1 00:00:05,417 --> 00:00:08,458 [dramatic music] 2 00:00:08,583 --> 00:00:10,542 - Here in The Forge, we have seen hundreds of smiths 3 00:00:10,708 --> 00:00:12,792 create some of the most feared edge weapons in history. 4 00:00:12,917 --> 00:00:15,000 ♪ ♪ 5 00:00:15,167 --> 00:00:17,792 Now, in honor of History's miniseries event, "Colosseum," 6 00:00:17,875 --> 00:00:19,833 we have decided to transform our forge 7 00:00:19,917 --> 00:00:21,500 into a Roman gladiator's arena. 8 00:00:21,667 --> 00:00:23,000 ♪ ♪ 9 00:00:23,167 --> 00:00:25,333 This is "Gladiators of the Forge." 10 00:00:25,500 --> 00:00:27,042 ♪ ♪ 11 00:00:27,208 --> 00:00:28,750 With only two battles to go, 12 00:00:28,875 --> 00:00:30,458 our current Gladiator of the Forge 13 00:00:30,542 --> 00:00:32,208 has won six in a row 14 00:00:32,333 --> 00:00:35,542 and is looking to complete this competition undefeate. 15 00:00:35,667 --> 00:00:38,583 - I'm not ready to give up this seat anytime soon. 16 00:00:38,708 --> 00:00:39,750 - If Jesse has what it takes 17 00:00:39,875 --> 00:00:41,333 to win both these battles tonight, 18 00:00:41,500 --> 00:00:43,833 he will match the most amount of money ever earned 19 00:00:43,958 --> 00:00:45,417 in "Forged in Fire" history-- 20 00:00:45,542 --> 00:00:47,833 $50,000. 21 00:00:47,917 --> 00:00:50,375 But our judges are taking back control 22 00:00:50,500 --> 00:00:53,000 and bringing back competitors from earlier battles. 23 00:00:53,125 --> 00:00:54,958 The competition concludes now. 24 00:00:55,083 --> 00:00:58,917 [epic choir hymn] 25 00:00:59,042 --> 00:01:01,958 [tense music] 26 00:01:02,083 --> 00:01:03,625 ♪ ♪ 27 00:01:03,750 --> 00:01:05,833 - My name is Jesse Hu. I'm 19 years old. 28 00:01:05,958 --> 00:01:07,458 I go to the University of Michigan. 29 00:01:07,542 --> 00:01:10,875 And I'm the six-time Gladiator of the Forge. 30 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:12,333 Having the title Gladiator of the Forge 31 00:01:12,417 --> 00:01:14,042 definitely feels kinda nice. 32 00:01:14,167 --> 00:01:15,917 It's kind of fun to picture myself as, 33 00:01:16,042 --> 00:01:17,833 like, a battle-hardened gladiator 34 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:19,583 that's been fighting for ages. 35 00:01:19,708 --> 00:01:21,042 Which is kinda true, 36 00:01:21,208 --> 00:01:23,167 but I'm not bloody, and I don't have scars 37 00:01:23,250 --> 00:01:24,167 from each battle. 38 00:01:24,292 --> 00:01:26,917 All I have is just fatigue. 39 00:01:27,042 --> 00:01:28,500 - He's almost like part of the crew now. 40 00:01:28,583 --> 00:01:29,667 - Oh, yeah, now. 41 00:01:29,833 --> 00:01:32,167 ♪ ♪ 42 00:01:32,250 --> 00:01:34,625 - My name is Eric Pearl. 43 00:01:34,708 --> 00:01:36,042 So last time I was here, 44 00:01:36,208 --> 00:01:38,208 Jesse was facing me as Vitul, 45 00:01:38,333 --> 00:01:40,833 the Viking blacksmith. 46 00:01:40,917 --> 00:01:43,333 Jesse did beat me last time. 47 00:01:43,458 --> 00:01:45,458 I forgot to sharpen the insie 48 00:01:45,583 --> 00:01:48,917 of that sica sword, and shot myself in the foot. 49 00:01:49,042 --> 00:01:50,333 It is a little bit more personal 50 00:01:50,500 --> 00:01:52,708 coming back to find the same guy here. 51 00:01:52,833 --> 00:01:54,833 But his path ends now. 52 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:57,042 ♪ ♪ 53 00:01:57,208 --> 00:01:59,542 - Bladesmiths, welcome to The Forge. 54 00:01:59,667 --> 00:02:02,208 Eric, it's good to see you. - Good to see you. 55 00:02:02,375 --> 00:02:04,083 - Now, Eric, we picked you because of 56 00:02:04,208 --> 00:02:06,000 your calm demeanor and how well you worked 57 00:02:06,167 --> 00:02:08,167 under the pressure of the clock in competition. 58 00:02:08,250 --> 00:02:10,625 And we thought you deserved a second chance at the titl, 59 00:02:10,708 --> 00:02:11,708 so here you are. 60 00:02:13,417 --> 00:02:14,792 Well, Jesse, you've tallied up 61 00:02:14,917 --> 00:02:17,167 a total of $40,000. 62 00:02:17,292 --> 00:02:18,792 And if you win out, 63 00:02:18,875 --> 00:02:19,917 you stand a chance at taking home 64 00:02:20,042 --> 00:02:22,083 $50,000. 65 00:02:22,208 --> 00:02:24,375 But Eric, if you came out on top, 66 00:02:24,500 --> 00:02:26,167 that's your first Gladiator of the Forge win, 67 00:02:26,333 --> 00:02:28,125 and you'll get a $5,000 check, and we'll ask if you want 68 00:02:28,250 --> 00:02:30,000 to come join us in the final battle 69 00:02:30,125 --> 00:02:31,292 of this competition series. 70 00:02:31,417 --> 00:02:32,542 Now, gentlemen, as per usual, this will be 71 00:02:32,708 --> 00:02:35,042 an eight straight hour forge-welding competition, 72 00:02:35,208 --> 00:02:37,292 where you'll build a blade from start to finish. 73 00:02:37,375 --> 00:02:38,667 At the end of that time, you'll present your work 74 00:02:38,833 --> 00:02:40,333 to our panel of expert judges, 75 00:02:40,500 --> 00:02:42,208 and they will put your blades through a series of tests 76 00:02:42,333 --> 00:02:45,042 to decide which one of you is coming out on top today. 77 00:02:45,208 --> 00:02:46,875 Now, typically in this competition you guys would 78 00:02:47,042 --> 00:02:49,458 be choosing the weapon and the forge-welding technique. 79 00:02:49,542 --> 00:02:51,417 But today, we're turning the tables a little bit, 80 00:02:51,542 --> 00:02:53,542 and we are taking control back. 81 00:02:53,667 --> 00:02:55,667 There are only four blades left on the wall 82 00:02:55,833 --> 00:02:56,708 of gladiator weapons, 83 00:02:56,875 --> 00:02:58,208 each of which were featured on 84 00:02:58,333 --> 00:03:01,208 History's miniseries event "Colosseum." 85 00:03:01,375 --> 00:03:02,917 You're gonna be building this: 86 00:03:03,042 --> 00:03:04,750 - As long as they stay away from that spiked mace, 87 00:03:04,875 --> 00:03:06,083 I'm a happy man. 88 00:03:06,208 --> 00:03:08,125 ♪ ♪ 89 00:03:08,250 --> 00:03:10,708 - The acinaces. 90 00:03:10,833 --> 00:03:12,167 - [exhales deeply] 91 00:03:12,292 --> 00:03:14,042 - The acinaces traces its origin 92 00:03:14,167 --> 00:03:15,375 back to the first millennium BC, 93 00:03:15,500 --> 00:03:17,833 all across the Mediterranean region. 94 00:03:17,958 --> 00:03:19,458 This deadly double-edged dagger 95 00:03:19,542 --> 00:03:21,375 was used by Roman gladiators in pairs, 96 00:03:21,500 --> 00:03:23,167 allowing them to deliver quick slashes 97 00:03:23,292 --> 00:03:25,042 and deadly strikes upon opponents 98 00:03:25,167 --> 00:03:27,667 inside the walls of the Colosseum. 99 00:03:27,833 --> 00:03:30,000 This weapon was so fierce, it was even believed to have 100 00:03:30,083 --> 00:03:33,250 been wielded by Mithras, the Persian god of the sun. 101 00:03:34,958 --> 00:03:36,958 - Now, gentlemen, when you turn your blades in, 102 00:03:37,083 --> 00:03:39,125 make sure they fall within these following parameter: 103 00:03:39,208 --> 00:03:40,958 Your blade length, measured from tip 104 00:03:41,083 --> 00:03:42,292 to where the cutting edge ends, 105 00:03:42,417 --> 00:03:44,833 needs to be between 20 and 22 inches. 106 00:03:44,917 --> 00:03:47,708 It needs to have a medial ridge and be double-edge. 107 00:03:47,833 --> 00:03:50,250 It also needs to feature an anthropomorphic hilt, 108 00:03:50,375 --> 00:03:52,333 which means it needs to resemble a human bein. 109 00:03:54,292 --> 00:03:56,250 Now, along with the weapon, we have also chosen 110 00:03:56,375 --> 00:03:57,792 the forge-welding technique that we want you both 111 00:03:57,917 --> 00:03:59,500 to use to build your blades. 112 00:03:59,625 --> 00:04:01,583 Now, if you look at the pantry, you'll see we have stacks 113 00:04:01,708 --> 00:04:05,333 of 1095 and 15N20 high carbon steel bars. 114 00:04:05,500 --> 00:04:07,292 We want you to take that steel 115 00:04:07,417 --> 00:04:09,292 and turn it into at least 100-layer 116 00:04:09,375 --> 00:04:10,500 twisted Damascus billet 117 00:04:10,625 --> 00:04:12,125 from which you will make your blades. 118 00:04:12,208 --> 00:04:13,542 - Oh, my God. 119 00:04:14,875 --> 00:04:16,167 - By the end of the eight hours, one of you 120 00:04:16,333 --> 00:04:17,792 will be standing victorious, 121 00:04:17,875 --> 00:04:19,667 earning the title of Gladiator of the Forge 122 00:04:19,792 --> 00:04:21,708 and getting a check for $5,000. 123 00:04:21,833 --> 00:04:23,333 So work hard, stay sharp. 124 00:04:23,458 --> 00:04:25,250 Your time starts now. 125 00:04:25,375 --> 00:04:28,375 [tense music] 126 00:04:28,500 --> 00:04:30,042 Twisted Damascus and 100 layers. 