1 00:00:05,375 --> 00:00:07,458 [rock music] 2 00:00:07,583 --> 00:00:09,542 - Here in The Forge, Damascus is one of the most 3 00:00:09,708 --> 00:00:11,500 difficult forging techniques. 4 00:00:11,625 --> 00:00:12,333 - [groans] 5 00:00:12,500 --> 00:00:13,958 - Oh, crap. 6 00:00:14,042 --> 00:00:15,708 - Mother[bleep]! 7 00:00:15,833 --> 00:00:17,000 - But it also has a potential 8 00:00:17,125 --> 00:00:18,375 to be the most impressive. 9 00:00:18,542 --> 00:00:20,958 Tonight four smiths must bring their A-game, 10 00:00:21,042 --> 00:00:22,833 because it's time for us to see 11 00:00:22,958 --> 00:00:24,500 who is the best in Damascus. 12 00:00:24,667 --> 00:00:26,667 ♪ ♪ 13 00:00:26,792 --> 00:00:30,417 - [grunting] 14 00:00:30,542 --> 00:00:34,458 ♪ ♪ 15 00:00:34,542 --> 00:00:35,417 - I'm Ryan Searls. 16 00:00:35,542 --> 00:00:37,833 I'm a 20-year-old artist and bladesmith 17 00:00:37,958 --> 00:00:39,625 from Thornton, Colorado. 18 00:00:39,708 --> 00:00:43,042 I've always loved to craft and build things with my hands. 19 00:00:43,167 --> 00:00:45,708 And when I found out I could play with fire 20 00:00:45,875 --> 00:00:47,750 and hammer steel, I mean, 21 00:00:47,875 --> 00:00:49,542 come on, what's not cooler than that? 22 00:00:49,708 --> 00:00:51,417 [chuckles] 23 00:00:51,542 --> 00:00:52,333 ♪ ♪ 24 00:00:52,458 --> 00:00:53,667 - My name is Jason Dingledine. 25 00:00:53,833 --> 00:00:55,333 I am 44 years old. 26 00:00:55,417 --> 00:00:57,250 I'm from Tacoma, Washington. 27 00:00:57,375 --> 00:01:00,167 I've been bladesmithing for about the last 25 years. 28 00:01:00,250 --> 00:01:02,083 I served in the U.S. Army 29 00:01:02,208 --> 00:01:04,000 with 2nd Ranger Battalion Alpha Company 30 00:01:04,083 --> 00:01:06,250 for just over six years. 31 00:01:06,375 --> 00:01:08,500 I've wanted to do this for several years, 32 00:01:08,625 --> 00:01:10,292 and now I'm here. 33 00:01:10,417 --> 00:01:12,000 ♪ ♪ 34 00:01:12,167 --> 00:01:13,625 - My name is Matt Roberts. 35 00:01:13,708 --> 00:01:16,125 I'm 41 years old, and I've been making knivs 36 00:01:16,208 --> 00:01:17,750 for about 20 years now. 37 00:01:17,875 --> 00:01:20,458 I've been practicing law now for about 14 years. 38 00:01:20,583 --> 00:01:24,333 My goal is to win the competition 39 00:01:24,458 --> 00:01:26,583 so I can have the bragging rights 40 00:01:26,708 --> 00:01:30,667 and frankly be insufferable to my friends 41 00:01:30,792 --> 00:01:32,708 more so than I am already. 42 00:01:32,875 --> 00:01:34,000 [chuckles] 43 00:01:34,125 --> 00:01:35,667 - My name is Abram Perry. 44 00:01:35,792 --> 00:01:37,417 I'm 20 years old. 45 00:01:37,542 --> 00:01:39,250 I've been bladesmithing for four years, 46 00:01:39,375 --> 00:01:41,417 and I'm from Salt Lake City, Utah. 47 00:01:41,542 --> 00:01:43,625 In high school, I had a little more free time 48 00:01:43,708 --> 00:01:46,625 than I probably should have, and I was always looking for 49 00:01:46,708 --> 00:01:48,667 the next thing that I could do to impress my friends 50 00:01:48,750 --> 00:01:50,167 and impress girls. 51 00:01:50,333 --> 00:01:52,000 And the more I hit steel, the more I learned. 52 00:01:52,125 --> 00:01:54,750 And it's something I love and something I'm passionate about. 53 00:01:54,875 --> 00:01:57,542 ♪ ♪ 54 00:01:57,708 --> 00:02:00,042 - Well, bladesmiths, welcome to The Forge. 55 00:02:00,167 --> 00:02:01,542 Gentlemen, the four of you have been chosen 56 00:02:01,667 --> 00:02:04,500 to take part in a very unique bladesmithing competition, 57 00:02:04,667 --> 00:02:06,958 which would test your skills against each other 58 00:02:07,042 --> 00:02:09,000 and against our clock. 59 00:02:09,083 --> 00:02:11,000 Now, you will all have your weapons critiqued 60 00:02:11,083 --> 00:02:12,500 by our panel of expert judges, 61 00:02:12,625 --> 00:02:15,125 and they will ultimately decide which one of you be taking home 62 00:02:15,250 --> 00:02:16,833 the title of "Forged in Fire" champion 63 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:19,667 and receiving a check for $10,000. 64 00:02:19,750 --> 00:02:22,083 All right, bladesmiths, let's talk steel. 65 00:02:22,208 --> 00:02:24,625 To make your blades you're going to be using this. 66 00:02:24,750 --> 00:02:29,167 ♪ ♪ 67 00:02:29,333 --> 00:02:32,000 What we have here are bars of pristine high-carbon steel 68 00:02:32,083 --> 00:02:33,250 to make layered Damascus. 69 00:02:33,375 --> 00:02:36,667 We've got 1095, 15N20, 80CrV2, 70 00:02:36,750 --> 00:02:39,125 even throw in a little nickel and copper in there. 71 00:02:39,208 --> 00:02:41,167 And with that we want you to make 72 00:02:41,333 --> 00:02:43,667 a layered Damascus signature blade in whatever technique 73 00:02:43,833 --> 00:02:45,000 that you choose. 74 00:02:45,167 --> 00:02:47,292 But make sure that you are aiming high 75 00:02:47,375 --> 00:02:49,333 and you pick something that will impress the judges 76 00:02:49,417 --> 00:02:50,750 with not only your Damascus pattern 77 00:02:50,875 --> 00:02:54,250 but the overall construction and completion of your blade. 78 00:02:54,375 --> 00:02:57,500 This is a competition we are calling The Best in Damascus. 79 00:02:57,667 --> 00:02:59,458 ♪ ♪ 80 00:02:59,583 --> 00:03:01,542 Now, this is where it gets interesting, guys. 81 00:03:01,708 --> 00:03:03,292 We won't have a three-hour forging round 82 00:03:03,417 --> 00:03:04,833 and a two-hour handle round. 83 00:03:04,917 --> 00:03:08,000 We are lumping them together in a five-straight-hour 84 00:03:08,125 --> 00:03:10,000 bladesmithing competition. 85 00:03:10,083 --> 00:03:11,833 Whichever one of you impresses our judges 86 00:03:11,958 --> 00:03:13,583 the most with your five-hour build, 87 00:03:13,708 --> 00:03:15,208 you will get to skip testing and go 88 00:03:15,375 --> 00:03:17,667 straight into the final round. 89 00:03:17,792 --> 00:03:20,667 But not only that; you will also have the opportunity 90 00:03:20,792 --> 00:03:23,000 to choose what weapon from the "Forged in Fire" vault 91 00:03:23,167 --> 00:03:24,958 you and your competitor will both be 92 00:03:25,042 --> 00:03:26,958 building in the final round. 93 00:03:27,083 --> 00:03:28,667 - This ups the game for sure. 94 00:03:28,750 --> 00:03:30,750 One person goes straight to the finale, 95 00:03:30,875 --> 00:03:33,333 and the other three get to watch J. Neilson 96 00:03:33,417 --> 00:03:35,625 beat their blades on something terrible. 97 00:03:35,708 --> 00:03:38,167 Personally, I'd rather skip it, you know? 98 00:03:38,333 --> 00:03:39,750 - Now, for the remaining three, 99 00:03:39,875 --> 00:03:42,000 you will immediately go into the testing arena 100 00:03:42,083 --> 00:03:44,333 and have your blades checked for strength and sharpnes. 101 00:03:44,417 --> 00:03:46,250 To check functionality and strength 102 00:03:46,375 --> 00:03:48,917 they will be used to chop through a wooden 4x4 103 00:03:49,042 --> 00:03:52,250 and then check edge retention with a playing card slice. 104 00:03:52,375 --> 00:03:53,333 All right, gentlemen, this is your chance 105 00:03:53,458 --> 00:03:54,917 to impress our judges. 106 00:03:55,042 --> 00:03:56,792 You have five hours on the clock to complete this. 107 00:03:56,875 --> 00:03:59,750 And good luck, because that time starts now. 108 00:03:59,875 --> 00:04:01,792 ♪ ♪ 109 00:04:01,875 --> 00:04:04,333 About to find out who impresses you guys the most. 110 00:04:04,458 --> 00:04:07,917 As fans of Damascus, what would you be hoping to see? 111 00:04:08,042 --> 00:04:09,500 - Feather pattern. - Feather. 112 00:04:09,625 --> 00:04:11,667 - I'd love to see a feather. - Ooh. 113 00:04:11,792 --> 00:04:14,500 - I'd probably do a pattern on pattern Go Mai. 114 00:04:14,667 --> 00:04:16,667 - I just want to see some patterns, obviously. 115 00:04:16,792 --> 00:04:18,000 I mean, this is about 116 00:04:18,125 --> 00:04:21,000 the best Damascus that they can present. 117 00:04:21,125 --> 00:04:23,000 - I grabbed my steel and head over to the grinder. 118 00:04:23,125 --> 00:04:26,375 I'm just trying to get this done as fast as possible. 119 00:04:26,500 --> 00:04:30,125 My goal for this competition is to do a five-bar restack. 120 00:04:30,208 --> 00:04:31,625 The middle bar is going to be 121 00:04:31,750 --> 00:04:33,708 ladder pattern Damascus, 40 layers. 122 00:04:33,833 --> 00:04:35,250 And then on each side of that will be 123 00:04:35,375 --> 00:04:38,083 two alternating twisted bars 124 00:04:38,208 --> 00:04:41,500 forged together Turkish-twist style. 125 00:04:41,667 --> 00:04:43,417 - There's a lot of different ways they can use 126 00:04:43,542 --> 00:04:44,667 this material to make their blades pop. 127 00:04:44,750 --> 00:04:47,333 But the key is having a Damascus pattern 128 00:04:47,458 --> 00:04:50,333 that is, one, difficult, and two, beautifully executed. 129 00:04:50,500 --> 00:04:53,583 - At the end of the day if I can knock it out of the park, 130 00:04:53,708 --> 00:04:55,667 I think it's something the judges will really like. 131 00:04:55,792 --> 00:04:58,167 ♪ ♪ 132 00:04:58,333 --> 00:05:01,000 - I do not want to take the easy way out. 133 00:05:01,083 --> 00:05:02,625 I'm going to swing for the fences. 134 00:05:02,750 --> 00:05:07,833 I am alternating layers with 1095, 80CrV2, and 15N20 135 00:05:07,917 --> 00:05:09,333 in a repeating pattern. 