:34,542 - Uh-oh. 357 00:12:34,667 --> 00:12:35,875 - Ah, nope. 358 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:37,667 - Jesse was working on his handle, 359 00:12:37,792 --> 00:12:39,708 ground too small and had to completely restart 360 00:12:39,833 --> 00:12:40,833 with those scales. 361 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:43,000 - I'm staying unusually calm. 362 00:12:43,125 --> 00:12:44,750 But I know in the back of my head, 363 00:12:44,875 --> 00:12:46,125 there's this demon trying to break free 364 00:12:46,208 --> 00:12:47,792 from its cage and send me into panic mode. 365 00:12:47,875 --> 00:12:50,500 And I could not let that happen. 366 00:12:50,583 --> 00:12:52,000 And so after the first one fails, 367 00:12:52,125 --> 00:12:54,833 I decide to make a template out of this new wood 368 00:12:54,917 --> 00:12:57,000 that I have now cut into scales. 369 00:12:57,125 --> 00:12:59,042 And then I draw another outline on to those scales 370 00:12:59,167 --> 00:13:01,917 so that I know roughly where I need to take material off. 371 00:13:02,042 --> 00:13:03,125 - It's one of the things I think 372 00:13:03,208 --> 00:13:05,500 maybe comes from being an engineer. 373 00:13:05,625 --> 00:13:07,125 - That's a problem-solving craft. 374 00:13:07,208 --> 00:13:09,167 This is a room full of problems. 375 00:13:09,250 --> 00:13:10,833 - Three of the biggest ones are sitting right here. 376 00:13:10,958 --> 00:13:12,833 - Yep. - [laughs] 377 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:15,167 - Ugly, but it'll do. 378 00:13:15,292 --> 00:13:17,667 ♪ ♪ 379 00:13:17,833 --> 00:13:21,500 - Gentlemen, you are down to the final 20 minute. 380 00:13:21,667 --> 00:13:23,333 - All three competitions now, 381 00:13:23,500 --> 00:13:26,708 I've come down to the wire every time so far. 382 00:13:26,833 --> 00:13:29,792 So I'm still struggling with that handle fit up. 383 00:13:29,917 --> 00:13:31,333 - This handle is a lot more detailed 384 00:13:31,500 --> 00:13:33,667 than any of the other handles he's already done. 385 00:13:33,833 --> 00:13:35,667 - There's a much bigger gap between the handle 386 00:13:35,750 --> 00:13:37,750 and the guard than what I wanted. 387 00:13:37,875 --> 00:13:40,667 - If you do have gaps, fill them. 388 00:13:40,792 --> 00:13:43,042 Mix some sawdust with some epoxy. 389 00:13:43,208 --> 00:13:45,792 Because any one of those small areas 390 00:13:45,917 --> 00:13:48,292 can really bite a piece of skin. 391 00:13:48,417 --> 00:13:51,083 - I'm running out of time, my handle's not pretty. 392 00:13:51,208 --> 00:13:54,208 It doesn't look nearly as good as I wante. 393 00:13:54,375 --> 00:13:58,000 So I'm now back to--I'm going to be spending every minute 394 00:13:58,083 --> 00:14:01,333 and I'm going to have a gap in my handle now. 395 00:14:01,458 --> 00:14:03,958 ♪ ♪ 396 00:14:04,083 --> 00:14:05,792 - There's so much to do and really 397 00:14:05,875 --> 00:14:07,333 not that much time to do it. 398 00:14:07,458 --> 00:14:09,875 I'm trying not to make an unfixable mistake. 399 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:11,458 A bad-looking handle could be the difference 400 00:14:11,583 --> 00:14:13,917 between me winning and me losing. 401 00:14:14,042 --> 00:14:17,792 - This particular sword needs a lot of effort on the handle, 402 00:14:17,875 --> 00:14:19,708 a lot of time needs to be spent on this handle. 403 00:14:19,875 --> 00:14:21,875 - I also need to get this animal head 404 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:23,167 to look like an animal head, 405 00:14:23,292 --> 00:14:24,667 because at this point it's just a block. 406 00:14:24,792 --> 00:14:26,875 And as far as I know, 407 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,083 no animal has block as it's head. 408 00:14:29,208 --> 00:14:30,458 ♪ ♪ 409 00:14:30,583 --> 00:14:33,250 - Five, four, three, 410 00:14:33,375 --> 00:14:35,583 two, one. 411 00:14:35,708 --> 00:14:37,208 Bladesmiths, turn off your machines, 412 00:14:37,375 --> 00:14:38,417 put down your tools. 413 00:14:38,542 --> 00:14:39,833 This competition is over. 414 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,333 - Good job dude. - Nice job. 415 00:14:42,500 --> 00:14:43,750 ♪ ♪ 416 00:14:43,875 --> 00:14:46,000 - I do have some pressure to hold on to the title. 417 00:14:46,083 --> 00:14:48,292 It's almost a pride thing at this point. 418 00:14:48,417 --> 00:14:50,667 But I know that there's issues. 419 00:14:50,750 --> 00:14:52,500 The blade itself is very strong. 420 00:14:52,625 --> 00:14:55,250 But it's whether it's comfortable to the judges. 421 00:14:55,375 --> 00:14:57,292 ♪ ♪ 422 00:14:57,375 --> 00:14:59,500 - All right bladesmiths, welcome to the strength test. 423 00:14:59,667 --> 00:15:01,375 ♪ ♪ 424 00:15:01,500 --> 00:15:03,333 To test the strength and durability of your blades, 425 00:15:03,417 --> 00:15:05,125 as well as their overall construction. 426 00:15:05,250 --> 00:15:07,500 I'm going to be chopping onto these Roman busts. 427 00:15:07,625 --> 00:15:09,333 All right Jesse, you're up first, are you ready for this? 428 00:15:09,417 --> 00:15:10,542 - Yes. 429 00:15:10,667 --> 00:15:11,500 - Cool. 430 00:15:11,667 --> 00:15:13,042 ♪ ♪ 431 00:15:13,167 --> 00:15:14,833 - I've seen Ben test blades before, 432 00:15:14,917 --> 00:15:16,167 and he definitely doesn't hold back. 433 00:15:16,333 --> 00:15:17,958 I'm worried that my blade would either break 434 00:15:18,042 --> 00:15:21,167 in half, crack, or just spontaneously combus. 435 00:15:21,292 --> 00:15:27,875 ♪ ♪ 436 00:15:36,542 --> 00:15:43,000 ♪ ♪ 437 00:15:43,125 --> 00:15:46,583 [crowd cheering] 438 00:15:46,708 --> 00:15:49,417 ♪ ♪ 439 00:15:49,542 --> 00:15:53,000 - All right Jesse, your edge is perfect, 440 00:15:53,167 --> 00:15:55,667 like it never saw that bust. 441 00:15:55,792 --> 00:15:57,333 The overall shape is really good. 442 00:15:57,500 --> 00:15:59,250 My main concern is with the handle area, 443 00:15:59,375 --> 00:16:01,833 this distance top and bottom is just a little bit 444 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:03,375 too small, so it's rubbing on my knuckle 445 00:16:03,542 --> 00:16:06,500 as I'm holding it but it's not overwhelming. 446 00:16:06,625 --> 00:16:08,917 All in all, nice job. 447 00:16:09,042 --> 00:16:10,750 All right, Kurt. 448 00:16:10,875 --> 00:16:12,667 You know what's up, you ready for this? 449 00:16:12,792 --> 00:16:13,750 - Does it matter? [laughs] 450 00:16:13,875 --> 00:16:15,625 - Not really. 451 00:16:15,750 --> 00:16:17,000 ♪ ♪ 452 00:16:17,167 --> 00:16:19,250 - I'm concerned about the weight of my handle. 