127 00:04:30,167 --> 00:04:31,667 Guys, this could be an interesting one. 128 00:04:31,792 --> 00:04:34,375 - All right, good luck. - You, too, brother. You too. 129 00:04:34,542 --> 00:04:37,833 - One of those mild downsides to Jesse's situation, 130 00:04:37,958 --> 00:04:42,083 because he has done so well in six challenges, 131 00:04:42,208 --> 00:04:44,000 all we're expecting is more. 132 00:04:44,125 --> 00:04:45,833 We don't expect him to skate by. 133 00:04:45,958 --> 00:04:48,542 - Eric is great competition. 134 00:04:48,667 --> 00:04:52,667 This is like anime protagonist versus main antagonist. 135 00:04:52,792 --> 00:04:55,708 I beat him once, and he's back for blood. 136 00:04:55,875 --> 00:04:58,958 - In timed competition, 100 layers is not typical. 137 00:04:59,083 --> 00:05:00,458 - No. - But you gotta stay 138 00:05:00,583 --> 00:05:02,708 on your game. - I always have the tendency 139 00:05:02,833 --> 00:05:04,458 to pick too much material at the beginning. 140 00:05:04,542 --> 00:05:07,833 So I set four layers off to the side. 141 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:09,292 That leaves me with 20 layers, 142 00:05:09,375 --> 00:05:11,333 which means I have to cut and restack five pieces 143 00:05:11,458 --> 00:05:13,083 to get 100 layers. 144 00:05:13,208 --> 00:05:14,667 - In ten minutes flat, 145 00:05:14,750 --> 00:05:16,583 Jesse has gotten a billet together, 146 00:05:16,708 --> 00:05:18,375 stacked up, welded, and in the fire. 147 00:05:18,542 --> 00:05:20,542 - Jesse's being Jesse. 148 00:05:20,708 --> 00:05:22,333 Fast, furious, going all the way through. 149 00:05:22,500 --> 00:05:24,000 Eric's being Eric. 150 00:05:24,167 --> 00:05:27,417 Slow and smooth, but he does get it done. 151 00:05:27,542 --> 00:05:29,792 - I'm actually a little bit happy to see Jesse 152 00:05:29,917 --> 00:05:33,333 still in this competition, because this becomes truly 153 00:05:33,417 --> 00:05:35,167 a shot at redemption now. 154 00:05:35,292 --> 00:05:37,167 Last time, when I was sharpening 155 00:05:37,292 --> 00:05:38,625 that sica sword, 156 00:05:38,750 --> 00:05:40,750 I said to myself, "Don't forget to go back 157 00:05:40,875 --> 00:05:42,792 and sharpen the inside of that corner." 158 00:05:42,875 --> 00:05:44,167 And I never did. 159 00:05:44,250 --> 00:05:46,083 Welding! 160 00:05:46,208 --> 00:05:47,833 This time, that mental mistake 161 00:05:47,917 --> 00:05:50,167 is not gonna happen again. 162 00:05:50,292 --> 00:05:53,042 I'm going to use 22 pieces, draw it out, 163 00:05:53,208 --> 00:05:56,583 split it into five pieces, restack it and draw it again. 164 00:05:56,708 --> 00:05:59,042 That'll put me at 110 layers. 165 00:06:00,542 --> 00:06:02,500 We'll see what happens. 166 00:06:02,625 --> 00:06:04,500 - As expected, Eric is not running, 167 00:06:04,625 --> 00:06:06,250 but he's moving along just fine. 168 00:06:06,375 --> 00:06:08,625 I came here to prove that I could do this. 169 00:06:08,750 --> 00:06:11,167 I just need to keep it together. 170 00:06:11,250 --> 00:06:14,292 [energetic music] 171 00:06:14,417 --> 00:06:15,750 ♪ ♪ 172 00:06:15,875 --> 00:06:17,792 - So now that my billet is drawn out-- 173 00:06:17,875 --> 00:06:19,500 Come on. 174 00:06:19,583 --> 00:06:21,667 I need to get this thing cut into five pieces. 175 00:06:21,792 --> 00:06:24,083 - Look at Jesse. He's running from the bandsaw 176 00:06:24,208 --> 00:06:25,375 to the chop saw. 177 00:06:25,500 --> 00:06:27,083 This is a young man who's not wasting 178 00:06:27,208 --> 00:06:29,333 any of his time out on this forge floor. 179 00:06:29,458 --> 00:06:31,000 - Wow, perfect. 180 00:06:31,083 --> 00:06:32,208 I now have to do 100 layers, 181 00:06:32,375 --> 00:06:34,292 but still a lot of work to do. 182 00:06:34,417 --> 00:06:35,667 ♪ ♪ 183 00:06:35,750 --> 00:06:38,292 - Eric has drawn out his first billet, 184 00:06:38,417 --> 00:06:40,083 cut it up, so they'll fit together nicely 185 00:06:40,208 --> 00:06:41,500 for a second stack. - Great. 186 00:06:41,583 --> 00:06:43,208 - Great. - So they're both set up. 187 00:06:43,333 --> 00:06:45,542 - He got the job done. 188 00:06:45,667 --> 00:06:47,750 - I restacked twice last tim. 189 00:06:47,875 --> 00:06:50,458 It did eat up a great deal of time. 190 00:06:50,542 --> 00:06:53,958 So this time, getting it all in one pass 191 00:06:54,083 --> 00:06:55,292 is very crucial. 192 00:06:55,375 --> 00:06:56,542 I'll take it. 193 00:06:56,667 --> 00:06:59,542 At this point, I'm feeling pretty good. 194 00:06:59,667 --> 00:07:03,375 [energetic rock music] 195 00:07:03,500 --> 00:07:04,500 - Both the smiths are doing a great job 196 00:07:04,667 --> 00:07:06,333 building this acinaces sword, 197 00:07:06,458 --> 00:07:08,167 but they're both coming up on that twist. 198 00:07:08,292 --> 00:07:10,333 - Okay, let's see how well this works. 199 00:07:10,500 --> 00:07:12,333 - Jesse's not a big guy. 200 00:07:12,500 --> 00:07:14,292 So I wonder how difficult it's gonna be for him 201 00:07:14,417 --> 00:07:17,167 to actually twist this hot steel. 202 00:07:17,292 --> 00:07:19,750 - Okay, let's see how well this works. 203 00:07:19,875 --> 00:07:22,000 - Big problem is either under-twisting, 204 00:07:22,125 --> 00:07:23,500 which we saw one competitor 205 00:07:23,625 --> 00:07:25,833 twist it, like, one turn... 206 00:07:25,958 --> 00:07:27,958 - You guys happy with what Alex did? 207 00:07:29,208 --> 00:07:31,500 - And it turned out almost looking like straight lines. 208 00:07:31,625 --> 00:07:33,583 And then you had the chance of over-twisting 209 00:07:33,708 --> 00:07:35,333 and shearing this billet. 210 00:07:35,417 --> 00:07:36,875 - Mother[bleep]! 211 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:38,833 And it starts to pull my billet apart. 212 00:07:38,917 --> 00:07:40,833 I need to start this billet over! 213 00:07:43,542 --> 00:07:46,083 - Oh, wow. Okay. 214 00:07:46,208 --> 00:07:49,167 Apparently, my billet is too big for me to twist. 215 00:07:49,292 --> 00:07:50,833 [grunts] 216 00:07:50,958 --> 00:07:53,542 Everything could go wrong during the twist. 217 00:07:53,708 --> 00:07:55,625 If I'm not able to twist my billet, 218 00:07:55,708 --> 00:07:58,167 I could actually get sent home for missing a parameter. 219 00:07:58,333 --> 00:08:00,250 I've won six Gladiator of the Forges. 220 00:08:00,375 --> 00:08:01,750 I would be devastated to hear 221 00:08:01,875 --> 00:08:03,500 I'd missed parameters and lost. 222 00:08:03,583 --> 00:08:05,500 - Step on a plate, stand on those. 223 00:08:05,667 --> 00:08:07,625 You're helping to anchor it, and you get better leverage. 224 00:08:07,750 --> 00:08:09,333 - Or just go to the press. 225 00:08:09,458 --> 00:08:11,333 - Is that enough? 226 00:08:11,417 --> 00:08:13,500 [bleep] it, good enough for me. 227 00:08:13,583 --> 00:08:16,750 - Bladesmiths, you guys have four and 1/2 hours left! 228 00:08:16,875 --> 00:08:19,333 ♪ ♪ 229 00:08:19,417 --> 00:08:20,833 - So, I get to the point 230 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:24,208 where I feel I've got good, solid welds set 231 00:08:24,333 --> 00:08:26,500 on my 110-layer billet. 232 00:08:26,667 --> 00:08:28,208 It would hurt a little bit more 233 00:08:28,333 --> 00:08:29,875 to lose twice to the same person. 234 00:08:30,042 --> 00:08:33,833 So I get this wild hankering to go big or go home. 235 00:08:33,917 --> 00:08:36,000 He's not gonna get through me twice. 236 00:08:36,167 --> 00:08:37,292 ♪ ♪ 237 00:08:37,417 --> 00:08:39,125 - What is Eric doing? I can't see. 238 00:08:39,250 --> 00:08:43,125 If he's going for a Turkish twist, that's impressive, 239 00:08:43,250 --> 00:08:45,833 but scary at the same time. 240 00:08:45,917 --> 00:08:48,000 - I'm gonna cut my billet in half, 241 00:08:48,125 --> 00:08:50,083 and I'm gonna twist one half clockwise 242 00:08:50,208 --> 00:08:52,292 and twist the other half counterclockwise, 243 00:08:52,417 --> 00:08:56,000 and then cut those two in half to get four pieces, 244 00:08:56,125 --> 00:08:58,833 and then stack 'em back together. 245 00:08:59,500 --> 00:09:01,958 - Eric is going further than I would have 246 00:09:02,083 --> 00:09:03,917 in a timed competition like this. 247 00:09:04,042 --> 00:09:05,750 - It's a big risk, but if it comes through, 248 00:09:05,875 --> 00:09:08,083 that's pretty awesome. - Yeah, but it's a big risk. 249 00:09:08,958 --> 00:09:10,833 - I'm scared that once I start twisting, 250 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:14,708 I'm just gonna see layers start pulling apart. 251 00:09:14,875 --> 00:09:17,292 We're about halfway through the challenge at this point, 252 00:09:17,417 --> 00:09:20,292 and if this fails, there's no way I'm going to come back 253 00:09:20,375 --> 00:09:22,125 to win this challenge. 254 00:09:22,208 --> 00:09:23,542 This just needs to work. 255 00:09:24,375 --> 00:09:25,333 ♪ ♪ 256 00:09:29,208 --> 00:09:30,583 Oh, yeah! 257 00:09:30,708 --> 00:09:32,792 Everything on my steel looks good, 258 00:09:32,875 --> 00:09:35,833 so I now have to cut and restack. 