1 00:00:05,048 --> 00:00:06,122 [rock music] 2 00:00:06,215 --> 00:00:07,707 - Here in The Forge, 3 00:00:07,800 --> 00:00:09,301 we have put hundreds of smiths to the test. 4 00:00:09,385 --> 00:00:11,386 But one fierce competitor has proven himself 5 00:00:11,545 --> 00:00:13,388 time and time again. 6 00:00:13,473 --> 00:00:15,048 - Ben Abbott. 7 00:00:15,141 --> 00:00:16,725 - Through two "Forged in Fire" competitions 8 00:00:16,884 --> 00:00:19,061 and two tough challenges on "Beat the Judges," 9 00:00:19,220 --> 00:00:22,314 Ben Abbott remains undefeated in this Forge. 10 00:00:22,473 --> 00:00:24,232 Soon, all that could change. 11 00:00:24,391 --> 00:00:27,560 ♪ ♪ 12 00:00:27,645 --> 00:00:30,146 Tonight, we've gathered three talented bladesmiths 13 00:00:30,231 --> 00:00:32,899 to go head-to-head-to-head 14 00:00:32,983 --> 00:00:35,077 to beat the unbeaten. 15 00:00:35,236 --> 00:00:37,320 - Ben, I'm coming for you, buddy. 16 00:00:37,404 --> 00:00:39,239 - I hope all your tools are that quality. 17 00:00:39,323 --> 00:00:43,243 - Do they have what it takes to finally beat Ben Abbott? 18 00:00:43,327 --> 00:00:44,920 The competition starts now. 19 00:00:45,079 --> 00:00:51,927 ♪ ♪ 20 00:00:54,931 --> 00:00:56,673 - My name is Andrew Swanger. 21 00:00:56,757 --> 00:00:59,184 I'm 34 years old from Draper, Utah. 22 00:00:59,268 --> 00:01:01,261 I've been bladesmithing about three years. 23 00:01:01,345 --> 00:01:03,772 For a living, I am a police officer, 24 00:01:03,856 --> 00:01:06,358 also a SWAT team sniper team leader. 25 00:01:06,517 --> 00:01:08,443 I'm going to beat Ben because 26 00:01:08,602 --> 00:01:11,113 I'm used to thriving in high-pressure situations. 27 00:01:11,272 --> 00:01:13,857 ♪ ♪ 28 00:01:13,950 --> 00:01:14,941 - I'm Jesse Hatcher. 29 00:01:15,034 --> 00:01:17,694 I'm 36, from San Marcos, Texas. 30 00:01:17,778 --> 00:01:18,862 A part-time bladesmith, 31 00:01:18,946 --> 00:01:20,789 part-time light and sound engineer. 32 00:01:20,948 --> 00:01:23,792 Just facing Ben is an exciting experience. 33 00:01:23,951 --> 00:01:26,369 Beating him would just be out of this world. 34 00:01:26,453 --> 00:01:27,462 I'm coming for you, Ben. 35 00:01:27,621 --> 00:01:29,539 ♪ ♪ 36 00:01:29,623 --> 00:01:31,124 - I'm Brandon Franklin, 37 00:01:31,217 --> 00:01:33,293 35 years old from Jonesborough, Tennessee, 38 00:01:33,377 --> 00:01:35,211 and I'm a full-time bladesmith. 39 00:01:35,296 --> 00:01:37,797 The competition doesn't really bother me at all. 40 00:01:37,882 --> 00:01:40,559 I've been a competitive shooter for ten years now. 41 00:01:40,718 --> 00:01:43,553 So I've competed against the best in the shooting world, 42 00:01:43,637 --> 00:01:45,981 so this should be a walk in the park against Ben. 43 00:01:46,140 --> 00:01:49,317 ♪ ♪ 44 00:01:49,476 --> 00:01:52,478 - Well, bladesmiths, welcome to The Forge. 45 00:01:52,563 --> 00:01:55,064 You guys signed yourself up for a competition 46 00:01:55,158 --> 00:01:58,151 unlike anything we've ever done in this Forge before. 47 00:01:58,244 --> 00:02:01,496 In this competition, there are not three round. 48 00:02:01,655 --> 00:02:03,823 And it's not gonna be a single elimination. 49 00:02:03,916 --> 00:02:06,918 The three of you are going head-to-head-to-head 50 00:02:07,003 --> 00:02:08,995 in five straight hours 51 00:02:09,079 --> 00:02:11,089 of intense bladesmithing competition. 52 00:02:11,174 --> 00:02:13,842 Your blades will need to be quenched, hardened, tempered, 53 00:02:14,001 --> 00:02:16,419 and have a fully functioning handle attached 54 00:02:16,512 --> 00:02:17,754 and ready for testing. 