136 00:05:09,500 --> 00:05:12,125 And do a higher layer count 137 00:05:12,250 --> 00:05:13,625 ladder pattern along the edge. 138 00:05:13,750 --> 00:05:15,875 - What is the minimum layer count 139 00:05:16,042 --> 00:05:17,333 to see something, minimum? 140 00:05:17,500 --> 00:05:18,667 - To see a pattern, 141 00:05:18,750 --> 00:05:21,500 you've got to be above 150 layers. 142 00:05:21,583 --> 00:05:23,833 I mean, if you're below 150 layers, 143 00:05:23,958 --> 00:05:26,625 it's always going to be, "Oh, that's kind of a ladder. 144 00:05:26,708 --> 00:05:28,500 Oh, that's kind of raindrops." 145 00:05:28,667 --> 00:05:31,208 ♪ ♪ 146 00:05:31,333 --> 00:05:34,000 - Knowing that one person will go straight to the final 147 00:05:34,167 --> 00:05:37,542 if they can impress the judges with the best Damascus, 148 00:05:37,667 --> 00:05:40,583 man, I got to make something crazy. 149 00:05:40,708 --> 00:05:44,542 My thought is to try to make a shark tooth Damascus pattern. 150 00:05:44,667 --> 00:05:46,542 So I run over to the welder. 151 00:05:46,708 --> 00:05:48,958 I stack 20 layers on the first billet. 152 00:05:49,083 --> 00:05:52,458 What I want to do is try to make shark tooth Damascus 153 00:05:52,542 --> 00:05:54,458 by grinding grooves in the steel. 154 00:05:54,583 --> 00:05:57,667 This will create patterns that really kind of pop out. 155 00:05:57,833 --> 00:05:59,208 ♪ ♪ 156 00:05:59,333 --> 00:06:02,167 Whoo! - What is Ryan doing? 157 00:06:02,333 --> 00:06:03,375 - Ryan's having fun. 158 00:06:03,542 --> 00:06:05,833 He's doing a little happy dance. 159 00:06:05,917 --> 00:06:09,667 - I don't feel confident that I can make 160 00:06:09,792 --> 00:06:13,458 a very elaborate pattern in the five hours given to us. 161 00:06:13,542 --> 00:06:17,292 So I'm going to play it a little on the safe side. 162 00:06:17,375 --> 00:06:19,833 But what I'm going to be doing is a ladder pattern. 163 00:06:19,917 --> 00:06:22,292 I'm starting with ten pieces, because 164 00:06:22,417 --> 00:06:24,792 I don't want to be fighting extra material. 165 00:06:24,917 --> 00:06:28,125 I'll also be adding material in 166 00:06:28,250 --> 00:06:30,958 as I cut and stack the pieces. 167 00:06:31,083 --> 00:06:34,250 And it'll make a very bold ladder pattern. 168 00:06:34,375 --> 00:06:36,292 - Ten layers seems like a big risk. 169 00:06:36,417 --> 00:06:37,833 - Yeah. 170 00:06:37,958 --> 00:06:40,625 - I'm looking at all that steel leftover on Matt's table. 171 00:06:40,708 --> 00:06:43,167 If I have the option, I'll start out with as tall 172 00:06:43,250 --> 00:06:44,917 a billet as I can get in my forge. 173 00:06:45,042 --> 00:06:46,625 ♪ ♪ 174 00:06:46,708 --> 00:06:49,750 - After a couple passes through the press, 175 00:06:49,875 --> 00:06:52,625 I'm feeling very confident that these welds are ready to go 176 00:06:52,750 --> 00:06:54,417 and move on to my next step. 177 00:06:54,542 --> 00:06:56,000 - Ryan's got that angle grinder 178 00:06:56,125 --> 00:06:57,583 cutting diamonds into his billet. 179 00:06:57,708 --> 00:06:59,208 So when he draws that out, 180 00:06:59,333 --> 00:07:00,292 what's that pattern going to look like? 181 00:07:00,375 --> 00:07:01,625 - Kind of like a ladder pattern, 182 00:07:01,750 --> 00:07:03,458 where you got that chatoyancy. 183 00:07:03,583 --> 00:07:05,417 But they'll be like this, as opposed. 184 00:07:05,542 --> 00:07:07,250 Just like if you were doing chevrons... 185 00:07:07,375 --> 00:07:08,375 - Yeah, yeah. - All the way up or somethig 186 00:07:08,500 --> 00:07:09,458 similar to that. 187 00:07:09,583 --> 00:07:10,792 [sawblade whirring] 188 00:07:10,917 --> 00:07:12,292 ♪ ♪ 189 00:07:12,375 --> 00:07:13,917 - Looks like Abram's going for the twist. 190 00:07:14,042 --> 00:07:15,458 - Nice. 191 00:07:15,583 --> 00:07:17,000 - I really need this twisting to go well. 192 00:07:17,125 --> 00:07:19,750 If I create cold shuts or shear the billets in half, 193 00:07:19,875 --> 00:07:21,667 I really don't have the time to restart. 194 00:07:21,833 --> 00:07:25,208 - That has been the smoothest we've seen so far 195 00:07:25,333 --> 00:07:28,208 in all our competitions of somebody twisting their billet. 196 00:07:28,333 --> 00:07:29,958 - My first billet's twisted up. 197 00:07:30,042 --> 00:07:31,667 Grab the second one, and this one I'm twisting 198 00:07:31,792 --> 00:07:33,000 in the opposite direction. 199 00:07:33,125 --> 00:07:35,583 That's what's going to give me my Turkish twist. 200 00:07:35,708 --> 00:07:38,167 - By having those counter twists on either side, 201 00:07:38,292 --> 00:07:39,750 he'll have a star pattern. 202 00:07:39,875 --> 00:07:43,250 - If he accomplishes it, that's an impressive buil. 203 00:07:43,375 --> 00:07:45,417 - Yeah, it is, because you're manipulating 204 00:07:45,542 --> 00:07:47,167 the layers in different ways. 205 00:07:47,292 --> 00:07:49,000 And that's what stands out. 206 00:07:49,125 --> 00:07:50,750 - I'm already impressed. 207 00:07:50,875 --> 00:07:53,833 - This is very ambitious from such a young smith. 208 00:07:53,958 --> 00:07:56,375 - This is a bladesmith that has a plan. 209 00:07:56,500 --> 00:07:58,000 This is great. 210 00:07:58,125 --> 00:08:00,167 - Now that I got all four billets twisted up, 211 00:08:00,333 --> 00:08:01,375 everything looks really solid. 212 00:08:01,542 --> 00:08:03,042 Whoo! 213 00:08:03,208 --> 00:08:05,000 Take them to the anvil and re-square them. 214 00:08:05,125 --> 00:08:07,250 ♪ ♪ 215 00:08:07,375 --> 00:08:10,417 - Now that I have the billet welded, I moved to the press 216 00:08:10,542 --> 00:08:13,083 and aggressively move that material 217 00:08:13,208 --> 00:08:16,333 to make sure I get the billet drawn out twice its lengh 218 00:08:16,417 --> 00:08:18,667 so I can fold it back on itself. 219 00:08:18,792 --> 00:08:21,250 Then I'll have a 20-layer count billet. 220 00:08:21,375 --> 00:08:23,750 ♪ ♪ 221 00:08:23,875 --> 00:08:26,000 - I'm not seeing a lot of high-layer counts, 222 00:08:26,125 --> 00:08:29,542 and dramatic patterns come from high layers. 223 00:08:29,667 --> 00:08:32,167 - So now I'm up to 20 layers. 224 00:08:32,333 --> 00:08:35,667 Then I'm going to cut that billet into four equal pieces 225 00:08:35,792 --> 00:08:38,208 and then forge weld that back together, 226 00:08:38,375 --> 00:08:39,958 which will give me 80 layers. 227 00:08:40,083 --> 00:08:42,417 - What kills me with what Matt's doing is 228 00:08:42,542 --> 00:08:45,083 he could have had those layers from the start. 229 00:08:45,208 --> 00:08:46,458 - Yeah. - Quite a few more. 230 00:08:46,583 --> 00:08:48,000 - We gave them probably 40 layers of steel each. 231 00:08:48,167 --> 00:08:49,292 - Yeah. 232 00:08:49,417 --> 00:08:51,542 ♪ ♪ 233 00:08:51,667 --> 00:08:54,000 - Once I'm complete with the initial weld run, 234 00:08:54,125 --> 00:08:57,000 I am trying to draw out the billet and lengthen it 235 00:08:57,125 --> 00:08:59,917 so that I can prep for my next cut and fol. 236 00:09:00,042 --> 00:09:01,958 ♪ ♪ 237 00:09:02,042 --> 00:09:03,167 - Uh-oh. 238 00:09:03,292 --> 00:09:04,625 It looks like he might have a split 239 00:09:04,750 --> 00:09:06,500 at the front of his billet. 240 00:09:06,625 --> 00:09:07,667 - Oh, yeah. - Ooh, yeah, that's a big 241 00:09:07,792 --> 00:09:09,167 split right down the guts. 242 00:09:09,333 --> 00:09:11,125 - [bleep]. 243 00:09:11,208 --> 00:09:12,333 - It doesn't surprise me. 244 00:09:12,458 --> 00:09:13,833 He's working that billet really aggressively 245 00:09:13,958 --> 00:09:15,500 and not at a very high temperature. 246 00:09:15,625 --> 00:09:18,375 - I've eaten up an hour and 15 minutes of my tim. 247 00:09:18,500 --> 00:09:19,958 My billet ended up delaminating 248 00:09:20,083 --> 00:09:21,500 right down the center, which is 249 00:09:21,583 --> 00:09:23,583 the absolute last thing that I want to happen. 250 00:09:23,708 --> 00:09:25,833 And it would be devastating to get sent home 251 00:09:25,958 --> 00:09:27,917 without even getting my blade tested. 252 00:09:28,042 --> 00:09:28,625 ♪ ♪ 253 00:09:32,375 --> 00:09:34,125 - My options at this point are 254 00:09:34,208 --> 00:09:35,375 to abandon this billet 255 00:09:35,542 --> 00:09:36,667 or trying to repair it. 256 00:09:36,792 --> 00:09:38,208 Oh, it's still not welding. 257 00:09:38,333 --> 00:09:39,833 ♪ ♪ 258 00:09:39,958 --> 00:09:42,458 - Uh, guys, Jason has put his billet 259 00:09:42,583 --> 00:09:44,167 down on the ground over here. 260 00:09:44,250 --> 00:09:46,125 - I hope he's restarting. 261 00:09:46,208 --> 00:09:48,167 - At this point, my best option is to start over 262 00:09:48,292 --> 00:09:49,875 with a new billet. 263 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:52,000 With my original plan going sideways, 264 00:09:52,083 --> 00:09:54,625 I do not have time to do the ladder pattern 265 00:09:54,708 --> 00:09:56,042 that I had intended. 266 00:09:56,167 --> 00:09:58,667 I am just moving forward with a lower layer 267 00:09:58,792 --> 00:10:00,458 raindrop pattern. 268 00:10:00,583 --> 00:10:01,875 - With such a low layer count, 269 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:04,875 he's got to make a 12- to 14-inch knife, 270 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:08,042 and there's just not a lot of metal there to work with. 271 00:10:08,208 --> 00:10:11,333 - I had intended to swing for the fences, 272 00:10:11,500 --> 00:10:13,667 and now I am just in recovery mode 273 00:10:13,792 --> 00:10:15,500 trying to move forward and turn in a finished piece. 