259 00:09:35,958 --> 00:09:38,500 There's a chance that doing all of this 260 00:09:38,625 --> 00:09:41,583 could backfire on me, and I run out of time 261 00:09:41,708 --> 00:09:43,208 at the end of the round. 262 00:09:43,375 --> 00:09:45,792 But there's also a chance that doing all of this 263 00:09:45,875 --> 00:09:48,833 could be what wins this competition for me. 264 00:09:48,958 --> 00:09:50,833 This thing's gonna be a sword here soon. 265 00:09:52,708 --> 00:09:54,667 - Good enough for me. 266 00:09:54,792 --> 00:09:56,875 I already have my blade mostly forged to shape, 267 00:09:57,000 --> 00:09:58,833 and I get ready for the quench. 268 00:09:58,917 --> 00:10:01,083 Everything can go wrong during the quench. 269 00:10:01,208 --> 00:10:03,083 If this quench fails, it could send me home 270 00:10:03,208 --> 00:10:04,250 and end my win streak. 271 00:10:06,083 --> 00:10:08,167 - Here we go. Jesse is now in the oil. 272 00:10:08,250 --> 00:10:10,542 - That's great. - It went perfectly. 273 00:10:10,667 --> 00:10:12,417 The blade looks great. There's no cracks, 274 00:10:12,542 --> 00:10:14,083 I heard no pings. 275 00:10:14,208 --> 00:10:16,167 Things have been going great in this round so far, 276 00:10:16,250 --> 00:10:18,667 but I need to keep working on my blade. 277 00:10:18,750 --> 00:10:21,208 [tense music] 278 00:10:21,375 --> 00:10:22,917 - Oh, there you go. - All right, we've got 279 00:10:23,042 --> 00:10:25,000 two quenched blades. - The colors on that blade 280 00:10:25,125 --> 00:10:26,833 looked pretty good when he put it in the oil. 281 00:10:26,958 --> 00:10:28,958 - I got a good, solid blade here. 282 00:10:29,042 --> 00:10:31,542 Some days I even amaze myself. 283 00:10:31,667 --> 00:10:34,375 I got a lot of metal to remove from this blade, 284 00:10:34,542 --> 00:10:36,042 'cause she's still pretty heavy. 285 00:10:36,167 --> 00:10:38,000 I'm a little worried about the time, 286 00:10:38,125 --> 00:10:39,958 and it all just depends on how quickly I can get 287 00:10:40,083 --> 00:10:42,958 these vein bevels in here. 288 00:10:43,042 --> 00:10:45,333 - Bladesmiths, you are down to the final two hours 289 00:10:45,458 --> 00:10:46,625 of this battle! 290 00:10:46,708 --> 00:10:49,125 ♪ ♪ 291 00:10:49,250 --> 00:10:50,958 - Now that my blade is quenched, 292 00:10:51,042 --> 00:10:52,750 I could begin finalizing these grinds. 293 00:10:52,875 --> 00:10:55,083 I've heard that the contact wheel 294 00:10:55,208 --> 00:10:57,583 is the fastest way to remove material. 295 00:10:57,708 --> 00:10:59,042 This is great. 296 00:10:59,167 --> 00:11:01,583 But I've never used it in this competition so far. 297 00:11:01,708 --> 00:11:03,083 Because I'm using the contact wheel, 298 00:11:03,208 --> 00:11:04,667 I'm gonna get a hollow-ground blade. 299 00:11:04,792 --> 00:11:06,417 That means it'll be a lot lighter in the end 300 00:11:06,542 --> 00:11:07,833 than it would be with flat grinds. 301 00:11:07,958 --> 00:11:11,167 And the example blade is 100% hollow-ground. 302 00:11:11,250 --> 00:11:12,792 - The neat thing about hollow-ground is it lays 303 00:11:12,875 --> 00:11:14,208 the pattern out really nicely. 304 00:11:17,875 --> 00:11:20,167 - My sword has gotten a lot lighter, 305 00:11:20,250 --> 00:11:22,167 and I want to make sure I leave that tang 306 00:11:22,292 --> 00:11:25,250 a little on the heavy side and bring that balance back 307 00:11:25,375 --> 00:11:27,000 a little closer to the handle. 308 00:11:27,083 --> 00:11:28,792 It's gonna be close on time. 309 00:11:28,875 --> 00:11:30,833 I still gotta get this handle on the blade. 310 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:33,417 So I'm using brass in my guard, 311 00:11:33,542 --> 00:11:34,875 pommel, and pommel cap 312 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:36,500 to help counterbalance the weight. 313 00:11:36,625 --> 00:11:38,583 ♪ ♪ 314 00:11:38,708 --> 00:11:40,958 - Those handle parts look really well done. 315 00:11:41,042 --> 00:11:43,167 - I'm concerned about how thick it is, though. 316 00:11:43,250 --> 00:11:45,500 - Right, counterbalancing a heavy blade 317 00:11:45,583 --> 00:11:47,875 with more weight just makes it heavy. 318 00:11:48,875 --> 00:11:51,042 - I've got a lot of my handle work completed. 319 00:11:51,167 --> 00:11:53,625 Now it's time to get this handle glued up. 320 00:11:53,708 --> 00:11:55,583 This little man. [chuckles] 321 00:11:55,708 --> 00:11:56,875 - Bladesmiths, you guys have 322 00:11:57,042 --> 00:11:59,000 60 minutes remaining [laughing] 323 00:11:59,083 --> 00:12:02,167 - So now I need to make an anthropomorphic handle. 324 00:12:02,333 --> 00:12:04,292 - The whole idea of the anthropomorphic 325 00:12:04,375 --> 00:12:08,667 is replicating human shape, not making it exact. 326 00:12:08,750 --> 00:12:10,833 - So I grab the mild steel. 327 00:12:10,917 --> 00:12:13,125 It'll be a lot lighter in the end, rather than brass. 328 00:12:13,708 --> 00:12:14,625 Okay. 329 00:12:14,708 --> 00:12:16,083 ♪ ♪ 330 00:12:16,208 --> 00:12:18,500 After I get these shaped up pretty well 331 00:12:18,583 --> 00:12:20,167 and symmetrical as can be-- 332 00:12:20,292 --> 00:12:22,833 All right. Which way did it go again? 333 00:12:22,917 --> 00:12:25,500 I decided to also carve a little bit of a face 334 00:12:25,625 --> 00:12:26,875 into both sides of my pommel. 335 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:29,167 This face is not necessary at all. 336 00:12:29,292 --> 00:12:31,833 It's just for fun. 337 00:12:31,958 --> 00:12:35,125 My blade looks menacing. It looks terrifyingly sharp. 338 00:12:35,250 --> 00:12:37,042 The grind lines are pretty much perfect. 339 00:12:37,167 --> 00:12:39,667 And then my handle is just a person. 340 00:12:39,750 --> 00:12:41,125 [chuckles] 341 00:12:41,208 --> 00:12:43,417 [laughs] It's kind of great. 342 00:12:43,542 --> 00:12:46,375 - Bladesmiths, you have 15 minutes remaining! 343 00:12:46,500 --> 00:12:47,875 ♪ ♪ 344 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:49,667 - Now the rest of the time I have left 345 00:12:49,833 --> 00:12:52,167 is devoted to sharpening this blade. 346 00:12:52,250 --> 00:12:55,417 I'll take anything else, as long as this blade will cu. 347 00:12:55,542 --> 00:12:56,833 - Better than last time. 348 00:12:56,958 --> 00:12:58,375 - It's good to see that Eric, 349 00:12:58,500 --> 00:13:00,917 in these last few minutes, is still focused on that edge. 350 00:13:01,042 --> 00:13:03,625 Because that is how he lost to Jesse. 351 00:13:03,750 --> 00:13:05,625 - He's doing a great job. 352 00:13:05,750 --> 00:13:06,667 - I couldn't be happier 353 00:13:06,833 --> 00:13:08,125 with the way this blade's turning out. 354 00:13:08,208 --> 00:13:13,333 - Five, four, three, two, one. 355 00:13:13,458 --> 00:13:17,917 Bladesmiths, put down your tools, this round is over! 356 00:13:18,042 --> 00:13:20,708 - I really don't wanna lose twice to the same guy. 357 00:13:20,875 --> 00:13:22,250 I'd still like to be the one 358 00:13:22,375 --> 00:13:24,917 to take him out and end his winning streak, 359 00:13:25,042 --> 00:13:27,667 and I think this blade will do it. 360 00:13:27,792 --> 00:13:30,167 [tense music] 361 00:13:30,292 --> 00:13:33,000 - Bladesmiths, welcome to our strength test. 362 00:13:33,083 --> 00:13:37,167 Today, we have the Roman throne chop. 363 00:13:37,250 --> 00:13:39,833 And since you didn't get a chance to pick 364 00:13:39,958 --> 00:13:41,833 the technique or the weapon, 365 00:13:41,958 --> 00:13:43,708 you get to choose who goes first. 366 00:13:43,833 --> 00:13:44,750 - What? 367 00:13:44,875 --> 00:13:46,667 [laughter] 368 00:13:46,792 --> 00:13:48,208 - I'll take it. 369 00:13:48,333 --> 00:13:50,167 - All right, Eric, you wanna go first? 370 00:13:50,292 --> 00:13:51,667 Let's do it, bud. 371 00:13:51,750 --> 00:13:53,125 ♪ ♪ 372 00:13:53,208 --> 00:13:56,042 - Last time I was here, Jesse ended up 373 00:13:56,167 --> 00:13:57,917 going first in the testing. 374 00:13:58,042 --> 00:14:00,042 And I just figured it was only fair 375 00:14:00,208 --> 00:14:02,958 I would go first this time, so I stepped up. 376 00:14:03,083 --> 00:14:05,042 My biggest concern about that stone chair 377 00:14:05,167 --> 00:14:06,708 is blunting my edge. 378 00:14:06,833 --> 00:14:08,167 There's a real good chance 379 00:14:08,292 --> 00:14:10,792 that I could end up with a dull spot again. 380 00:14:10,917 --> 00:14:14,375 I really don't want that to be the reason I go home twice. 381 00:14:15,875 --> 00:14:16,917 [grunting] 382 00:14:17,042 --> 00:14:20,042 [intense rock music] 383 00:14:20,167 --> 00:14:25,333 ♪ ♪ 384 00:14:25,458 --> 00:14:28,542 [grunting] 385 00:14:28,667 --> 00:14:33,417 ♪ ♪ 386 00:14:33,542 --> 00:14:35,333 - [exhales] 387 00:14:35,458 --> 00:14:39,000 [dramatic music] 388 00:14:39,125 --> 00:14:42,000 - All right, Eric. I gotta say, good job, man. 389 00:14:42,125 --> 00:14:43,167 All right, first of all, 390 00:14:43,292 --> 00:14:45,958 there's no deflection, deformation. 