1 00:00:02,042 --> 00:00:05,208 [dramatic music] 2 00:00:05,208 --> 00:00:08,167 ♪ 3 00:00:08,250 --> 00:00:10,083 - Over the years, we've seen hundreds of smiths 4 00:00:10,208 --> 00:00:12,000 walk through our doors to compete for a chance 5 00:00:12,083 --> 00:00:14,375 at becoming a "Forged in Fire" champion. 6 00:00:14,458 --> 00:00:16,167 - Oh, yeah! 7 00:00:16,167 --> 00:00:19,500 - But now, for the first time, we're going to them. 8 00:00:19,542 --> 00:00:23,917 ♪ 9 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:25,583 We're scouring the bladesmithing hotbeds 10 00:00:25,583 --> 00:00:27,792 of America, looking for the country's best shops 11 00:00:27,792 --> 00:00:29,750 and their top smiths. 12 00:00:29,833 --> 00:00:31,875 Just like how barbecue is different in Saint Louis 13 00:00:31,958 --> 00:00:33,500 than it is in Texas, 14 00:00:33,542 --> 00:00:35,833 blacksmiths have unique styles and techniques that originate 15 00:00:35,958 --> 00:00:39,500 from the shop they call home. 16 00:00:39,542 --> 00:00:41,375 Each week, one of our judges will travel to one 17 00:00:41,375 --> 00:00:44,250 of the nation's top forges to put their local style 18 00:00:44,333 --> 00:00:47,167 to the test and handpick their top bladesmith 19 00:00:47,292 --> 00:00:50,042 to come back to our home forge. 20 00:00:50,042 --> 00:00:51,667 Each forge's champion will battle 21 00:00:51,750 --> 00:00:53,417 for $20,000 for themselves 22 00:00:53,417 --> 00:00:57,125 and $10,000 of forging equipment for their shop. 23 00:00:57,208 --> 00:00:58,667 - It's anyone's game. 24 00:00:58,750 --> 00:01:02,667 - This is "Forged in Fire: On the Road." 25 00:01:02,708 --> 00:01:07,125 ♪ 26 00:01:07,208 --> 00:01:09,292 Today, we've traveled halfway across the country 27 00:01:09,375 --> 00:01:12,375 with ABS Master Smith J. Neilson. 28 00:01:12,375 --> 00:01:15,333 - America's home to some of the world's top bladesmiths, 29 00:01:15,375 --> 00:01:17,667 and the forge I chose is where thousands 30 00:01:17,667 --> 00:01:18,833 have gotten their start. 31 00:01:18,917 --> 00:01:20,375 We're heading to the world-renowned 32 00:01:20,375 --> 00:01:21,833 Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, 33 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:25,042 located in Texarkana, Texas. 34 00:01:25,125 --> 00:01:26,583 Home of the oldest bladesmithing school 35 00:01:26,667 --> 00:01:28,917 in the world, Bill Moran is a legend. 36 00:01:28,917 --> 00:01:30,458 He not only founded the school 37 00:01:30,458 --> 00:01:32,708 and the American Bladesmith Society, 38 00:01:32,833 --> 00:01:36,167 but he also revived the lost art of Damascus. 39 00:01:36,167 --> 00:01:38,458 And today, smiths from beginners to ABS Master Smiths 40 00:01:38,542 --> 00:01:41,750 travel near and far to learn, refine their skills, 41 00:01:41,833 --> 00:01:43,958 and teach others the craft. 42 00:01:44,042 --> 00:01:46,625 Now three of their top smiths will compete 43 00:01:46,708 --> 00:01:49,708 to represent this shop and me for their chance 44 00:01:49,708 --> 00:01:52,542 at becoming a "Forged in Fire" champion. 45 00:01:52,625 --> 00:01:53,958 ♪ 46 00:01:53,958 --> 00:01:55,708 - My name is Chris Julian. 47 00:01:55,708 --> 00:01:56,667 I'm 31 years old. 48 00:01:56,792 --> 00:01:59,583 I've been making knives for about seven years. 49 00:01:59,667 --> 00:02:01,625 I'm really excited about coming here and representing 50 00:02:01,625 --> 00:02:03,667 the Bill Moran forge on this competition 51 00:02:03,708 --> 00:02:06,708 and showing y'all what we do out here. 52 00:02:06,833 --> 00:02:08,500 It's gonna be a great time. 53 00:02:09,625 --> 00:02:12,083 - My name is Jaymes Stevens. I'm 37. 54 00:02:12,167 --> 00:02:14,333 The Bill Moran School is the place to go 55 00:02:14,417 --> 00:02:17,542 to really learn how to hone your craft. 56 00:02:17,625 --> 00:02:19,833 So it is kind of surreal feeling 57 00:02:19,917 --> 00:02:22,833 to come back to the school that I learned so much from, 58 00:02:22,875 --> 00:02:25,708 and to be able to come back and represent the school 59 00:02:25,708 --> 00:02:26,708 feels really good. 60 00:02:26,792 --> 00:02:28,167 ♪ 61 00:02:28,292 --> 00:02:30,708 - I'm Jake Anstaett. I'm 21 years old, 62 00:02:30,708 --> 00:02:32,500 and I have six years' experience. 63 00:02:32,583 --> 00:02:34,375 Knives, hot metal, and a hammer-- 64 00:02:34,458 --> 00:02:36,250 that's just my passion, man. 65 00:02:36,375 --> 00:02:38,667 I'm really stoked they gave me the opportunity 66 00:02:38,750 --> 00:02:40,125 to come out here. 67 00:02:40,125 --> 00:02:41,792 This place was here pre-internet, 68 00:02:41,792 --> 00:02:43,375 so this was the only 69 00:02:43,458 --> 00:02:46,125 true bladesmithing school taught by masters. 70 00:02:46,208 --> 00:02:48,583 It's a privilege and an honor to be here. 71 00:02:48,708 --> 00:02:51,333 ♪ 72 00:02:51,375 --> 00:02:54,125 - Well, bladesmiths, welcome to the competition, guys. 73 00:02:54,208 --> 00:02:55,958 We are thrilled to be here with you in Texarkana 74 00:02:56,042 --> 00:02:57,833 at the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing. 75 00:02:57,875 --> 00:02:59,333 Today, we're being hosted 76 00:02:59,375 --> 00:03:02,333 by this shop's coordinator, Don McIntosh. 77 00:03:02,417 --> 00:03:04,500 Now, this forge was specifically chosen 78 00:03:04,625 --> 00:03:07,458 by our own ABS Master Smith and judge, J. Neilson. 79 00:03:07,458 --> 00:03:09,625 So each of you will not only be representing 80 00:03:09,708 --> 00:03:11,833 the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, 81 00:03:11,917 --> 00:03:14,167 but also J in this competition. 82 00:03:14,167 --> 00:03:15,667 Now, gentlemen, here's how it's gonna go. 83 00:03:15,667 --> 00:03:18,042 The three of you are about to take part in two rounds 84 00:03:18,125 --> 00:03:19,333 of bladesmithing competition. 85 00:03:19,375 --> 00:03:20,792 The end of each one of those rounds, 86 00:03:20,875 --> 00:03:22,208 there will be an elimination. 87 00:03:22,292 --> 00:03:24,625 But if you take home the crown from this forge, 88 00:03:24,625 --> 00:03:26,792 you'll then compete against the other winners 89 00:03:26,875 --> 00:03:29,542 from our road tournament in the final showdown. 90 00:03:29,542 --> 00:03:30,875 ♪ 91 00:03:30,958 --> 00:03:33,333 Now, gentlemen, there is a lot at stake here 92 00:03:33,333 --> 00:03:35,667 because one of you has the opportunity to come out 93 00:03:35,750 --> 00:03:38,042 on top of this competition, which doesn't mean 94 00:03:38,167 --> 00:03:39,792 you just have bragging rights. 95 00:03:39,875 --> 00:03:42,667 You will also get a check for $20,000 for your pocket. 96 00:03:42,708 --> 00:03:44,208 To make the deal a little bit sweeter, 97 00:03:44,292 --> 00:03:45,708 the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing 98 00:03:45,792 --> 00:03:48,000 will also get up to $10,000 worth 99 00:03:48,083 --> 00:03:50,500 of forging equipment and supplies. 100 00:03:50,583 --> 00:03:52,292 Now to kick things off, we're gonna start 101 00:03:52,417 --> 00:03:54,458 with a five-straight-hour bladesmithing round. 102 00:03:54,542 --> 00:03:57,667 We're gonna ask you to build a blade from start to finish. 103 00:03:57,708 --> 00:03:59,708 Since this school's founder Bill Moran is considered 104 00:03:59,708 --> 00:04:01,625 the father of modern day Damascus, 105 00:04:01,625 --> 00:04:03,208 we found it only fitting for you to make 106 00:04:03,208 --> 00:04:05,750 a signature blade in your signature style, 107 00:04:05,833 --> 00:04:07,500 using this. 108 00:04:07,583 --> 00:04:11,833 ♪ 109 00:04:11,917 --> 00:04:14,875 What you're looking at here are layers of 1075 110 00:04:14,958 --> 00:04:16,500 and 15N20 high carbon steel. 111 00:04:16,583 --> 00:04:18,125 And that's what we want you to use to make 112 00:04:18,208 --> 00:04:20,375 a layered Damascus billet. 113 00:04:20,375 --> 00:04:22,667 Now, because the ABS considers Damascus 114 00:04:22,708 --> 00:04:24,500 to be at least 300 layers thick, 115 00:04:24,583 --> 00:04:26,250 we want you to make your signature blades 116 00:04:26,375 --> 00:04:27,833 with at least 300 layers. 117 00:04:27,917 --> 00:04:29,000 - 300 layers? 118 00:04:29,125 --> 00:04:30,667 How am I gonna do that, forge a blade, 119 00:04:30,708 --> 00:04:32,833 and put a handle on in five hours? 120 00:04:34,458 --> 00:04:36,167 - Once that five hours is up, I'm going to ask you 121 00:04:36,292 --> 00:04:37,875 to turn your blades over to J. Neilson here, 122 00:04:37,875 --> 00:04:39,708 and he's gonna put your blades through a series 123 00:04:39,708 --> 00:04:42,042 of ABS-Master-Smith-inspired tests. 124 00:04:42,042 --> 00:04:43,958 So good luck and stay sharp, 125 00:04:44,042 --> 00:04:46,792 because your time starts now. 126 00:04:46,875 --> 00:04:48,292 Here we go. All right. 127 00:04:48,375 --> 00:04:49,583 We've got three signature blades 128 00:04:49,583 --> 00:04:51,333 in their signature style. 