453 00:16:19,375 --> 00:16:21,333 I'm also concerned about the finish. 454 00:16:21,458 --> 00:16:24,542 Jesse's blade looks like it's got a much finer finish to i. 455 00:16:24,708 --> 00:16:26,833 So hopefully I can outperform him in this test, 456 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:32,167 because I do want to hold the title. 457 00:16:32,292 --> 00:16:32,750 [angelic chorus] 458 00:16:32,875 --> 00:16:34,000 [suspenseful music] 459 00:16:34,167 --> 00:16:35,167 - I'm concerned about the weight of my handle. 460 00:16:35,250 --> 00:16:36,292 I'm also concerned about the finish. 461 00:16:36,417 --> 00:16:38,500 I do want to hold the title. 462 00:16:38,667 --> 00:16:45,375 ♪ ♪ 463 00:16:56,417 --> 00:16:59,083 ♪ ♪ 464 00:16:59,208 --> 00:17:02,292 [crowd cheering] 465 00:17:02,417 --> 00:17:05,458 ♪ ♪ 466 00:17:05,542 --> 00:17:06,917 - All right Kurt, 467 00:17:07,042 --> 00:17:09,333 first off your edge held up great. 468 00:17:09,458 --> 00:17:11,500 The pattern you have on here is beautiful. 469 00:17:11,625 --> 00:17:13,292 It's a really nice raindrop pattern, well done. 470 00:17:13,417 --> 00:17:14,833 Moving back to the handle. 471 00:17:14,958 --> 00:17:16,958 The handle is blocky, which kind of isn't 472 00:17:17,083 --> 00:17:19,292 a very comfortable handle to hold and swing. 473 00:17:19,417 --> 00:17:22,083 Also it's got a gap in the middle 474 00:17:22,208 --> 00:17:24,833 and the inside edges of that gap are sharp. 475 00:17:24,917 --> 00:17:26,667 They're sharp enough that they're rubbing 476 00:17:26,792 --> 00:17:28,583 pretty hard on my knuckle, 477 00:17:28,708 --> 00:17:30,458 but all in all, 478 00:17:30,542 --> 00:17:32,500 your blade held up great in this strength test, nice job. 479 00:17:32,625 --> 00:17:33,667 - Thank you. 480 00:17:33,833 --> 00:17:37,625 ♪ ♪ 481 00:17:37,708 --> 00:17:40,792 - All right gladiators, this is the sharpness tes, 482 00:17:40,875 --> 00:17:42,583 the animal hide slice. 483 00:17:42,708 --> 00:17:44,083 ♪ ♪ 484 00:17:44,208 --> 00:17:46,083 Jesse, you're up first, are you ready for this? 485 00:17:46,208 --> 00:17:47,458 - Of course. 486 00:17:47,583 --> 00:17:48,583 - Let's do this. 487 00:17:48,708 --> 00:17:55,167 ♪ ♪ 488 00:18:06,542 --> 00:18:09,625 [crowd cheering] 489 00:18:09,750 --> 00:18:12,042 ♪ ♪ 490 00:18:12,167 --> 00:18:14,167 All right Jesse, let's talk about your kopis here, 491 00:18:14,292 --> 00:18:17,167 your edge is razor sharp, it cuts so cleanly 492 00:18:17,250 --> 00:18:18,833 on this animal hide. 493 00:18:18,958 --> 00:18:20,542 Overall sir, your weapon... 494 00:18:20,667 --> 00:18:22,792 it will cut. 495 00:18:22,875 --> 00:18:24,375 Kurt, your turn sir, are you ready? 496 00:18:24,500 --> 00:18:25,500 - Slice it up. 497 00:18:25,625 --> 00:18:26,625 - Will do. 498 00:18:26,750 --> 00:18:33,625 ♪ ♪ 499 00:18:43,292 --> 00:18:45,917 [crowd cheering] 500 00:18:46,042 --> 00:18:48,625 ♪ ♪ 501 00:18:48,708 --> 00:18:50,708 All right Kurt, let's talk about your Kopis here. 502 00:18:50,875 --> 00:18:53,625 Now your handle construction, if I do put my hand in there 503 00:18:53,750 --> 00:18:55,917 my knuckle can get in there and there's some sharp edges 504 00:18:56,042 --> 00:18:57,333 in there that can cut some skin, 505 00:18:57,458 --> 00:19:00,375 but your edges cut very well on this animal hide, 506 00:19:00,500 --> 00:19:02,458 and overall sir, your weapon... 507 00:19:02,542 --> 00:19:03,250 It will cut. 508 00:19:03,375 --> 00:19:04,958 - Thank you Doug. 509 00:19:05,083 --> 00:19:09,167 ♪ ♪ 510 00:19:09,292 --> 00:19:10,625 - Well, gentlemen, I would say that both of your 511 00:19:10,708 --> 00:19:13,167 kopises performed extremely well during that test, 512 00:19:13,250 --> 00:19:14,292 which means that our judges have 513 00:19:14,375 --> 00:19:16,333 a very difficult decision to make. 514 00:19:16,458 --> 00:19:17,708 So while they discuss, I'm gonna ask the both of you 515 00:19:17,833 --> 00:19:20,000 give us a minute, please step off The Forge floor. 516 00:19:20,125 --> 00:19:24,125 ♪ ♪ 517 00:19:24,250 --> 00:19:26,000 All right gentlemen, we got two high performers here. 518 00:19:26,125 --> 00:19:27,208 Doug, what are you thinking? 519 00:19:27,333 --> 00:19:29,458 - Now when it comes to the blade itself, 520 00:19:29,583 --> 00:19:30,875 I really have to give it to Jesse, 521 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:32,667 it's very clean in its construction. 522 00:19:32,792 --> 00:19:35,542 I like the way he designed that, the scale of it. 523 00:19:35,667 --> 00:19:37,208 - Ben, what are you thinking? 524 00:19:37,333 --> 00:19:39,458 - Well, they both had issues with their handles. 525 00:19:39,583 --> 00:19:41,250 But for me the blade shape on Jesse's 526 00:19:41,375 --> 00:19:43,667 is much more elegant than the blade shape on Kurt's. 527 00:19:43,792 --> 00:19:45,125 - Okay, Dave, what are you thinking? 528 00:19:45,208 --> 00:19:47,417 - One to me feels like a finished weapon. 529 00:19:47,542 --> 00:19:49,333 And the other one feels like it's close 530 00:19:49,458 --> 00:19:51,125 to being finished, but it's not there yet. 531 00:19:51,208 --> 00:19:52,917 - Gentlemen, you have a decision to make. 532 00:19:53,042 --> 00:19:54,458 Dave, you made yours? - Oh, yeah. 533 00:19:54,542 --> 00:19:56,167 - Doug. - Yes I have. 534 00:19:56,292 --> 00:19:57,542 - Ben, how about you? - Yes sir. 535 00:19:57,667 --> 00:19:59,000 - All right guys, we'll call them in. 536 00:19:59,125 --> 00:20:00,458 ♪ ♪ 537 00:20:00,542 --> 00:20:01,958 Gentlemen, right off the bat, I want to say 538 00:20:02,083 --> 00:20:04,583 thank you so much for working so hard in this competition. 539 00:20:04,708 --> 00:20:06,458 Now Kurt, this could be number three for you. 540 00:20:06,583 --> 00:20:08,833 Jesse, this could be your first Gladiator of The Forge title, 541 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:10,500 $5,000, 542 00:20:10,667 --> 00:20:12,417 and a chance to move forward and continue winnin. 543 00:20:12,542 --> 00:20:14,542 But after a closer look at your blades, 544 00:20:14,667 --> 00:20:16,417 our judges did make a final decision. 545 00:20:16,542 --> 00:20:18,208 And the winner of this battle 546 00:20:18,333 --> 00:20:19,833 in the Gladiator of The Forge competition is... 547 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:23,542 ♪ ♪ 548 00:20:23,667 --> 00:20:26,083 Jesse. Very, very well done. 549 00:20:26,208 --> 00:20:27,958 Now Kurt, you did a phenomenal job. 550 00:20:28,083 --> 00:20:29,583 You're a pleasure to watch. 