55 00:02:17,847 --> 00:02:19,255 At the end of the five hours, 56 00:02:19,348 --> 00:02:20,932 you're gonna turn your blades over to our judges, 57 00:02:21,091 --> 00:02:22,592 and they're gonna test them. 58 00:02:22,676 --> 00:02:25,187 After testing, there will be a double elimination 59 00:02:25,346 --> 00:02:28,181 because only one of you is gonna stay in the fight 60 00:02:28,274 --> 00:02:30,099 for the title of "Forged in Fire" champion 61 00:02:30,193 --> 00:02:32,194 and a check for $10,000. 62 00:02:32,353 --> 00:02:33,862 ♪ ♪ 63 00:02:34,021 --> 00:02:36,531 But in order for you to get that cash prize 64 00:02:36,616 --> 00:02:39,868 and the title, you're gonna have to beat the unbeaten. 65 00:02:40,027 --> 00:02:41,945 And, of course, I'm talking about none other 66 00:02:42,038 --> 00:02:43,371 than Ben Abbott himself. 67 00:02:43,530 --> 00:02:45,531 ♪ ♪ 68 00:02:45,625 --> 00:02:47,542 - Bladesmiths, I've been training hard for this. 69 00:02:47,701 --> 00:02:49,035 I hope you have too. 70 00:02:49,119 --> 00:02:50,295 I hope you guys brought your A-game 71 00:02:50,454 --> 00:02:52,547 'cause I'm coming for you. 72 00:02:52,632 --> 00:02:54,707 And good luck. 73 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:56,885 - Now, guys, in the spirit of fairness, 74 00:02:56,969 --> 00:02:59,221 Ben Abbott is only gonna be spectating 75 00:02:59,305 --> 00:03:01,464 and watching you guys work, trying to get an idea 76 00:03:01,557 --> 00:03:03,058 of what he's going up against. 77 00:03:03,217 --> 00:03:04,801 ♪ ♪ 78 00:03:04,894 --> 00:03:06,811 Let's get into it. 79 00:03:06,896 --> 00:03:09,472 This is a challenge we're calling The Rust Bucket. 80 00:03:09,556 --> 00:03:15,895 ♪ ♪ 81 00:03:15,988 --> 00:03:17,155 [clatters] 82 00:03:17,314 --> 00:03:18,990 Bladesmiths, what we have right here 83 00:03:19,075 --> 00:03:24,487 is a pile of nasty, rusty high-carbon steel. 84 00:03:24,571 --> 00:03:27,323 Your task is to source your materials from this rusty steel 85 00:03:27,416 --> 00:03:31,577 and turn it into a signature blade in your signature style. 86 00:03:31,671 --> 00:03:33,162 - Oh, cool. I guess I'm gonna make a knife 87 00:03:33,247 --> 00:03:34,589 out of a pile of trash, 88 00:03:34,674 --> 00:03:36,416 in five hours nonetheless. 89 00:03:36,500 --> 00:03:37,592 Whew! 90 00:03:37,677 --> 00:03:40,178 Bring it on. [chuckles] 91 00:03:40,337 --> 00:03:41,921 - At the end of the five-hour round, 92 00:03:42,006 --> 00:03:44,683 your blades need to measure between 13 and 15 inches. 93 00:03:44,767 --> 00:03:46,351 You're gonna turn them over to our judges, 94 00:03:46,510 --> 00:03:48,177 and they're gonna check for strength and durability 95 00:03:48,271 --> 00:03:49,688 in a rust bucket chop, 96 00:03:49,772 --> 00:03:51,014 and then check your edge retention 97 00:03:51,098 --> 00:03:53,275 in a leather apron slice. 98 00:03:53,434 --> 00:03:55,768 Bladesmiths, you guys have five hours on the clock. 99 00:03:55,861 --> 00:03:57,612 Good luck. That time starts now. 100 00:03:57,771 --> 00:04:00,189 ♪ ♪ 101 00:04:00,283 --> 00:04:01,283 - This is a first. 102 00:04:01,442 --> 00:04:03,535 Three bladesmiths vying for the chance 103 00:04:03,619 --> 00:04:06,121 to go up against Ben. 104 00:04:06,205 --> 00:04:07,447 How exciting. 105 00:04:07,531 --> 00:04:09,115 - I've never gotten to see you forge. 106 00:04:09,208 --> 00:04:12,452 - Ah, well, you're in for a treat, my friend. 