129 00:04:51,375 --> 00:04:53,792 We just need to have at least 300 layers of Damascus. 130 00:04:53,792 --> 00:04:56,292 So what I'm excited about is this shop 131 00:04:56,292 --> 00:04:59,250 is all about blade-making specifically. 132 00:04:59,250 --> 00:05:01,167 Sometimes, we have competitors who are 133 00:05:01,250 --> 00:05:02,667 blacksmiths who make knives. 134 00:05:02,708 --> 00:05:04,667 These guys are knife makers who make knives. 135 00:05:04,750 --> 00:05:07,875 - And I expect to see good work out of this. 136 00:05:07,958 --> 00:05:10,167 - 300 layers in five hours? 137 00:05:10,250 --> 00:05:13,792 That's a lot to ask for in that amount of time. 138 00:05:13,875 --> 00:05:17,000 - Time management is a massive factor in this competition. 139 00:05:17,083 --> 00:05:20,042 - So on my first stack, I'm going for 14 layers. 140 00:05:20,125 --> 00:05:22,250 I'm gonna go ahead and stretch out my billet 141 00:05:22,333 --> 00:05:24,167 and cut, stack five times. 142 00:05:24,250 --> 00:05:26,500 So it's gonna be 70 layers. 143 00:05:26,500 --> 00:05:28,667 And then my second go around, I can go ahead 144 00:05:28,750 --> 00:05:30,250 and stretch that out again, 145 00:05:30,375 --> 00:05:32,208 and I'm gonna stack it five more times. 146 00:05:32,208 --> 00:05:33,708 That's gonna give me 350 layers, 147 00:05:33,792 --> 00:05:35,833 so I'll be well within the parameters, 148 00:05:35,917 --> 00:05:37,500 as far as our layer count. 149 00:05:37,583 --> 00:05:39,958 - You don't want to have anything possibly come apart. 150 00:05:39,958 --> 00:05:41,208 So clean that steel up. 151 00:05:41,292 --> 00:05:43,500 Might save you some trouble later on. 152 00:05:43,583 --> 00:05:46,458 - It's a pretty picture to have everybody on grinders. 153 00:05:46,458 --> 00:05:48,542 - Oh, I bet. - Grinding at the same time. 154 00:05:48,625 --> 00:05:51,000 - It's fun when we got the four contestants at our shop, 155 00:05:51,083 --> 00:05:52,625 and they're all on that anvil, 156 00:05:52,708 --> 00:05:54,250 swinging the hammer at the same time. 157 00:05:54,333 --> 00:05:56,833 We're just kind of like-- [sings tune] 158 00:05:56,958 --> 00:05:59,208 ♪ 159 00:05:59,375 --> 00:06:01,083 - 300-layer Damascus did seem to be 160 00:06:01,167 --> 00:06:02,667 a little bit of a challenge. 161 00:06:02,667 --> 00:06:04,750 It's gonna be tough, but I think I can do it. 162 00:06:04,875 --> 00:06:07,792 We start out with 14 different layers, forge that together. 163 00:06:07,875 --> 00:06:10,875 Then we draw that out, cut, and restack. 164 00:06:10,875 --> 00:06:12,167 Then do five sections. 165 00:06:12,208 --> 00:06:13,625 And if I do that twice, 166 00:06:13,708 --> 00:06:16,958 that will render me 350 layers. 167 00:06:17,042 --> 00:06:19,042 - Next class you teach, though, you should 168 00:06:19,167 --> 00:06:20,583 put that clock up on the wall. 169 00:06:20,583 --> 00:06:22,542 Say, OK, class is over in five hours. 170 00:06:22,542 --> 00:06:24,500 - I can't wait to tell them, 171 00:06:24,583 --> 00:06:27,333 "Bladesmiths, you have 10 minutes!" 172 00:06:27,333 --> 00:06:30,083 [laughter] 173 00:06:30,083 --> 00:06:31,583 - A little bit worried. 174 00:06:31,667 --> 00:06:33,042 I'll keep pushing through, 175 00:06:33,042 --> 00:06:35,708 and we'll make something happen. 176 00:06:35,792 --> 00:06:38,917 - Texarkana is the border between Texas and Arkansas, 177 00:06:38,917 --> 00:06:40,542 and I'm super stoked. 178 00:06:40,667 --> 00:06:42,750 I get to represent the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing. 179 00:06:42,750 --> 00:06:46,792 I get to represent Texas, and hopefully bring home a win. 180 00:06:46,875 --> 00:06:49,375 ♪ 181 00:06:49,375 --> 00:06:50,875 I'm starting with 14 layers. 182 00:06:50,875 --> 00:06:52,833 I'm gonna draw that out, cut it into six. 183 00:06:52,917 --> 00:06:54,375 That gets me 84. 184 00:06:54,458 --> 00:06:55,833 Draw that out again, cut it into four. 185 00:06:55,958 --> 00:06:57,375 And that gives me 336. 186 00:06:57,458 --> 00:07:00,042 So that gets me up to layer count. 187 00:07:00,125 --> 00:07:02,792 - So Don, we've got propane forges at our forge. 188 00:07:02,875 --> 00:07:04,500 And you said these are natural gas? 189 00:07:04,542 --> 00:07:05,750 - Natural gas. 190 00:07:05,833 --> 00:07:07,292 - Is there any big difference 191 00:07:07,292 --> 00:07:08,833 in the amount of heat it puts out? 192 00:07:08,833 --> 00:07:12,042 - Natural gas doesn't heat as quick, 193 00:07:12,125 --> 00:07:13,833 and it won't get as hot. 194 00:07:13,917 --> 00:07:15,583 - So hopefully, when these guys first put 195 00:07:15,583 --> 00:07:16,708 those billets in there, 196 00:07:16,875 --> 00:07:19,375 they will let that steel sit in there, soak, 197 00:07:19,375 --> 00:07:20,833 and get hot enough so it's actually gonna 198 00:07:20,875 --> 00:07:23,125 have this first successful forge weld. 199 00:07:23,208 --> 00:07:25,708 - There's no rush at this point because if you rush, 200 00:07:25,792 --> 00:07:28,750 that'll just cause you problems later in the competition. 201 00:07:28,833 --> 00:07:32,750 - Who's B.R. Hughes on that big old panel back there? 202 00:07:32,833 --> 00:07:36,458 - B.R. Hughes is one of the founding members of the ABS. 203 00:07:36,542 --> 00:07:38,417 He's the only one that's still living. 204 00:07:38,417 --> 00:07:39,875 - Does he ever come out here? 205 00:07:39,958 --> 00:07:41,000 - Yeah, every class. 206 00:07:41,042 --> 00:07:43,000 And boy, the people just love to meet him. 207 00:07:43,083 --> 00:07:44,167 - That's great. 208 00:07:44,208 --> 00:07:45,375 - He's kind of a legend. 209 00:07:45,375 --> 00:07:47,583 - Oh yeah, B.R. is a super guy. 210 00:07:47,667 --> 00:07:49,042 It's pretty incredible that we're 211 00:07:49,167 --> 00:07:51,125 in America's first bladesmithing school ever. 212 00:07:51,208 --> 00:07:52,958 - No kidding. 213 00:07:53,042 --> 00:07:54,792 - I can't even imagine how many ABS Master Smiths 214 00:07:54,875 --> 00:07:57,167 have gone through this place. 215 00:07:57,208 --> 00:07:59,375 - The American Bladesmithing Society was founded 216 00:07:59,458 --> 00:08:02,708 in 1976 by Bill Moran, Bill Bagwell, 217 00:08:02,833 --> 00:08:04,958 Don Hastings, and B.R. Hughes. 218 00:08:05,042 --> 00:08:07,667 During that time, less than a dozen known bladesmiths 219 00:08:07,667 --> 00:08:09,083 existed in the country. 220 00:08:09,208 --> 00:08:11,333 So the guild was created to encourage the growth 221 00:08:11,333 --> 00:08:13,000 of the craft by increasing resources 222 00:08:13,083 --> 00:08:15,250 available to new smiths 223 00:08:15,333 --> 00:08:16,833 and by setting a fundamental standard 224 00:08:16,958 --> 00:08:19,042 to determine a bladesmith's skill. 225 00:08:19,125 --> 00:08:21,958 Today, smiths must pass extreme performance tests 226 00:08:21,958 --> 00:08:25,292 to earn the rankings of Journeyman and Master Smith. 227 00:08:25,375 --> 00:08:28,458 ♪ 228 00:08:28,542 --> 00:08:31,042 - Why is it not working here? 229 00:08:31,042 --> 00:08:35,000 ♪ 230 00:08:35,042 --> 00:08:37,833 Welding. 231 00:08:37,875 --> 00:08:39,667 Plumbing, you don't do a lot of welding. 232 00:08:39,708 --> 00:08:42,083 So I need to work on my welding skills 233 00:08:42,167 --> 00:08:46,083 because I had some major issues with that there. 234 00:08:46,167 --> 00:08:47,375 - We're about 30 minutes in, 235 00:08:47,375 --> 00:08:48,708 and Chris is still at the stick welder. 236 00:08:48,833 --> 00:08:51,292 These little time delays add up and compile 237 00:08:51,375 --> 00:08:54,500 and make this competition a whole lot more difficult. 238 00:08:54,500 --> 00:08:57,042 - Welding! 239 00:08:57,042 --> 00:08:58,750 - That was pretty quick. 240 00:08:58,750 --> 00:09:00,917 Within 30 minutes, Jake got his stack welded together, 241 00:09:01,042 --> 00:09:03,208 heated up, and now he's on the press. 242 00:09:03,292 --> 00:09:04,708 - The first pass is gentle. 243 00:09:04,833 --> 00:09:07,417 You just want light taps to condense it enough 244 00:09:07,417 --> 00:09:09,875 to where your ends don't fray apart, 245 00:09:09,958 --> 00:09:11,875 your center doesn't bulge. 246 00:09:11,958 --> 00:09:14,208 It's just, again, patience. 247 00:09:14,292 --> 00:09:15,792 My welds look good. 248 00:09:15,875 --> 00:09:18,375 Now, I can just get it hot and draw it out. 249 00:09:18,500 --> 00:09:20,208 - Jake has got a good system. 250 00:09:20,208 --> 00:09:22,000 He's moving along nicely. 251 00:09:22,083 --> 00:09:24,542 ♪ 252 00:09:24,542 --> 00:09:25,958 - So working on this first billet, 253 00:09:26,042 --> 00:09:28,667 what's their primary goal to set themselves 254 00:09:28,708 --> 00:09:30,208 up for the next step? 255 00:09:30,208 --> 00:09:31,833 - Stretching that steel out, 256 00:09:31,917 --> 00:09:33,417 and hoping their math is right. 257 00:09:33,500 --> 00:09:35,208 - Hoping their math is right? 