551 00:20:29,708 --> 00:20:31,333 But unfortunately, this blade didn't make the cut. 552 00:20:31,458 --> 00:20:33,125 And Ben's gonna tell you why. 553 00:20:33,250 --> 00:20:34,667 - Well Kurt, this decision came down 554 00:20:34,833 --> 00:20:36,500 to the handle and your handle was sharp corners 555 00:20:36,583 --> 00:20:39,000 on the inside, was less refined than your opponent. 556 00:20:39,167 --> 00:20:40,792 And that's what we based our decision on. 557 00:20:40,917 --> 00:20:42,375 ♪ ♪ 558 00:20:42,500 --> 00:20:44,125 - Well Kurt, we all want to say congratulations 559 00:20:44,208 --> 00:20:46,042 on your two wins, you have $10,000 560 00:20:46,167 --> 00:20:47,958 in your pocket for only 16 hours of work. 561 00:20:48,042 --> 00:20:50,000 That's--that's a lot of money, man. 562 00:20:50,167 --> 00:20:51,417 And you've got a ton to be proud of. 563 00:20:51,542 --> 00:20:54,333 But unfortunately, your time in this competition has ended. 564 00:20:54,458 --> 00:20:57,000 I'ma have to ask you to please step off The Forge floor. 565 00:20:57,125 --> 00:20:58,458 - Thank you gentlemen. 566 00:20:58,542 --> 00:20:59,958 I might not have won this challenge. 567 00:21:00,042 --> 00:21:02,583 But I am proud of everything that I've done. 568 00:21:02,708 --> 00:21:04,417 So now I'm passing on the title to Jesse 569 00:21:04,542 --> 00:21:06,208 and I really hope he runs with it. 570 00:21:06,333 --> 00:21:08,000 He seems like a very talented smith, 571 00:21:08,125 --> 00:21:10,167 and I have high expectations for him. 572 00:21:10,333 --> 00:21:13,333 ♪ ♪ 573 00:21:13,458 --> 00:21:16,125 - Now Jesse, you knocked the leader off his pedestal. 574 00:21:16,208 --> 00:21:17,500 You are now the Gladiator of The Forge 575 00:21:17,625 --> 00:21:19,333 and you're getting a check for $5,000. 576 00:21:19,458 --> 00:21:21,125 Now Jesse, you've got a big decision to make. 577 00:21:21,208 --> 00:21:22,667 You just spent eight hours fighting it ot 578 00:21:22,833 --> 00:21:24,708 in The Forge and you came out on top. 579 00:21:24,875 --> 00:21:26,458 But do you have what it takes to get back 580 00:21:26,542 --> 00:21:28,833 in the coliseum and get back in the battl? 581 00:21:28,958 --> 00:21:30,667 - Of course. - [laughs] 582 00:21:30,792 --> 00:21:32,667 That's fantastic. 583 00:21:32,792 --> 00:21:34,083 - It's unbelievable. 584 00:21:34,208 --> 00:21:35,667 I don't know how I got here. 585 00:21:35,792 --> 00:21:37,708 - Well, congratulations again on your winning the 5 grand. 586 00:21:37,833 --> 00:21:39,833 We will see you in The Forge for the next battle. 587 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:41,583 - I just won 5 grand, I'm going to be doing 588 00:21:41,708 --> 00:21:43,000 my absolute hardest to keep winning, 589 00:21:43,167 --> 00:21:44,667 because that's what I came here to do. 590 00:21:44,833 --> 00:21:51,750 ♪ ♪ 591 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:59,333 ♪ ♪ 592 00:21:59,458 --> 00:22:01,417 - My name is Ben Banister. 593 00:22:01,542 --> 00:22:02,875 I am 23 years old 594 00:22:03,042 --> 00:22:04,792 and I got into blade smithing 595 00:22:04,875 --> 00:22:06,083 because a buddy of mine 596 00:22:06,208 --> 00:22:08,000 offered me a job at a forge 597 00:22:08,125 --> 00:22:09,458 in Colorado Springs. 598 00:22:09,542 --> 00:22:12,792 Looking at Jesse, knowing that he has already won 599 00:22:12,875 --> 00:22:15,875 one competition, that tells me this guy knows 600 00:22:16,042 --> 00:22:19,333 how to make something that's able to compete. 601 00:22:19,500 --> 00:22:22,833 I'm gonna give it my all and we'll see what happen. 602 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:24,333 ♪ ♪ 603 00:22:24,417 --> 00:22:26,875 - Bladesmiths, welcome to The Forge. 604 00:22:27,042 --> 00:22:28,708 Jesse, you currently have one 605 00:22:28,833 --> 00:22:30,500 Gladiator of The Forge title and the chance to move 606 00:22:30,667 --> 00:22:33,417 forward and earn a substantial amount of money. 607 00:22:33,542 --> 00:22:36,042 If you win five or more times, you will also be 608 00:22:36,208 --> 00:22:39,125 receiving that bonus check of $10,000. 609 00:22:39,250 --> 00:22:40,458 Now Ben, you're the challenger here. 610 00:22:40,542 --> 00:22:41,958 If you win today, you will get the title 611 00:22:42,083 --> 00:22:43,833 of Gladiator of The Forge and along with that 612 00:22:43,958 --> 00:22:46,333 the opportunity to continue on into the next battle 613 00:22:46,500 --> 00:22:49,583 racking up more titles, and more cash. 614 00:22:49,708 --> 00:22:51,000 Now gentlemen, here's how it's gonna go. 615 00:22:51,125 --> 00:22:53,125 In the next eight hours you will build a blade 616 00:22:53,250 --> 00:22:56,917 from our wall of gladiator weapons from start to finish. 617 00:22:57,042 --> 00:22:58,458 All right Ben, how we're going to find out 618 00:22:58,542 --> 00:22:59,875 what weapon and what forge welding technique 619 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:02,208 you guys are both going to use in this competition, 620 00:23:02,333 --> 00:23:04,000 I'm going to flip our Roman coin here. 621 00:23:04,083 --> 00:23:06,167 Now Ben, since you're the challenger here, 622 00:23:06,250 --> 00:23:07,208 I'm going to give you the option, 623 00:23:07,375 --> 00:23:08,500 do you want heads or tails? 624 00:23:08,625 --> 00:23:09,833 - Let's go with tails. 625 00:23:09,917 --> 00:23:11,500 - All right, if this coin lands on tails, 626 00:23:11,583 --> 00:23:12,667 you get first choice. 627 00:23:12,792 --> 00:23:17,833 ♪ ♪ 628 00:23:17,917 --> 00:23:19,000 We got tails. 629 00:23:19,125 --> 00:23:20,167 - Right on. 630 00:23:20,292 --> 00:23:21,500 - Now again, you have the choice 631 00:23:21,625 --> 00:23:23,375 of the weapon or the forge-welding technique. 632 00:23:23,500 --> 00:23:24,667 - The weapon. 633 00:23:24,833 --> 00:23:27,042 - All right, we've got quite the assortment here, 634 00:23:27,167 --> 00:23:28,917 all of which look pretty daunting. 635 00:23:29,042 --> 00:23:30,417 What are you thinking? 636 00:23:30,542 --> 00:23:32,500 - I see some blades up there on the wall, 637 00:23:32,583 --> 00:23:36,500 like this crazy sleeve with a blade coming out of it. 638 00:23:36,583 --> 00:23:37,667 I don't want to make that. 639 00:23:37,792 --> 00:23:39,333 ♪ ♪ 640 00:23:39,458 --> 00:23:41,083 My mind is pinging back and forth. 641 00:23:41,208 --> 00:23:43,792 Which one do I want to choose? Which one do I want to choose? 