274 00:10:15,625 --> 00:10:18,333 ♪ ♪ 275 00:10:18,500 --> 00:10:20,417 - Guys, Abram is setting that weld. 276 00:10:20,542 --> 00:10:21,958 - Ooh, all right, this is critical. 277 00:10:22,042 --> 00:10:23,958 He's got a very complex billet going on, 278 00:10:24,042 --> 00:10:27,625 and he's got a really difficult weld to set. 279 00:10:27,708 --> 00:10:29,458 - This weld is absolute make or break. 280 00:10:29,542 --> 00:10:31,042 I don't have enough time left 281 00:10:31,167 --> 00:10:33,000 in this competition to start over, 282 00:10:33,125 --> 00:10:34,708 so this has to work. 283 00:10:34,833 --> 00:10:36,375 If the billet folds over on itself, 284 00:10:36,500 --> 00:10:38,708 it could end up shearing the layers completely apart, 285 00:10:38,875 --> 00:10:40,250 or I could create cold shuts. 286 00:10:40,375 --> 00:10:43,625 And I really can't have that this far into the competition. 287 00:10:43,708 --> 00:10:47,000 - Those welds look like they're holding beautifully. 288 00:10:47,125 --> 00:10:49,208 Nice. 289 00:10:49,375 --> 00:10:50,583 - I think it's solid. 290 00:10:50,708 --> 00:10:52,000 I'm very happy with it. 291 00:10:52,125 --> 00:10:53,875 It's time to really turn this into a blade. 292 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,167 ♪ ♪ 293 00:10:56,250 --> 00:10:57,083 - All right, bladesmiths, 294 00:10:57,208 --> 00:10:58,917 you guys are impressing us so far, 295 00:10:59,042 --> 00:11:02,333 but you only have three hours remaining! 296 00:11:02,417 --> 00:11:04,542 - So once I got this shark tooth Damascus billet 297 00:11:04,667 --> 00:11:05,708 drawn out how I like, 298 00:11:05,833 --> 00:11:07,125 I'm just so excited. 299 00:11:07,208 --> 00:11:09,625 I know I'm going to be able to forge a knife. 300 00:11:09,708 --> 00:11:11,917 Making something in our signature style, 301 00:11:12,042 --> 00:11:13,625 I know exactly what I'm going to go with. 302 00:11:13,708 --> 00:11:16,667 I'm going to do a recurve Bowie. 303 00:11:16,792 --> 00:11:19,083 I mean, this thing will impress the judges. 304 00:11:19,208 --> 00:11:21,792 - It really looks like Ryan is making great progress 305 00:11:21,917 --> 00:11:23,958 forging out a blade. 306 00:11:24,083 --> 00:11:26,125 - Forging goes really smoothly. 307 00:11:26,250 --> 00:11:27,542 It's taking shape, 308 00:11:27,708 --> 00:11:29,042 and I feel really good at where I am. 309 00:11:29,167 --> 00:11:31,917 ♪ ♪ 310 00:11:32,042 --> 00:11:35,750 - Now that I have the final billet welded and drawn out, 311 00:11:35,875 --> 00:11:36,833 I can move on. 312 00:11:36,958 --> 00:11:38,292 I'm going to be making 313 00:11:38,375 --> 00:11:40,833 a spear point Bowie knife. 314 00:11:40,958 --> 00:11:42,833 It's probably going to be what the judges want, 315 00:11:42,958 --> 00:11:44,833 and it's something that I'm confident I can make 316 00:11:44,958 --> 00:11:46,167 in the time allotted. 317 00:11:46,250 --> 00:11:47,583 ♪ ♪ 318 00:11:47,708 --> 00:11:49,500 The Bowie knife I'm making is going to have 319 00:11:49,583 --> 00:11:52,000 a modified ladder pattern. 320 00:11:52,125 --> 00:11:54,042 - Matt has gotten his blade to shape. 321 00:11:54,208 --> 00:11:57,667 It's still very thick, so he's cutting in his ladder pattern. 322 00:11:57,833 --> 00:11:59,458 - Well, it's not really 323 00:11:59,583 --> 00:12:00,750 going to be a ladder pattern. 324 00:12:00,875 --> 00:12:02,000 When you think about it, 325 00:12:02,083 --> 00:12:04,708 you might have ladder on the very top, 326 00:12:04,875 --> 00:12:06,417 but everything else will probably be 327 00:12:06,542 --> 00:12:08,000 ground away and hammered out. 328 00:12:08,083 --> 00:12:10,125 ♪ ♪ 329 00:12:10,250 --> 00:12:14,083 - Bladesmiths, you have two hours remainin! 330 00:12:14,208 --> 00:12:18,042 Matt and Jason need to speed themselves up. 331 00:12:18,167 --> 00:12:20,625 - At this point, I have 20 layers, which is enough 332 00:12:20,708 --> 00:12:23,000 to have some of the pattern show through. 333 00:12:23,125 --> 00:12:25,125 So I'm moving over to the drill press 334 00:12:25,208 --> 00:12:27,000 to create the dimples needed for this pattern. 335 00:12:27,167 --> 00:12:29,125 - Realizing that his competition is doing 336 00:12:29,208 --> 00:12:31,500 some pretty intense billets, Jason decided 337 00:12:31,625 --> 00:12:35,250 to throw some raindrop in there and a 20-layer billet. 338 00:12:35,375 --> 00:12:36,625 - Yeah, not enough. 339 00:12:36,750 --> 00:12:38,542 - That's not going to be very impressive. 340 00:12:38,667 --> 00:12:41,292 ♪ ♪ 341 00:12:41,375 --> 00:12:43,500 - For this blade, I'm going with a dagger-style 342 00:12:43,625 --> 00:12:45,208 with an upswept guard and pommel. 343 00:12:45,375 --> 00:12:47,583 I think the bevels on the dagger grind 344 00:12:47,708 --> 00:12:49,667 will show the pattern off really well, 345 00:12:49,833 --> 00:12:51,000 and I think it'll impress the judges 346 00:12:51,125 --> 00:12:53,000 that I went for the extra grinding 347 00:12:53,125 --> 00:12:54,583 and the extra time there. 348 00:12:54,708 --> 00:12:56,208 - It looks like a dagger. 349 00:12:56,375 --> 00:12:57,500 - That's a small blade. 350 00:12:57,667 --> 00:12:59,167 So hopefully, if he's thinking about 351 00:12:59,250 --> 00:13:02,208 impressing us and going through without being tested, 352 00:13:02,375 --> 00:13:03,833 he's really got to bring out that pattern 353 00:13:03,917 --> 00:13:06,000 and put a good handle. - Oh, yeah. 354 00:13:06,167 --> 00:13:07,875 - The steel is finally starting to look like a blad. 355 00:13:08,042 --> 00:13:09,458 I'm getting it where I need to be. 356 00:13:09,542 --> 00:13:11,333 But I'm not feeling great. 357 00:13:11,417 --> 00:13:13,000 ♪ ♪ 358 00:13:13,083 --> 00:13:14,208 - Abram's starting to show signs of fatigue. 359 00:13:14,333 --> 00:13:16,500 His wrists are cramping up on him. 360 00:13:16,625 --> 00:13:17,708 - I've known that feeling. 361 00:13:17,833 --> 00:13:18,792 ♪ ♪ 362 00:13:18,875 --> 00:13:20,417 - I'm sweating like crazy, 363 00:13:20,542 --> 00:13:23,292 and I can feel myself getting dehydrated. 364 00:13:23,417 --> 00:13:26,000 So I'm trying to drink as much as possible, 365 00:13:26,125 --> 00:13:27,500 but it's not treating me too well. 366 00:13:27,583 --> 00:13:28,708 [groans] 367 00:13:28,833 --> 00:13:30,625 [gagging] 368 00:13:30,708 --> 00:13:32,292 - No way. 369 00:13:32,375 --> 00:13:33,917 - I've seen competitions before where guys 370 00:13:34,042 --> 00:13:35,500 had to get pulled out, 371 00:13:35,583 --> 00:13:36,833 because they got too dehydrated, 372 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:38,208 and I just hope that doesn't happen to me. 373 00:13:38,375 --> 00:13:39,750 I really want to stay in this, 374 00:13:39,875 --> 00:13:40,917 and I want to get something finished. 375 00:13:44,500 --> 00:13:45,917 - Okay, we have some dehydration going on here. 376 00:13:46,042 --> 00:13:47,167 - Well, I don't think it's dehydration. 377 00:13:47,292 --> 00:13:48,208 He's just chugging; he might be overhydrating... 378 00:13:48,375 --> 00:13:49,667 - Oh, okay. - And filled himself up 379 00:13:49,750 --> 00:13:51,000 so much, and then running in circles. 380 00:13:51,125 --> 00:13:52,417 - How are you feeling? - I'm feeling good. 381 00:13:52,542 --> 00:13:54,292 I was a little dehydrated; I've been pounding the water, 382 00:13:54,375 --> 00:13:56,167 and I just pounded it a little too much, so... 383 00:13:56,250 --> 00:13:58,000 I definitely feel better having that over with. 384 00:13:58,125 --> 00:13:59,333 - You got to take little sips or else it's 385 00:13:59,458 --> 00:14:01,833 going to come right back up. - Yeah, that's on me, man. 386 00:14:01,958 --> 00:14:03,125 - Thankfully, a medic came in, 387 00:14:03,208 --> 00:14:04,292 cleared him, and he's good to go. 388 00:14:04,375 --> 00:14:06,833 - All right, let's get back in there. 389 00:14:06,958 --> 00:14:08,875 I'm still not feeling fantastic, 390 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:10,500 but I don't have time to focus on that. 391 00:14:10,625 --> 00:14:13,125 I've got a lot to get done in a very short amount of time. 392 00:14:13,250 --> 00:14:16,167 ♪ ♪ 393 00:14:16,292 --> 00:14:17,708 [dramatic music] 394 00:14:17,833 --> 00:14:19,750 - Getting a good quench is everything. 395 00:14:19,875 --> 00:14:21,708 It's a make or break for the blade. 396 00:14:21,833 --> 00:14:23,208 ♪ ♪ 397 00:14:23,333 --> 00:14:24,333 - And we got a quenched blade from Ryan. 398 00:14:24,458 --> 00:14:26,167 - All right, quenched blade number one. 399 00:14:26,292 --> 00:14:27,667 ♪ ♪ 400 00:14:27,833 --> 00:14:28,792 - I see it's straight. 401 00:14:28,917 --> 00:14:30,792 And oh, my gosh, that is such a relief. 402 00:14:30,875 --> 00:14:33,250 ♪ ♪ 403 00:14:33,375 --> 00:14:36,292 [dramatic music] 404 00:14:36,375 --> 00:14:38,167 ♪ ♪ 405 00:14:38,292 --> 00:14:40,542 - There's two blades that are quenched. 406 00:14:40,708 --> 00:14:41,708 - It's straight. 407 00:14:41,875 --> 00:14:43,083 Everything looks good. 408 00:14:43,208 --> 00:14:45,500 I'm confident things went well. 409 00:14:45,625 --> 00:14:50,333 ♪ ♪ 410 00:14:50,417 --> 00:14:52,625 - All right, Jason got quenched. 411 00:14:52,750 --> 00:14:54,458 Hey, he was pretty far behind. 412 00:14:54,542 --> 00:14:57,958 For him to have the quenched blade is pretty good. 413 00:14:58,042 --> 00:15:00,500 - It has a slight warp in it, 414 00:15:00,625 --> 00:15:03,167 but it looks like I have enough material left on the blade 415 00:15:03,292 --> 00:15:05,125 to grind everything straight. 