391 00:14:46,083 --> 00:14:48,250 It came out nice. You did a good job. 392 00:14:48,375 --> 00:14:51,167 But if we could etch this thing for like another two hours, 393 00:14:51,333 --> 00:14:53,458 this thing would be amazing looking. 394 00:14:53,542 --> 00:14:55,292 But the one complaint I have 395 00:14:55,375 --> 00:14:57,958 is there is a ton of weight on here. 396 00:14:58,083 --> 00:14:59,833 Controlling that during chops, 397 00:14:59,958 --> 00:15:02,083 it rolled over on me a couple of times. 398 00:15:02,208 --> 00:15:04,167 Other than that, good job. 399 00:15:04,292 --> 00:15:06,167 - Thank you. 400 00:15:06,250 --> 00:15:08,375 - All right, Jesse, you're up. You ready to go? 401 00:15:08,542 --> 00:15:09,917 - Heh, no. [laughter] 402 00:15:10,042 --> 00:15:12,167 - Well, we're gonna do it anyway. 403 00:15:12,292 --> 00:15:13,875 ♪ ♪ 404 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:16,417 - I can tell that the purpose of this chair 405 00:15:16,542 --> 00:15:18,375 is to destroy blades, 406 00:15:18,500 --> 00:15:20,708 especially since I know J. is gonna be swinging the blade. 407 00:15:20,833 --> 00:15:22,250 - [laughs] 408 00:15:22,375 --> 00:15:24,917 - This throne may be the most difficult 409 00:15:25,042 --> 00:15:27,792 strength tests I've had to encounter. 410 00:15:27,875 --> 00:15:29,292 It's been such a long road, 411 00:15:29,375 --> 00:15:31,208 but this could be the beginning of the end. 412 00:15:31,333 --> 00:15:33,208 I may not be here for the next battle. 413 00:15:33,333 --> 00:15:34,583 ♪ ♪ 414 00:15:38,417 --> 00:15:39,333 -[grunting] 415 00:15:39,458 --> 00:15:46,292 ♪ ♪ 416 00:15:49,333 --> 00:15:52,292 [grunting] 417 00:15:56,500 --> 00:15:59,167 ♪ ♪ 418 00:15:59,292 --> 00:16:00,750 -All right, Jesse, nice job. 419 00:16:00,875 --> 00:16:02,708 It's nice and light. 420 00:16:02,875 --> 00:16:04,667 It did a good job on the throne. 421 00:16:04,792 --> 00:16:05,667 The edge is fine. 422 00:16:05,750 --> 00:16:08,083 Everything is still tight and true. 423 00:16:08,208 --> 00:16:10,167 Good job. - Thank you. 424 00:16:12,542 --> 00:16:14,833 - Gladiators of the Forge, this is it. 425 00:16:14,958 --> 00:16:17,542 This is the sharpness test. 426 00:16:17,667 --> 00:16:18,875 I'm gonna take your weapons 427 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:21,083 and try to cut through these ropes. 428 00:16:21,208 --> 00:16:22,750 Eric, you're up first. You ready for this? 429 00:16:22,875 --> 00:16:24,833 - Let's do it, Doug. - Yeah, let's do it. 430 00:16:24,958 --> 00:16:27,917 [dramatic music] 431 00:16:28,042 --> 00:16:35,125 ♪ ♪ 432 00:16:51,583 --> 00:16:54,542 [tense music] 433 00:16:54,667 --> 00:16:57,083 - Damn. - Better. 434 00:16:57,208 --> 00:16:59,083 - All right, Eric, let's talk about your sword here. 435 00:16:59,208 --> 00:17:01,000 You have a sharp edge, 436 00:17:01,167 --> 00:17:03,250 but there is a weight to your weapon 437 00:17:03,375 --> 00:17:05,000 that makes it hard to hold on to. 438 00:17:05,125 --> 00:17:06,792 It did cut most of the ropes. 439 00:17:06,875 --> 00:17:09,083 But overall, it will cut. 440 00:17:10,875 --> 00:17:13,125 Jesse, your turn. You ready? 441 00:17:13,208 --> 00:17:14,792 - Sure. - All right, let's do it. 442 00:17:14,875 --> 00:17:17,958 [tense music] 443 00:17:18,042 --> 00:17:21,667 ♪ ♪ 444 00:17:21,833 --> 00:17:23,958 - [exhales] 445 00:17:24,083 --> 00:17:25,667 ♪ ♪ 446 00:17:25,750 --> 00:17:26,583 [bleep] 447 00:17:26,708 --> 00:17:33,583 ♪ ♪ 448 00:17:46,125 --> 00:17:48,500 ♪ ♪ 449 00:17:48,625 --> 00:17:51,083 - All right, Jesse, let's talk about your weapon here. 450 00:17:51,208 --> 00:17:53,750 First up, your edge cut most of the rope 451 00:17:53,875 --> 00:17:55,583 except for the last one, 452 00:17:55,708 --> 00:17:58,417 but I cut at a different angle, so I'll call that on me. 453 00:18:00,958 --> 00:18:02,667 But it is sharp. What I love about this 454 00:18:02,792 --> 00:18:05,875 is the balance and weight you have on your weapon. 455 00:18:06,042 --> 00:18:07,625 Overall, it will cut. 456 00:18:12,625 --> 00:18:14,000 - Now, guys, both of your blades 457 00:18:14,083 --> 00:18:15,583 performed extremely well during our test, 458 00:18:15,708 --> 00:18:17,583 which makes for a very difficult decision 459 00:18:17,708 --> 00:18:19,000 for our judges. 460 00:18:19,167 --> 00:18:20,167 'Cause now they have to decide which one of you 461 00:18:20,250 --> 00:18:22,250 is taking home that $5,000 check 462 00:18:22,375 --> 00:18:24,042 and the title of Gladiator of the Forge. 463 00:18:24,167 --> 00:18:25,833 So while they discuss, I'm gonna ask you both 464 00:18:25,917 --> 00:18:27,000 please step off The Forge floor. 465 00:18:27,083 --> 00:18:32,000 ♪ ♪ 466 00:18:32,125 --> 00:18:33,333 All right, guys, it's the old 467 00:18:33,500 --> 00:18:34,708 tortoise and the hare story here. 468 00:18:34,875 --> 00:18:36,458 But somebody's gonna cross the finish line first. 469 00:18:36,583 --> 00:18:38,500 J., what do you think about these blades? 470 00:18:38,625 --> 00:18:41,167 - I'm really torn, 'cause they're both beautiful blades. 471 00:18:41,292 --> 00:18:43,583 The issue that I have with Eric's is, 472 00:18:43,708 --> 00:18:45,833 even though it looks closer to our example, 473 00:18:45,958 --> 00:18:47,417 there's so much brass on that, 474 00:18:47,542 --> 00:18:49,250 and it makes that handle so heavy, 475 00:18:49,375 --> 00:18:51,292 and it throws the balance off. 476 00:18:51,375 --> 00:18:53,625 I felt it roll when I was doing the strength test 477 00:18:53,750 --> 00:18:55,000 a couple of times. 478 00:18:55,125 --> 00:18:57,542 I didn't have that issue with Jesse's. 479 00:18:57,667 --> 00:19:00,417 - In my tests, I feel they both cut, 480 00:19:00,542 --> 00:19:03,042 so they're both sharp, except when you pick up Jesse's blade, 481 00:19:03,208 --> 00:19:04,750 it's just got a different feel to it, 482 00:19:04,875 --> 00:19:05,917 because it's much lighter 483 00:19:06,042 --> 00:19:07,583 compared to Eric's heavier sword. 484 00:19:07,708 --> 00:19:10,042 - Okay, but we have to make a decision. 485 00:19:10,167 --> 00:19:11,417 David, you've made yours? - I have, yeah. 486 00:19:11,542 --> 00:19:13,000 - Doug? - Yes, I have. 487 00:19:13,125 --> 00:19:14,250 - J.? - Oh, yeah. 488 00:19:14,375 --> 00:19:15,875 All right, guys, we'll call 'em in. 489 00:19:16,833 --> 00:19:20,083 ♪ ♪ 490 00:19:20,208 --> 00:19:22,625 Gentlemen, in eight hours, 491 00:19:22,750 --> 00:19:24,917 you guys both built some of the most beautiful blades 492 00:19:25,042 --> 00:19:26,625 I've seen here in a very long time. 493 00:19:26,750 --> 00:19:28,167 But only one of you can leave here today 494 00:19:28,292 --> 00:19:29,542 as a Gladiator of the Forge, 495 00:19:29,667 --> 00:19:31,375 getting that check for $5,000. 496 00:19:31,542 --> 00:19:34,375 Jesse, if you win, that's seven total wins 497 00:19:34,500 --> 00:19:36,833 and $45,000 in your pocket. 498 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:38,792 Eric, if you came out on top, 499 00:19:38,917 --> 00:19:40,542 that's your first Gladiator of the Forge win, 500 00:19:40,708 --> 00:19:43,083 in a redemption round, and you'll get a $5,000 check, 501 00:19:43,208 --> 00:19:44,667 and we'll ask if you want to come join us 502 00:19:44,750 --> 00:19:47,042 in the final battle of this competition serie. 503 00:19:47,167 --> 00:19:49,333 Our judges did make a final decision. 504 00:19:49,500 --> 00:19:53,250 Gentlemen, the Gladiator of the Forge today is... 505 00:19:53,375 --> 00:19:56,458 [suspenseful music] 506 00:19:56,583 --> 00:20:00,292 ♪ ♪ 507 00:20:00,375 --> 00:20:01,875 Jesse, congratulations, 508 00:20:02,042 --> 00:20:03,625 you did it again, man. 509 00:20:03,708 --> 00:20:05,833 Eric, it's been an honor to watch you work. 510 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:07,792 But unfortunately, your blade did not make the cut 511 00:20:07,917 --> 00:20:09,042 by the smallest of margins. 512 00:20:09,167 --> 00:20:10,333 And J. is gonna tell you why. 513 00:20:10,417 --> 00:20:12,833 - Eric, you gave Jesse a run for his money 514 00:20:12,917 --> 00:20:14,333 the first time you were here. 515 00:20:14,500 --> 00:20:17,083 And you made it even closer this time. 516 00:20:17,208 --> 00:20:19,167 It basically just came down to weight. 