642 00:23:47,458 --> 00:23:48,083 [angelic chorus] 643 00:23:48,208 --> 00:23:49,333 [suspenseful music] 644 00:23:49,417 --> 00:23:50,500 - I see some blades up there on the wall, 645 00:23:50,625 --> 00:23:53,667 like this crazy sleeve with a blade coming out of it. 646 00:23:53,750 --> 00:23:55,500 I don't want to make that. 647 00:23:55,583 --> 00:23:57,333 Let's go with the xiphos. 648 00:23:57,500 --> 00:23:59,542 - The xiphos, all right. 649 00:23:59,667 --> 00:24:02,958 - The xiphos is a leaf blade double edged sword 650 00:24:03,042 --> 00:24:07,625 and just super cool and very iconic for the gladiators. 651 00:24:07,708 --> 00:24:09,542 - The xiphos first saw battle 652 00:24:09,667 --> 00:24:11,667 back in seventh century BC Greece. 653 00:24:11,792 --> 00:24:13,708 But was so effective, it also saw action 654 00:24:13,875 --> 00:24:15,958 in the hands of gladiators in the Colosseum. 655 00:24:16,083 --> 00:24:18,250 Featuring a short double edge leaf-shaped blade 656 00:24:18,375 --> 00:24:19,667 with a sharp tip. 657 00:24:19,792 --> 00:24:22,167 This weapon was designed to inflict brutal thrusts 658 00:24:22,250 --> 00:24:25,417 and slashes against an enemy in close quarter combat. 659 00:24:25,542 --> 00:24:27,333 The xiphos was previously featured 660 00:24:27,458 --> 00:24:29,375 in season three of "Forged in Fire," 661 00:24:29,500 --> 00:24:30,708 where a loose pommel 662 00:24:30,833 --> 00:24:33,500 ultimately cost one smith the competition. 663 00:24:33,625 --> 00:24:34,958 - Your blade length measured from tip to where 664 00:24:35,042 --> 00:24:36,458 the cutting edge ends in a straight line 665 00:24:36,583 --> 00:24:39,208 needs to be between 19 and 21 inches. 666 00:24:39,333 --> 00:24:40,500 The base width of your blade needs 667 00:24:40,583 --> 00:24:42,667 to be no less than 2 and 1/4 inches. 668 00:24:42,792 --> 00:24:44,708 It needs to be double edged and leaf shaped, 669 00:24:44,833 --> 00:24:46,208 and finally, your hilt needs to feature 670 00:24:46,375 --> 00:24:49,500 a guard and a pommel. 671 00:24:49,583 --> 00:24:50,917 Now Jesse, we got the weapon out of the way, 672 00:24:51,042 --> 00:24:52,167 that means you get to choose the forge-welding technique. 673 00:24:52,333 --> 00:24:53,333 What do you want to do? 674 00:24:53,458 --> 00:24:55,000 - I want Damascus San Mai. 675 00:24:55,125 --> 00:24:57,833 - Damascus San Mai, ooh, that's a tall order. 676 00:24:57,958 --> 00:25:00,250 That means you will have layered Damascus 677 00:25:00,375 --> 00:25:02,958 clad on a high carbon steel center. 678 00:25:03,042 --> 00:25:05,333 Gentlemen, that's gonna be quite the task. 679 00:25:05,417 --> 00:25:07,000 - I chose this technique because 680 00:25:07,125 --> 00:25:09,542 Damascus San Mai sounds very intimidating. 681 00:25:09,708 --> 00:25:11,875 I'm just banking on like, the shock factor. 682 00:25:12,042 --> 00:25:14,875 - We have eight hours on the clock for this battle. 683 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:17,667 Good luck, stay sharp, your time starts now. 684 00:25:17,792 --> 00:25:18,833 ♪ ♪ 685 00:25:18,917 --> 00:25:21,500 - We have a new Gladiator of The Forge champion. 686 00:25:21,583 --> 00:25:22,958 - Yeah, we do, and a new challenger. 687 00:25:23,042 --> 00:25:25,458 Now I'm excited to see Jesse continue on. 688 00:25:25,583 --> 00:25:27,875 There's a chance that he could go a very long way, 689 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:29,833 knowing that he already beat a battle champ. 690 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,708 - Now it remains to be seen, will Ben follow suit? 691 00:25:32,833 --> 00:25:36,500 ♪ ♪ 692 00:25:36,667 --> 00:25:37,917 - San Mai is difficult. 693 00:25:38,042 --> 00:25:39,625 Damascus San Mai-- 694 00:25:39,708 --> 00:25:41,667 now you're adding multiple forge welds. 695 00:25:41,750 --> 00:25:45,000 So what that tells me is, Jesse is not scared 696 00:25:45,083 --> 00:25:47,042 of a challenge and I respect that. 697 00:25:47,167 --> 00:25:48,917 - All right guys, a vote of the thumbs. 698 00:25:49,042 --> 00:25:51,708 How do you guys feel about the xiphos as a decision? 699 00:25:51,833 --> 00:25:54,958 - It's probably the least difficult one to do. 700 00:25:55,083 --> 00:25:57,792 But it's also the least flashy one to do. 701 00:25:57,875 --> 00:26:01,625 - Now, they chose to do the xiphos in a Damascus San Ma. 702 00:26:01,750 --> 00:26:03,042 How do you feel about that pattern choice? 703 00:26:03,208 --> 00:26:04,375 - I like it. 704 00:26:04,542 --> 00:26:09,375 The trick is, Damascus San Mai, is a process. 705 00:26:09,500 --> 00:26:12,917 - I'm choosing to do two separate stacks of ten layers 706 00:26:13,042 --> 00:26:16,083 because I need two outside billets 707 00:26:16,208 --> 00:26:19,667 that I can then put onto my 80CrV2. 708 00:26:19,833 --> 00:26:22,667 I'm going to do those both at the same time so that once 709 00:26:22,792 --> 00:26:24,208 I'm done with one I'm done with the other 710 00:26:24,333 --> 00:26:26,875 and I can start my San Mai as fast as possible. 711 00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:29,875 ♪ ♪ 712 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:31,667 - I'm a little bit less nervous 713 00:26:31,792 --> 00:26:33,000 than coming into the first battle, because I know 714 00:26:33,125 --> 00:26:34,458 where everything in the shop is, 715 00:26:34,542 --> 00:26:36,333 and I have $5,000 worth of confidence. 716 00:26:36,417 --> 00:26:37,750 ♪ ♪ 717 00:26:37,875 --> 00:26:40,417 For my Damascus, I'm using ten layers of 1095 718 00:26:40,542 --> 00:26:42,750 and ten layers of 5920. 719 00:26:42,875 --> 00:26:45,000 - So we've got the same amount of layers from both 720 00:26:45,125 --> 00:26:47,958 of our smiths but Jesse has all 20 in one stack, 721 00:26:48,042 --> 00:26:50,917 whereas Ben has two stacks of 10. 722 00:26:51,042 --> 00:26:54,125 - Now with Jesse we know he works fast, and we know he can 723 00:26:54,208 --> 00:26:57,083 definitely make Damascus and form a blade. 724 00:26:57,208 --> 00:26:58,458 - I'm feeling good. 725 00:26:58,542 --> 00:26:59,792 The only thing that I'm unsure of, 726 00:26:59,917 --> 00:27:01,500 is how good Ben is in the forge. 727 00:27:01,583 --> 00:27:05,875 ♪ ♪ 728 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:07,750 - All right, Ben's going to set his welds on the press. 729 00:27:07,875 --> 00:27:09,583 - I don't see any problems, 730 00:27:09,708 --> 00:27:12,000 and I'm ready to start drawing them out. 731 00:27:12,125 --> 00:27:15,667 I'll line up my billets next to my 80CrV2, 732 00:27:15,750 --> 00:27:17,958 and I can check the length and also the width, 733 00:27:18,083 --> 00:27:21,417 because with San Mai, if they're too wide, 734 00:27:21,542 --> 00:27:23,417 they'll squeeze in on each other 735 00:27:23,542 --> 00:27:26,750 and I can cause a big crack along the blade. 