416 00:15:05,208 --> 00:15:10,667 ♪ ♪ 417 00:15:10,792 --> 00:15:11,833 - Abram's in the oil. 418 00:15:11,958 --> 00:15:13,500 Last man standing. 419 00:15:13,583 --> 00:15:15,958 - I'm ecstatic to have a straight blade. 420 00:15:16,083 --> 00:15:18,125 So it's really time to start focusing on the handle. 421 00:15:19,792 --> 00:15:23,667 - Bladesmiths, you have 1 hour and 30 minutes remaining! 422 00:15:23,833 --> 00:15:24,958 ♪ ♪ 423 00:15:25,083 --> 00:15:26,167 - Ryan's in the acid etch already. 424 00:15:26,333 --> 00:15:27,917 - All righty. 425 00:15:28,042 --> 00:15:30,083 - It's not exactly what I expected. 426 00:15:30,208 --> 00:15:32,000 It does kind of have some cool aspects. 427 00:15:32,083 --> 00:15:33,583 There are a lot of wavy lines and whatnot. 428 00:15:33,708 --> 00:15:35,958 But knowing that the judges are going to e 429 00:15:36,083 --> 00:15:37,958 looking at everything, if I can just 430 00:15:38,083 --> 00:15:39,667 add another component to make it 431 00:15:39,833 --> 00:15:41,083 look more aesthetically pleasing, 432 00:15:41,208 --> 00:15:42,917 that's what I can do. 433 00:15:43,042 --> 00:15:45,625 I decide to put a fuller in the blade 434 00:15:45,708 --> 00:15:49,167 hoping that it's going to pull some of that deeper material 435 00:15:49,292 --> 00:15:51,500 and create some crazy contrast in between the layers. 436 00:15:51,625 --> 00:15:53,000 - That might be a good idea 437 00:15:53,125 --> 00:15:54,792 to get some of those patterns to pop. 438 00:15:54,875 --> 00:15:55,958 - As much as I like that idea, 439 00:15:56,042 --> 00:15:57,708 time is running out quickly. 440 00:15:57,833 --> 00:16:00,208 ♪ ♪ 441 00:16:00,333 --> 00:16:02,000 - The pressure is definitely on. 442 00:16:02,125 --> 00:16:04,000 I need to drill into the handle slabs. 443 00:16:04,083 --> 00:16:05,417 I think if I scramble fast enough 444 00:16:05,542 --> 00:16:07,792 I have just enough time to get this accomplished. 445 00:16:07,875 --> 00:16:10,833 I chose red due to my military background. 446 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:13,333 RED Fridays are Remember Everyone Deployed. 447 00:16:13,458 --> 00:16:15,500 So I chose a red handle for the troops. 448 00:16:15,625 --> 00:16:17,000 ♪ ♪ 449 00:16:17,125 --> 00:16:19,000 Now that the pins in the scales are set in place 450 00:16:19,167 --> 00:16:20,792 that gives me just enough time to get 451 00:16:20,917 --> 00:16:21,958 a comfortable grip ground. 452 00:16:22,042 --> 00:16:25,458 [grinder whirring] 453 00:16:25,583 --> 00:16:27,292 - I was originally going to go for an upswept guard 454 00:16:27,375 --> 00:16:29,083 on both sides, symmetrical, 455 00:16:29,208 --> 00:16:30,667 but I just don't have time to do that. 456 00:16:30,792 --> 00:16:32,333 This S-guard will be 457 00:16:32,417 --> 00:16:33,375 everything that I need it to be 458 00:16:33,542 --> 00:16:36,000 without adding a bunch of extra work. 459 00:16:36,125 --> 00:16:38,167 - Abram's got some kind of weird S-guard. 460 00:16:38,292 --> 00:16:41,042 - It's very thick, and those Ss look small enough 461 00:16:41,167 --> 00:16:42,583 that once you put a handle in it 462 00:16:42,708 --> 00:16:44,125 I don't think you can get a finger between 463 00:16:44,250 --> 00:16:46,167 that curvature and the handle. 464 00:16:46,333 --> 00:16:48,042 And remember, it's not only the Damascus pattern 465 00:16:48,167 --> 00:16:49,125 that's going to impress us. 466 00:16:49,250 --> 00:16:51,167 Impress us with the entire blade. 467 00:16:51,333 --> 00:16:54,000 Impresses with the blade style for the challenge. 468 00:16:54,125 --> 00:16:55,958 Impress us with a guard and a butt cap 469 00:16:56,083 --> 00:16:57,458 that are also Damascus. 470 00:16:57,542 --> 00:16:58,792 A lot of aspects. 471 00:16:58,875 --> 00:17:01,333 - I've got to get the handle shaped up and comfortable, 472 00:17:01,458 --> 00:17:05,417 so if I do go into testing; it's at least somewhat usable. 473 00:17:05,542 --> 00:17:06,542 [sander whirring] 474 00:17:06,667 --> 00:17:07,833 ♪ ♪ 475 00:17:07,917 --> 00:17:09,500 - Matt's blade looks pretty nice. 476 00:17:09,625 --> 00:17:13,083 - Yeah, I'm just worried about the handle connection. 477 00:17:13,208 --> 00:17:15,000 - The handle's giving me a hard time, 478 00:17:15,083 --> 00:17:19,333 and now I'm stuck trying to cram a tang 479 00:17:19,500 --> 00:17:22,792 into a slot that's much smaller than the tang. 480 00:17:22,875 --> 00:17:25,500 So I'm going back and forth between the drill press 481 00:17:25,667 --> 00:17:27,875 trying to rout out as much material as I need, 482 00:17:28,042 --> 00:17:30,875 going back to grinding the tang 483 00:17:31,042 --> 00:17:32,500 trying to make sure I get a tight fit. 484 00:17:32,625 --> 00:17:34,500 But now I'm back in business, 485 00:17:34,667 --> 00:17:37,583 but I'm worried that I've made a number of small mistakes 486 00:17:37,708 --> 00:17:40,542 that have consumed a large quantity of my time. 487 00:17:40,667 --> 00:17:44,833 ♪ ♪ 488 00:17:44,958 --> 00:17:46,125 - The clock is ticking down. 489 00:17:46,250 --> 00:17:47,917 I've got to get this all glued up, 490 00:17:48,042 --> 00:17:50,125 and I have to get this thing sharpened. 491 00:17:50,250 --> 00:17:53,042 It's going to be tight, but I think I can do this. 492 00:17:53,208 --> 00:17:54,500 - He came out of the gate running, 493 00:17:54,667 --> 00:17:56,542 and he has not stopped. 494 00:17:56,708 --> 00:17:59,500 - I glue up this thing, run straight to the grinder. 495 00:17:59,667 --> 00:18:01,750 It's a little bit of a hassle moving around 496 00:18:01,875 --> 00:18:02,875 with all those clamps on there, 497 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:04,542 but I managed to make it work. 498 00:18:04,708 --> 00:18:07,833 Being able to skip testing would be really cool, 499 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:10,083 but getting to pick the finale weapon 500 00:18:10,208 --> 00:18:13,042 would be a huge advantage and be awesome. 501 00:18:13,167 --> 00:18:14,500 But I'm not necessarily expecting 502 00:18:14,667 --> 00:18:16,375 to make it straight to the final, 503 00:18:16,500 --> 00:18:18,875 so I got to make sure this thing is test-ready. 504 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:20,875 ♪ ♪ 505 00:18:21,042 --> 00:18:23,875 [dramatic music] 506 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:26,917 ♪ ♪ 507 00:18:27,042 --> 00:18:31,833 - Five, four, three, two, one! 508 00:18:31,958 --> 00:18:33,042 Bladesmiths, turn off your machines! 509 00:18:33,208 --> 00:18:34,500 Put down your tools! 510 00:18:34,625 --> 00:18:36,958 This round is over! 511 00:18:37,042 --> 00:18:38,500 - This competition was really 512 00:18:38,625 --> 00:18:40,542 all about impressing the judges. 513 00:18:40,667 --> 00:18:41,917 I chose the Damascus pattern that I did 514 00:18:42,042 --> 00:18:43,375 and that Turkish twist, 515 00:18:43,500 --> 00:18:45,083 because I thought I could really show off 516 00:18:45,208 --> 00:18:47,167 what I'm capable of. 517 00:18:47,250 --> 00:18:49,500 And I'm hoping it takes me right past testing. 518 00:18:49,625 --> 00:18:51,125 ♪ ♪ 519 00:18:51,208 --> 00:18:53,500 - All right, guys, so the smiths are off the floor. 520 00:18:53,583 --> 00:18:55,167 Now it's time for you to decide which one 521 00:18:55,292 --> 00:18:56,417 of these blades impresses you the most. 522 00:18:56,542 --> 00:18:58,500 Remember, whoever impresses you the most 523 00:18:58,625 --> 00:19:00,375 gets a ticket straight to the final round of competition 524 00:19:00,542 --> 00:19:01,667 bypassing all the testing. 525 00:19:01,792 --> 00:19:04,375 So, Doug, why don't you start with Ryan's blade? 526 00:19:04,500 --> 00:19:06,208 ♪ ♪ 527 00:19:06,333 --> 00:19:08,083 - First up, it's got a nice shape. 528 00:19:08,208 --> 00:19:11,000 The pattern he's got, you can see the layers. 529 00:19:11,083 --> 00:19:13,667 You can even see it also on the spine. 530 00:19:13,750 --> 00:19:16,250 The handle construction is a little bit on the small sid, 531 00:19:16,375 --> 00:19:18,042 but it is comfortable. 532 00:19:18,208 --> 00:19:20,542 No sharp edges in that, and overall, 533 00:19:20,667 --> 00:19:22,000 it has a good feel to it, and I think 534 00:19:22,167 --> 00:19:24,333 that it would perform nicely. 535 00:19:24,417 --> 00:19:26,208 - All right, so next we're moving on to Jason. 536 00:19:26,375 --> 00:19:29,333 Jason may have had bigger plans for his blade, 537 00:19:29,500 --> 00:19:31,458 but that restart kind of shifted gears 538 00:19:31,583 --> 00:19:33,333 and turned into a survival blade. 539 00:19:33,500 --> 00:19:35,792 - Whatever this ended up turning out to be, 540 00:19:35,875 --> 00:19:37,333 I appreciate all the work. 541 00:19:37,458 --> 00:19:40,125 But if you come into a competition 542 00:19:40,208 --> 00:19:42,917 and we tell you to impress us, 543 00:19:43,042 --> 00:19:44,667 20 layers is not going to do it. 544 00:19:44,750 --> 00:19:47,000 ♪ ♪ 545 00:19:47,125 --> 00:19:48,000 - All right, let's move on. 546 00:19:48,125 --> 00:19:49,542 Now we've got Matt's blade. 547 00:19:49,667 --> 00:19:51,333 ♪ ♪ 548 00:19:51,417 --> 00:19:53,167 - Of the blades we've looked at so far, 549 00:19:53,292 --> 00:19:56,500 that is a really nice blade shape. 