258 00:09:35,208 --> 00:09:37,500 [laughs] 259 00:09:37,583 --> 00:09:39,500 - The layers actually multiply pretty quickly. 260 00:09:39,625 --> 00:09:41,542 - Oh, yeah. 261 00:09:41,542 --> 00:09:43,000 Jaymes's forge welds are looking 262 00:09:43,083 --> 00:09:45,167 very evenly colored, very solid. 263 00:09:45,292 --> 00:09:48,000 I think he's gonna cut it and stack pretty soon here. 264 00:09:48,083 --> 00:09:49,208 ♪ 265 00:09:49,208 --> 00:09:50,708 It's about time. 266 00:09:50,833 --> 00:09:52,708 Chris is off the welder, into the fire. 267 00:09:52,708 --> 00:09:54,125 What I'm concerned about is he's gonna 268 00:09:54,208 --> 00:09:55,875 have to go back to the welding station 269 00:09:55,875 --> 00:09:57,750 at least two more times in this competition. 270 00:09:57,833 --> 00:09:59,833 - Hey, I need to take some welding lessons from you, 271 00:09:59,958 --> 00:10:01,208 apparently. - [laughs] 272 00:10:01,208 --> 00:10:03,750 - I'm behind, and I'm not liking this one bit. 273 00:10:03,750 --> 00:10:05,000 It's stressing me out. 274 00:10:05,333 --> 00:10:09,458 And golly, I'm hoping I can catch up to the guys in time. 275 00:10:09,542 --> 00:10:11,000 - All right, guys, one hour has elapsed. 276 00:10:11,042 --> 00:10:13,667 You've got four hours remaining. 277 00:10:13,708 --> 00:10:16,250 That was not something that Chris wanted to hear, 278 00:10:16,333 --> 00:10:19,667 'cause he's significantly behind at this point. 279 00:10:19,750 --> 00:10:23,000 - I still gotta cut, stack again twice. 280 00:10:23,125 --> 00:10:24,875 I need to hurry up and get on that. 281 00:10:24,875 --> 00:10:26,875 - Forge! 282 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:28,375 - Jake's already on the chop saw. 283 00:10:28,458 --> 00:10:29,958 He's cutting up for his next stack. 284 00:10:30,042 --> 00:10:32,333 - I'm curious to see how many pieces he's cutting, 285 00:10:32,417 --> 00:10:35,417 how he's gonna stack that up. 286 00:10:35,542 --> 00:10:40,208 - I get to 24 inches, cut it into six equal lengths, 287 00:10:40,208 --> 00:10:42,125 which gives me 84 layers. 288 00:10:42,208 --> 00:10:44,667 ♪ 289 00:10:44,792 --> 00:10:47,208 Then, I notice there's a delam at the top. 290 00:10:47,333 --> 00:10:49,625 I don't wanna forge in delams. 291 00:10:49,708 --> 00:10:52,042 - We have the first potential mishap going on. 292 00:10:52,125 --> 00:10:54,542 - I think we might be seeing a little stress 293 00:10:54,667 --> 00:10:56,042 flaring up on Jake. 294 00:10:56,167 --> 00:10:57,708 - This is where the mind game comes in. 295 00:10:57,708 --> 00:10:59,708 He was so used to being the front runner. 296 00:10:59,708 --> 00:11:01,708 - I know this is gonna cause me trouble 297 00:11:01,708 --> 00:11:03,500 if I don't take care of that now. 298 00:11:03,625 --> 00:11:06,875 So I'll try to grind out that layer 299 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:08,750 and try to get that delam out. 300 00:11:08,875 --> 00:11:12,333 I should be already welded by now, but it's all good. 301 00:11:12,333 --> 00:11:14,042 Adapt and overcome. 302 00:11:14,042 --> 00:11:15,708 ♪ 303 00:11:19,542 --> 00:11:20,500 - Ow! 304 00:11:20,625 --> 00:11:22,583 - Golly! 305 00:11:22,667 --> 00:11:23,958 - Son of a bitch. 306 00:11:24,042 --> 00:11:25,833 - We're in the danger zone. 307 00:11:25,833 --> 00:11:27,458 - Yeah, no kidding, man. 308 00:11:27,542 --> 00:11:29,417 I just got pegged. 309 00:11:29,500 --> 00:11:32,167 - He's trying to blind us so you can't see his blade 310 00:11:32,208 --> 00:11:33,917 when you're judging it. 311 00:11:33,917 --> 00:11:35,708 - Oh, [bleep]. Hey! 312 00:11:35,708 --> 00:11:37,708 My bad. [laughs] 313 00:11:37,708 --> 00:11:39,542 - Damn Texas snowstorm. 314 00:11:39,625 --> 00:11:40,583 - That's it. 315 00:11:40,708 --> 00:11:44,417 [laughter] 316 00:11:44,500 --> 00:11:46,167 - All right, Jaymes is the first one 317 00:11:46,208 --> 00:11:48,000 into this final stack. 318 00:11:48,083 --> 00:11:49,792 I've got to say, he's got pretty 319 00:11:49,875 --> 00:11:52,125 uneven lengths on his layers. 320 00:11:52,208 --> 00:11:53,917 - Yeah, hopefully he doesn't start folding 321 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:55,792 those ends over on each other, 322 00:11:55,875 --> 00:11:57,583 causing cold shuts in the ends. 323 00:11:57,583 --> 00:11:59,875 ♪ 324 00:11:59,958 --> 00:12:02,375 - He's going more aggressive than he did the last time. 325 00:12:02,375 --> 00:12:03,583 - Yeah. 326 00:12:03,583 --> 00:12:05,708 ♪ 327 00:12:05,792 --> 00:12:08,333 - Mm, that's gonna suck. 328 00:12:08,417 --> 00:12:09,708 - Going to forge! 329 00:12:09,792 --> 00:12:11,875 I see that I have a delamination forming. 330 00:12:11,958 --> 00:12:13,708 I just had one separate. 331 00:12:13,708 --> 00:12:14,875 - Oh, no. 332 00:12:14,875 --> 00:12:15,875 - You can see that back corner, 333 00:12:15,875 --> 00:12:17,208 when he has putting it in there, 334 00:12:17,208 --> 00:12:19,208 there was a really bright white spot in there. 335 00:12:19,208 --> 00:12:20,958 There might be a gap in the welds. 336 00:12:21,042 --> 00:12:22,167 - Oh. 337 00:12:22,208 --> 00:12:24,292 - If I let this problem stay in the material, 338 00:12:24,375 --> 00:12:26,542 I could forge weld a bad spot into it, 339 00:12:26,625 --> 00:12:28,042 and it would come apart. 340 00:12:28,042 --> 00:12:30,083 - OK, so we got a bakery going on 341 00:12:30,167 --> 00:12:32,500 at Jaymes's workstation here. 342 00:12:32,583 --> 00:12:34,792 And I think what Jaymes is trying to do 343 00:12:34,875 --> 00:12:38,292 is close up those uneven ends, get between those seams, 344 00:12:38,375 --> 00:12:40,333 and clean out any junk that might be in there, 345 00:12:40,333 --> 00:12:42,583 and then seal the entire billet up. 346 00:12:42,583 --> 00:12:43,875 And now I want a donut. 347 00:12:43,958 --> 00:12:45,708 - You want a what? - I want a donut. 348 00:12:45,792 --> 00:12:47,500 Now I want a powdered donut. 349 00:12:47,542 --> 00:12:51,250 ♪ 350 00:12:51,250 --> 00:12:54,167 - Jaymes doesn't seem like he's upset, by the looks of him. 351 00:12:54,208 --> 00:12:56,500 So I think his billet's doing OK. 352 00:12:56,542 --> 00:12:58,750 - One thing I will say about these three smiths-- 353 00:12:58,833 --> 00:13:00,917 can't complain about their forge welding skills. 354 00:13:00,917 --> 00:13:02,500 They've been doing a good job. 355 00:13:02,542 --> 00:13:04,375 - It just goes to show that this shop is put together 356 00:13:04,375 --> 00:13:06,000 extremely well, and you've got smiths who 357 00:13:06,042 --> 00:13:07,833 are talented fighting today. 358 00:13:07,958 --> 00:13:10,375 - Well, this is not their first ball game on Damascus. 359 00:13:10,458 --> 00:13:11,667 - Yep. 360 00:13:11,708 --> 00:13:13,833 ♪ 361 00:13:13,958 --> 00:13:15,875 - Bill Moran is sometimes referred to as the father 362 00:13:15,875 --> 00:13:18,417 of modern-day Damascus because he is known for taking 363 00:13:18,542 --> 00:13:20,667 the ancient craft of forge welding steel 364 00:13:20,708 --> 00:13:23,417 and updating it for modern times. 365 00:13:23,417 --> 00:13:25,583 For centuries, blacksmiths and bladesmiths would 366 00:13:25,708 --> 00:13:27,083 forge weld different steels together 367 00:13:27,083 --> 00:13:28,917 and fold them over repeatedly 368 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:31,208 to create a stronger blade. 369 00:13:31,208 --> 00:13:34,083 By the mid-1900s, the increase in use of machines 370 00:13:34,167 --> 00:13:36,167 and mass-produced steel led most bladesmiths 371 00:13:36,208 --> 00:13:38,750 to use the stock removal method to make a knife 372 00:13:38,875 --> 00:13:42,125 out of a solid bar of steel. 373 00:13:42,125 --> 00:13:43,833 Bill Moran wanted to change that 374 00:13:43,917 --> 00:13:45,542 and encourage more people to use 375 00:13:45,625 --> 00:13:47,958 the traditional blacksmithing methods to create knives. 376 00:13:48,042 --> 00:13:50,333 In the 1970s, he began experimenting 377 00:13:50,375 --> 00:13:52,750 with forge welding layers of steel together, 378 00:13:52,875 --> 00:13:54,833 which gave his knives a stunning pattern 379 00:13:54,917 --> 00:13:57,583 without sacrificing strength and durability. 380 00:13:57,708 --> 00:13:59,500 By rediscovering this lost art, 381 00:13:59,542 --> 00:14:01,750 Bill was successful in reigniting the passion 382 00:14:01,875 --> 00:14:03,667 for forging blades across the country. 383 00:14:03,750 --> 00:14:07,208 ♪ 384 00:14:07,208 --> 00:14:09,042 Jake's been over here, grinding on those pieces 385 00:14:09,125 --> 00:14:10,917 for a good 20 minutes. 386 00:14:10,917 --> 00:14:12,833 - Yeah, Jake was about 30 minutes ahead. 387 00:14:12,917 --> 00:14:14,375 Now, he's about 30 minutes behind. 388 00:14:14,375 --> 00:14:15,208 - Yeah. 389 00:14:15,292 --> 00:14:17,792 Oh, how the tables have turned. 390 00:14:17,792 --> 00:14:19,208 - Press! 