107 00:04:12,545 --> 00:04:14,537 - I've worked with salvaged stuff before, 108 00:04:14,621 --> 00:04:18,541 but this is an extremely rusty pile of scrap metal. 109 00:04:18,634 --> 00:04:19,884 [chuckles] 110 00:04:19,969 --> 00:04:21,720 - That steel has seen better days. 111 00:04:21,804 --> 00:04:23,129 [laughter] - Yeah. 112 00:04:23,222 --> 00:04:25,465 - So, they're all uneven, rusty pieces, 113 00:04:25,558 --> 00:04:27,633 so my guess would be canister Damascus. 114 00:04:27,718 --> 00:04:29,477 - Yeah, I'd definitely throw it in a can. 115 00:04:29,562 --> 00:04:31,220 - Don't want to do anything I haven't done before, 116 00:04:31,305 --> 00:04:32,805 so I don't want to do a canister. 117 00:04:32,890 --> 00:04:34,974 I want to do a layered Damascus. 118 00:04:35,059 --> 00:04:38,728 I'm looking for metal that's roughly the same size, 119 00:04:38,821 --> 00:04:40,396 relatively flat, 120 00:04:40,481 --> 00:04:43,158 something that I don't have to rework 121 00:04:43,242 --> 00:04:44,993 in order to make it into a billet. 122 00:04:45,077 --> 00:04:47,403 So I get all the rust off with the grinder 123 00:04:47,488 --> 00:04:49,572 and then gave 'em a nice, little acetone bath 124 00:04:49,656 --> 00:04:50,990 just to be sure they're nice and clean 125 00:04:51,075 --> 00:04:52,834 so the forge welds stick. 126 00:04:52,993 --> 00:04:54,669 - What can happen if they didn't spend enough tie 127 00:04:54,828 --> 00:04:56,412 cleaning it up and preparing the metal? 128 00:04:56,505 --> 00:04:58,498 - Delams, cold shuts. 129 00:04:58,582 --> 00:04:59,841 It's not gonna want to weld together. 130 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,835 ♪ ♪ 131 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:05,263 - I'm just trying to find similar pieces 132 00:05:05,348 --> 00:05:08,850 that I could at least cut and stack on there 133 00:05:09,009 --> 00:05:11,770 as my first thing and get enough mass. 134 00:05:11,854 --> 00:05:14,430 - How important is it that they match up? 135 00:05:14,523 --> 00:05:16,107 - What ends up happening, if you have a bunch of layers 136 00:05:16,192 --> 00:05:17,767 that are different lengths, 137 00:05:17,860 --> 00:05:21,270 they'll get cold shuts as they smash down and wrap over. 138 00:05:21,364 --> 00:05:23,940 - I immediately grind all of this rust and dirt 139 00:05:24,033 --> 00:05:25,441 off of these pieces 140 00:05:25,526 --> 00:05:27,535 so I can stack them up and weld them, 141 00:05:27,620 --> 00:05:29,704 and then immediately throw it into the forge. 142 00:05:29,863 --> 00:05:33,116 ♪ ♪ 143 00:05:33,209 --> 00:05:34,876 - Gathering enough of this, 144 00:05:35,035 --> 00:05:37,537 it's really hard to judge how much I need. 145 00:05:37,621 --> 00:05:40,540 - But you're gonna need a lot of material for this. 146 00:05:40,624 --> 00:05:42,959 I mean, what I see alone is not enough material 147 00:05:43,052 --> 00:05:44,460 to make a 14-inch blade. 148 00:05:44,545 --> 00:05:46,638 - So I decide that 149 00:05:46,722 --> 00:05:48,223 the only way I'm gonna get enough stel 150 00:05:48,307 --> 00:05:51,300 for the size knife and style knife that I want 151 00:05:51,385 --> 00:05:54,396 is to make two billets. 152 00:05:54,555 --> 00:05:56,231 - Jesse's welding up two billets. 153 00:05:56,390 --> 00:05:57,640 I'm guessing because 154 00:05:57,724 --> 00:05:59,401 he couldn't find material that all matched. 155 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:02,228 - That's gonna add two steps, at least, 156 00:06:02,312 --> 00:06:03,405 to your construction. 