517 00:20:19,292 --> 00:20:21,000 There was so much weight in that handle 518 00:20:21,125 --> 00:20:22,500 that made it harder to control, 519 00:20:22,667 --> 00:20:24,458 and that's the reason we're sending you home. 520 00:20:24,833 --> 00:20:26,250 - I get it. I get it. 521 00:20:26,375 --> 00:20:28,500 At least I made you guys work for it this time. 522 00:20:28,583 --> 00:20:30,375 [laughter] 523 00:20:30,542 --> 00:20:32,083 - Well, Eric, you took a lot of risk. 524 00:20:32,208 --> 00:20:33,542 You gave us an unbelievably beautiful blade. 525 00:20:33,708 --> 00:20:35,083 But unfortunately, at this point, 526 00:20:35,208 --> 00:20:36,167 I'm gonna have to ask you to please 527 00:20:36,292 --> 00:20:37,167 step off The Forge. 528 00:20:37,333 --> 00:20:38,167 - Thank you, guys. 529 00:20:38,333 --> 00:20:39,792 - Great job, Eric. 530 00:20:39,875 --> 00:20:40,958 [applause] - Well done. 531 00:20:41,083 --> 00:20:43,292 - You got a ways to go, man. 532 00:20:43,375 --> 00:20:45,333 I really wanted to take him down this time, 533 00:20:45,458 --> 00:20:48,542 and I gave it my best shot, and just came up 534 00:20:48,667 --> 00:20:50,625 a couple of ounces short. [chuckles] 535 00:20:50,708 --> 00:20:53,333 Being the Viking and Jesse's the gladiator, 536 00:20:53,417 --> 00:20:55,167 it's an epic showdown. 537 00:20:55,250 --> 00:20:59,000 But the gladiator won this time. 538 00:20:59,083 --> 00:21:00,917 - Jesse, that is seven battles 539 00:21:01,042 --> 00:21:02,167 and seven victories. 540 00:21:02,292 --> 00:21:04,250 You just won another check for $5,000. 541 00:21:04,375 --> 00:21:07,000 Well done. [applause] 542 00:21:07,125 --> 00:21:09,125 You now have $45,000 in your pocket, 543 00:21:09,250 --> 00:21:11,125 and you are seven titles in, 544 00:21:11,250 --> 00:21:12,583 with a chance for one more, 545 00:21:12,708 --> 00:21:14,250 if you have enough in you to go back 546 00:21:14,375 --> 00:21:15,792 in The Forge and battle again. 547 00:21:15,875 --> 00:21:17,917 What do you say? - Yeah. 548 00:21:18,042 --> 00:21:19,583 - [laughing] Fantastic. 549 00:21:19,708 --> 00:21:22,333 - I can see the finish line. Why not keep going? 550 00:21:22,458 --> 00:21:24,500 What just happened? I'm somehow 551 00:21:24,625 --> 00:21:26,375 the seven-time Gladiator of the Forge. 552 00:21:26,542 --> 00:21:28,167 - Awesome, man. Well, congratulations again. 553 00:21:28,250 --> 00:21:31,417 We can't wait to see you battle it out in the final battle. 554 00:21:31,542 --> 00:21:33,167 Well done, man. - Thank you. 555 00:21:33,250 --> 00:21:35,833 I keep on saying that this battle is closer 556 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:37,125 than my previous battle. 557 00:21:37,208 --> 00:21:39,083 I can't imagine a scenario 558 00:21:39,208 --> 00:21:41,500 in which it'll be closer for the next battle. 559 00:21:41,625 --> 00:21:43,708 I never expected to be fighting for 560 00:21:43,833 --> 00:21:45,875 the last five grand to 50 grand, 561 00:21:46,042 --> 00:21:48,667 but I'm going to keep my plae on the throne. 562 00:21:48,750 --> 00:21:51,667 [dramatic music] 563 00:21:51,833 --> 00:21:55,375 ♪ ♪ 564 00:21:55,542 --> 00:21:58,167 - Well, Jesse, in the past seven battles, 565 00:21:58,250 --> 00:21:59,875 you have been faced with fierce competitors, 566 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:01,958 and you've knocked them all out of this competition. 567 00:22:02,083 --> 00:22:04,500 And if you win today, you will match the most amount 568 00:22:04,667 --> 00:22:06,958 of money ever earned in "Forged in Fire" history-- 569 00:22:07,042 --> 00:22:10,333 $50,000. 570 00:22:10,500 --> 00:22:11,833 But Jesse, we're not gonna make it easy on you. 571 00:22:11,958 --> 00:22:13,333 - [bleep]. 572 00:22:13,417 --> 00:22:14,500 - Because today, we have decided 573 00:22:14,625 --> 00:22:16,042 to bring back yet another smith 574 00:22:16,167 --> 00:22:17,750 who you've met in this forge. 575 00:22:17,875 --> 00:22:19,458 But this time, your competitor has 576 00:22:19,542 --> 00:22:21,333 two Gladiator of the Forge titles of his own. 577 00:22:21,500 --> 00:22:24,000 - Oh. - Jesse, in order to win today, 578 00:22:24,125 --> 00:22:25,667 you're gonna have to beat this guy: 579 00:22:25,792 --> 00:22:27,958 ♪ ♪ 580 00:22:28,042 --> 00:22:29,333 Kurt. 581 00:22:30,500 --> 00:22:32,500 - My name is Kurt. I'm a two-time 582 00:22:32,583 --> 00:22:33,958 Gladiator of the Forge. 583 00:22:34,083 --> 00:22:36,417 And in the competition that I lost against Jesse, 584 00:22:36,542 --> 00:22:38,333 I ran out of time 585 00:22:38,417 --> 00:22:40,542 with my handle fit and finish. 586 00:22:40,667 --> 00:22:42,000 - Well, Kurt, this decision came down 587 00:22:42,083 --> 00:22:44,167 to the handle, and your handle was less refined 588 00:22:44,292 --> 00:22:46,333 than your opponent. 589 00:22:46,458 --> 00:22:48,292 - Now I get another chance at beating Jesse, 590 00:22:48,375 --> 00:22:49,458 and then he can feel what it's like 591 00:22:49,583 --> 00:22:51,375 to have a loss under his belt. 592 00:22:53,458 --> 00:22:55,000 - Now, Kurt, welcome back to The Forge, bud. 593 00:22:55,083 --> 00:22:56,625 It is great to see you. 594 00:22:56,750 --> 00:22:58,833 Now, last time you were here, you started off 595 00:22:58,917 --> 00:23:00,500 the Gladiator of the Forge competition series 596 00:23:00,583 --> 00:23:02,958 with two victories of your own. 597 00:23:03,042 --> 00:23:05,583 You now have $10,000 in your pocket from those wins, 598 00:23:05,708 --> 00:23:08,208 and you stand a chance at totaling $15,000 599 00:23:08,375 --> 00:23:10,208 if you take home the win today. 600 00:23:10,375 --> 00:23:14,250 - This is my last competition, so I knew that they weren't 601 00:23:14,375 --> 00:23:17,542 gonna go easy on me just because of that. 602 00:23:17,667 --> 00:23:19,708 - This battle will consist of eight hours 603 00:23:19,833 --> 00:23:21,625 of forging competition, where you will build one 604 00:23:21,750 --> 00:23:25,167 of these three blades from our wall of gladiator weapons. 605 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:28,000 - These weapons have been sitting on the wall 606 00:23:28,125 --> 00:23:30,000 for all seven competitions. 607 00:23:30,125 --> 00:23:32,833 They're definitely the three hardest weapons. 608 00:23:32,958 --> 00:23:34,167 Today, you're gonna need to build this. 609 00:23:34,333 --> 00:23:36,625 ♪ ♪ 610 00:23:40,417 --> 00:23:42,000 - There's a small pool of weapons 611 00:23:42,125 --> 00:23:43,000 that can be chosen from. 612 00:23:43,167 --> 00:23:44,542 I hope it's not a dolabra 613 00:23:44,667 --> 00:23:45,708 or the spiked mace. 614 00:23:45,833 --> 00:23:49,250 ♪ ♪ 615 00:23:49,375 --> 00:23:53,125 - The dolabra. 616 00:23:53,208 --> 00:23:54,625 ♪ ♪ 617 00:23:54,750 --> 00:23:55,875 - The dolabra was a versatile weapon, 618 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:57,500 used by the Roman Empire army 619 00:23:57,625 --> 00:23:59,667 in the first century and beyond. 620 00:23:59,750 --> 00:24:01,542 Featuring a massive ax head on one side 621 00:24:01,708 --> 00:24:03,000 and a sharp pick on the other, 622 00:24:03,083 --> 00:24:04,958 the versatile battle-ax doubled as a tool 623 00:24:05,042 --> 00:24:06,542 for soldiers who would need to fell trees 624 00:24:06,708 --> 00:24:08,375 and clear brush. 625 00:24:08,500 --> 00:24:10,250 In the Colosseum, the dolabra's ability 626 00:24:10,375 --> 00:24:13,083 to deliver deadly chops and lethal blows against an enemy 627 00:24:13,208 --> 00:24:15,208 made it a favorite weapon of the gladiators. 628 00:24:16,833 --> 00:24:18,917 - Now guys, the head of your battle-ax 629 00:24:19,042 --> 00:24:21,292 will need to measure between seven and eight inche. 630 00:24:21,375 --> 00:24:23,417 And on the reverse side, you need to have a sharpened, 631 00:24:23,542 --> 00:24:25,500 recurved pick. 632 00:24:25,667 --> 00:24:26,833 Your handle will need to feature 633 00:24:26,917 --> 00:24:28,667 a leather wrap, and the overall height 634 00:24:28,792 --> 00:24:31,583 of this weapon needs to be between 30 and 32 inches. 635 00:24:33,708 --> 00:24:35,375 Now, bladesmiths, as far as technique, 636 00:24:35,500 --> 00:24:36,917 we're gonna to leave that up to you. 637 00:24:37,042 --> 00:24:39,750 In the pantry, we have a massive assortment of steel. 638 00:24:39,875 --> 00:24:41,958 You can do any method you want. 639 00:24:42,042 --> 00:24:44,500 - That's surprising. I'll gladly take it. 640 00:24:44,625 --> 00:24:46,583 I can use this to do something 641 00:24:46,708 --> 00:24:48,417 more complicated than Kurt does, 642 00:24:48,542 --> 00:24:50,208 which gives me the opportunity to earn more points 643 00:24:50,375 --> 00:24:52,083 in front of the judges. 644 00:24:52,208 --> 00:24:54,292 - Bladesmiths, this is it. This is the last battle 645 00:24:54,417 --> 00:24:55,458 in our Colosseum-themed competition, 646 00:24:55,583 --> 00:24:57,292 Gladiator of the Forge. 