391 00:14:19,333 --> 00:14:21,458 Chasing that delam ate up a lot of my time. 392 00:14:21,542 --> 00:14:25,167 But I just have to stay calm and just do what I know. 393 00:14:25,167 --> 00:14:27,792 And what I know how to do is forge. 394 00:14:27,875 --> 00:14:29,000 - Jake is on the press. 395 00:14:29,125 --> 00:14:30,750 This is his second forge weld. 396 00:14:30,875 --> 00:14:33,083 It seems like he's kind of rushing a little bit, 397 00:14:33,167 --> 00:14:35,083 so this is where mistakes can happen. 398 00:14:35,083 --> 00:14:36,333 - Yeah. 399 00:14:36,500 --> 00:14:38,750 - I got my 84-layer count drawn out to 20 inches. 400 00:14:38,833 --> 00:14:40,750 I'm gonna cut it into four lengths, restack, 401 00:14:40,833 --> 00:14:43,875 weld, and that should bring it to 336 layers. 402 00:14:43,958 --> 00:14:44,917 I'm back in the game. 403 00:14:44,917 --> 00:14:46,000 I'm right with everyone else. 404 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:48,875 It's anyone's game. 405 00:14:48,875 --> 00:14:50,208 - All right, gentlemen, with two hours down, 406 00:14:50,292 --> 00:14:52,417 you've got three hours left. 407 00:14:52,500 --> 00:14:54,542 How do you guys feel about the competition so far? 408 00:14:54,625 --> 00:14:56,958 - Can't remember the last one of these competitions 409 00:14:57,042 --> 00:14:59,000 where it was such a tight race. 410 00:14:59,042 --> 00:15:01,208 All these smiths are really good, very impressive. 411 00:15:01,208 --> 00:15:02,875 I'd be happy with any of them winning 412 00:15:02,958 --> 00:15:05,542 and representing me in the finals. 413 00:15:05,542 --> 00:15:06,625 ♪ 414 00:15:06,750 --> 00:15:08,958 - I have now reached my layer count, 415 00:15:09,042 --> 00:15:11,083 and so now I need to get all that material 416 00:15:11,167 --> 00:15:13,792 into dimensions that I can use to make a knife. 417 00:15:13,792 --> 00:15:16,542 - Jaymes's blade is still really thick. 418 00:15:16,542 --> 00:15:18,792 - He's planning on doing some serious grinding, or-- 419 00:15:18,875 --> 00:15:21,042 - I hope so. 420 00:15:21,125 --> 00:15:24,208 - For the design that I have in mind, the Bowie style, 421 00:15:24,208 --> 00:15:26,292 I knew it needed a clip point. 422 00:15:26,292 --> 00:15:29,000 It needed a large, sweeping cutting radius 423 00:15:29,042 --> 00:15:32,792 and a fairly solid handle to cut or to be useful. 424 00:15:32,875 --> 00:15:33,958 Phew! 425 00:15:33,958 --> 00:15:36,000 Shooting fire. 426 00:15:36,083 --> 00:15:38,875 - Since the Damascus is done, 427 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:40,958 now it's time to forge a knife. 428 00:15:40,958 --> 00:15:44,083 I'm gonna make a camp knife/Bowie, 429 00:15:44,167 --> 00:15:46,500 something that has kind of rugged edge geometry 430 00:15:46,542 --> 00:15:48,833 but is also durable enough to chop through stuff 431 00:15:48,875 --> 00:15:50,875 and hold up. 432 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:52,250 I got my blade rough forged. 433 00:15:52,333 --> 00:15:54,750 Time to do a couple of thermal cycles 434 00:15:54,833 --> 00:15:55,833 and get ready to quench. 435 00:15:55,875 --> 00:15:57,542 ♪ 436 00:15:57,667 --> 00:15:59,917 - Just trying to get it shaped out the way I want it 437 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:01,125 and hopefully get it heat treated. 438 00:16:01,208 --> 00:16:03,333 So that way, I can get onto the handle. 439 00:16:03,375 --> 00:16:06,042 'Cause the sooner I get on that handle, the better. 440 00:16:06,125 --> 00:16:08,375 - You know how many smiths who've come through here 441 00:16:08,500 --> 00:16:10,542 who are now Journeymen or Masters? 442 00:16:10,542 --> 00:16:13,208 - I know at one time, just about every Master Smith 443 00:16:13,292 --> 00:16:15,458 had come through this program. 444 00:16:15,542 --> 00:16:16,625 - Just about. 445 00:16:16,708 --> 00:16:18,000 - Just about. 446 00:16:18,083 --> 00:16:19,917 - Gotta address a couple things. 447 00:16:19,917 --> 00:16:23,042 - This school was basically a godsend for a lot of people 448 00:16:23,167 --> 00:16:25,500 because there was no internet. 449 00:16:25,583 --> 00:16:27,958 You're lucky if you could find a VHS tape 450 00:16:28,042 --> 00:16:29,375 on how to make knives. 451 00:16:29,375 --> 00:16:31,042 Maybe a couple of books out there, 452 00:16:31,167 --> 00:16:32,917 but there wasn't a lot unless you knew somebody. 453 00:16:32,917 --> 00:16:35,625 - That's it. 454 00:16:35,625 --> 00:16:39,000 - I ended up wanting to do a recurve Bowie Knife. 455 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:40,417 I've done the design before. 456 00:16:40,417 --> 00:16:42,000 It's something that's familiar with me. 457 00:16:42,083 --> 00:16:44,125 And I know it should do good for this challenge 458 00:16:44,208 --> 00:16:47,208 'cause I've used it in other knife competitions. 459 00:16:47,208 --> 00:16:50,333 - These guys quickly become standalone bladesmiths. 460 00:16:50,333 --> 00:16:52,333 They're gonna go somewhere in this industry. 461 00:16:52,458 --> 00:16:53,208 - Mm-hmm. 462 00:16:53,208 --> 00:16:55,000 - That's why they're here. 463 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:56,167 - Good choices. 464 00:16:56,250 --> 00:16:58,208 ♪ 465 00:16:58,333 --> 00:17:00,125 - Everything can go wrong in a quench. 466 00:17:00,125 --> 00:17:01,208 My blade could break. 467 00:17:01,292 --> 00:17:03,083 It could split open and delam. 468 00:17:03,167 --> 00:17:04,708 Anything can happen. 469 00:17:04,792 --> 00:17:06,667 ♪ 470 00:17:06,750 --> 00:17:08,500 [grunts] Whoo! 471 00:17:08,583 --> 00:17:10,042 - Jake's the first one to quench a blade. 472 00:17:10,125 --> 00:17:11,542 - Oh, nice. 473 00:17:11,625 --> 00:17:13,208 This is the part where it's like the horses 474 00:17:13,208 --> 00:17:14,375 are coming around the track. 475 00:17:14,458 --> 00:17:16,917 You see who's gonna pull out now. 476 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:18,292 - Quench went well. 477 00:17:18,292 --> 00:17:20,833 It's all in one piece. 478 00:17:20,875 --> 00:17:22,000 My blade is hard. 479 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:23,667 I'm happy. 480 00:17:23,750 --> 00:17:26,083 That I made it this far in the competition 481 00:17:26,167 --> 00:17:29,542 without anything catastrophic, it's exhilarating. 482 00:17:29,625 --> 00:17:31,542 But I need to throw a handle on there. 483 00:17:31,542 --> 00:17:33,250 - Don, is there any specific reason you only 484 00:17:33,333 --> 00:17:35,000 have the one quench tank here? 485 00:17:35,042 --> 00:17:36,042 - Yeah, no. 486 00:17:36,125 --> 00:17:37,750 [laughter] 487 00:17:37,833 --> 00:17:39,167 - They get that extra 10 grand here, 488 00:17:39,292 --> 00:17:40,250 they can get another quench tank. 489 00:17:40,333 --> 00:17:41,875 - Yeah, fair enough. 490 00:17:41,958 --> 00:17:47,167 ♪ 491 00:17:47,250 --> 00:17:48,833 All right, Jaymes is quenched. 492 00:17:48,833 --> 00:17:49,958 That's two down. 493 00:17:50,042 --> 00:17:52,083 - I ensure that everything is solid, 494 00:17:52,167 --> 00:17:54,500 but I'm slightly concerned about the time. 495 00:17:54,583 --> 00:17:56,417 I need to hurry up and get my handle finished. 496 00:17:56,417 --> 00:17:58,125 I need to get it attached to the blade. 497 00:17:58,208 --> 00:17:59,875 But if I keep working, 498 00:17:59,875 --> 00:18:02,333 I know I can complete the task. 499 00:18:02,333 --> 00:18:05,792 ♪ 500 00:18:05,875 --> 00:18:07,833 - All right, checking magnetism. 501 00:18:07,875 --> 00:18:10,250 ♪ 502 00:18:10,333 --> 00:18:13,333 All right, three smiths with quenched blades. 503 00:18:13,333 --> 00:18:14,542 - Nice. 504 00:18:14,542 --> 00:18:17,292 - Last but not least, Chris is done. 505 00:18:17,375 --> 00:18:18,958 - I don't have any warps. 506 00:18:18,958 --> 00:18:20,417 I'm happy about it. 507 00:18:20,500 --> 00:18:23,000 I need to get the handle on ASAP. 508 00:18:23,125 --> 00:18:24,667 ♪ 509 00:18:24,750 --> 00:18:26,375 - I got my holes drilled, so now it's time 510 00:18:26,375 --> 00:18:28,667 to get this handle going. 511 00:18:28,750 --> 00:18:31,583 - All right, gentlemen, we are down to the final hour. 512 00:18:31,667 --> 00:18:33,250 - I see that clock. 513 00:18:33,250 --> 00:18:35,083 And you try not to focus on it, 514 00:18:35,083 --> 00:18:37,333 but it gets to you. 515 00:18:37,417 --> 00:18:40,000 - Slap that epoxy on there, Jake. 516 00:18:40,083 --> 00:18:41,250 - Look at that. 517 00:18:41,250 --> 00:18:43,333 Being very liberal with it. 518 00:18:43,375 --> 00:18:45,208 ♪ 519 00:18:45,292 --> 00:18:46,417 Don, what kind of handle material 520 00:18:46,542 --> 00:18:48,042 are you guys supplying for these knives? 521 00:18:48,125 --> 00:18:50,042 - Most of it is a maple. 522 00:18:50,125 --> 00:18:51,208 - Good, sturdy handle wood. 523 00:18:51,292 --> 00:18:52,458 - Good wood. 524 00:18:52,542 --> 00:18:53,958 - You guys source it locally? 525 00:18:53,958 --> 00:18:55,375 - Yes. - Really? 