157 00:06:03,564 --> 00:06:06,991 ♪ ♪ 158 00:06:07,076 --> 00:06:08,484 Now that's a good color. 159 00:06:08,577 --> 00:06:10,486 - I do a quick little kiss on the press 160 00:06:10,579 --> 00:06:12,321 just to set my welds. 161 00:06:12,415 --> 00:06:14,407 I don't want to get anything too aggressive right now 162 00:06:14,500 --> 00:06:16,159 'cause I could pop my welds loose. 163 00:06:16,252 --> 00:06:17,493 Whoo! It's hot. 164 00:06:17,578 --> 00:06:19,328 My welds look good at this point. 165 00:06:19,413 --> 00:06:21,914 I had a lot of relief come over me, 166 00:06:21,999 --> 00:06:23,842 knowing that I had a nice, solid billet, 167 00:06:24,001 --> 00:06:26,845 and now it was just do what I've done over and over again, 168 00:06:27,004 --> 00:06:28,096 and that's forge a blade. 169 00:06:28,255 --> 00:06:31,433 ♪ ♪ 170 00:06:31,517 --> 00:06:34,093 - Guys, Andrew's going into the press, getting his welds set. 171 00:06:34,178 --> 00:06:35,353 - I'm trying to take it real slow 172 00:06:35,512 --> 00:06:36,938 so I don't force anything 173 00:06:37,097 --> 00:06:39,023 because these forge welds will just pop. 174 00:06:39,108 --> 00:06:40,433 They won't set right 175 00:06:40,517 --> 00:06:42,110 and we have to start over then. 176 00:06:42,194 --> 00:06:43,769 Come on, baby. 177 00:06:43,854 --> 00:06:45,697 The forge welds are holding. 178 00:06:45,856 --> 00:06:47,607 I could not be more happy. 179 00:06:47,691 --> 00:06:49,442 Ooh. 180 00:06:49,526 --> 00:06:51,360 - Bladesmiths, you're one hour down. 181 00:06:51,445 --> 00:06:54,363 You have four hours left in your competition. 182 00:06:54,448 --> 00:06:56,458 - I get that first billet done. 183 00:06:56,542 --> 00:06:59,461 And hopefully, I can draw out the second billet 184 00:06:59,620 --> 00:07:02,297 the same length as the first one and stack 'em together. 185 00:07:02,456 --> 00:07:04,123 - Oh, look at Jesse. 186 00:07:04,216 --> 00:07:06,792 Setting that weld very tentatively. 187 00:07:06,886 --> 00:07:09,045 - [grunts] 188 00:07:09,129 --> 00:07:11,055 Those welds just aren't taking. 189 00:07:11,140 --> 00:07:12,715 - Ooh. 190 00:07:12,808 --> 00:07:14,726 It looks like it's starting to splay open. 191 00:07:14,885 --> 00:07:17,562 - Yeah, so I ditched the second piece. 192 00:07:17,646 --> 00:07:20,231 - Oh, man. That's not a lot of steel, man. 193 00:07:20,390 --> 00:07:23,318 - I'm hoping that I got enough steel for this sized knife. 194 00:07:23,477 --> 00:07:26,654 ♪ ♪ 195 00:07:26,813 --> 00:07:30,825 - So, the design that I choose is recurve style 196 00:07:30,984 --> 00:07:33,411 with kind of a sharp point 'cause we're doing a chop 197 00:07:33,570 --> 00:07:35,497 and we're gonna be doing a slice. 198 00:07:35,656 --> 00:07:38,082 - Brandon is very meticulously tapping at it, 199 00:07:38,167 --> 00:07:41,577 making sure he's using every single ounce. 200 00:07:41,662 --> 00:07:43,671 - I actually forge my blades to finish 201 00:07:43,830 --> 00:07:45,173 using the brute de forge method. 202 00:07:45,332 --> 00:07:47,750 It allows you to create a blade 203 00:07:47,834 --> 00:07:51,429 where it is completely forged to its final profile. 204 00:07:51,588 --> 00:07:53,598 And that lends itself very well 205 00:07:53,682 --> 00:07:55,350 to this competition. 206 00:07:55,509 --> 00:07:57,510 - Is this gonna save him time down the road? 207 00:07:57,603 --> 00:07:59,929 - But there physically isn't a lot of material 208 00:08:00,013 --> 00:08:01,264 that he could grind on, 209 00:08:01,348 --> 00:08:03,691 so he can't spend a lot of time grinding. 