550 00:19:56,625 --> 00:20:00,000 So everything from right here forward I really lik. 551 00:20:00,125 --> 00:20:01,458 - All right. - Man, 552 00:20:01,583 --> 00:20:04,458 there is a gap at the shoulders, 553 00:20:04,542 --> 00:20:06,333 and there's one pin here. 554 00:20:06,458 --> 00:20:08,583 This is a recipe for disaster. 555 00:20:08,708 --> 00:20:09,833 - All right. 556 00:20:09,958 --> 00:20:12,042 Moving on to the final blade. 557 00:20:12,167 --> 00:20:14,458 ♪ ♪ 558 00:20:14,583 --> 00:20:18,167 - Abram did a heck of a job with all that Damascus, 559 00:20:18,292 --> 00:20:20,458 but this is--this is light. 560 00:20:20,583 --> 00:20:21,583 Oh, and yeah. 561 00:20:21,708 --> 00:20:22,917 If you move your hand just a little bit 562 00:20:23,042 --> 00:20:24,375 your knuckle's really rubbing on there. 563 00:20:24,500 --> 00:20:27,500 The guard still has very, very sharp corners. 564 00:20:27,625 --> 00:20:28,625 And I think he realized, "Oh. 565 00:20:28,750 --> 00:20:29,875 "I don't have enough time for this. 566 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:31,167 Let me shift gears." 567 00:20:31,292 --> 00:20:32,542 Not a problem with that. 568 00:20:32,667 --> 00:20:35,333 It just didn't end up where he wanted to go. 569 00:20:35,458 --> 00:20:37,167 And that's a shame. 570 00:20:37,292 --> 00:20:39,000 - All right, guys. 571 00:20:39,167 --> 00:20:41,000 Tough decision, but one has to be made. 572 00:20:41,083 --> 00:20:42,375 J., you made your decision? - Yes. 573 00:20:42,542 --> 00:20:43,958 - Dave, how about you? - Yeah. 574 00:20:44,042 --> 00:20:45,333 - Doug? - Yes, I have. 575 00:20:45,417 --> 00:20:47,208 - All right, gentlemen, we'll call them in. 576 00:20:47,375 --> 00:20:48,875 All right, bladesmiths. 577 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:50,042 Well, in the last five hours 578 00:20:50,167 --> 00:20:51,750 of this Best in Damascus competition, 579 00:20:51,875 --> 00:20:53,750 we asked you to build your very best blade 580 00:20:53,875 --> 00:20:56,625 and impress our judges with not only your Damascus pattern 581 00:20:56,708 --> 00:20:59,833 but the overall construction and completion of your blade. 582 00:20:59,958 --> 00:21:02,500 And the bladesmith with the most impressive blade is... 583 00:21:02,625 --> 00:21:05,208 ♪ ♪ 584 00:21:05,333 --> 00:21:06,792 Ryan, congratulations. 585 00:21:06,875 --> 00:21:08,417 You turned in the most impressive blade, 586 00:21:08,542 --> 00:21:10,417 and Doug is going to tell you why. 587 00:21:10,542 --> 00:21:13,708 - Ryan, your blade has the overall best construction, 588 00:21:13,833 --> 00:21:16,000 design, and execution. 589 00:21:16,083 --> 00:21:18,500 Your Damascus pattern shows up well, and it looks goo. 590 00:21:18,667 --> 00:21:21,000 Congratulations. - Thank you. 591 00:21:21,167 --> 00:21:22,333 - Well, Ryan, congratulations. 592 00:21:22,417 --> 00:21:23,792 That means you are bypassing testing 593 00:21:23,917 --> 00:21:26,083 going straight into the final round of this competition. 594 00:21:26,208 --> 00:21:27,292 So head on out. 595 00:21:27,417 --> 00:21:28,500 We will see you in the final round. 596 00:21:28,625 --> 00:21:29,875 ♪ ♪ 597 00:21:30,042 --> 00:21:33,167 - It feels so good just to go straight to the final roud 598 00:21:33,333 --> 00:21:34,542 and not have to deal with my blade 599 00:21:34,708 --> 00:21:36,667 potentially snapping in half. 600 00:21:36,792 --> 00:21:38,208 ♪ ♪ 601 00:21:38,333 --> 00:21:39,708 - Bladesmiths, welcome to our strength test, 602 00:21:39,833 --> 00:21:41,542 our 4x4 post chop. 603 00:21:41,667 --> 00:21:43,042 ♪ ♪ 604 00:21:43,208 --> 00:21:44,333 Now, what I'm going to do is take your 605 00:21:44,458 --> 00:21:46,000 signature Damascus blades and deliver 606 00:21:46,167 --> 00:21:47,875 strikes on these heavy-duty posts. 607 00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:49,250 ♪ ♪ 608 00:21:49,375 --> 00:21:51,167 Jason, you ready? - Full send. 609 00:21:51,292 --> 00:21:53,625 - Let's go. 610 00:21:53,750 --> 00:21:55,708 - I didn't have time to make it quite as elaborate 611 00:21:55,875 --> 00:21:57,417 and as pretty as I'd intended, 612 00:21:57,542 --> 00:22:00,125 but I do think that my blade and my workmanship 613 00:22:00,208 --> 00:22:02,875 will survive through the testing 614 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:06,708 ♪ ♪ 615 00:22:06,833 --> 00:22:10,000 - [grunting] 616 00:22:10,083 --> 00:22:14,125 ♪ ♪ 617 00:22:14,250 --> 00:22:18,708 [grunting] 618 00:22:22,708 --> 00:22:25,333 ♪ ♪ 619 00:22:25,458 --> 00:22:26,792 All right, Jason, nice job. 620 00:22:26,875 --> 00:22:30,208 I do have to say your lines are a little funky. 621 00:22:30,333 --> 00:22:32,292 But everything held together just fine. 622 00:22:32,375 --> 00:22:35,375 No rolling, no chipping, nothing at all. 623 00:22:35,542 --> 00:22:37,000 The biggest problem I have is the handle. 624 00:22:37,125 --> 00:22:38,042 ♪ ♪ 625 00:22:38,208 --> 00:22:40,083 It's not uncomfortable, 626 00:22:40,208 --> 00:22:41,500 but some more flare on the back 627 00:22:41,625 --> 00:22:43,458 would have helped with retention. 628 00:22:43,542 --> 00:22:47,333 But overall, nice job. 629 00:22:47,458 --> 00:22:49,167 - Thank you. 630 00:22:49,292 --> 00:22:50,875 - Matt, you ready to go? - I'm ready. 631 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:52,708 - All right, let's do it. 632 00:22:52,875 --> 00:22:55,667 - I put the handle together in about 20 minutes. 633 00:22:55,750 --> 00:22:58,500 I'm confident that the blade will hold up. 634 00:22:58,583 --> 00:23:02,208 I am not confident the handle will hold up. 635 00:23:02,375 --> 00:23:03,792 Let's see what shakes out. 636 00:23:03,875 --> 00:23:05,333 ♪ ♪ 637 00:23:09,042 --> 00:23:10,708 - [grunting] 638 00:23:10,833 --> 00:23:15,875 ♪ ♪ 639 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:21,958 [grunting] 640 00:23:25,208 --> 00:23:26,333 Good job, Matt. It survived. 641 00:23:26,458 --> 00:23:28,167 - Thanks. - Beautiful blade. 642 00:23:28,333 --> 00:23:30,167 The steel is good. 643 00:23:30,292 --> 00:23:31,958 You've still got a razor edge on here. 644 00:23:32,083 --> 00:23:33,792 No damage at all. 645 00:23:33,917 --> 00:23:34,917 Overall, nice job. 646 00:23:35,042 --> 00:23:37,167 - Thank you. 647 00:23:37,292 --> 00:23:38,417 - All right, Abram, you ready to go? 648 00:23:38,542 --> 00:23:40,542 - I'm not, but let's do it anyways. 649 00:23:40,667 --> 00:23:42,542 All I'm hoping for going into testing 650 00:23:42,708 --> 00:23:44,542 is that my blade stays in one piece, 651 00:23:44,708 --> 00:23:46,875 but I'm definitely nervous. 652 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:49,167 Two smiths are going to get eliminated, one's moving on, 653 00:23:49,292 --> 00:23:52,667 and we'll see what happens. 654 00:23:52,792 --> 00:23:54,167 ♪ ♪ 655 00:23:54,333 --> 00:23:56,958 - [grunting] 656 00:23:57,042 --> 00:23:58,000 Ow. 657 00:23:58,125 --> 00:24:00,000 ♪ ♪ 658 00:24:00,125 --> 00:24:02,000 [grunting] 659 00:24:02,125 --> 00:24:03,792 [exhales sharply] 660 00:24:03,875 --> 00:24:08,792 ♪ ♪ 661 00:24:08,917 --> 00:24:09,958 Augh. 662 00:24:10,083 --> 00:24:13,500 ♪ ♪ 663 00:24:13,625 --> 00:24:15,875 [exhales sharply] It's starting to tear skin. 664 00:24:19,833 --> 00:24:20,875 ♪ ♪ 665 00:24:21,042 --> 00:24:22,167 All right, Abram. 666 00:24:22,292 --> 00:24:24,167 First of all, I want to commend you on all the work 667 00:24:24,292 --> 00:24:25,375 you did with this Damascus pattern. 668 00:24:25,500 --> 00:24:27,667 It came out beautiful. 669 00:24:27,792 --> 00:24:30,167 But the biggest problem I have is the guard and handle. 670 00:24:30,333 --> 00:24:31,833 When I'm swinging away, 671 00:24:31,917 --> 00:24:34,458 my knuckle's banging right into that guard, 672 00:24:34,542 --> 00:24:35,958 because there's not a space right here. 673 00:24:36,042 --> 00:24:37,833 And you can see it's tearing my knuckle open. 674 00:24:37,958 --> 00:24:39,292 ♪ ♪ 675 00:24:39,417 --> 00:24:41,708 So that's why I had to stop. 676 00:24:41,875 --> 00:24:43,125 - Thank you. 677 00:24:43,250 --> 00:24:46,917 ♪ ♪ 678 00:24:47,042 --> 00:24:48,542 - Well, Abram, at the beginning of all this, 679 00:24:48,667 --> 00:24:50,542 I asked you guys to aim high with your Damascus patterns, 680 00:24:50,708 --> 00:24:52,500 and boy, did you ever. 681 00:24:52,583 --> 00:24:54,667 But because of the unfinished nature of your handle, 682 00:24:54,792 --> 00:24:57,208 J. was unable to finish the testing safely. 683 00:24:57,375 --> 00:24:58,708 So unfortunately, at this point in time, 684 00:24:58,875 --> 00:24:59,708 I'm going to have to ask you to please 685 00:24:59,833 --> 00:25:00,708 step off The Forge floor. 686 00:25:00,875 --> 00:25:02,667 - Thank you. 687 00:25:02,792 --> 00:25:04,458 The guard was bent in a little too much, 688 00:25:04,542 --> 00:25:05,542 and it was uncomfortable. 689 00:25:05,667 --> 00:25:07,208 J. wasn't able to finish the test, 690 00:25:07,333 --> 00:25:09,500 and I completely agree with the judges. 691 00:25:09,583 --> 00:25:10,667 Anybody who's thinking of competing, 692 00:25:10,833 --> 00:25:12,750 drink a lot of water before, 693 00:25:12,875 --> 00:25:15,167 and don't drink water too fast while you're here. 694 00:25:15,292 --> 00:25:17,792 ♪ ♪ 695 00:25:17,917 --> 00:25:19,625 - Well, Jason, Matt, guys, congratulations. 696 00:25:19,708 --> 00:25:21,333 You made it through a brutal strike test, 697 00:25:21,417 --> 00:25:23,042 and your blades are in one piece. 