526 00:18:55,375 --> 00:18:57,208 - Yeah. As a matter of fact, 527 00:18:57,292 --> 00:18:58,958 knife making friend cut the tree 528 00:18:59,042 --> 00:19:01,750 and brought it up here and give it to me. 529 00:19:01,833 --> 00:19:03,125 - That's great. 530 00:19:03,208 --> 00:19:04,708 I need better friends. 531 00:19:04,708 --> 00:19:06,000 - Thanks. 532 00:19:06,083 --> 00:19:08,083 - I was talking about you. 533 00:19:08,083 --> 00:19:09,708 [laughs] 534 00:19:09,708 --> 00:19:11,208 - At this point, I'm ready to start drilling 535 00:19:11,292 --> 00:19:13,042 the holes in the handle. 536 00:19:13,042 --> 00:19:14,958 ♪ 537 00:19:15,042 --> 00:19:16,542 Oh. 538 00:19:16,625 --> 00:19:19,667 - It starts throwing shavings and then stops. 539 00:19:19,792 --> 00:19:20,958 - Nope. 540 00:19:21,042 --> 00:19:22,417 - We probably should have called ahead 541 00:19:22,500 --> 00:19:24,000 and let you know to get some more drill bits. 542 00:19:24,167 --> 00:19:26,333 We run through them so fast. 543 00:19:26,417 --> 00:19:27,000 ♪ 544 00:19:27,083 --> 00:19:28,417 - Oh! 545 00:19:28,417 --> 00:19:30,583 And there's a broken drill bit. 546 00:19:30,708 --> 00:19:32,333 - Oh! 547 00:19:32,417 --> 00:19:35,083 - I don't have time for this. 548 00:19:35,083 --> 00:19:36,500 One more 1/8 inch drill bit, please. 549 00:19:36,583 --> 00:19:39,125 These drill bits are gonna be my pins. 550 00:19:39,208 --> 00:19:41,125 - There, he's officially got the most 551 00:19:41,208 --> 00:19:44,167 expensive pins in his handle. 552 00:19:44,167 --> 00:19:46,333 - The tang is too hard. 553 00:19:46,333 --> 00:19:47,375 So I have to stop, get the torch, 554 00:19:47,458 --> 00:19:49,167 and warm it back up to soften it. 555 00:19:49,208 --> 00:19:52,208 But I can take the heat treatment out of the blade 556 00:19:52,292 --> 00:19:54,667 if I let that heat creep up too far into my blade. 557 00:19:54,708 --> 00:19:56,667 I want to make sure that it all stays in the handle 558 00:19:56,750 --> 00:20:00,333 so it has a very sturdy, strong edge. 559 00:20:00,375 --> 00:20:03,333 - This is one of those sink or swim moments. 560 00:20:03,333 --> 00:20:05,792 - He's got the torch way too hot. 561 00:20:05,875 --> 00:20:06,417 [tense music] 562 00:20:10,458 --> 00:20:11,708 I'm slightly concerned about the time, 563 00:20:11,792 --> 00:20:13,167 'cause I'm getting close. 564 00:20:13,208 --> 00:20:14,417 So at this point, I need to hurry up 565 00:20:14,500 --> 00:20:16,625 and get my holes drilled. 566 00:20:16,625 --> 00:20:18,250 All right, going back to the table. 567 00:20:18,250 --> 00:20:20,375 And then start my glue up process. 568 00:20:20,458 --> 00:20:22,333 ♪ 569 00:20:22,375 --> 00:20:24,333 - Chris went ahead and drilled his holes 570 00:20:24,417 --> 00:20:25,875 before he quenched the blade. 571 00:20:25,958 --> 00:20:27,958 So now he's got handle scales on. 572 00:20:28,042 --> 00:20:31,708 - He can focus every bit of energy on shaping the handle. 573 00:20:31,792 --> 00:20:34,125 - As far as shaping the handle, I knew that shape that 574 00:20:34,125 --> 00:20:36,583 I needed to make it kind of fit in the hand real nice 575 00:20:36,667 --> 00:20:38,458 and not want to turn in the hand. 576 00:20:38,542 --> 00:20:40,625 Because if the handle isn't comfortable, 577 00:20:40,708 --> 00:20:43,375 the other person is not going to want to use it. 578 00:20:43,458 --> 00:20:45,375 But there's not a whole lot of time on the clock 579 00:20:45,375 --> 00:20:46,625 to do this right now. 580 00:20:46,708 --> 00:20:48,667 ♪ 581 00:20:48,667 --> 00:20:50,458 - I think Chris might be overestimating 582 00:20:50,542 --> 00:20:51,625 the size of your hand. 583 00:20:51,708 --> 00:20:53,125 - Might be. 584 00:20:53,208 --> 00:20:55,000 - This thing looks like a knife for giants. 585 00:20:55,042 --> 00:20:56,458 ♪ 586 00:20:56,542 --> 00:20:58,375 Start finishing up! 587 00:20:58,375 --> 00:21:00,458 You've only got two minutes. 588 00:21:00,542 --> 00:21:03,833 [up-tempo rock music] 589 00:21:03,917 --> 00:21:05,458 ♪ 590 00:21:05,542 --> 00:21:07,375 - Two minutes can be a long time 591 00:21:07,375 --> 00:21:09,292 if you're holding your breath. 592 00:21:09,375 --> 00:21:10,875 [laughter] 593 00:21:10,875 --> 00:21:13,750 - I'm sure a couple of these guys probably are, 594 00:21:13,833 --> 00:21:15,417 'cause they know what's coming next. 595 00:21:15,500 --> 00:21:18,708 - Yep. - Five, four, 596 00:21:18,708 --> 00:21:21,375 three, two, one. 597 00:21:21,458 --> 00:21:22,792 Well done, gentlemen. 598 00:21:22,875 --> 00:21:24,708 Stand by for testing. 599 00:21:24,708 --> 00:21:27,417 - The clock hit zero, I got a knife, 600 00:21:27,500 --> 00:21:30,500 and I can't believe I produced this in five hours. 601 00:21:30,542 --> 00:21:33,167 I couldn't be more pumped. 602 00:21:33,208 --> 00:21:36,500 - Bladesmiths, welcome to testing. 603 00:21:36,542 --> 00:21:38,333 ♪ 604 00:21:38,417 --> 00:21:40,708 Since we're at the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, 605 00:21:40,708 --> 00:21:43,458 I figured we'd do some ABS-style testing. 606 00:21:43,542 --> 00:21:46,792 In order to be an ABS Master Smith to move in ranks, 607 00:21:46,875 --> 00:21:48,542 they must pass through a series of tests, 608 00:21:48,542 --> 00:21:50,458 two of which we have here today. 609 00:21:50,583 --> 00:21:52,500 We're gonna start with the 2x4 chop, 610 00:21:52,583 --> 00:21:54,417 see how your edges hold up. 611 00:21:54,542 --> 00:21:57,708 Then we're gonna see if we can cut through that rope. 612 00:21:57,792 --> 00:21:59,375 Jake, you're up first. You ready to go? 613 00:21:59,458 --> 00:22:00,500 - Yes, sir. Let's do it. 614 00:22:00,583 --> 00:22:01,833 ♪ 615 00:22:01,875 --> 00:22:03,500 I'm glad they picked me to go first, 616 00:22:03,500 --> 00:22:05,625 but a little nerve-racking. 617 00:22:05,625 --> 00:22:08,083 J is the knife breaker, man. [laughs] 618 00:22:08,083 --> 00:22:11,000 ♪ 619 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:13,750 - [grunting] 620 00:22:13,875 --> 00:22:20,833 ♪ 621 00:22:31,875 --> 00:22:34,667 [tense music] 622 00:22:34,750 --> 00:22:36,625 ♪ 623 00:22:36,625 --> 00:22:38,458 - All right, Jake, nice job. 624 00:22:38,542 --> 00:22:40,750 Blade edge held up well. 625 00:22:40,833 --> 00:22:42,000 It's still sharp. 626 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,750 You've got a nice edge on this, 627 00:22:44,750 --> 00:22:46,750 but it's not a very toothy edge. 628 00:22:46,833 --> 00:22:49,375 So it didn't really bite into the rope quite as much. 629 00:22:49,458 --> 00:22:51,625 But overall, everything held together. 630 00:22:51,625 --> 00:22:53,417 Nice job. - Thank you, sir. 631 00:22:53,542 --> 00:22:55,083 - Jaymes, you ready? 632 00:22:55,083 --> 00:22:56,667 - I'm ready. - Let's do it. 633 00:22:56,750 --> 00:22:58,000 ♪ 634 00:22:58,083 --> 00:23:00,375 - I'm excited, but I'm also a little bit nervous 635 00:23:00,458 --> 00:23:02,458 to see how it's going to perform. 636 00:23:02,542 --> 00:23:03,958 The knife could break, 637 00:23:04,042 --> 00:23:06,792 but I'm pretty confident in my heat treat abilities. 638 00:23:06,875 --> 00:23:10,542 And I hope J does not hold back one bit. 639 00:23:10,625 --> 00:23:13,167 ♪ 640 00:23:13,167 --> 00:23:16,167 [grunting] 641 00:23:16,167 --> 00:23:23,042 ♪ 642 00:23:30,417 --> 00:23:31,625 - [whispering] Nice. 643 00:23:31,708 --> 00:23:34,792 ♪ 644 00:23:34,875 --> 00:23:38,333 - Jaymes, 350 layers, nice work. 645 00:23:38,375 --> 00:23:40,500 But I think I'm gonna turn in my dumbbells, 646 00:23:40,625 --> 00:23:42,458 just carry this knife with me. 647 00:23:42,542 --> 00:23:43,708 A lot of thickness here. 648 00:23:43,875 --> 00:23:45,625 Kind of became a problem with the rope cut, 649 00:23:45,625 --> 00:23:49,167 and you do have a delam right here on that edge. 650 00:23:49,208 --> 00:23:51,042 ♪ 651 00:23:51,125 --> 00:23:52,708 But everything's tight. 652 00:23:52,708 --> 00:23:54,000 Your steel looks good. 653 00:23:54,083 --> 00:23:55,500 The handle's fine. Nice job. 654 00:23:55,583 --> 00:23:57,167 - Appreciate it. Thank you. 655 00:23:57,292 --> 00:23:59,208 - All right, Chris, ready to go? 656 00:23:59,208 --> 00:24:00,667 - As ready as I'll ever be. 657 00:24:00,708 --> 00:24:02,333 ♪ 658 00:24:02,458 --> 00:24:03,792 I'm freaking out. 659 00:24:03,792 --> 00:24:05,875 I'm nervous as all get out. 660 00:24:05,958 --> 00:24:08,792 Both Jaymes' and Jake's blades performed awesome. 661 00:24:08,792 --> 00:24:11,125 And I'm really worried about my blade 662 00:24:11,208 --> 00:24:12,833 and how it's gonna perform with the chop test 663 00:24:12,958 --> 00:24:14,625 and the rope cut. 664 00:24:18,875 --> 00:24:21,208 ♪ 665 00:24:21,208 --> 00:24:24,167 - [grunting] 666 00:24:24,167 --> 00:24:31,042 ♪ 667 00:24:39,125 --> 00:24:40,083 - Good job, Chris. 668 00:24:40,083 --> 00:24:41,167 - Thank you. 669 00:24:41,208 --> 00:24:44,333 - 350 layers, nicely done. 670 00:24:44,333 --> 00:24:46,792 Your Damascus looks fine. 671 00:24:46,875 --> 00:24:50,042 Got just a tiny bit of shine, tiny bit of glint. 