736 00:27:26,875 --> 00:27:28,708 - I like that he's really cleaning up the edges 737 00:27:28,833 --> 00:27:30,083 and making everything symmetrical. 738 00:27:30,208 --> 00:27:32,333 It's going to help with that second weld. 739 00:27:32,417 --> 00:27:34,792 - I want to be quenched in about three hours. 740 00:27:34,917 --> 00:27:36,625 I'll see if I can hit that goal. 741 00:27:36,750 --> 00:27:37,708 Right now I'm just trying to get 742 00:27:37,833 --> 00:27:40,750 my billets welded together. 743 00:27:40,875 --> 00:27:42,000 - Bladesmiths, you have hit the 744 00:27:42,167 --> 00:27:45,000 two hour mark, you have six hours left! 745 00:27:45,083 --> 00:27:46,000 ♪ ♪ 746 00:27:46,125 --> 00:27:47,250 You know what I love right now is, 747 00:27:47,375 --> 00:27:48,833 we started off with Kurt who won 748 00:27:48,917 --> 00:27:50,917 two of these battles, an extremely talented smith, 749 00:27:51,042 --> 00:27:53,667 he got beat by Jesse, who just matched him 750 00:27:53,792 --> 00:27:55,667 the moment he stepped into the battle. 751 00:27:55,750 --> 00:27:57,167 And now we got Ben who stepped in, 752 00:27:57,292 --> 00:27:59,833 neck and neck with the new champion. 753 00:27:59,958 --> 00:28:01,500 - It's really cool. 754 00:28:01,625 --> 00:28:03,375 - Everybody just keeps stepping up to the challenge here. 755 00:28:03,500 --> 00:28:04,375 - Yeah, we keep raising the bar. 756 00:28:04,500 --> 00:28:06,583 ♪ ♪ 757 00:28:06,708 --> 00:28:08,667 - Jesse setting his weld by hand again. 758 00:28:08,792 --> 00:28:10,375 - Again, what you're comfortable with. 759 00:28:10,500 --> 00:28:12,250 ♪ ♪ 760 00:28:12,375 --> 00:28:14,458 - The billet is really solid. 761 00:28:14,583 --> 00:28:15,500 So I go over to the press and start 762 00:28:15,667 --> 00:28:17,333 drawing the billet out. 763 00:28:17,458 --> 00:28:19,458 My plan is to draw this 20 layer Damascus billet 764 00:28:19,542 --> 00:28:21,083 out to a length of 2 feet, 765 00:28:21,208 --> 00:28:24,875 cut it in half, and then sandwich my 80CrV2. 766 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:26,667 - Looks like Jesse's done with drawing out his 767 00:28:26,792 --> 00:28:28,958 billet and he's got a chop saw cutting it off. 768 00:28:29,042 --> 00:28:31,167 - I'm just really fascinated to see, 769 00:28:31,250 --> 00:28:34,000 are these guys going to reduce the width of their billet 770 00:28:34,167 --> 00:28:36,083 back to one and a half to match the core? 771 00:28:36,208 --> 00:28:38,667 Or are they going to get that core, stick it on, 772 00:28:38,750 --> 00:28:40,125 and kind of be a little nervous? 773 00:28:40,208 --> 00:28:42,250 - Ugh. 774 00:28:42,375 --> 00:28:45,333 My Damascus pieces are a lot wider than my 80CrV2 pieces. 775 00:28:45,417 --> 00:28:46,833 ♪ ♪ 776 00:28:46,917 --> 00:28:49,500 So it's crucial that I get these centered correctly. 777 00:28:49,583 --> 00:28:51,875 - He's got a lot of overhang on either side 778 00:28:52,042 --> 00:28:53,542 of that center material. 779 00:28:53,708 --> 00:28:56,167 If he presses that down until it welds up, 780 00:28:56,333 --> 00:28:59,375 chances are there's going to be a cold shut right in there. 781 00:28:59,500 --> 00:29:01,000 - Yeah, I'd grind it down. 782 00:29:01,083 --> 00:29:02,333 - Yeah, exactly, get a clean billet. 783 00:29:02,417 --> 00:29:03,583 - Yeah. 784 00:29:03,708 --> 00:29:05,125 - There's a lot of risk in not making 785 00:29:05,208 --> 00:29:06,917 these billets the exact same size, 786 00:29:07,042 --> 00:29:08,958 but I'm starting to feel the clock now. 787 00:29:09,042 --> 00:29:11,417 ♪ ♪ 788 00:29:11,542 --> 00:29:13,750 - I'm feeling pretty good about this forge weld, 789 00:29:13,875 --> 00:29:17,542 and now it's just drawing it out to that 19 inches. 790 00:29:17,708 --> 00:29:19,625 - Ben's at the point with that billet of his, 791 00:29:19,750 --> 00:29:21,167 that he should fuller that thing. 792 00:29:21,292 --> 00:29:24,167 - The leaf blade is difficult in and of itself. 793 00:29:24,292 --> 00:29:27,625 Having it wide at the base, then coming down 794 00:29:27,708 --> 00:29:30,333 into that skinnier neck, and then widening 795 00:29:30,458 --> 00:29:31,833 back out into that leaf. 796 00:29:31,958 --> 00:29:33,833 You've got to move metal and you really have 797 00:29:33,958 --> 00:29:37,042 to understand how metal moves to get shapes like that. 798 00:29:37,167 --> 00:29:40,042 With the power hammer die, I'm able to stretch that steel 799 00:29:40,208 --> 00:29:41,958 out pretty nice, getting it closer 800 00:29:42,042 --> 00:29:44,875 to that final shape that I want. 801 00:29:45,042 --> 00:29:48,583 - All right guys, you have four hours remaining! 802 00:29:48,708 --> 00:29:50,667 - As I'm drawing the billet out on the forging press, 803 00:29:50,750 --> 00:29:52,000 I think the welds have set really well, 804 00:29:52,125 --> 00:29:55,042 but I can't tell because of the overhanging layers. 805 00:29:55,208 --> 00:29:56,417 [bleep]. 806 00:29:56,542 --> 00:29:58,250 Ugh. 807 00:29:58,375 --> 00:30:01,667 There's a cold shut around my entire billet. 808 00:30:01,792 --> 00:30:03,333 But I don't know how far this cold shut goes, 809 00:30:03,458 --> 00:30:06,292 until I go to the grinder and start peeling it. 810 00:30:06,375 --> 00:30:08,125 - He's got to knock those flanges off. 811 00:30:08,208 --> 00:30:10,667 That overhang has got to go. 812 00:30:10,792 --> 00:30:11,958 - If I keep grinding and the cold shut 813 00:30:12,083 --> 00:30:13,667 never disappears, I have to start over 814 00:30:13,750 --> 00:30:15,917 and that's time I don't have. 815 00:30:16,042 --> 00:30:17,250 It's time for the moment of truth. 816 00:30:20,875 --> 00:30:21,417 [angelic chorus] 817 00:30:21,542 --> 00:30:22,417 [suspenseful music] 818 00:30:22,542 --> 00:30:23,583 - Well guys, we're now in the fourth battle 819 00:30:23,708 --> 00:30:24,667 in our Gladiator of The Forge competition, 820 00:30:24,833 --> 00:30:26,667 we have a new reigning champion with Jesse. 821 00:30:26,833 --> 00:30:28,083 So he may have come into this one 822 00:30:28,208 --> 00:30:29,792 feeling extremely confident. 823 00:30:29,875 --> 00:30:31,250 Things changed. 824 00:30:31,375 --> 00:30:33,292 - There's a cold shut around my entire billet. 825 00:30:33,375 --> 00:30:35,458 If I keep grinding and the cold shut never disappears, 826 00:30:35,542 --> 00:30:38,083 I have to start over, and that's time I don't have. 827 00:30:38,208 --> 00:30:40,500 ♪ ♪ 828 00:30:40,667 --> 00:30:42,208 I'm beyond relieved. 