698 00:25:23,167 --> 00:25:25,125 But we still have to figure out which one of yu 699 00:25:25,250 --> 00:25:27,417 is joining Ryan in the final round of this competition. 700 00:25:27,542 --> 00:25:28,583 In order to do that, we're going to put them 701 00:25:28,708 --> 00:25:30,000 through a sharpness test. 702 00:25:30,083 --> 00:25:31,292 For that, I'm going to give you to Doug. 703 00:25:31,417 --> 00:25:34,250 ♪ ♪ 704 00:25:34,375 --> 00:25:35,333 - All right, bladesmiths. 705 00:25:35,500 --> 00:25:36,625 This is the sharpness test, 706 00:25:36,750 --> 00:25:38,167 the playing card slice. 707 00:25:38,292 --> 00:25:40,125 ♪ ♪ 708 00:25:40,208 --> 00:25:41,333 Matt, you're going first. 709 00:25:41,458 --> 00:25:43,458 - I'm ready. - Let's do this. 710 00:25:43,583 --> 00:25:50,625 ♪ ♪ 711 00:25:55,458 --> 00:25:56,667 - That's sharp. - Yeah. 712 00:25:56,792 --> 00:25:58,625 - Wicked sharp. - [chuckles] 713 00:25:58,750 --> 00:26:00,125 - All right, Matt. 714 00:26:00,250 --> 00:26:01,125 It cut very well. 715 00:26:01,250 --> 00:26:02,958 You have a nice, sharp edge. 716 00:26:03,083 --> 00:26:05,750 Your handle construction, it's got a nice flare. 717 00:26:05,875 --> 00:26:07,458 There's good retention when I hold on to it. 718 00:26:07,542 --> 00:26:09,333 Overall, sir, it will cut. 719 00:26:09,500 --> 00:26:11,250 - Thank you very much. 720 00:26:11,375 --> 00:26:12,375 - Jason, your turn, sir. You ready? 721 00:26:12,500 --> 00:26:14,125 - Rock and roll. 722 00:26:14,208 --> 00:26:21,083 ♪ ♪ 723 00:26:25,292 --> 00:26:27,625 - All right, Jason, let's talk about your weapon here. 724 00:26:27,750 --> 00:26:30,500 Your edge, it does meander a little bi. 725 00:26:30,625 --> 00:26:31,667 Where here's a little wave in there 726 00:26:31,833 --> 00:26:33,042 when you're looking at that. 727 00:26:33,167 --> 00:26:36,625 But during the test it cut all the way through. 728 00:26:36,708 --> 00:26:39,333 Overall, your weapon, sir, it will cut. 729 00:26:39,500 --> 00:26:41,083 - Thank you. 730 00:26:41,208 --> 00:26:43,625 ♪ ♪ 731 00:26:43,750 --> 00:26:44,667 - All right, gentlemen, you both ran through 732 00:26:44,792 --> 00:26:46,458 the tests with flying colors. 733 00:26:46,542 --> 00:26:47,625 But as you know, only one of you can 734 00:26:47,750 --> 00:26:49,458 join us in the final round of this competition 735 00:26:49,542 --> 00:26:50,708 and go up against Ryan. 736 00:26:50,833 --> 00:26:53,042 The bladesmith leaving The Forge is.. 737 00:26:53,167 --> 00:26:56,833 ♪ ♪ 738 00:26:56,958 --> 00:26:58,500 Jason. 739 00:26:58,583 --> 00:26:59,583 Unfortunately, your blade didn't make the cut, 740 00:26:59,708 --> 00:27:01,833 and Dave Baker is going to tell you why. 741 00:27:01,958 --> 00:27:03,792 - Jason, both you and your competitors' blades 742 00:27:03,875 --> 00:27:06,375 did great in our tests, so it came back to design. 743 00:27:06,500 --> 00:27:08,875 And your unfinished lines on your blade, 744 00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:11,333 that low-layer count pattern that just doesn't pop out, 745 00:27:11,500 --> 00:27:12,875 and your handle construction, 746 00:27:13,042 --> 00:27:15,333 those things added up to send you home. 747 00:27:15,417 --> 00:27:18,125 - Well, Jason, honestly, you have a ton to be proud of. 748 00:27:18,208 --> 00:27:20,083 But unfortunately, your time in this competition has ended. 749 00:27:20,208 --> 00:27:20,917 I'm gonna have to ask you 750 00:27:21,042 --> 00:27:22,333 to please step off The Forge floor. 751 00:27:22,458 --> 00:27:23,500 - Thank you, everyone. I had a blast. 752 00:27:23,625 --> 00:27:25,125 - Thank you, Jason. - Thank you. 753 00:27:25,208 --> 00:27:26,917 - I was not surprised at all when I heard Grady 754 00:27:27,042 --> 00:27:28,333 call my name for being eliminated. 755 00:27:28,458 --> 00:27:31,833 The best piece actually won, and I'm very happy for Matt. 756 00:27:32,000 --> 00:27:34,000 The adventure of being in this competition 757 00:27:34,125 --> 00:27:36,083 has been everything I expected it to be. 758 00:27:36,208 --> 00:27:37,083 Good luck, Ryan. 759 00:27:37,208 --> 00:27:38,458 Good luck, Matt. 760 00:27:38,583 --> 00:27:39,417 Knock 'em dead. 761 00:27:39,542 --> 00:27:41,833 ♪ ♪ 762 00:27:41,958 --> 00:27:43,375 - Well, Ryan, Matt, gentlemen, congratulations. 763 00:27:43,500 --> 00:27:46,458 The two of you have made it past the first forging round 764 00:27:46,583 --> 00:27:48,667 in our Best in Damascus competition. 765 00:27:48,750 --> 00:27:50,042 Which means that the two of you are going back 766 00:27:50,167 --> 00:27:51,458 to battle it out from your home forges 767 00:27:51,583 --> 00:27:52,833 for four days. 768 00:27:52,917 --> 00:27:54,625 Now, Ryan, because you impressed the judges most 769 00:27:54,708 --> 00:27:56,000 in the first round with your blade, 770 00:27:56,083 --> 00:27:58,375 you get the choice of one of these three blades 771 00:27:58,500 --> 00:28:00,000 to build against your competitor here. 772 00:28:00,083 --> 00:28:02,000 Now, we've got the hook sword... 773 00:28:02,125 --> 00:28:03,167 ♪ ♪ 774 00:28:03,333 --> 00:28:04,167 The kilij... 775 00:28:04,292 --> 00:28:05,625 ♪ ♪ 776 00:28:05,708 --> 00:28:07,208 And finally, the panabas. 777 00:28:07,375 --> 00:28:09,458 What are you thinking? 778 00:28:09,542 --> 00:28:11,125 - [exhales] 779 00:28:11,250 --> 00:28:14,167 I for sure do not want to put a crazy hook 780 00:28:14,250 --> 00:28:16,542 into my blade whatsoever. 781 00:28:16,708 --> 00:28:18,792 But I also don't want to go basic. 782 00:28:18,875 --> 00:28:20,333 Let's go with the kilij. 783 00:28:20,500 --> 00:28:21,917 -The kilij, all right. 784 00:28:22,042 --> 00:28:24,833 ♪ ♪ 785 00:28:24,958 --> 00:28:26,500 - The kilij traces its origins 786 00:28:26,583 --> 00:28:28,750 back to the 15th-century Ottoman Empire. 787 00:28:28,875 --> 00:28:31,625 This lightweight, sharp, curved blade was specifically 788 00:28:31,708 --> 00:28:34,000 designed to be wielded single-handedly 789 00:28:34,125 --> 00:28:36,250 making it ideal for warriors on horseback 790 00:28:36,375 --> 00:28:39,250 to deliver deadly slashes upon enemy attackers. 791 00:28:39,375 --> 00:28:40,708 This formidable weapon was previously 792 00:28:40,833 --> 00:28:42,833 featured on season five of "Forged in Fire," 793 00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:44,625 where both smiths overcame complications 794 00:28:44,708 --> 00:28:46,167 with the length of the blade 795 00:28:46,250 --> 00:28:47,667 and the ornate langet. 796 00:28:47,750 --> 00:28:49,250 But ultimately an extreme bend 797 00:28:49,375 --> 00:28:50,708 taken during the strength test 798 00:28:50,875 --> 00:28:53,250 cost one smith the competition. 799 00:28:53,375 --> 00:28:55,000 - Your blade length measured from tip 800 00:28:55,083 --> 00:28:56,833 to where the cutting edge ends in a straight line 801 00:28:56,917 --> 00:28:59,250 needs to be between 28 and 30 inches. 802 00:28:59,375 --> 00:29:00,958 Now, down to the hilt. 803 00:29:01,083 --> 00:29:03,125 You need to have at least seven inches of cross guard 804 00:29:03,208 --> 00:29:05,583 and a forward-facing and rear-facing langet 805 00:29:05,708 --> 00:29:08,000 on both sides of that guard. 806 00:29:08,167 --> 00:29:09,833 Now, one more parameter, gentlemen. 807 00:29:09,917 --> 00:29:12,458 Because this is the Best in Damascus competition, 808 00:29:12,542 --> 00:29:13,708 you both have to turn in blades 809 00:29:13,833 --> 00:29:15,292 that are made from Damascus billets. 810 00:29:15,375 --> 00:29:18,000 So impress the judges again with your final builds. 811 00:29:18,083 --> 00:29:20,583 - It is absolutely going to be a pain 812 00:29:20,708 --> 00:29:22,833 making that much Damascus. 813 00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:24,917 Bragging rights are now overrated. 814 00:29:25,042 --> 00:29:27,375 Everything I said earlier can go out the window. 815 00:29:27,542 --> 00:29:28,625 - Good luck. 816 00:29:28,750 --> 00:29:29,917 We will see you in four days. 817 00:29:30,042 --> 00:29:31,667 - Good luck. - Hey, good luck, man. 818 00:29:31,792 --> 00:29:33,667 ♪ ♪ 819 00:29:33,792 --> 00:29:35,625 - We're back home in Thornton, Colorado. 820 00:29:35,708 --> 00:29:37,167 I'm ready to get started. 821 00:29:37,250 --> 00:29:38,708 ♪ ♪ 822 00:29:38,833 --> 00:29:41,625 I want to shoot for a braided mosaic Damascus. 823 00:29:41,708 --> 00:29:43,083 [flames hissing] 824 00:29:43,208 --> 00:29:44,458 Whoo! 825 00:29:44,542 --> 00:29:48,125 I'm going to stack up a billet of about 28 layers, 826 00:29:48,208 --> 00:29:51,500 forge it out, chop it into tiles, and I'm able to create 827 00:29:51,625 --> 00:29:53,292 a braided mosaic. 828 00:29:53,417 --> 00:29:56,125 It's going to be a lot of welding, a lot of cleanu. 829 00:29:56,250 --> 00:29:59,917 But in the end it should be worth it, I hope. 830 00:30:00,042 --> 00:30:01,292 And it'd be something really cool. 831 00:30:01,417 --> 00:30:03,833 ♪ ♪ 832 00:30:03,958 --> 00:30:06,000 - It's great to be back home in Blacksburg 833 00:30:06,083 --> 00:30:07,667 in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. 834 00:30:07,833 --> 00:30:09,125 ♪ ♪ 835 00:30:09,250 --> 00:30:12,000 Today I'm shooting for a 200-layer billet. 836 00:30:12,125 --> 00:30:15,000 My goal is to have that billet finished by this evening. 