672 00:24:50,125 --> 00:24:53,167 But there's no real damage to the edge. 673 00:24:53,208 --> 00:24:55,208 Overall, nice job. 674 00:24:55,208 --> 00:24:56,917 - Thank you. 675 00:24:57,000 --> 00:24:59,500 - The judges are about to announce who's going home. 676 00:24:59,583 --> 00:25:02,167 I'm pretty nervous because everyone's blades 677 00:25:02,292 --> 00:25:03,542 held up the same. 678 00:25:03,625 --> 00:25:06,208 So it's anyone's game at this point. 679 00:25:06,208 --> 00:25:08,167 ♪ 680 00:25:08,250 --> 00:25:10,833 - Well, guys, first off, if I was wearing a cowboy hat, 681 00:25:10,833 --> 00:25:12,500 I'd tip it to you for a job well done. 682 00:25:12,583 --> 00:25:15,083 But this is a competition, and one of you 683 00:25:15,208 --> 00:25:16,542 does have to go home. 684 00:25:16,542 --> 00:25:19,167 And the bladesmith leaving is... 685 00:25:19,167 --> 00:25:21,917 [suspenseful music] 686 00:25:21,917 --> 00:25:22,958 Jaymes. 687 00:25:23,208 --> 00:25:24,667 Unfortunately, your blade did not make the cut, 688 00:25:24,708 --> 00:25:26,625 and J. Neilson's gonna tell you why. 689 00:25:26,625 --> 00:25:28,250 - Yeah, Jaymes. I gotta give you credit. 690 00:25:28,250 --> 00:25:29,875 We asked for 300 layers. 691 00:25:29,958 --> 00:25:33,083 You gave us 350, completely functional blade. 692 00:25:33,083 --> 00:25:36,042 But the weight of that blade was an issue. 693 00:25:36,125 --> 00:25:38,917 And you're the only blade that had a seam. 694 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,833 And that seam actually ran into the edge of the blade. 695 00:25:41,875 --> 00:25:43,667 That's the reason we're letting you go. 696 00:25:43,667 --> 00:25:44,958 - Understood. 697 00:25:45,042 --> 00:25:46,458 - Jaymes, we really appreciate that you're here, 698 00:25:46,458 --> 00:25:47,667 and you fought so hard, 699 00:25:47,750 --> 00:25:48,917 but your time in this competition has ended. 700 00:25:49,042 --> 00:25:50,417 I'm gonna have to ask you to please 701 00:25:50,417 --> 00:25:52,625 step off the testing floor. 702 00:25:52,708 --> 00:25:54,667 - I agree with the judge's decision. 703 00:25:54,667 --> 00:25:57,667 I gave it my 110% effort, and I'm pleased with it. 704 00:25:57,750 --> 00:25:59,833 Having gone through the Bill Moran School, 705 00:25:59,917 --> 00:26:03,000 all the things that I learned, they all came into play, 706 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:04,292 and I hope it shows. 707 00:26:04,375 --> 00:26:06,583 ♪ 708 00:26:06,708 --> 00:26:08,208 - Guys, congratulations on making 709 00:26:08,292 --> 00:26:09,708 it through the first round. 710 00:26:09,792 --> 00:26:11,750 That means the two of you are still in this tournament 711 00:26:11,833 --> 00:26:14,000 and in the running for $20,000 going to yourselves 712 00:26:14,042 --> 00:26:16,125 and an extra $10,000 that could be 713 00:26:16,125 --> 00:26:18,500 coming back here to the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing. 714 00:26:18,625 --> 00:26:20,250 Now as you probably noticed, this competition has 715 00:26:20,333 --> 00:26:22,083 been all about the ABS theme. 716 00:26:22,208 --> 00:26:24,625 And we figured we'd keep that going into this next round, 717 00:26:24,708 --> 00:26:26,292 where we're sending you back to your home forges 718 00:26:26,375 --> 00:26:28,958 to build this. 719 00:26:29,042 --> 00:26:31,333 [dramatic music] 720 00:26:31,375 --> 00:26:35,000 ABS Master Smith's quillon dagger. 721 00:26:35,042 --> 00:26:37,708 [both chuckle] 722 00:26:37,708 --> 00:26:40,167 The quillon dagger dates back to 13th century Europe, 723 00:26:40,167 --> 00:26:43,292 where it was popular with everyone from the basic soldier 724 00:26:43,375 --> 00:26:45,208 to the highest knights. 725 00:26:45,208 --> 00:26:47,667 Featuring a sharply tapered, double-edged blade 726 00:26:47,792 --> 00:26:49,917 with a pointed tip, this weapon was designed 727 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:52,708 to deliver deadly stabs and thrusts through armor 728 00:26:52,792 --> 00:26:54,167 during close-quarters combat, 729 00:26:54,208 --> 00:26:55,875 as well as protect the wielder's hands 730 00:26:55,875 --> 00:26:58,667 with its namesake guard. 731 00:26:58,792 --> 00:27:00,750 Today, in order to earn a Master Smith's rating 732 00:27:00,833 --> 00:27:02,625 in the American Bladesmith Society, 733 00:27:02,708 --> 00:27:04,833 a smith must forge this Damascus dagger 734 00:27:04,875 --> 00:27:08,208 and have it pass through rigorous evaluation. 735 00:27:08,292 --> 00:27:10,333 ♪ 736 00:27:10,417 --> 00:27:12,375 But, guys, you're so talented. 737 00:27:12,458 --> 00:27:14,958 We figured, why not supersize this a little bit 738 00:27:15,042 --> 00:27:17,000 and have you build a short sword version 739 00:27:17,083 --> 00:27:18,000 of the dagger? 740 00:27:18,208 --> 00:27:20,167 Just make sure they fall within these parameters: 741 00:27:20,208 --> 00:27:21,625 Your blade length, measured from tip 742 00:27:21,625 --> 00:27:23,083 to where it meets the guard, 743 00:27:23,083 --> 00:27:24,958 needs to be between 18 and 20 inches. 744 00:27:25,042 --> 00:27:27,667 Needs to be double-edged, have a medial ridge, 745 00:27:27,750 --> 00:27:29,958 a cross guard with intricate quillons, 746 00:27:29,958 --> 00:27:32,750 a fluted handle, and a functional pommel. 747 00:27:32,833 --> 00:27:34,625 And as I'm sure you expected, 748 00:27:34,708 --> 00:27:36,292 we're of course going to ask you to make 749 00:27:36,375 --> 00:27:38,208 the blade with Damascus steel. 750 00:27:38,292 --> 00:27:39,667 I'm sorry in advance. 751 00:27:39,708 --> 00:27:41,125 I think you guys have your work cut out for you. 752 00:27:41,250 --> 00:27:43,542 But you're both very talented, so good luck, gentlemen. 753 00:27:43,625 --> 00:27:45,500 We'll see you back at our forge in four days. 754 00:27:45,583 --> 00:27:47,833 - Hey, good luck, man. - Good luck to you. 755 00:27:47,917 --> 00:27:49,167 ♪ 756 00:27:49,292 --> 00:27:51,333 - We're at my home forge right now in Plano, Texas. 757 00:27:51,375 --> 00:27:52,542 I gotta bring a win home 758 00:27:52,625 --> 00:27:54,750 for the Lone Star State. [laughs] 759 00:27:54,833 --> 00:27:57,375 My goal for day one is to start forging a blade 760 00:27:57,375 --> 00:28:00,875 and get 300 layers. 761 00:28:00,958 --> 00:28:03,292 About to do my first forge weld. 762 00:28:03,375 --> 00:28:06,792 ♪ 763 00:28:06,875 --> 00:28:09,333 Think those are pretty solid forge welds. 764 00:28:09,333 --> 00:28:11,667 ♪ 765 00:28:11,750 --> 00:28:13,625 I got it to the length I want 766 00:28:13,708 --> 00:28:17,292 and got to cut my billet up, prep it again. 767 00:28:17,375 --> 00:28:19,917 You know, I restacked into four pieces. 768 00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:22,458 Now I got a pretty solid forge weld. 769 00:28:22,542 --> 00:28:25,000 So just gonna keep stretching her out, 770 00:28:25,083 --> 00:28:28,333 get it up to about 27 inches, and get my knife going. 771 00:28:28,375 --> 00:28:30,083 ♪ 772 00:28:30,083 --> 00:28:32,125 As I'm drawing up my billet, something's not right. 773 00:28:32,208 --> 00:28:34,375 We're getting a little too thin. 774 00:28:34,458 --> 00:28:36,250 I don't have enough material. 775 00:28:36,333 --> 00:28:38,417 21 and 1/2, that's-- 776 00:28:38,417 --> 00:28:39,875 it's not where I need to be. 777 00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:42,250 I'm really bummed out with myself right now. 778 00:28:42,333 --> 00:28:43,458 [bleep], dude. 779 00:28:47,250 --> 00:28:48,708 - As I'm drawing up my billet, something's not right. 780 00:28:48,708 --> 00:28:50,333 [bleep] 781 00:28:50,333 --> 00:28:51,708 I don't have enough material, 782 00:28:51,792 --> 00:28:53,208 so I'm freaking out a little bit. 783 00:28:53,208 --> 00:28:55,625 21 and 1/2, that's-- 784 00:28:55,708 --> 00:28:57,333 it's not where I need to be. 785 00:28:57,417 --> 00:29:01,333 And then realized, I left out a piece of steel. 786 00:29:01,333 --> 00:29:02,708 [bleep] 787 00:29:02,792 --> 00:29:04,708 Right here is the piece. 788 00:29:04,708 --> 00:29:07,000 I cannot believe-- [laughs] I left this out. 789 00:29:07,042 --> 00:29:08,417 I knew I was forgetting something. 790 00:29:08,500 --> 00:29:10,000 I fell short so tomorrow, I'll have to add 791 00:29:10,083 --> 00:29:11,833 that other piece of steel in, 792 00:29:11,917 --> 00:29:13,000 try to get my length to where 793 00:29:13,083 --> 00:29:15,042 I can start forging out a blade. 794 00:29:15,125 --> 00:29:16,833 ♪ 795 00:29:16,917 --> 00:29:18,500 - It's morning of day one. 796 00:29:18,542 --> 00:29:21,417 I'm ready to get started on this quillon short sword. 797 00:29:21,500 --> 00:29:23,042 [chuckles] 798 00:29:23,125 --> 00:29:25,000 Glad that I'm getting to represent Arkansas 799 00:29:25,083 --> 00:29:27,958 and my friends and the Bill Moran School. 