829 00:30:42,333 --> 00:30:43,875 The cold shut only goes along the edge. 830 00:30:44,042 --> 00:30:46,208 It does not go through and I am still in this. 831 00:30:46,333 --> 00:30:48,208 It's time to start forging this blade to shape. 832 00:30:52,500 --> 00:30:54,042 ♪ ♪ 833 00:30:54,208 --> 00:30:56,667 - Well, both of our smiths now have their second billet. 834 00:30:56,750 --> 00:30:58,208 They've done their weld sets. 835 00:30:58,333 --> 00:30:59,167 It's a tight race. 836 00:30:59,292 --> 00:31:01,125 - Ours basically look the same right now. 837 00:31:01,208 --> 00:31:03,208 - I know, I guess we're making the same blade. 838 00:31:03,375 --> 00:31:04,917 - [laughs] 839 00:31:05,042 --> 00:31:07,333 - So once I get my billet drawn out and to shape, 840 00:31:07,458 --> 00:31:09,792 I start cleaning it, and all of a sudden... 841 00:31:09,917 --> 00:31:11,208 ♪ ♪ 842 00:31:13,708 --> 00:31:14,792 Judges: Ooh. 843 00:31:14,875 --> 00:31:16,458 - It smacked me right in my face. 844 00:31:16,542 --> 00:31:18,000 [laughs] Whew. 845 00:31:18,167 --> 00:31:20,083 - What kind of gladiator battle would it be if nobody 846 00:31:20,208 --> 00:31:21,583 got smacked in the face a time or two? 847 00:31:21,708 --> 00:31:22,667 - [laughs] 848 00:31:22,792 --> 00:31:24,333 - I was fine. 849 00:31:24,458 --> 00:31:27,417 Put the belt back onto the sander and just kept going. 850 00:31:27,542 --> 00:31:30,167 ♪ ♪ 851 00:31:30,333 --> 00:31:32,583 Everything looks pretty symmetrical. 852 00:31:32,708 --> 00:31:34,667 So now I'm ready to start getting 853 00:31:34,750 --> 00:31:36,708 this thing prepped for quench. 854 00:31:36,833 --> 00:31:39,500 Quench is a really big deal, especially with San Mai, 855 00:31:39,583 --> 00:31:40,958 a lot of things can go wrong. 856 00:31:41,042 --> 00:31:43,292 Those three billets can just want to pop 857 00:31:43,375 --> 00:31:44,750 away from each other, so it's really 858 00:31:44,875 --> 00:31:46,583 important that I nail this quench. 859 00:31:46,708 --> 00:31:47,833 ♪ ♪ 860 00:31:48,000 --> 00:31:49,292 - Ben's in the oil. 861 00:31:49,375 --> 00:31:51,333 - You didn't see any yellow on that blade, 862 00:31:51,500 --> 00:31:54,083 it was all an orange color that I would guess 863 00:31:54,208 --> 00:31:57,542 it's a couple hundred degrees above ideal. 864 00:31:57,667 --> 00:31:58,833 - Looks straight. 865 00:31:59,000 --> 00:32:00,042 I feel good. 866 00:32:00,167 --> 00:32:02,000 So now it's just letting it cool down, 867 00:32:02,167 --> 00:32:05,333 and ultimately starting to put my bevels in once it cool. 868 00:32:05,458 --> 00:32:07,833 ♪ ♪ 869 00:32:07,958 --> 00:32:09,667 - Jesse's opened up the back of his forge. 870 00:32:09,833 --> 00:32:11,917 We're looking at a quench here pretty soon. 871 00:32:12,042 --> 00:32:13,917 - I'm more than halfway through the eight hours. 872 00:32:14,042 --> 00:32:15,625 If this quench fails, I'm screwed. 873 00:32:15,708 --> 00:32:16,583 - Here we go. 874 00:32:16,708 --> 00:32:18,333 ♪ ♪ 875 00:32:18,500 --> 00:32:21,875 That's two blades quenched almost simultaneously. 876 00:32:22,042 --> 00:32:24,208 These guys are neck and neck. 877 00:32:24,333 --> 00:32:26,000 - I heard no pings or pops during the quench, 878 00:32:26,083 --> 00:32:27,667 and I take it out. 879 00:32:27,833 --> 00:32:29,750 File test it, and it skates like ice. 880 00:32:29,875 --> 00:32:31,292 Perfect. 881 00:32:31,417 --> 00:32:32,833 Now that I'm quenched, I take the blade over 882 00:32:33,000 --> 00:32:34,833 to the grinder and begin hogging off material. 883 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:36,500 ♪ ♪ 884 00:32:36,667 --> 00:32:38,000 Why is it called hogging off? 885 00:32:38,083 --> 00:32:39,833 Why can't it be like cowing off? 886 00:32:40,000 --> 00:32:41,417 ♪ ♪ 887 00:32:41,542 --> 00:32:45,083 - Now I'm ready to get my bevels ground in. 888 00:32:45,208 --> 00:32:48,333 Leaf blades are double edged, and so it's not 889 00:32:48,458 --> 00:32:50,875 only two bevels, but four bevels. 890 00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:53,792 So it's just time consuming making sure 891 00:32:53,875 --> 00:32:56,500 that everything's nice and symmetrical. 892 00:32:56,583 --> 00:33:00,333 I'm looking at Ben's profile from here, something feels off. 893 00:33:00,417 --> 00:33:04,250 Is it because the belly is right close to the tip? 894 00:33:04,375 --> 00:33:06,583 - Yeah, there's not as much taper to the point, 895 00:33:06,708 --> 00:33:09,042 so that swell is a little bit further forward. 896 00:33:09,167 --> 00:33:11,333 - Well, how's that gonna affect testing? 897 00:33:11,458 --> 00:33:13,375 - It'll make it more forward heavy for sure. 898 00:33:13,500 --> 00:33:16,000 - It is a little heavier than I want it to be. 899 00:33:16,167 --> 00:33:19,417 But the clock is always on my mind. 900 00:33:19,542 --> 00:33:21,000 ♪ ♪ 901 00:33:21,083 --> 00:33:24,500 - Gentlemen, you have 90 minutes left! 902 00:33:24,667 --> 00:33:26,375 ♪ ♪ 903 00:33:26,542 --> 00:33:28,167 Looks like Jesse is adding a rod 904 00:33:28,292 --> 00:33:30,292 of mild steel to the end of his tang. 905 00:33:30,417 --> 00:33:31,500 Now what does that tell you guys? 906 00:33:31,625 --> 00:33:33,583 - It tells me I'm a happy man, I've been waiting 907 00:33:33,708 --> 00:33:35,292 to see somebody do that forever. 908 00:33:35,375 --> 00:33:37,292 That's what he's going to peen over and it's just 909 00:33:37,417 --> 00:33:38,833 so much easier to peen mild steel 910 00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:40,500 than it is hardenable steel. 911 00:33:40,667 --> 00:33:42,458 ♪ ♪ 912 00:33:42,583 --> 00:33:44,000 - How important is that weld if you're putting 913 00:33:44,167 --> 00:33:45,875 mild steel on the back of your tang? 914 00:33:46,042 --> 00:33:47,917 - It's crucial. - [laughs] 915 00:33:48,042 --> 00:33:49,292 - As I'm grinding off the welds, 916 00:33:49,417 --> 00:33:51,375 I see that I do not have clean material. 917 00:33:52,833 --> 00:33:54,250 Ugh. 918 00:33:54,375 --> 00:33:57,333 If this weld is weak, my pommel is going to fly off 919 00:33:57,500 --> 00:33:59,708 when they test it, and I cannot have that. 920 00:33:59,875 --> 00:34:00,833 - Ah. 921 00:34:00,958 --> 00:34:02,750 - Yeah, not good. 922 00:34:02,875 --> 00:34:05,250 So I decide to just start over and put a new piece on. 923 00:34:05,375 --> 00:34:07,167 This time, I spent a little bit more time 924 00:34:07,333 --> 00:34:09,333 trying to get these welds perfect. 