647 00:24:57,417 --> 00:24:59,958 So good luck. Your time starts now. 648 00:25:00,042 --> 00:25:01,708 ♪ ♪ 649 00:25:01,833 --> 00:25:03,833 This will be a doozy to end 650 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:05,583 the Gladiator of the Forge competitions. 651 00:25:05,708 --> 00:25:07,875 - It's amazing watching these two smiths. 652 00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:10,417 This is basically a redemption for Kurt. 653 00:25:10,542 --> 00:25:13,292 - And for Jesse, it's "How do I stay on top?" 654 00:25:13,375 --> 00:25:14,958 - If he wins this one, 655 00:25:15,042 --> 00:25:17,375 he has eight victories under his belt, 656 00:25:17,542 --> 00:25:20,000 he has 50 grand in his pocket. 657 00:25:20,125 --> 00:25:22,833 - And both competitors have home field advantage. 658 00:25:22,958 --> 00:25:24,500 They know where everything is. 659 00:25:24,583 --> 00:25:26,000 This is their arena. 660 00:25:26,083 --> 00:25:27,875 - Yeah, except the fact that Jesse's got a cot 661 00:25:28,042 --> 00:25:29,958 set up in the back, 'cause he hadn't left in a week. 662 00:25:30,083 --> 00:25:30,958 [laughter] 663 00:25:31,042 --> 00:25:32,375 ♪ ♪ 664 00:25:32,500 --> 00:25:36,000 - This is my last competition, whether I win or lose, 665 00:25:36,125 --> 00:25:38,125 so I'm going big. 666 00:25:38,250 --> 00:25:39,667 - Jesse's got 1095, 667 00:25:39,750 --> 00:25:42,542 15N20 bar stock, as well as a canister. 668 00:25:42,667 --> 00:25:43,833 - He's doing a canister. - Dude, this is 669 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:46,500 gonna be awesome. He's biting off a lot. 670 00:25:46,583 --> 00:25:48,125 ♪ ♪ 671 00:25:48,250 --> 00:25:49,708 - I decided to go with 672 00:25:49,833 --> 00:25:51,833 fishhook canister Damascus San Mai 673 00:25:51,958 --> 00:25:53,833 with random pattern Damascus. 674 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:55,792 That's a lot of things. [laughs] 675 00:25:55,917 --> 00:25:59,583 - Fishhooks are great. I love fishhook Damascus. 676 00:25:59,708 --> 00:26:01,833 - My game plan is to forge out this caniste, 677 00:26:01,958 --> 00:26:03,500 cut the canister billet in half 678 00:26:03,625 --> 00:26:05,000 for the outer jacket, and then forge out 679 00:26:05,167 --> 00:26:06,708 a 20-layer random pattern billet 680 00:26:06,875 --> 00:26:08,792 and have that as a sandwich. 681 00:26:08,875 --> 00:26:10,958 I'm hoping it looks impressive. 682 00:26:11,083 --> 00:26:13,333 - I'm really expecting to see something amazing 683 00:26:13,417 --> 00:26:15,167 coming out of Jesse's forge. 684 00:26:15,292 --> 00:26:17,167 - Go big or go home. 685 00:26:17,250 --> 00:26:19,208 ♪ ♪ 686 00:26:19,333 --> 00:26:21,500 - Jesse's still here, so he's won all of his battles. 687 00:26:21,625 --> 00:26:24,000 So I know that I need to bring my A-game 688 00:26:24,167 --> 00:26:25,083 to beat Jesse. 689 00:26:25,208 --> 00:26:28,208 I'm gonna make 100 layer Damascus San Mai. 690 00:26:28,375 --> 00:26:31,583 I wanna do 20 layers of the 1095 and the 15N2, 691 00:26:31,708 --> 00:26:32,958 draw out the billet, 692 00:26:33,042 --> 00:26:34,750 and then I'll cut it up in to five pieces, 693 00:26:34,875 --> 00:26:35,875 and I'll stack that again. 694 00:26:36,042 --> 00:26:37,417 That'll give me 100 layers. 695 00:26:37,542 --> 00:26:38,750 And then I'll draw that out 696 00:26:38,875 --> 00:26:40,667 and I'll cut it up into two pieces, 697 00:26:40,792 --> 00:26:42,875 and put a 1095 core in the middle. 698 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:45,333 And that'll be the edge of the dolabra. 699 00:26:45,458 --> 00:26:46,667 I really want this. 700 00:26:46,750 --> 00:26:48,333 I want this more than the first time, 701 00:26:48,417 --> 00:26:49,750 'cause now it's redemption. 702 00:26:51,542 --> 00:26:52,833 ♪ ♪ 703 00:26:52,958 --> 00:26:55,000 - So right now, Jesse's got two billets going. 704 00:26:55,125 --> 00:26:58,750 He's got the fishhook canister Damascus and layered stack. 705 00:26:58,875 --> 00:27:02,042 - Having done Damascus during the past seven rounds, 706 00:27:02,208 --> 00:27:03,792 I'm confident enough in my abilities 707 00:27:03,917 --> 00:27:05,875 to make sure these forge welds are good. 708 00:27:06,042 --> 00:27:07,750 - Is that Jesse's can already? 709 00:27:07,875 --> 00:27:10,042 - Yeah. - Jesse's so fast. 710 00:27:10,208 --> 00:27:11,917 - I'd hire him. 711 00:27:12,042 --> 00:27:15,000 - And now he's setting that laminate stack. 712 00:27:15,083 --> 00:27:16,375 - I'm a little bit more tired than usual, 713 00:27:16,542 --> 00:27:17,917 especially after seven rounds. 714 00:27:18,042 --> 00:27:20,292 But I'm definitely not gonna let 715 00:27:20,417 --> 00:27:21,958 being tired throw me off. 716 00:27:22,083 --> 00:27:23,875 Because if I lose this one, 717 00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:26,750 my win record won't be perfect. 718 00:27:26,875 --> 00:27:30,000 - Jesse looks like he's got a good, solid piece of steel. 719 00:27:30,083 --> 00:27:33,083 - After setting these welds, it's time to draw them both out 720 00:27:33,208 --> 00:27:34,375 for my San Mai blade. 721 00:27:34,500 --> 00:27:38,083 ♪ ♪ 722 00:27:38,208 --> 00:27:40,917 - I've spent over an hour prepping and cleaning. 723 00:27:41,042 --> 00:27:44,875 So I need to catch up and get these forge welds set. 724 00:27:45,042 --> 00:27:47,917 - Oh, man, you need to get that billet hotter. 725 00:27:49,750 --> 00:27:51,250 - Oh, [bleep]. 726 00:27:51,375 --> 00:27:54,500 - Oh, broken wide open. 727 00:27:54,625 --> 00:27:57,167 - [groans] My other three competitions, 728 00:27:57,250 --> 00:27:58,792 I never had that problem. 729 00:27:58,917 --> 00:28:01,667 And now that I'm trying to take Jesse down, 730 00:28:01,792 --> 00:28:04,500 out of nowhere, I'm having all these things go wrong. 731 00:28:04,625 --> 00:28:07,417 - Kurt is not being patient with the heat. 732 00:28:07,542 --> 00:28:09,000 - I'm already behind on time, 733 00:28:09,125 --> 00:28:12,458 and I don't know how I'm gonna fix that. 734 00:28:12,542 --> 00:28:14,042 I'm pretty nervous. 735 00:28:14,167 --> 00:28:15,833 ♪ ♪ 736 00:28:19,542 --> 00:28:20,833 This is frustrating. 737 00:28:20,958 --> 00:28:22,708 I can put some more flux on it 738 00:28:22,833 --> 00:28:24,625 and try to get this weld to stick. 739 00:28:24,750 --> 00:28:26,875 But if that fails, I'll have to start over 740 00:28:27,042 --> 00:28:29,667 with a mono steel plate, and I know that's not gona 741 00:28:29,750 --> 00:28:31,000 be enough to beat Jesse. 742 00:28:31,167 --> 00:28:32,750 So I'm just gonna start over right now. 743 00:28:32,875 --> 00:28:34,417 - Smart move. 744 00:28:34,542 --> 00:28:35,958 - Good idea. - Plenty of time. 745 00:28:36,083 --> 00:28:37,167 - Welding. 746 00:28:37,292 --> 00:28:38,958 This time, I go with 16 layers, 747 00:28:39,042 --> 00:28:41,333 because that's four less chances 748 00:28:41,458 --> 00:28:42,583 of a forge weld not taking. 749 00:28:42,708 --> 00:28:44,667 If I cut it up four times, 750 00:28:44,792 --> 00:28:46,625 I'll still have 64 layers total, 751 00:28:46,708 --> 00:28:49,042 with that 1095 core for the San Mai. 752 00:28:49,208 --> 00:28:51,208 I definitely feel like I can catch up, 753 00:28:51,333 --> 00:28:53,208 as long as I don't make any mistakes. 754 00:28:55,958 --> 00:28:57,708 - Bladesmiths, we are two hours into this battle! 755 00:28:57,833 --> 00:29:00,833 You have six hours remaining! 756 00:29:00,958 --> 00:29:02,333 - Once these billets are drawn out to the length 757 00:29:02,458 --> 00:29:05,667 that I want 'em, it's time to set my San Mai. 758 00:29:05,792 --> 00:29:09,125 I'm expecting to drift a hole in this piece. 759 00:29:09,208 --> 00:29:12,708 So I'm setting up my San Mai so that there's already a gap. 760 00:29:12,833 --> 00:29:15,583 It'll give me a lot less probability of punching it 761 00:29:15,708 --> 00:29:17,250 and cracking the seal. 762 00:29:17,375 --> 00:29:19,750 - There are some drawbacks to that process. 763 00:29:19,875 --> 00:29:22,000 As you hammer that eye open, 764 00:29:22,125 --> 00:29:24,542 where that comes together with that centerpiece 765 00:29:24,708 --> 00:29:26,250 it starts to tear. - Okay. 766 00:29:26,375 --> 00:29:28,000 - So if you're going to set it up that way, 767 00:29:28,167 --> 00:29:29,667 a MIG weld all the way around 768 00:29:29,792 --> 00:29:31,833 where the contact's gonna be. 769 00:29:31,958 --> 00:29:34,250 - After I get this entire thing welded, 770 00:29:34,375 --> 00:29:37,583 I'm prepared to begin drawing out my blade. 771 00:29:37,708 --> 00:29:40,708 - Jesse's got his final billet stacked up, and Kurt still has 772 00:29:40,833 --> 00:29:43,667 to get his final working billet. 