800 00:29:28,042 --> 00:29:31,500 They would be happy with how I did on this challenge. 801 00:29:31,500 --> 00:29:33,167 Got a good squish on it. 802 00:29:33,250 --> 00:29:36,042 It's looking pretty good to me so far. 803 00:29:36,042 --> 00:29:39,500 ♪ 804 00:29:39,542 --> 00:29:43,833 So I have enough material to work the tang and work my kit, 805 00:29:43,917 --> 00:29:45,833 and it came out phenomenal. 806 00:29:45,917 --> 00:29:48,375 So far, so good. [laughs] 807 00:29:48,458 --> 00:29:50,333 - It's beginning of day two. 808 00:29:50,417 --> 00:29:53,167 Yesterday, realized my billet's a little short. 809 00:29:53,250 --> 00:29:55,042 And I left out a piece of steel. 810 00:29:55,125 --> 00:29:56,917 It was bumped up against my chop saw. 811 00:29:57,042 --> 00:29:58,292 So I'm gonna chop it up, 812 00:29:58,375 --> 00:29:59,917 add that other piece of steel in, 813 00:29:59,917 --> 00:30:01,625 and try to get my length. 814 00:30:01,708 --> 00:30:04,958 ♪ 815 00:30:04,958 --> 00:30:06,375 This looks really good, 816 00:30:06,500 --> 00:30:09,417 so that middle layer is the one I left out, like an idiot. 817 00:30:09,417 --> 00:30:11,042 But we're going to reincorporate that, 818 00:30:11,042 --> 00:30:12,958 and that has 25 layers. 819 00:30:12,958 --> 00:30:14,958 I think it's gonna look really cool. 820 00:30:14,958 --> 00:30:17,000 Let's get rocking and rolling. 821 00:30:17,083 --> 00:30:20,333 ♪ 822 00:30:20,417 --> 00:30:23,333 Everything looks to be going pretty solid. 823 00:30:23,333 --> 00:30:26,042 Time to get my blade looking like a knife. 824 00:30:26,042 --> 00:30:28,250 ♪ 825 00:30:28,333 --> 00:30:30,042 I was a little behind on day one, 826 00:30:30,042 --> 00:30:32,833 but I caught up and got 344 layers. 827 00:30:32,917 --> 00:30:34,792 Hell yeah. 828 00:30:34,875 --> 00:30:36,500 That's looking good. 829 00:30:36,542 --> 00:30:39,875 So I couldn't be more pleased with how today went. 830 00:30:39,958 --> 00:30:41,583 Got a sword, man. 831 00:30:42,875 --> 00:30:44,292 - It's morning of day two. 832 00:30:44,292 --> 00:30:46,625 Now that the blade's forged to where I want it, 833 00:30:46,625 --> 00:30:49,708 hope that this quench works out. 834 00:30:49,792 --> 00:30:52,792 If this thing ends up cracking, I'm out of the competition. 835 00:30:52,875 --> 00:30:54,458 Okay. 836 00:30:54,542 --> 00:30:56,125 ♪ 837 00:30:56,125 --> 00:30:57,792 This blade's quenched. 838 00:30:57,875 --> 00:30:59,458 I'm happy about that. 839 00:30:59,542 --> 00:31:00,583 ♪ 840 00:31:00,667 --> 00:31:02,833 And oh my goodness, it's hard. 841 00:31:02,917 --> 00:31:04,833 I'm like, yes. 842 00:31:04,917 --> 00:31:07,000 [laughs] 843 00:31:07,000 --> 00:31:08,333 - Beginning of day four. 844 00:31:08,375 --> 00:31:10,625 Yesterday on day three, got my blade heat treated. 845 00:31:10,708 --> 00:31:13,958 ♪ 846 00:31:13,958 --> 00:31:16,167 I just gotta get everything fit up, 847 00:31:16,208 --> 00:31:18,292 and start shaping my handle material. 848 00:31:18,375 --> 00:31:21,500 It's not gonna be the best flute. 849 00:31:21,542 --> 00:31:23,958 ♪ 850 00:31:24,042 --> 00:31:26,125 I, myself, am a perfectionist, 851 00:31:26,125 --> 00:31:28,917 especially with my craft and what I do with my work. 852 00:31:29,000 --> 00:31:31,375 I'm real OCD, and I like to nitpick my stuff 853 00:31:31,375 --> 00:31:33,417 and just make it as good as I can make it 854 00:31:33,500 --> 00:31:35,667 when fitting up a handle. 855 00:31:35,792 --> 00:31:37,500 ♪ 856 00:31:37,583 --> 00:31:40,333 The whole build was super challenging, 857 00:31:40,375 --> 00:31:42,708 but I'm grateful to be a part of this competition, 858 00:31:42,792 --> 00:31:44,750 and I'm super proud to represent 859 00:31:44,833 --> 00:31:46,625 the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing. 860 00:31:46,625 --> 00:31:47,875 Holy [bleep], guys. 861 00:31:47,958 --> 00:31:49,917 Ha! I got that done! 862 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:51,833 I got that done. 863 00:31:51,917 --> 00:31:53,792 That looks so frickin' cool. 864 00:31:53,875 --> 00:31:56,125 Badass. 865 00:31:56,958 --> 00:31:58,625 - It's morning of day four. 866 00:31:58,708 --> 00:32:01,167 It's crazy how quickly things have gone with this. 867 00:32:01,250 --> 00:32:05,208 Yesterday, I did a whole bunch of work on the handle pieces. 868 00:32:05,292 --> 00:32:08,917 So only things I need to do is put an edge on it, 869 00:32:09,000 --> 00:32:11,667 glue up the handle, and it's ready to go. 870 00:32:11,708 --> 00:32:12,958 ♪ 871 00:32:12,958 --> 00:32:14,792 Both my guard and my pommel, 872 00:32:14,875 --> 00:32:16,833 they are made out of mild steel. 873 00:32:16,958 --> 00:32:19,000 ♪ 874 00:32:19,042 --> 00:32:20,667 There you go. 875 00:32:20,750 --> 00:32:24,458 The weapon is put together, peened on, looks good. 876 00:32:24,542 --> 00:32:26,833 So I get to play with it a little bit. 877 00:32:26,875 --> 00:32:28,958 ♪ 878 00:32:29,042 --> 00:32:30,333 [chuckles] 879 00:32:30,375 --> 00:32:32,167 I think it will definitely cut. 880 00:32:32,208 --> 00:32:33,833 ♪ 881 00:32:33,875 --> 00:32:36,125 [tense music] 882 00:32:36,208 --> 00:32:41,375 ♪ 883 00:32:41,458 --> 00:32:45,167 - Well, gentlemen, Don, welcome to our testing grounds. 884 00:32:45,250 --> 00:32:47,542 Now, last time we saw you, it was at your home field 885 00:32:47,542 --> 00:32:49,000 at the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing 886 00:32:49,125 --> 00:32:50,875 in Texarkana, Texas. 887 00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:52,875 We gave you four days to come back here 888 00:32:52,958 --> 00:32:54,208 with a short sword version 889 00:32:54,208 --> 00:32:55,542 of the Master Bladesmith's daggers. 890 00:32:55,667 --> 00:32:57,625 And guys, I gotta say, they both look phenomenal. 891 00:32:57,625 --> 00:32:59,833 But before we put these blades through a series of tests, 892 00:32:59,917 --> 00:33:01,000 I want to hear about them. 893 00:33:01,000 --> 00:33:02,167 So Chris, tell us about yours. 894 00:33:02,250 --> 00:33:03,292 ♪ 895 00:33:03,292 --> 00:33:04,625 - It was a lot of fun to make. 896 00:33:04,625 --> 00:33:07,917 95 layers of Damascus, 897 00:33:08,000 --> 00:33:10,208 mild steel guard and pommel. 898 00:33:10,208 --> 00:33:11,917 I can't remember exactly what kind of wood it was, 899 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:13,208 but it felt pretty dense. 900 00:33:13,292 --> 00:33:15,000 So I thought it would work for the handle. 901 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:16,333 - It looks good. - Thank you. 902 00:33:16,417 --> 00:33:18,000 - Jake, how about you? - It was fun, man. 903 00:33:18,083 --> 00:33:19,250 I enjoyed it. 904 00:33:19,375 --> 00:33:21,083 ♪ 905 00:33:21,208 --> 00:33:24,125 It's 344 layers of Damascus 906 00:33:24,208 --> 00:33:27,500 with a wrought iron guard and pommel, 907 00:33:27,542 --> 00:33:31,042 copper accents, and a bog oak handle. 908 00:33:31,042 --> 00:33:32,208 - Phenomenal work, guys. 909 00:33:32,333 --> 00:33:33,958 All right, gentlemen, the time has come. 910 00:33:33,958 --> 00:33:35,458 We've got to find out which one of you 911 00:33:35,542 --> 00:33:37,250 is moving forward in the next leg of the tournament, 912 00:33:37,250 --> 00:33:40,167 staying in contention for that $20,000 check for yourselves 913 00:33:40,250 --> 00:33:43,208 and an additional $10,000 that could go back to Don 914 00:33:43,208 --> 00:33:44,875 and the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing. 915 00:33:44,958 --> 00:33:46,042 And to do that, we've gotta put your blades 916 00:33:46,125 --> 00:33:47,667 through a series of tests. 917 00:33:47,750 --> 00:33:50,208 Before those tests, I'm gonna hand you over to J. 918 00:33:50,292 --> 00:33:53,667 ♪ 919 00:33:53,667 --> 00:33:55,875 - Well, bladesmiths, your big blade versions 920 00:33:55,958 --> 00:33:57,875 of the Master Smith quillon dagger 921 00:33:57,875 --> 00:33:59,125 look really nice. 922 00:33:59,208 --> 00:34:01,292 But looking good is one thing. 923 00:34:01,375 --> 00:34:03,167 Functionality is more important. 924 00:34:03,208 --> 00:34:05,000 So I'm gonna take both of your short swords 925 00:34:05,125 --> 00:34:07,208 and do a series of thrusts and chops 926 00:34:07,208 --> 00:34:10,333 on this ballistics dummy rig. 927 00:34:10,333 --> 00:34:12,167 Chris, you're up first. You ready to go? 928 00:34:12,250 --> 00:34:14,708 - As ready as I'll ever be. - Let's do it. 929 00:34:14,792 --> 00:34:16,208 - I see the Viking helmet. 930 00:34:16,292 --> 00:34:18,125 I see the shield there. 931 00:34:18,208 --> 00:34:20,208 I'm wondering OK, am I gonna have an edge roll on this? 932 00:34:20,292 --> 00:34:22,042 'Cause as soon as he hits that helmet, 933 00:34:22,125 --> 00:34:24,208 it could damage my edge. 934 00:34:24,292 --> 00:34:25,875 ♪ 935 00:34:25,958 --> 00:34:28,750 [hard rock music] 936 00:34:28,875 --> 00:34:30,708 ♪ 937 00:34:30,792 --> 00:34:33,833 [grunting] 938 00:34:33,875 --> 00:34:40,708 ♪ 939 00:34:43,625 --> 00:34:46,125 - [laughs] 940 00:34:46,125 --> 00:34:49,875 - Just kick the [bleep] shield off. 941 00:34:50,000 --> 00:34:51,833 - Who needs a sword? 