925 00:34:09,500 --> 00:34:11,000 - You know what I like about Jesse, 926 00:34:11,125 --> 00:34:13,292 is though he's very precise in his work, 927 00:34:13,375 --> 00:34:17,292 he focuses on the right things as far as I'm concerned. 928 00:34:17,375 --> 00:34:19,250 - I grind off the welds and it is perfect. 929 00:34:19,375 --> 00:34:21,792 It looks like one homogenous piece of steel. 930 00:34:21,875 --> 00:34:23,250 Thank God that worked. 931 00:34:23,375 --> 00:34:24,958 If that didn't work, I was completely screwed. 932 00:34:25,042 --> 00:34:26,167 But I'm starting to panic. 933 00:34:26,333 --> 00:34:28,750 I have so much to do in so little time. 934 00:34:28,875 --> 00:34:30,167 ♪ ♪ 935 00:34:30,292 --> 00:34:32,667 - Looking at my handle, I realize it's a little 936 00:34:32,792 --> 00:34:36,292 too long so I gotta shorten up the handle so that 937 00:34:36,417 --> 00:34:39,667 the whole piece is the right size for a handle. 938 00:34:39,792 --> 00:34:42,583 Eventually I get it, it slides all the way up. 939 00:34:42,708 --> 00:34:44,625 So that means it's time to work on my pommel. 940 00:34:44,750 --> 00:34:46,333 ♪ ♪ 941 00:34:46,500 --> 00:34:48,167 - Wait a minute. 942 00:34:48,292 --> 00:34:49,458 Look how small it is. 943 00:34:49,583 --> 00:34:51,167 - Ooh. 944 00:34:51,333 --> 00:34:54,000 - This is potentially going to be a really spindly handle. 945 00:34:54,125 --> 00:34:55,333 - My handle's feeling good. 946 00:34:55,458 --> 00:34:57,750 Now I'm ready to go put an edge on this thing. 947 00:34:57,875 --> 00:35:00,500 ♪ ♪ 948 00:35:00,667 --> 00:35:02,125 - To peen the pommel on, I put my blade 949 00:35:02,250 --> 00:35:03,667 into the vise with everything in place. 950 00:35:03,792 --> 00:35:05,292 I heat up that little piece sticking out 951 00:35:05,375 --> 00:35:07,833 of the pommel and begin hammering it on. 952 00:35:07,917 --> 00:35:09,000 - Jesse's peening it over 953 00:35:09,125 --> 00:35:11,292 and there's sparks going everywhere. 954 00:35:11,417 --> 00:35:13,000 - If I use too much force to peen it on, 955 00:35:13,125 --> 00:35:14,917 I could misalign my handle pieces. 956 00:35:15,042 --> 00:35:17,208 I could break off the rod that goes through the pommel. 957 00:35:17,333 --> 00:35:18,750 A lot of things can go wrong. 958 00:35:18,875 --> 00:35:20,000 - Doesn't take much. 959 00:35:20,167 --> 00:35:21,458 ♪ ♪ 960 00:35:21,583 --> 00:35:23,458 - I finish peening my piece and now it's time 961 00:35:23,542 --> 00:35:25,833 to start finally grinding my handle to shape. 962 00:35:25,917 --> 00:35:28,333 This is the least time I've ever had to shape a handle. 963 00:35:28,458 --> 00:35:30,500 I have to make sure that there's no sharp edges 964 00:35:30,625 --> 00:35:32,333 on my pommel or guard that could cut a judge's hand. 965 00:35:32,417 --> 00:35:33,833 With just seconds left on the clock, 966 00:35:34,000 --> 00:35:36,500 I sharpen the blade as best I can. 967 00:35:36,667 --> 00:35:41,542 ♪ ♪ 968 00:35:41,708 --> 00:35:44,500 - Five, four, three, 969 00:35:44,625 --> 00:35:46,333 two, one. 970 00:35:46,458 --> 00:35:47,917 Bladesmiths, turn off your machines, 971 00:35:48,042 --> 00:35:50,583 put down your tools, this battle is officially over! 972 00:35:50,708 --> 00:35:52,500 - Good job, man. - Heck of a matchup. 973 00:35:52,625 --> 00:35:54,167 - [sighs] 974 00:35:54,292 --> 00:35:57,000 - Eight hours to make a sword is exhausting. 975 00:35:57,083 --> 00:36:00,167 It was a lot harder than I was anticipating. 976 00:36:00,333 --> 00:36:01,750 The fact that Jesse and I both finished 977 00:36:01,875 --> 00:36:04,500 is super fun and I can't wait for testing. 978 00:36:04,667 --> 00:36:08,875 ♪ ♪ 979 00:36:09,042 --> 00:36:10,125 - All right gentlemen, it's time for our 980 00:36:10,208 --> 00:36:12,083 strength test, the Roman pot chop. 981 00:36:12,208 --> 00:36:14,125 ♪ ♪ 982 00:36:14,208 --> 00:36:15,875 And Jesse, you are up first, are you ready? 983 00:36:16,042 --> 00:36:17,833 - Yes. - Yes. 984 00:36:17,958 --> 00:36:19,583 ♪ ♪ 985 00:36:19,708 --> 00:36:21,500 - This test is a little bit concerning to me, 986 00:36:21,625 --> 00:36:24,667 because it's ceramic, ceramic hates steel. 987 00:36:24,792 --> 00:36:27,500 You usually use ceramic to dull your blades. 988 00:36:27,583 --> 00:36:29,125 So I don't know what's going to happen. 989 00:36:29,250 --> 00:36:33,958 ♪ ♪ 990 00:36:34,083 --> 00:36:34,625 [angelic chorus] 991 00:36:34,708 --> 00:36:35,625 [tense music] 992 00:36:35,708 --> 00:36:37,083 - This test is a little bit concerning to me, 993 00:36:37,208 --> 00:36:38,333 because it's ceramic, ceramic hates steel. 994 00:36:38,417 --> 00:36:40,000 So I don't know what's going to happen. 995 00:36:40,125 --> 00:36:42,125 [exhales] 996 00:36:42,250 --> 00:36:49,333 ♪ ♪ 997 00:36:57,792 --> 00:37:00,833 [crowd cheering] 998 00:37:01,000 --> 00:37:05,458 ♪ ♪ 999 00:37:05,542 --> 00:37:08,125 - Okay Jesse, right off when I grab thi, 1000 00:37:08,208 --> 00:37:10,500 that handle's a good, good size for me. 1001 00:37:10,583 --> 00:37:14,292 As far as your edge holding up, I mean, I can feel 1002 00:37:14,375 --> 00:37:16,458 some loss of sharpness, but man, 1003 00:37:16,583 --> 00:37:19,833 where I didn't hit a pot, it's definitely a sharp blade. 1004 00:37:19,958 --> 00:37:21,875 But I think you did a great job on the balance, 1005 00:37:22,042 --> 00:37:24,208 the look of this is sweet, and the scale is right on. 1006 00:37:24,333 --> 00:37:25,667 Nicely done. 1007 00:37:25,792 --> 00:37:26,833 - Thank you. 1008 00:37:26,958 --> 00:37:28,833 - Ben, you ready? 1009 00:37:28,958 --> 00:37:30,667 - Yes sir. - Okay, cool. 1010 00:37:30,792 --> 00:37:32,542 ♪ ♪ 1011 00:37:32,708 --> 00:37:34,667 - After Jesse's weapon performs 1012 00:37:34,792 --> 00:37:36,667 really well against those pots, 1013 00:37:36,833 --> 00:37:39,333 now I'm just praying that my blade can hold its own. 1014 00:37:39,458 --> 00:37:41,167 Definitely nerve racking. 1015 00:37:41,333 --> 00:37:48,375 ♪ ♪ 1016 00:37:56,375 --> 00:37:59,500 [crowd cheering] 1017 00:37:59,667 --> 00:38:03,542 ♪ ♪ 1018 00:38:03,708 --> 00:38:05,542 - All right, Ben, right off, 1019 00:38:05,667 --> 00:38:08,000 could use a little bit more handle, 1020 00:38:08,167 --> 00:38:09,792 but I like the transitions you've got 1021 00:38:09,917 --> 00:38:12,417 from handle to pommel and from handle to guard. 1022 00:38:12,542 --> 00:38:14,167 As far as the edge of your blade goes, 1023 00:38:14,292 --> 00:38:16,000 you got a lot of rolling. 1024 00:38:16,167 --> 00:38:18,833 There's a couple of spots that there are actually little 1025 00:38:19,000 --> 00:38:22,458 sharp burrs, but everything's right and tight. 