773 00:29:43,792 --> 00:29:45,083 - All the forge welds took. 774 00:29:45,208 --> 00:29:46,708 So once I get the length that I need, 775 00:29:46,833 --> 00:29:48,833 I can cut it up into four pieces, stack it, 776 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:51,125 and draw it out to get the 64 layers. 777 00:29:51,208 --> 00:29:52,833 Welding! 778 00:29:52,958 --> 00:29:54,958 - Kurt needs to let that heat up 779 00:29:55,083 --> 00:29:57,583 until it is screaming hot. - Yeah. 780 00:29:57,708 --> 00:29:59,250 - If these forge welds don't take, 781 00:29:59,375 --> 00:30:00,958 now I'm really behind. 782 00:30:01,042 --> 00:30:02,958 - Look at the difference in color 783 00:30:03,083 --> 00:30:04,583 from the first forge welds. 784 00:30:04,708 --> 00:30:06,042 That's great! 785 00:30:07,583 --> 00:30:09,000 - Good. 786 00:30:09,875 --> 00:30:11,417 Now that I'm confident that the welds are good, 787 00:30:11,542 --> 00:30:15,000 I can draw it out and then forge weld the San Mai. 788 00:30:15,125 --> 00:30:17,667 - I can see that Jesse's still ahead of me, 789 00:30:17,833 --> 00:30:19,958 but I think I'm slowly catching up. 790 00:30:20,042 --> 00:30:21,708 - Bladesmiths, we are officially 791 00:30:21,875 --> 00:30:23,292 at the halfway mark! 792 00:30:23,417 --> 00:30:24,750 You have four hours left! 793 00:30:24,875 --> 00:30:27,167 ♪ ♪ 794 00:30:27,292 --> 00:30:29,375 - Jesse's been doing great. He's got that hole drifting. 795 00:30:29,500 --> 00:30:32,375 And now he's got a lot of material there. 796 00:30:32,500 --> 00:30:35,708 - A pickaxe is not gonna have the same mass as the ax head. 797 00:30:35,833 --> 00:30:38,583 So I'm going to be offsetting my eye, putting more material 798 00:30:38,708 --> 00:30:40,583 to one side, as compared to the other. 799 00:30:40,708 --> 00:30:42,167 Okay. 800 00:30:42,292 --> 00:30:43,833 After I get the ax head shaped out, 801 00:30:43,917 --> 00:30:45,667 it's time to go on to the pick. 802 00:30:45,792 --> 00:30:47,875 - This is one of the few ax heads you see 803 00:30:48,042 --> 00:30:51,417 where the tail end is actually further out than the head. 804 00:30:51,542 --> 00:30:54,250 So it's gonna be very crucial to see where Jesse pulls 805 00:30:54,375 --> 00:30:56,833 this out, and if he pulls it out properly. 806 00:30:56,958 --> 00:30:59,667 - This is not your traditional pickaxe. 807 00:30:59,750 --> 00:31:01,083 It's a recurved pickaxe. 808 00:31:01,208 --> 00:31:03,333 So I do that with my good old 809 00:31:03,458 --> 00:31:06,000 trusty hand hammer and the anvil horn. 810 00:31:06,167 --> 00:31:08,375 - Jesse's blade is looking badass, 811 00:31:08,542 --> 00:31:12,583 while his competitor is still messing around with that eye. 812 00:31:12,708 --> 00:31:14,792 - This is a fairly thin weapon, 813 00:31:14,917 --> 00:31:18,917 so there's not a whole lot of room for error. 814 00:31:19,042 --> 00:31:21,000 - You don't want that socket to have thin walls. 815 00:31:21,125 --> 00:31:22,708 Think of stretching metal. 816 00:31:22,833 --> 00:31:24,917 Now you built in a weak spot. 817 00:31:25,042 --> 00:31:27,208 - [bleep] hell! 818 00:31:27,333 --> 00:31:29,167 - I'm just wondering if we've got an issue here 819 00:31:29,333 --> 00:31:31,958 with some torn seams or something like that. 820 00:31:32,042 --> 00:31:35,042 - I see that some of the wels around the eye 821 00:31:35,208 --> 00:31:37,625 are splitting, about a quarter of an inc. 822 00:31:37,750 --> 00:31:40,083 I drifted the eye walls too thin, 823 00:31:40,208 --> 00:31:41,667 and there's a crack going right down it. 824 00:31:41,833 --> 00:31:43,333 [sighs] 825 00:31:43,458 --> 00:31:46,167 During testing, it could blow apart completely. 826 00:31:46,292 --> 00:31:48,708 But this is the point where I probably wouldn't 827 00:31:48,833 --> 00:31:50,167 be able to fix it. 828 00:31:50,333 --> 00:31:52,667 So I'm hoping that it's okay. 829 00:31:52,833 --> 00:31:55,417 ♪ ♪ 830 00:31:55,542 --> 00:31:57,375 - Now with the blade pretty much forged and shape, 831 00:31:57,542 --> 00:31:58,333 it's time for the quench. 832 00:31:58,458 --> 00:31:59,750 ♪ ♪ 833 00:31:59,875 --> 00:32:00,917 - There we go, all right. 834 00:32:01,042 --> 00:32:03,667 Jesse has his ax head quenched. 835 00:32:03,750 --> 00:32:05,333 Still has to get that pick done. 836 00:32:05,458 --> 00:32:06,958 ♪ ♪ 837 00:32:07,042 --> 00:32:10,750 Boom, Jesse has a fully quenched blade. 838 00:32:10,875 --> 00:32:12,500 - It's great. It's a little bit heavy, 839 00:32:12,625 --> 00:32:15,833 so I can definitely spend a lot of time on the grinder 840 00:32:15,958 --> 00:32:19,458 and make sure it's as light as it needs to be. 841 00:32:19,583 --> 00:32:20,792 ♪ ♪ 842 00:32:20,875 --> 00:32:22,500 - Guys, I gotta say, I was a little concerned 843 00:32:22,625 --> 00:32:23,833 about Kurt there for a while, 844 00:32:23,958 --> 00:32:26,833 but he is making some crazy progress. 845 00:32:26,958 --> 00:32:28,542 - I just wanna do an edge quench 846 00:32:28,667 --> 00:32:32,375 on the ax head because if there is too much stress 847 00:32:32,500 --> 00:32:34,667 on that cracked weld around the eye, 848 00:32:34,833 --> 00:32:36,875 it could blow the entire weld apart. 849 00:32:37,042 --> 00:32:39,167 I'm hoping that this heat treat goes well. 850 00:32:39,333 --> 00:32:43,833 ♪ ♪ 851 00:32:43,917 --> 00:32:45,958 - All right, guys, we got two bladesmiths 852 00:32:46,042 --> 00:32:48,167 with two fully quenched weapons. 853 00:32:48,250 --> 00:32:49,625 These guys are seriously neck-and-neck. 854 00:32:49,750 --> 00:32:51,750 - Yeah. 855 00:32:51,875 --> 00:32:53,833 ♪ ♪ 856 00:32:53,917 --> 00:32:56,250 - One of the parameters is a leather wrap. 857 00:32:56,375 --> 00:32:58,667 So it's time to give it some flair. 858 00:32:58,833 --> 00:33:00,917 I want it to look like a bloody mess. 859 00:33:01,042 --> 00:33:03,167 - What is Jesse doing? 860 00:33:03,250 --> 00:33:05,542 - He's trying to make it look like it's bloodied up. 861 00:33:05,667 --> 00:33:07,333 - How long does that stuff take to dry? 862 00:33:07,458 --> 00:33:09,625 - Long enough that I'm gonna have red hands. 863 00:33:09,750 --> 00:33:11,583 [laughter] 864 00:33:11,708 --> 00:33:15,583 - This thing looks so menacing, even my hands look bloody. 865 00:33:15,708 --> 00:33:19,917 Last thing I wanna do is put an edge on this thing. 866 00:33:20,042 --> 00:33:22,167 - The last time I lost against Jesse, 867 00:33:22,292 --> 00:33:23,542 it was because of the handle. 868 00:33:23,667 --> 00:33:27,042 So I'm going a little extra on this one. 869 00:33:27,167 --> 00:33:29,167 - Kurt's been spending a lot of time with that handle. 870 00:33:29,292 --> 00:33:32,333 Last challenge, make it beautiful. 871 00:33:32,500 --> 00:33:34,333 - I finally have everything put together, 872 00:33:34,458 --> 00:33:36,792 and I am extremely happy now. 873 00:33:36,917 --> 00:33:40,583 Hopefully my weapon's good enough to beat Jesse. 874 00:33:40,708 --> 00:33:45,125 - Five, four, three, two, one! 875 00:33:45,208 --> 00:33:46,833 Bladesmiths, put down your tools. 876 00:33:46,958 --> 00:33:48,708 This round is over! 877 00:33:48,875 --> 00:33:50,667 - Good job. - [indistinct] 878 00:33:52,792 --> 00:33:56,750 - After eight competitions and 64 hours of forging, 879 00:33:56,875 --> 00:33:58,458 I feel great. 880 00:33:58,542 --> 00:34:02,458 It was me doing what I love on the greatest stage. 881 00:34:02,583 --> 00:34:05,250 ♪ ♪ 882 00:34:05,375 --> 00:34:07,000 - Gladiators of the Forge, 883 00:34:07,125 --> 00:34:09,167 your dolabras look evenly matched. 884 00:34:09,250 --> 00:34:11,125 But it's time to find out what kind of lethal damage 885 00:34:11,208 --> 00:34:12,167 they will do. 886 00:34:12,292 --> 00:34:13,625 This is the KEAL test. 887 00:34:15,875 --> 00:34:17,708 Kurt, you're up first. 888 00:34:17,875 --> 00:34:18,917 You ready for this? - I'm ready. 889 00:34:19,042 --> 00:34:20,583 - All right, let's do this. 890 00:34:20,708 --> 00:34:22,167 ♪ ♪ 891 00:34:22,250 --> 00:34:23,500 - In the last challenge, 892 00:34:23,583 --> 00:34:25,958 I lost with my handle fit and finish. 893 00:34:26,083 --> 00:34:28,375 But I'm confident in the handle, 894 00:34:28,542 --> 00:34:32,208 and I can't wait to see what carnage they draw. 895 00:34:34,292 --> 00:34:37,333 [intense music] 896 00:34:37,458 --> 00:34:44,333 ♪ ♪ 897 00:35:03,375 --> 00:35:04,750 - Damn. [laughs quietly] 898 00:35:06,042 --> 00:35:08,917 [dramatic music] 899 00:35:09,042 --> 00:35:11,792 ♪ ♪ 900 00:35:11,875 --> 00:35:13,708 - All right, Kurt, let's talk about your dolabra here. 901 00:35:13,833 --> 00:35:16,542 First up, it is razor-sharp. 902 00:35:16,708 --> 00:35:18,625 That dummy's gonna have a headache for a long tim. 903 00:35:18,708 --> 00:35:20,625 Now, using this on that ballistics dummy, 904 00:35:20,708 --> 00:35:22,292 it is amazing. 