210 00:08:03,850 --> 00:08:06,269 - I think Ben will be surprised 211 00:08:06,353 --> 00:08:07,946 once I'm up against him 212 00:08:08,030 --> 00:08:10,439 and that he's really got to bring his A-game. 213 00:08:10,524 --> 00:08:12,775 ♪ ♪ 214 00:08:12,859 --> 00:08:14,202 - My steel's moving well 215 00:08:14,361 --> 00:08:15,778 and getting into the shape that I need. 216 00:08:15,871 --> 00:08:20,366 Kind of just a long drop point, camp hunter-style knife. 217 00:08:20,459 --> 00:08:22,126 I want it fast, I want it quick, 218 00:08:22,286 --> 00:08:23,786 but I also want it durable. 219 00:08:23,879 --> 00:08:26,372 I'm still unsure about the amount of steel that I have. 220 00:08:26,465 --> 00:08:28,708 I know that my steel is pretty thin, 221 00:08:28,801 --> 00:08:32,128 so I decided that I can do a hidden tang knife. 222 00:08:32,221 --> 00:08:34,138 - Jesse's definitely got something that looks like 223 00:08:34,223 --> 00:08:36,048 it's gonna be a through or a hidden tang going on, 224 00:08:36,133 --> 00:08:38,718 but it's a very thin and long blade. 225 00:08:38,802 --> 00:08:40,136 - I'm comfortable with the hidden tang, 226 00:08:40,220 --> 00:08:41,563 but it takes me longer. 227 00:08:41,647 --> 00:08:43,982 I spend a lot more time fitting up that guard, 228 00:08:44,141 --> 00:08:45,066 but I have to make parameters. 229 00:08:45,225 --> 00:08:48,311 ♪ ♪ 230 00:08:48,395 --> 00:08:50,646 - I want to start shaping the blade. 231 00:08:50,731 --> 00:08:52,407 I'm gonna make a kukri, 232 00:08:52,566 --> 00:08:54,909 or something top-heavy, good for chopping, 233 00:08:55,068 --> 00:08:57,069 but will still cut through leather pretty easy. 234 00:08:57,162 --> 00:08:59,747 So I take hammer and billet to the anvil. 235 00:08:59,906 --> 00:09:03,668 ♪ ♪ 236 00:09:03,827 --> 00:09:05,253 My favorite hammer. 237 00:09:05,412 --> 00:09:07,922 - Oh, no! Andrew broke his lucky hammer. 238 00:09:08,007 --> 00:09:11,250 - It's freaking snapped my handle right in half. 239 00:09:11,343 --> 00:09:13,344 [chuckles] 240 00:09:13,429 --> 00:09:14,846 Awesome. 241 00:09:15,005 --> 00:09:16,922 - Aw, poor Andrew. - That's terrible. 242 00:09:17,016 --> 00:09:18,600 - I am gonna miss that hammer, 243 00:09:18,759 --> 00:09:22,353 but, you know, that shows exactly how much effort 244 00:09:22,512 --> 00:09:25,356 I'm putting into this, Ben. 245 00:09:25,515 --> 00:09:27,850 Ben, I'm coming for you, buddy. 246 00:09:27,943 --> 00:09:30,269 [laughter] 247 00:09:30,354 --> 00:09:32,697 - I hope all your tools are that quality. 248 00:09:32,781 --> 00:09:35,617 - All right, bladesmiths. You have three hours left. 249 00:09:35,776 --> 00:09:37,610 - I feel like it's a little bit lean. 250 00:09:37,694 --> 00:09:40,288 And I'm worried about that, but I've met parameters 251 00:09:40,372 --> 00:09:42,531 and it's looking like a pretty good knife. 252 00:09:42,625 --> 00:09:44,784 So, I'm ready for the quench. 253 00:09:44,877 --> 00:09:48,704 - Jesse has quenched, and that was hot! 254 00:09:48,797 --> 00:09:52,291 - I've got a nice, hardened blade here 255 00:09:52,376 --> 00:09:54,802 and I feel like I'm in a good position. 256 00:09:54,961 --> 00:09:58,130 ♪ ♪ 257 00:09:58,223 --> 00:10:00,475 - Now it's time for the quench. 258 00:10:00,634 --> 00:10:03,645 ♪ ♪ 259 00:10:03,729 --> 00:10:04,970 - There we go. 260 00:10:05,064 --> 00:10:05,980 Brandon to the oil. - All right. 