837 00:30:15,125 --> 00:30:18,667 I'm forging a coarse ladder pattern in this blade. 838 00:30:18,792 --> 00:30:21,667 The hardest part of this build is going to be 839 00:30:21,833 --> 00:30:24,667 forging the Damascus and making sure 840 00:30:24,833 --> 00:30:26,750 I have a very solid billet. 841 00:30:26,875 --> 00:30:28,292 I know this piece is 842 00:30:28,417 --> 00:30:31,000 going to be subjected to some pretty extreme testing. 843 00:30:31,125 --> 00:30:33,167 All right, well, I'm pretty happy with that. 844 00:30:33,333 --> 00:30:34,208 ♪ ♪ 845 00:30:34,375 --> 00:30:35,958 - It's the beginning of day two. 846 00:30:36,042 --> 00:30:37,958 I got this sword forged out to where I want it to be, 847 00:30:38,042 --> 00:30:40,500 and I'm ready to go for the heat treat. 848 00:30:40,625 --> 00:30:41,958 All righty. 849 00:30:42,042 --> 00:30:43,333 I got to nail this heat treat. 850 00:30:43,417 --> 00:30:46,208 Otherwise, if I don't get this blade hard, 851 00:30:46,375 --> 00:30:50,083 it's not going to perform well, and I could be out on this. 852 00:30:50,208 --> 00:30:51,333 ♪ ♪ 853 00:30:55,083 --> 00:30:56,208 Oh, yeah, we got warp. [bleep]. 854 00:30:56,375 --> 00:30:58,000 There's was a slight warp to the right, 855 00:30:58,125 --> 00:30:59,500 so I know I've got to put it 856 00:30:59,625 --> 00:31:01,375 between two 2x4s and clamp it up. 857 00:31:01,500 --> 00:31:02,708 Otherwise, if I can't get that warp out now, 858 00:31:02,833 --> 00:31:04,833 it's going to bite me in the butt later. 859 00:31:05,000 --> 00:31:07,500 Whoo, that's pretty straight. 860 00:31:07,625 --> 00:31:09,000 ♪ ♪ 861 00:31:09,167 --> 00:31:10,375 - So it's the morning of day three. 862 00:31:10,500 --> 00:31:14,042 Goal for today is to get the sword blade hardened. 863 00:31:14,208 --> 00:31:17,500 This far into the process, if the blade fails, 864 00:31:17,625 --> 00:31:21,000 making another blade in the time remaining 865 00:31:21,083 --> 00:31:23,375 is frankly impossible. 866 00:31:23,500 --> 00:31:29,250 ♪ ♪ 867 00:31:29,375 --> 00:31:30,750 Yeah. 868 00:31:30,875 --> 00:31:32,333 We're good. 869 00:31:32,458 --> 00:31:33,667 ♪ ♪ 870 00:31:33,792 --> 00:31:36,625 - Day four, I want to fit the langets 871 00:31:36,708 --> 00:31:38,333 and handle together. 872 00:31:38,458 --> 00:31:39,917 It has to be inlaid 873 00:31:40,042 --> 00:31:42,958 just so I can get a very tight and nice fit up. 874 00:31:43,083 --> 00:31:45,333 With only four days to build a kilij, 875 00:31:45,417 --> 00:31:47,708 I threw a lot into this build, like trying to attempt to do 876 00:31:47,875 --> 00:31:49,208 a cool mosaic. 877 00:31:49,375 --> 00:31:51,958 So it's time to get the blade into the acid 878 00:31:52,042 --> 00:31:53,500 and see this pattern pop. 879 00:31:53,583 --> 00:31:55,333 All right, moment of truth. 880 00:31:55,500 --> 00:31:56,958 Whoo, look at that! 881 00:31:57,083 --> 00:31:59,333 Whoo-hoo, yeah! 882 00:31:59,500 --> 00:32:01,292 Man, that pattern pops. 883 00:32:01,417 --> 00:32:02,500 I'm so happy. 884 00:32:02,625 --> 00:32:03,750 It looks so cool. 885 00:32:03,875 --> 00:32:05,208 So now all I need to do 886 00:32:05,333 --> 00:32:07,333 is glue this entire thing together. 887 00:32:07,458 --> 00:32:08,625 We've got a kilij. 888 00:32:08,750 --> 00:32:09,833 I brought my A-game. 889 00:32:09,958 --> 00:32:11,000 Can't wait to see what Matt does. 890 00:32:11,083 --> 00:32:13,917 And can't wait to hopefully get that 10K. 891 00:32:14,042 --> 00:32:15,708 There we go. 892 00:32:15,833 --> 00:32:16,917 ♪ ♪ 893 00:32:17,042 --> 00:32:19,250 - Day four. I need to fit the guard 894 00:32:19,375 --> 00:32:22,292 and finalize shaping the handle. 895 00:32:22,375 --> 00:32:25,167 I want to have more mass in the handle. 896 00:32:25,250 --> 00:32:28,042 I also want to be able to have a bigger, 897 00:32:28,167 --> 00:32:30,083 more contoured handle that will be 898 00:32:30,208 --> 00:32:32,250 more comfortable to the user. 899 00:32:32,375 --> 00:32:34,000 I have the handle rough-shaped. 900 00:32:34,125 --> 00:32:36,667 There's probably only about 30 minutes left 901 00:32:36,792 --> 00:32:38,167 to have a completed handle. 902 00:32:38,333 --> 00:32:40,167 Oh. 903 00:32:40,250 --> 00:32:42,042 There's some gapping between 904 00:32:42,208 --> 00:32:45,958 the handle and the guard. 905 00:32:46,083 --> 00:32:48,000 Try to fill these the best I can. 906 00:32:48,125 --> 00:32:49,625 I don't think any of the flaws are going 907 00:32:49,708 --> 00:32:51,167 to affect its functionality. 908 00:32:51,250 --> 00:32:53,417 They're just cosmetic, and they're ugly. 909 00:32:53,542 --> 00:32:55,833 I've got the handle done. 910 00:32:55,958 --> 00:32:57,792 And that doesn't look half bad. 911 00:32:57,875 --> 00:33:00,625 I think overall it came out okay. 912 00:33:00,708 --> 00:33:02,667 I'll be looking forward to seeing the sword used. 913 00:33:02,833 --> 00:33:05,167 I think that'll be fun. 914 00:33:05,292 --> 00:33:11,167 ♪ ♪ 915 00:33:11,250 --> 00:33:12,250 - Well, Ryan, Matt, gentlemen, 916 00:33:12,375 --> 00:33:14,167 welcome back to The Forge, guys. 917 00:33:14,292 --> 00:33:16,583 So we gave you four days at your home forges 918 00:33:16,708 --> 00:33:18,708 to put together your very best versions of a kilij. 919 00:33:18,875 --> 00:33:20,167 Before we go into testing, 920 00:33:20,250 --> 00:33:21,083 I want to hear about these blades. 921 00:33:21,208 --> 00:33:22,750 So, Ryan, how'd it go for you? 922 00:33:22,875 --> 00:33:24,833 - It went really well. 923 00:33:24,958 --> 00:33:27,792 I did a braided mosaic of 1095 15N20 924 00:33:27,875 --> 00:33:31,708 cladded onto a core of 80CrV2 Damascus cross guard 925 00:33:31,833 --> 00:33:33,167 with bronze langets, 926 00:33:33,292 --> 00:33:36,125 a framed handle with box elder burl wood. 927 00:33:36,250 --> 00:33:38,583 - It looks absolutely stunning. 928 00:33:38,708 --> 00:33:39,958 Matt, tell us about yours. 929 00:33:40,042 --> 00:33:41,458 ♪ ♪ 930 00:33:41,583 --> 00:33:43,167 - I forged to the blade from 235 layers 931 00:33:43,292 --> 00:33:45,792 of 80CrV2 and 15N20. 932 00:33:45,917 --> 00:33:48,125 The handle is vintage Canvas Micarta. 933 00:33:48,250 --> 00:33:49,500 - All right, gentlemen. 934 00:33:49,625 --> 00:33:52,208 Well, both of your blades look absolutely astounding. 935 00:33:52,333 --> 00:33:54,000 But we've got to find out if they're strong, 936 00:33:54,125 --> 00:33:55,500 if they're sharp, and if they're deadly. 937 00:33:55,667 --> 00:33:57,958 To start things off, we've got a dynamic KEAL test with Doug. 938 00:33:58,042 --> 00:34:01,167 ♪ ♪ 939 00:34:01,292 --> 00:34:04,542 - Bladesmiths, welcome to our dynamic KEAL test. 940 00:34:04,667 --> 00:34:05,958 ♪ ♪ 941 00:34:06,042 --> 00:34:07,167 Ryan, you're up first; you ready for this? 942 00:34:07,292 --> 00:34:09,042 - [exhales] Let's--let's do it. 943 00:34:09,167 --> 00:34:10,667 - All right, let's do it. 944 00:34:10,792 --> 00:34:11,792 ♪ ♪ 945 00:34:11,875 --> 00:34:13,167 - I built it to look good. 946 00:34:13,292 --> 00:34:14,708 Hopefully it can-- 947 00:34:14,833 --> 00:34:17,083 it can test good. [chuckles] 948 00:34:17,208 --> 00:34:19,125 There is a pig sitting right there. 949 00:34:19,250 --> 00:34:21,333 Like, I'm hoping to chop that thing right in half. 950 00:34:21,417 --> 00:34:28,292 ♪ ♪ 951 00:34:57,000 --> 00:34:59,583 - All right, Ryan, let's talk about your kilij sword here. 952 00:34:59,708 --> 00:35:02,250 First up, I appreciate the beauty of 953 00:35:02,375 --> 00:35:03,917 the Damascus pattern you have there. 954 00:35:04,042 --> 00:35:05,500 Also, what I like about this 955 00:35:05,667 --> 00:35:08,750 is that it's got that classic kilij look, 956 00:35:08,875 --> 00:35:12,167 where you got parallel lines, and it slowly curve up. 957 00:35:12,333 --> 00:35:16,125 That's what we like with a historical piece like this. 958 00:35:16,250 --> 00:35:17,750 Now, your handle construction. 959 00:35:17,875 --> 00:35:18,792 Everything is smooth. 960 00:35:18,917 --> 00:35:20,667 No sharp corners on that. 961 00:35:20,833 --> 00:35:23,000 Your edge is sharp. 962 00:35:23,125 --> 00:35:24,542 It almost cut through all the way 963 00:35:24,667 --> 00:35:27,250 on the pig carcass and the tatami mats. 964 00:35:27,375 --> 00:35:30,500 Overall, your weapon, it will KEAL. 965 00:35:30,583 --> 00:35:32,125 - Awesome. 966 00:35:32,208 --> 00:35:33,417 Matt, your turn; you ready? 967 00:35:33,542 --> 00:35:35,667 - I'm ready. - All right, let's do this. 968 00:35:35,750 --> 00:35:37,042 ♪ ♪ 969 00:35:37,167 --> 00:35:39,125 - The first thing that I see is a big pig. 970 00:35:39,208 --> 00:35:40,917 I mean, there's a lot of impact when Doug is taking 971 00:35:41,042 --> 00:35:43,042 a full swing at the target. 972 00:35:43,208 --> 00:35:45,042 It's very possible that there will be a bend. 973 00:35:45,167 --> 00:35:52,250 ♪ ♪ 974 00:36:15,833 --> 00:36:18,375 - All right, Matt, let's talk about your kilij. 975 00:36:18,500 --> 00:36:22,125 It's not quite the historic accurate kilij, 976 00:36:22,208 --> 00:36:23,208 because you don't have those parallel lines. 977 00:36:23,375 --> 00:36:26,667 It immediately goes down into a curve. 978 00:36:26,792 --> 00:36:28,667 Your handle construction 979 00:36:28,792 --> 00:36:31,250 is also not the typical kilij look, 980 00:36:31,375 --> 00:36:34,167 but your edge is razor-sharp. 