905 00:35:22,375 --> 00:35:25,000 Every thrust with your pick here 906 00:35:25,083 --> 00:35:26,333 penetrated this, 907 00:35:26,458 --> 00:35:28,167 because of the balance you have here allows 908 00:35:28,292 --> 00:35:30,667 for a nice thrust and delivery on that. 909 00:35:30,750 --> 00:35:34,042 But during the test, you lost a section right here. 910 00:35:34,208 --> 00:35:36,542 One of the layers from your blade right here 911 00:35:36,708 --> 00:35:38,083 didn't weld all the way through. 912 00:35:38,208 --> 00:35:40,042 But looking at this, 913 00:35:40,167 --> 00:35:41,583 your core is still solid. 914 00:35:41,708 --> 00:35:44,292 So it's still gonna be a functional and testable blade. 915 00:35:44,375 --> 00:35:47,917 And overall, sir, your dolabra, 916 00:35:48,042 --> 00:35:49,125 it will KEAL. 917 00:35:49,250 --> 00:35:50,667 - Thank you, Doug. 918 00:35:50,833 --> 00:35:52,292 - Jesse, you ready? 919 00:35:53,417 --> 00:35:54,667 All right, let's do this. 920 00:35:55,667 --> 00:35:57,500 ♪ ♪ 921 00:35:57,625 --> 00:35:59,375 - I've never encountered a ballistics dummy 922 00:35:59,500 --> 00:36:00,750 during this competition. 923 00:36:00,875 --> 00:36:03,875 I hope my blade suffers no structural damage, 924 00:36:04,000 --> 00:36:05,583 because it's my last battle, 925 00:36:05,708 --> 00:36:08,292 and it's the last one I have to prove myself in. 926 00:36:08,375 --> 00:36:10,167 I worked so hard for this, 927 00:36:10,333 --> 00:36:12,417 so this win is for all the marbles. 928 00:36:12,542 --> 00:36:15,417 [suspenseful music builds] 929 00:36:19,125 --> 00:36:22,000 [intense music] 930 00:36:22,125 --> 00:36:26,167 ♪ ♪ 931 00:36:45,958 --> 00:36:48,792 - [laughs] 932 00:36:48,875 --> 00:36:51,375 - All right, Jesse, let's talk about your dolabra here. 933 00:36:51,542 --> 00:36:53,875 First up, you have a heavier blade here, 934 00:36:54,042 --> 00:36:57,417 but it serves it very well when you're doing damage like that. 935 00:36:57,542 --> 00:37:00,167 The feel of the weapon really allows it to go deep 936 00:37:00,292 --> 00:37:02,000 into this ballistics dummy. 937 00:37:02,083 --> 00:37:04,292 Overall, sir, your dolabra, 938 00:37:04,375 --> 00:37:05,708 it will KEAL. 939 00:37:05,833 --> 00:37:06,792 - Thank you. 940 00:37:06,875 --> 00:37:09,583 ♪ ♪ 941 00:37:09,708 --> 00:37:11,000 - All right, gentlemen. You know what time it is. 942 00:37:11,167 --> 00:37:12,542 It's time for our strength test-- 943 00:37:12,667 --> 00:37:15,792 the Roman armor and shield chop. 944 00:37:15,875 --> 00:37:17,125 And Kurt, you are up first. 945 00:37:17,208 --> 00:37:18,375 - Oh, destroy it. 946 00:37:18,500 --> 00:37:19,833 - [laughs] I can't wait to. 947 00:37:19,958 --> 00:37:22,958 [intense music] 948 00:37:23,042 --> 00:37:29,917 ♪ ♪ 949 00:37:50,167 --> 00:37:52,000 - That was pretty cool. 950 00:37:52,125 --> 00:37:54,708 ♪ ♪ 951 00:37:54,833 --> 00:37:57,208 - So Kurt, this is a good-looking weapon. 952 00:37:57,375 --> 00:37:59,125 The leather wrap you did and the texturing up 953 00:37:59,208 --> 00:38:02,417 on the handle actually make it quite comfortable to swing. 954 00:38:02,542 --> 00:38:05,167 The issue I have is this delamination. 955 00:38:05,292 --> 00:38:07,042 [clinking] It's come further open. 956 00:38:07,208 --> 00:38:10,667 It didn't affect using it at all, but I do worry that 957 00:38:10,750 --> 00:38:13,542 that that's going to continue to be a problem. 958 00:38:13,667 --> 00:38:15,958 All right, Jesse, you're up. You ready? 959 00:38:16,042 --> 00:38:20,292 - Sure. - [laughs] 960 00:38:20,417 --> 00:38:22,500 - There's always that chance that it breaks. 961 00:38:22,583 --> 00:38:24,583 This is the last test standing between me 962 00:38:24,708 --> 00:38:26,333 and an eight-time Gladiator of the Forge title. 963 00:38:26,458 --> 00:38:27,875 I need to do well on this. 964 00:38:28,042 --> 00:38:30,833 [intense music] 965 00:38:30,958 --> 00:38:37,833 ♪ ♪ 966 00:38:48,750 --> 00:38:50,375 [exhales] 967 00:38:50,500 --> 00:38:52,333 - All right, Jesse. Right off the bat, 968 00:38:52,417 --> 00:38:53,750 great look, it's a good shape. 969 00:38:53,875 --> 00:38:55,750 The pattern came out really nice. 970 00:38:55,875 --> 00:38:58,167 And where it really stands out is right there on the socket, 971 00:38:58,250 --> 00:38:59,167 which is kinda cool. 972 00:38:59,292 --> 00:39:00,583 You still got an edge. 973 00:39:00,708 --> 00:39:02,833 Everything's right and tight. Everything's solid. 974 00:39:02,958 --> 00:39:05,083 All in all, it held up beautifully. 975 00:39:05,208 --> 00:39:06,583 Great job. - Thank you. 976 00:39:08,542 --> 00:39:10,292 - You had fun, didn't you? 977 00:39:10,375 --> 00:39:12,167 Well, Jesse, Kurt, I couldn't have asked 978 00:39:12,292 --> 00:39:14,458 for a better final matchup. 979 00:39:14,583 --> 00:39:16,667 But at the end of the day, only one of you can take hoe 980 00:39:16,792 --> 00:39:19,167 that final title and the last check for $5,000. 981 00:39:19,250 --> 00:39:21,042 But Kurt, that would mean three victories 982 00:39:21,167 --> 00:39:23,500 and $15,000 in your pocket. 983 00:39:23,583 --> 00:39:26,250 Jesse, that could mean $50,000 and eight victories 984 00:39:26,375 --> 00:39:27,292 in a row for you. 985 00:39:27,375 --> 00:39:28,583 You both have impressed us 986 00:39:28,708 --> 00:39:30,375 with your work, but our judges did make 987 00:39:30,500 --> 00:39:33,083 a final decision that they agreed upon. 988 00:39:33,208 --> 00:39:34,542 The Gladiator of the Forge is... 989 00:39:34,667 --> 00:39:37,708 [suspenseful music] 990 00:39:37,833 --> 00:39:40,333 ♪ ♪ 991 00:39:40,417 --> 00:39:43,625 Jesse, you are unstoppable. 992 00:39:43,708 --> 00:39:45,125 Well, Kurt, you should be proud of your work, 993 00:39:45,208 --> 00:39:46,750 but unfortunately, your dolabra did not make the cut, 994 00:39:46,875 --> 00:39:48,542 and Doug's gonna tell you why. 995 00:39:48,708 --> 00:39:50,750 - Kurt, once again, you impressed us. 996 00:39:50,875 --> 00:39:54,250 You gave us a beautiful weapon that was lethal and effective. 997 00:39:54,375 --> 00:39:56,333 But it had some craftsmanship issues. 998 00:39:56,458 --> 00:39:57,833 One of the layers of the Damascus 999 00:39:57,958 --> 00:39:59,333 broke off during our KEAL test, 1000 00:39:59,500 --> 00:40:01,833 and that's the reason you're not winning today. 1001 00:40:01,958 --> 00:40:03,750 - I understand. 1002 00:40:03,875 --> 00:40:05,833 - Well, Kurt, you're not leaving here empty-handed. 1003 00:40:05,958 --> 00:40:07,750 You are still a two-time Gladiator of the Forge. 1004 00:40:07,875 --> 00:40:09,708 You have $10,000 in your pocket. 1005 00:40:09,833 --> 00:40:12,167 But unfortunately, your time in this competition has ended. 1006 00:40:12,292 --> 00:40:13,125 I gonna have to ask you to please 1007 00:40:13,250 --> 00:40:14,500 step off The Forge floor. 1008 00:40:14,583 --> 00:40:15,500 - Thank you, gentlemen. - Thank you, Kurt. 1009 00:40:15,583 --> 00:40:16,750 - Jesse, congrats, man. 1010 00:40:16,875 --> 00:40:19,667 You deserve it. - Thank you. 1011 00:40:19,750 --> 00:40:23,500 - So Jesse took another title, and I don't disagree at all. 1012 00:40:23,625 --> 00:40:26,750 He once again turned in an awesome weapon. 1013 00:40:26,875 --> 00:40:28,167 - Kurt, you did a good job, man. 1014 00:40:28,333 --> 00:40:30,125 - Thank you. - Chin high. 1015 00:40:30,208 --> 00:40:31,417 This has been an absolute blast. 1016 00:40:31,542 --> 00:40:33,167 From the first time I stepped out 1017 00:40:33,292 --> 00:40:34,667 on The Forge floor, 1018 00:40:34,792 --> 00:40:36,667 I knew it was going to be physically exhausting, 1019 00:40:36,792 --> 00:40:38,500 but I loved every second of it. 1020 00:40:38,625 --> 00:40:41,792 And I ended up winning two challenges, so I'm happy. 1021 00:40:43,667 --> 00:40:45,542 - Well, Jesse, I've got one word to describe you, 1022 00:40:45,708 --> 00:40:47,667 and that is "impressive." 1023 00:40:47,792 --> 00:40:50,458 You just won your eighth Gladiator of the Forge title, 1024 00:40:50,542 --> 00:40:53,417 and you have $50,000 to take home with you. 1025 00:40:53,542 --> 00:40:56,125 Congratulations. - Thank you. 1026 00:40:56,208 --> 00:40:59,250 This experience was definitely once-in-a-lifetime. 1027 00:40:59,375 --> 00:41:00,792 I just won 50 grand. 1028 00:41:00,917 --> 00:41:03,250 I'm planning on putting so much of it 1029 00:41:03,375 --> 00:41:04,583 into bladesmithing. 1030 00:41:04,708 --> 00:41:06,167 I already made a spreadsheet 1031 00:41:06,292 --> 00:41:07,708 of all the tools I'm gonna buy. 1032 00:41:07,833 --> 00:41:09,458 I'll finally live the dream, 1033 00:41:09,542 --> 00:41:11,208 as opposed to just dreaming the dream. 1034 00:41:11,333 --> 00:41:16,333 ♪ ♪ 1035 00:41:16,417 --> 00:41:19,458 [epic choir hymn]