942 00:34:51,958 --> 00:34:59,042 ♪ 943 00:35:09,042 --> 00:35:12,000 ♪ 944 00:35:12,083 --> 00:35:13,958 All right, Chris, nice job. 945 00:35:13,958 --> 00:35:15,292 Very well balanced. 946 00:35:15,375 --> 00:35:17,083 With the fluting you have on this handle, 947 00:35:17,167 --> 00:35:18,375 it was a good grip. 948 00:35:18,500 --> 00:35:20,208 The shield wanted to put up a bit of a fight, 949 00:35:20,333 --> 00:35:21,458 but we made it through. 950 00:35:21,458 --> 00:35:22,583 - Yes, sir. 951 00:35:22,583 --> 00:35:26,042 - The only thing I have to say negative 952 00:35:26,167 --> 00:35:27,625 is the alignment, 953 00:35:27,708 --> 00:35:29,833 'cause I'm holding the handle vertically, 954 00:35:29,917 --> 00:35:33,333 and you can see that blade curves off to one side. 955 00:35:33,417 --> 00:35:35,208 But all in all, everything's sharp. 956 00:35:35,292 --> 00:35:37,042 Everything is tight. 957 00:35:37,042 --> 00:35:38,917 Nice job. - Thank you. 958 00:35:39,042 --> 00:35:40,167 - All right, Jake, you ready to go? 959 00:35:40,208 --> 00:35:41,208 - I'm ready. 960 00:35:41,208 --> 00:35:43,208 - All right, let's do it. 961 00:35:43,292 --> 00:35:45,333 - It's a little nerve-racking having J 962 00:35:45,375 --> 00:35:48,167 about to start destroying stuff with my sword. 963 00:35:48,250 --> 00:35:50,167 My biggest fear is that metal helmet. 964 00:35:53,958 --> 00:35:54,917 If my blade chips or glints, 965 00:35:55,208 --> 00:35:57,000 that could be the thing that sends me home. 966 00:35:57,000 --> 00:36:01,958 ♪ 967 00:36:02,042 --> 00:36:04,708 - [grunting] 968 00:36:04,708 --> 00:36:11,625 ♪ 969 00:36:26,375 --> 00:36:28,042 ♪ 970 00:36:28,042 --> 00:36:29,167 - All right, Jake, nice job. 971 00:36:29,208 --> 00:36:31,167 Everything's still in alignment. 972 00:36:31,292 --> 00:36:32,292 Nothing wrong with the edge. 973 00:36:32,375 --> 00:36:34,125 Nothing chipped out or anything. 974 00:36:34,208 --> 00:36:35,583 Everything's tight. 975 00:36:35,583 --> 00:36:37,125 I like the counterbalance you put 976 00:36:37,208 --> 00:36:38,542 in here with the wrought iron. 977 00:36:38,542 --> 00:36:41,083 The fluting on here gave me a good grip. 978 00:36:41,208 --> 00:36:42,833 So overall, very nice job. 979 00:36:42,917 --> 00:36:44,667 - Thank you, sir. 980 00:36:44,708 --> 00:36:49,542 ♪ 981 00:36:49,542 --> 00:36:51,250 - All right, bladesmiths, now we know 982 00:36:51,333 --> 00:36:52,500 your blades are functional. 983 00:36:52,625 --> 00:36:54,292 Next, we're gonna see how strong they are 984 00:36:54,375 --> 00:36:57,000 and how well they hold up in our strength test. 985 00:36:57,000 --> 00:36:59,458 ♪ 986 00:36:59,542 --> 00:37:01,125 Chris, you're up first again. You ready? 987 00:37:01,208 --> 00:37:03,083 - Yes, sir. - All right, let's do it. 988 00:37:03,083 --> 00:37:09,958 ♪ 989 00:37:11,125 --> 00:37:13,958 [heavy metal music] 990 00:37:14,042 --> 00:37:20,917 ♪ 991 00:37:43,042 --> 00:37:45,375 ♪ 992 00:37:45,375 --> 00:37:47,250 All right, Chris, real nice. 993 00:37:47,333 --> 00:37:50,250 Good grip, able to hold on no problem. 994 00:37:50,375 --> 00:37:52,083 You do have some glinting. 995 00:37:52,208 --> 00:37:54,417 ♪ 996 00:37:54,542 --> 00:37:56,250 So you can hear that? - Yes, sir. 997 00:37:56,333 --> 00:37:58,000 - That's the worst one right there. 998 00:37:58,042 --> 00:38:00,250 So you do have some edge damage. 999 00:38:00,250 --> 00:38:02,375 But obviously, it was still sharp enough 1000 00:38:02,375 --> 00:38:04,125 to cut through those bags. 1001 00:38:04,208 --> 00:38:08,500 Again, that blade being kicked off throws off the thrusting. 1002 00:38:08,542 --> 00:38:11,125 Overall though, nice job. 1003 00:38:11,208 --> 00:38:13,083 - Thank you. 1004 00:38:13,208 --> 00:38:14,958 - Jake, ready again? 1005 00:38:15,083 --> 00:38:16,250 - Let's do it. 1006 00:38:16,333 --> 00:38:19,167 [suspenseful music] 1007 00:38:19,208 --> 00:38:23,042 ♪ 1008 00:38:23,125 --> 00:38:26,042 [heavy metal music] 1009 00:38:26,042 --> 00:38:32,917 ♪ 1010 00:38:54,208 --> 00:38:58,292 ♪ 1011 00:38:58,292 --> 00:39:00,125 - All right, Jake, nice job. 1012 00:39:00,208 --> 00:39:02,083 Cut deeply into the steel. 1013 00:39:02,167 --> 00:39:05,000 There's some glinting. 1014 00:39:05,083 --> 00:39:07,000 It's got a little bit of a roll. 1015 00:39:07,083 --> 00:39:10,208 Aside from that, everything is still straight. 1016 00:39:10,208 --> 00:39:13,167 Good job. - Thank you. 1017 00:39:13,250 --> 00:39:17,625 ♪ 1018 00:39:17,708 --> 00:39:19,333 - Well, gentlemen, this is it. 1019 00:39:19,333 --> 00:39:21,500 We started this competition back in Texarkana 1020 00:39:21,500 --> 00:39:23,625 with you guys putting together Damascus blades, 1021 00:39:23,708 --> 00:39:25,625 and you went above and beyond. 1022 00:39:25,625 --> 00:39:28,375 But only one of you can come out on top 1023 00:39:28,458 --> 00:39:30,083 of the Texarkana leg of this tournament 1024 00:39:30,167 --> 00:39:31,792 and move forward into the final leg, 1025 00:39:31,875 --> 00:39:33,500 fighting against three other smiths 1026 00:39:33,583 --> 00:39:36,458 we pick up across America. 1027 00:39:36,542 --> 00:39:38,625 And the winner of this leg, who will be representing 1028 00:39:38,708 --> 00:39:40,333 the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing 1029 00:39:40,417 --> 00:39:42,167 and J. Neilson is... 1030 00:39:42,167 --> 00:39:44,917 ♪ 1031 00:39:45,042 --> 00:39:46,000 Jake. 1032 00:39:46,042 --> 00:39:47,375 Congratulations. 1033 00:39:47,667 --> 00:39:49,375 Now Chris, unfortunately, your blade did not make the cut. 1034 00:39:49,375 --> 00:39:51,708 And J is gonna tell you why. 1035 00:39:51,833 --> 00:39:54,083 - Chris, you should be very proud of your work. 1036 00:39:54,208 --> 00:39:55,250 Did a great job. 1037 00:39:55,250 --> 00:39:57,208 But that bend in the blade-- 1038 00:39:57,292 --> 00:39:59,500 honestly, if this was a Master Smith test, 1039 00:39:59,583 --> 00:40:01,208 it wouldn't have been picked up from that. 1040 00:40:01,208 --> 00:40:04,292 Second of all, your edge took more damage during the testing 1041 00:40:04,292 --> 00:40:05,292 than your competitor's. 1042 00:40:05,375 --> 00:40:07,708 That's why we're letting you go. 1043 00:40:07,792 --> 00:40:09,750 - Well, Chris, we want to say thank you for coming out. 1044 00:40:09,750 --> 00:40:11,750 You're clearly a very talented smith. 1045 00:40:11,833 --> 00:40:13,417 But unfortunately, your time in this competition has ended. 1046 00:40:13,417 --> 00:40:14,500 I'm gonna have to ask you to please 1047 00:40:14,542 --> 00:40:16,375 step off the forge floor. 1048 00:40:16,500 --> 00:40:18,167 - Thanks, man. 1049 00:40:18,292 --> 00:40:20,583 All in all, I'm just happy with how my blade performed. 1050 00:40:20,583 --> 00:40:23,333 I completely agree with his decision to vote me off. 1051 00:40:23,333 --> 00:40:24,917 ♪ 1052 00:40:25,000 --> 00:40:26,375 I'm pretty sure Jacob has what it takes 1053 00:40:26,458 --> 00:40:27,750 to win the whole thing. 1054 00:40:27,833 --> 00:40:29,333 I'm looking forward to seeing him win. 1055 00:40:29,458 --> 00:40:32,000 ♪ 1056 00:40:32,000 --> 00:40:34,417 - Jake, congratulations. That makes you the winner 1057 00:40:34,500 --> 00:40:36,292 of the Texarkana leg of this tournament. 1058 00:40:36,375 --> 00:40:37,833 You're moving forward in the final leg, 1059 00:40:37,917 --> 00:40:39,750 still fighting for that $20,000 to go 1060 00:40:39,833 --> 00:40:42,542 in your pocket and $10,000 in gears and supplies 1061 00:40:42,708 --> 00:40:45,458 to go back to Don and the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing. 1062 00:40:45,542 --> 00:40:46,458 - I don't even know how to feel. 1063 00:40:46,542 --> 00:40:48,292 This is so cool. 1064 00:40:48,375 --> 00:40:49,667 It was anyone's game. 1065 00:40:49,708 --> 00:40:51,333 It was such a close fight from the beginning 1066 00:40:51,333 --> 00:40:52,833 at Texarkana to here. 1067 00:40:52,917 --> 00:40:54,583 Chris has been an awesome competitor, 1068 00:40:54,583 --> 00:40:55,792 but I took home the victory today. 1069 00:40:55,875 --> 00:40:57,583 And I don't even know what to do. 1070 00:40:57,667 --> 00:40:59,333 [laughs] It's pretty awesome. 1071 00:40:59,417 --> 00:41:00,917 - Congratulations. - Yes, sir. 1072 00:41:01,042 --> 00:41:03,375 - Very, very well done. - It was a pleasure. 1073 00:41:03,375 --> 00:41:05,417 I'll be representing the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing 1074 00:41:05,500 --> 00:41:06,542 in the next leg of this challenge, 1075 00:41:06,625 --> 00:41:07,667 and I'm super excited. 1076 00:41:07,708 --> 00:41:10,167 So let's get after it. 1077 00:41:10,250 --> 00:41:13,917 ♪