1026 00:38:22,542 --> 00:38:24,500 Felt good. Held up well. 1027 00:38:24,625 --> 00:38:27,167 Nicely done. - Thank you. 1028 00:38:27,250 --> 00:38:31,917 ♪ ♪ 1029 00:38:32,042 --> 00:38:34,167 - Gladiators of The Forge. 1030 00:38:34,292 --> 00:38:36,208 Looks like it's coming down to this. 1031 00:38:36,333 --> 00:38:38,333 This is the sharpness test, 1032 00:38:38,417 --> 00:38:40,583 the flying sandbag slice. 1033 00:38:40,708 --> 00:38:43,500 ♪ ♪ 1034 00:38:43,667 --> 00:38:44,833 Jesse, you're up first, are you ready for this? 1035 00:38:44,958 --> 00:38:46,583 - Yeah. - Let's do this. 1036 00:38:46,708 --> 00:38:53,542 ♪ ♪ 1037 00:39:03,875 --> 00:39:06,625 [crowd cheering] 1038 00:39:06,750 --> 00:39:08,833 ♪ ♪ 1039 00:39:08,958 --> 00:39:10,875 All right Jesse, let's talk about your 1040 00:39:11,000 --> 00:39:12,083 xiphos sword right here. 1041 00:39:12,208 --> 00:39:14,792 It's got a great, nice feel to it. 1042 00:39:14,917 --> 00:39:16,583 The balance of this is really good 1043 00:39:16,708 --> 00:39:18,542 and talking about your edge, 1044 00:39:18,667 --> 00:39:21,083 it slices, and I can move around with your weapon. 1045 00:39:21,208 --> 00:39:23,042 Overall, sir, your xiphos... 1046 00:39:23,167 --> 00:39:24,292 It will cut. 1047 00:39:24,375 --> 00:39:25,667 - Thank you. 1048 00:39:25,833 --> 00:39:27,208 - All right, Ben, your turn, so are you ready? 1049 00:39:27,375 --> 00:39:29,000 - Let's do it. - Let's have some fun. 1050 00:39:29,167 --> 00:39:36,042 ♪ ♪ 1051 00:39:45,250 --> 00:39:47,792 [crowd cheering] 1052 00:39:47,917 --> 00:39:51,375 ♪ ♪ 1053 00:39:51,542 --> 00:39:52,958 All right Ben, let's talk about your 1054 00:39:53,083 --> 00:39:54,208 xiphos sword here. 1055 00:39:54,333 --> 00:39:56,792 Your handle, it's smooth. 1056 00:39:56,875 --> 00:39:59,833 It's just a little bit small for my hands. 1057 00:39:59,917 --> 00:40:01,542 I'd rather have something girthier in there 1058 00:40:01,708 --> 00:40:03,333 so that when I'm wielding this 1059 00:40:03,458 --> 00:40:04,958 I really have good control of it. 1060 00:40:05,042 --> 00:40:07,292 But the areas where you suffered a little bit 1061 00:40:07,375 --> 00:40:09,167 of rolling were not an issue. 1062 00:40:09,292 --> 00:40:12,042 It cut nicely on these bags. 1063 00:40:12,167 --> 00:40:14,667 Overall, sir, your xiphos... 1064 00:40:14,833 --> 00:40:15,708 It will cut. 1065 00:40:15,833 --> 00:40:17,667 - Thank you. 1066 00:40:17,792 --> 00:40:20,958 ♪ ♪ 1067 00:40:21,042 --> 00:40:22,750 - Gentlemen, from the moment you stepped 1068 00:40:22,875 --> 00:40:24,333 into this coliseum, it was clear 1069 00:40:24,458 --> 00:40:25,750 that you came here ready to fight. 1070 00:40:25,875 --> 00:40:27,417 But in this competition, only one of you 1071 00:40:27,542 --> 00:40:29,083 can come out of this battle 1072 00:40:29,208 --> 00:40:32,042 as the Gladiator of The Forge and receive a check for $5,000. 1073 00:40:32,167 --> 00:40:34,583 Now, Jesse, if you win, that is your second win 1074 00:40:34,708 --> 00:40:37,667 in this competition, putting you at a total of $10,000 1075 00:40:37,750 --> 00:40:39,292 and keeping you in the running for the most 1076 00:40:39,375 --> 00:40:40,583 amount of money ever given out 1077 00:40:40,708 --> 00:40:42,000 in "Forged in Fire" history. 1078 00:40:42,167 --> 00:40:45,333 Now Ben, if you win, you knock out our reigning champion, 1079 00:40:45,417 --> 00:40:48,292 you get a check for $5,000, a Gladiator of The Forge title, 1080 00:40:48,375 --> 00:40:50,750 and you have the chance to move forward into the next battle. 1081 00:40:50,875 --> 00:40:54,125 The winner of this Gladiator of The Forge battle is... 1082 00:40:54,250 --> 00:40:57,708 ♪ ♪ 1083 00:40:57,875 --> 00:41:00,167 Jesse, you did it again, congratulations. 1084 00:41:00,250 --> 00:41:03,667 Now, Ben, you are clearly a force to be reckoned with. 1085 00:41:03,750 --> 00:41:05,625 But unfortunately your blade did not make the cut, 1086 00:41:05,750 --> 00:41:07,417 and Dave Baker's gonna tell you why. 1087 00:41:07,542 --> 00:41:09,750 - Ben, you're a heck of a gladiator and the design 1088 00:41:09,875 --> 00:41:11,792 you were headed towards was great. 1089 00:41:11,875 --> 00:41:14,458 But those rough grinds on the handle, 1090 00:41:14,583 --> 00:41:16,625 the handle being small, and the damage you took, 1091 00:41:16,750 --> 00:41:19,125 all added up to sending you home. 1092 00:41:19,208 --> 00:41:20,792 - I understand. 1093 00:41:20,875 --> 00:41:22,625 All of us want to say thank you so much for coming 1094 00:41:22,750 --> 00:41:24,125 to this battle and fighting so hard, 1095 00:41:24,250 --> 00:41:26,167 but unfortunately at this time, I'm going to have to ask you 1096 00:41:26,250 --> 00:41:27,792 to please step off The Forge floor. 1097 00:41:27,917 --> 00:41:29,417 - Thank you gentlemen, for the opportunity. 1098 00:41:29,542 --> 00:41:30,750 Jesse, congrats. 1099 00:41:30,875 --> 00:41:32,458 - Good work man. - Great job man. 1100 00:41:32,542 --> 00:41:33,917 ♪ ♪ 1101 00:41:34,042 --> 00:41:35,958 - I absolutely agree with the judge's decision. 1102 00:41:36,042 --> 00:41:38,708 Jesse turned in an incredible blade. 1103 00:41:38,833 --> 00:41:41,250 I'm happy that I was able to complete the challeng. 1104 00:41:41,375 --> 00:41:44,667 But ultimately, Jesse did end up on top. 1105 00:41:44,750 --> 00:41:48,417 Jesse, you're an incredible smith, a great guy. 1106 00:41:48,542 --> 00:41:50,292 Go on and win the entire thing, brother. 1107 00:41:50,417 --> 00:41:52,833 ♪ ♪ 1108 00:41:52,917 --> 00:41:54,500 - Jesse, that makes you a two-time 1109 00:41:54,625 --> 00:41:55,833 Gladiator of The Forge, you are now 1110 00:41:56,000 --> 00:41:58,167 at a total of $10,000, congratulations. 1111 00:41:58,250 --> 00:41:59,958 - Thank you. [applause] 1112 00:42:00,083 --> 00:42:01,708 I just won two battles in a row. 1113 00:42:01,833 --> 00:42:05,375 I am so happy, and I have $10,000 in my wallet now, 1114 00:42:05,542 --> 00:42:08,083 and I still have the opportunity to win more. 1115 00:42:08,208 --> 00:42:09,875 I'm gonna have to email my professors and tell them 1116 00:42:10,000 --> 00:42:12,292 I can't come to class because who knew I would be here? 1117 00:42:12,375 --> 00:42:13,542 I'm here to win. 1118 00:42:13,708 --> 00:42:15,250 My plan is to go as far as I can, 1119 00:42:15,375 --> 00:42:17,167 hopefully to the end of all of the gladiator battles. 1120 00:42:17,333 --> 00:42:22,917 ♪ ♪ 1121 00:42:23,042 --> 00:42:25,917 [angelic chorus]