981 00:36:34,292 --> 00:36:37,167 You've got a very nice balance to wield this weapon, 982 00:36:37,292 --> 00:36:40,333 and overall your kilij will KEAL. 983 00:36:40,458 --> 00:36:42,500 - Thank you very much. 984 00:36:42,625 --> 00:36:45,500 ♪ ♪ 985 00:36:45,625 --> 00:36:48,042 - Bladesmiths, welcome to our dynamic 986 00:36:48,208 --> 00:36:49,708 strength and cutting test. 987 00:36:49,833 --> 00:36:51,167 ♪ ♪ 988 00:36:51,292 --> 00:36:53,167 I'm going to attempt to cut through these vines 989 00:36:53,333 --> 00:36:55,750 and smash these skulls. 990 00:36:55,875 --> 00:36:57,083 I'm not going to go easy. 991 00:36:57,208 --> 00:36:58,500 I'm going to have fun with these. 992 00:36:58,625 --> 00:37:00,250 And, Ryan, you're up first; you ready to go? 993 00:37:00,375 --> 00:37:02,833 - Let's break some skulls. - Let's do it. 994 00:37:02,958 --> 00:37:03,917 ♪ ♪ 995 00:37:04,042 --> 00:37:05,250 - That's tough bone. 996 00:37:05,375 --> 00:37:07,250 I just don't want my blade to snap in half. 997 00:37:07,375 --> 00:37:11,750 Knowing J. has a reputation of doing that, here we go. 998 00:37:11,875 --> 00:37:13,958 ♪ ♪ 999 00:37:17,875 --> 00:37:19,875 ♪ ♪ 1000 00:37:20,042 --> 00:37:21,167 [bleep]. 1001 00:37:21,250 --> 00:37:25,792 ♪ ♪ 1002 00:37:25,917 --> 00:37:28,125 - [grunts] 1003 00:37:28,208 --> 00:37:30,667 ♪ ♪ 1004 00:37:30,750 --> 00:37:31,875 [grunts] 1005 00:37:32,000 --> 00:37:37,083 ♪ ♪ 1006 00:37:37,208 --> 00:37:38,458 - Nice job, Ryan. - [exhales] 1007 00:37:38,542 --> 00:37:41,000 - Your edge is still very, very sharp. 1008 00:37:41,125 --> 00:37:42,833 - Sweet. - No glinting or anything. 1009 00:37:42,917 --> 00:37:47,833 Cut beautifully and overall tested very well. 1010 00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:50,208 Good job. - Awesome, thank you. 1011 00:37:50,333 --> 00:37:51,667 - All right, Matt. 1012 00:37:51,750 --> 00:37:53,458 It's always more fun for the second guy, right? 1013 00:37:53,542 --> 00:37:54,500 - I'm ready. - Well, I'm ready too. 1014 00:37:54,667 --> 00:37:55,667 Let's go. 1015 00:37:55,750 --> 00:38:02,625 ♪ ♪ 1016 00:38:05,208 --> 00:38:07,833 [grunting] 1017 00:38:07,958 --> 00:38:09,042 [bones clattering] 1018 00:38:09,167 --> 00:38:12,500 ♪ ♪ 1019 00:38:12,625 --> 00:38:14,042 [grunts] 1020 00:38:14,167 --> 00:38:21,250 ♪ ♪ 1021 00:38:22,375 --> 00:38:23,583 All right, Matt, nice job. 1022 00:38:23,708 --> 00:38:25,000 - Thank you. - I like the blade. 1023 00:38:25,083 --> 00:38:26,167 I like the weight. 1024 00:38:26,333 --> 00:38:27,667 The Damascus came out beautifully. 1025 00:38:27,833 --> 00:38:31,250 You have the slightest bits of glinting. 1026 00:38:31,375 --> 00:38:32,625 I mean, it's very minimal. 1027 00:38:32,708 --> 00:38:35,250 Your handle, a little unorthodox. 1028 00:38:35,375 --> 00:38:38,208 And right in this area, 1029 00:38:38,333 --> 00:38:40,167 I wish it had rounded off a little bit more... 1030 00:38:40,292 --> 00:38:41,500 - Right. - Because it's a little bit 1031 00:38:41,625 --> 00:38:44,000 sharp right where my thumb sits on this part. 1032 00:38:44,125 --> 00:38:46,542 But nothing is loose. 1033 00:38:46,667 --> 00:38:47,458 Nice job. 1034 00:38:47,542 --> 00:38:49,000 - Thank you very much. 1035 00:38:49,083 --> 00:38:50,208 ♪ ♪ 1036 00:38:50,333 --> 00:38:51,792 - This is close, huh? 1037 00:38:51,875 --> 00:38:53,625 ♪ ♪ 1038 00:38:53,708 --> 00:38:55,500 All right, gentlemen, outstanding work. 1039 00:38:55,625 --> 00:38:57,500 But the time has come for the judges to decide 1040 00:38:57,625 --> 00:38:59,292 which one of you has earned the title 1041 00:38:59,417 --> 00:39:00,375 of "Forged in Fire" champion and is going to be 1042 00:39:00,500 --> 00:39:02,000 getting that check for $10,000. 1043 00:39:02,083 --> 00:39:03,458 So while they discuss, I'm going to ask that you both 1044 00:39:03,583 --> 00:39:04,708 please step off The Forge floor. 1045 00:39:04,833 --> 00:39:11,708 ♪ ♪ 1046 00:39:13,708 --> 00:39:14,792 All right, guys, we got two great blades 1047 00:39:14,917 --> 00:39:15,625 but only one winner. 1048 00:39:15,708 --> 00:39:16,833 You have a decision to make. 1049 00:39:16,917 --> 00:39:17,875 J., what are you thinking? 1050 00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:18,833 - Overall fit and finish, 1051 00:39:18,958 --> 00:39:20,583 I think I'd have to give that to Ryan. 1052 00:39:20,708 --> 00:39:23,167 Everything flows smoothly; it looks traditional. 1053 00:39:23,292 --> 00:39:25,125 It's got the correct kick in the blade 1054 00:39:25,208 --> 00:39:28,333 as opposed to a symmetrical arc in it. 1055 00:39:28,500 --> 00:39:29,833 When we go over to Matt's blade, 1056 00:39:29,958 --> 00:39:32,625 it did get a little bit of glinting on the edge. 1057 00:39:32,708 --> 00:39:35,708 And that handle and guard setup are really on the rougher side. 1058 00:39:35,833 --> 00:39:36,667 - All right. 1059 00:39:36,750 --> 00:39:38,250 Doug, what are you thinking? 1060 00:39:38,375 --> 00:39:40,375 - When it comes to Ryan, all the way through, I mean, 1061 00:39:40,500 --> 00:39:42,250 it's just very well done. 1062 00:39:42,375 --> 00:39:45,208 - Mm-hmm. - When I look at Matt's blade, 1063 00:39:45,333 --> 00:39:47,458 that guard and handle 1064 00:39:47,542 --> 00:39:50,042 isn't the classic kilij that I would be expecting. 1065 00:39:50,208 --> 00:39:51,458 - Good. Fair enough. 1066 00:39:51,542 --> 00:39:52,667 All right, gentlemen, well, it sounds like 1067 00:39:52,792 --> 00:39:54,125 we got pros and cons to both these blades, 1068 00:39:54,250 --> 00:39:55,625 but you guys do have a decision to make. 1069 00:39:55,708 --> 00:39:57,125 Dave, you've made yours? - I have. 1070 00:39:57,250 --> 00:39:58,458 - And Doug? - Yes, I have. 1071 00:39:58,542 --> 00:39:59,667 - How about you, J.? - Oh, yeah. 1072 00:39:59,833 --> 00:40:01,708 - All right, guys, I'll call them in. 1073 00:40:01,833 --> 00:40:05,833 ♪ ♪ 1074 00:40:05,917 --> 00:40:07,542 Well, gentlemen, you gave us two swords 1075 00:40:07,708 --> 00:40:09,833 that performed outstanding in our tests. 1076 00:40:10,000 --> 00:40:11,500 But at the end of the day only one of you 1077 00:40:11,583 --> 00:40:13,000 can leave here as a "Forged in Fire" champion 1078 00:40:13,083 --> 00:40:14,833 getting a check for $10,000. 1079 00:40:14,958 --> 00:40:18,667 After a discussion our judges did make a final decision. 1080 00:40:18,792 --> 00:40:20,292 Today's "Forged in Fire" champion is... 1081 00:40:20,375 --> 00:40:24,458 ♪ ♪ 1082 00:40:24,542 --> 00:40:25,917 Ryan, congratulations. 1083 00:40:26,042 --> 00:40:28,125 Matt, you missed out by just a little bit, 1084 00:40:28,250 --> 00:40:29,792 and J. is going to tell you why. 1085 00:40:29,917 --> 00:40:32,250 - Matt, you brought us a great sword and a great performer. 1086 00:40:32,375 --> 00:40:33,792 You should be very proud of what you did. 1087 00:40:33,875 --> 00:40:36,167 But you did have a little bit of glinting on the skulls 1088 00:40:36,250 --> 00:40:37,542 during the strength test. 1089 00:40:37,708 --> 00:40:39,625 And the handle, it's got some hot spots, 1090 00:40:39,708 --> 00:40:41,333 and I could feel them when I'm swinging it. 1091 00:40:41,458 --> 00:40:43,500 Big thing, though, is the historical accuracy. 1092 00:40:43,583 --> 00:40:45,458 What you brought us is a little bit off 1093 00:40:45,542 --> 00:40:46,708 from the traditional kilij, 1094 00:40:46,875 --> 00:40:47,833 and that's why we're sending you home. 1095 00:40:47,958 --> 00:40:49,000 - I understand. 1096 00:40:49,125 --> 00:40:50,708 - Well, Matt, you brought us a beautiful blade 1097 00:40:50,875 --> 00:40:52,167 that did perform extremely well. 1098 00:40:52,333 --> 00:40:54,042 But unfortunately your time in this competition has ended. 1099 00:40:54,167 --> 00:40:55,125 I'm going have to ask you 1100 00:40:55,208 --> 00:40:56,250 to please step off The Forge floor. 1101 00:40:56,375 --> 00:40:57,333 - Congratulations, man. 1102 00:40:57,417 --> 00:40:59,250 Great job. - Thanks, man. 1103 00:40:59,375 --> 00:41:01,125 - I agree with the judges completely. 1104 00:41:01,208 --> 00:41:02,958 Ryan knocked it out of the park. 1105 00:41:03,042 --> 00:41:05,500 One thing I didn't consider that the judges did bring up 1106 00:41:05,625 --> 00:41:07,375 was that it was more of a modern 1107 00:41:07,500 --> 00:41:09,583 interpretation of the kilij. 1108 00:41:09,708 --> 00:41:11,625 And yeah, I agree with that too. 1109 00:41:11,750 --> 00:41:13,417 And the whole thing, it was fun. 1110 00:41:13,542 --> 00:41:15,667 It was exciting; it was challenging. 1111 00:41:15,792 --> 00:41:17,167 It was everything I was looking for. 1112 00:41:17,292 --> 00:41:19,167 ♪ ♪ 1113 00:41:19,250 --> 00:41:20,667 - Well, Ryan, congratulations. 1114 00:41:20,750 --> 00:41:22,333 That makes you a "Forged in Fire" champion. 1115 00:41:22,458 --> 00:41:24,250 You'll be receiving a check for $10,000, man. 1116 00:41:24,375 --> 00:41:25,250 Congratulations. 1117 00:41:25,375 --> 00:41:26,375 - Thank you. 1118 00:41:26,542 --> 00:41:28,458 [applause] 1119 00:41:28,583 --> 00:41:30,167 "Forged in Fire" champion? 1120 00:41:30,292 --> 00:41:31,292 What? 1121 00:41:31,417 --> 00:41:32,917 Oh, man, it feels good. 1122 00:41:33,042 --> 00:41:35,875 I mean, Matt was a insane competitor. 1123 00:41:36,000 --> 00:41:37,917 It feels good to make it through all the tests. 1124 00:41:38,042 --> 00:41:41,833 And 10 grand, hey, that's just a plus to me. 1125 00:41:41,917 --> 00:41:46,417 ♪ ♪ 1126 00:41:46,542 --> 00:41:47,875 [metal clangs]