261 00:10:06,139 --> 00:10:07,890 ♪ ♪ 262 00:10:07,974 --> 00:10:10,318 - It is insanely warped. 263 00:10:10,477 --> 00:10:11,394 - Oh... 264 00:10:11,478 --> 00:10:13,062 - Which is devastating. 265 00:10:13,155 --> 00:10:14,397 If I can't prove myself here, 266 00:10:14,481 --> 00:10:16,399 I won't be able to prove myself against Ben. 267 00:10:16,492 --> 00:10:18,493 - Brandon's back in the fire. 268 00:10:18,652 --> 00:10:20,328 It looks like he's gonna do another quench. 269 00:10:20,412 --> 00:10:22,822 - Doing that second quench, my biggest concern is 270 00:10:22,915 --> 00:10:24,332 I could break the blade at this point. 271 00:10:24,491 --> 00:10:25,991 ♪ ♪ 272 00:10:26,076 --> 00:10:27,243 - Two quenches for Brandon. 273 00:10:27,327 --> 00:10:29,420 Hopefully, he likes it this time. 274 00:10:29,505 --> 00:10:30,663 - It works. 275 00:10:30,756 --> 00:10:32,340 So, I've got a much straighter blade. 276 00:10:32,499 --> 00:10:35,843 It's not perfect, but I think I can move forward with i. 277 00:10:36,002 --> 00:10:37,512 ♪ ♪ 278 00:10:37,671 --> 00:10:38,763 - Whew! 279 00:10:38,922 --> 00:10:40,181 - Finally, Andrew looks like 280 00:10:40,265 --> 00:10:41,432 he's getting ready to quench his blade. 281 00:10:41,591 --> 00:10:44,102 - Nice. - So, here we go. 282 00:10:44,186 --> 00:10:45,845 One more huge step 283 00:10:45,929 --> 00:10:48,856 that could potentially blow this knife all apart. 284 00:10:48,941 --> 00:10:51,183 The quench. [chuckles] 285 00:10:51,276 --> 00:10:54,103 Ah, I'm so nervous, at this point. 286 00:10:54,187 --> 00:10:55,780 - Andrew just quenched. 287 00:10:55,939 --> 00:10:57,865 - Oh, my God. The file skates. 288 00:10:58,024 --> 00:10:59,450 There's no cracks, there's no huge warp. 289 00:10:59,609 --> 00:11:00,860 Something's gotta be off. 290 00:11:00,944 --> 00:11:02,027 This is all going way too well. 291 00:11:02,121 --> 00:11:03,371 [chuckles] 292 00:11:03,530 --> 00:11:05,039 ♪ ♪ 293 00:11:05,124 --> 00:11:07,208 - All right, bladesmiths. You have two hours left. 294 00:11:07,292 --> 00:11:08,376 You're on the homestretch. 295 00:11:08,535 --> 00:11:09,794 ♪ ♪ 296 00:11:09,953 --> 00:11:11,787 Brandon is getting his handle fit up. 297 00:11:11,880 --> 00:11:14,048 - It's really important that I nail my handle on this 298 00:11:14,207 --> 00:11:16,134 because two people are gonna be eliminated. 299 00:11:16,218 --> 00:11:18,711 And I've got to make sure that I don't get sent home 300 00:11:18,795 --> 00:11:20,463 because my handle's not comfortable 301 00:11:20,556 --> 00:11:23,215 or it doesn't fit the judges' hands properly. 302 00:11:23,300 --> 00:11:24,633 - You know, at this kind of competition, 303 00:11:24,727 --> 00:11:25,885 you can't be just the top two. 304 00:11:25,978 --> 00:11:27,395 You got to be the number one. 305 00:11:27,554 --> 00:11:29,564 - So I get to the point where it feels great, 306 00:11:29,723 --> 00:11:32,650 but I keep looking at the clock and making sure 307 00:11:32,809 --> 00:11:36,070 that I've got enough time to hopefully put my edge on there. 308 00:11:36,229 --> 00:11:39,064 ♪ ♪ 309 00:11:39,158 --> 00:11:40,825 - So because I did make the decision 310 00:11:40,909 --> 00:11:42,243 to switch to a hidden tang, 311 00:11:42,402 --> 00:11:45,246 I know that I have to be a lot more meticulous 312 00:11:45,405 --> 00:11:49,158 with this brass guard and the fit of the wood. 313 00:11:49,242 --> 00:11:52,161 It can't shake around and come apart. 314 00:11:52,254 --> 00:11:54,079 I put the blade in it. 315 00:11:54,164 --> 00:11:55,256 Ah. 316 00:11:55,415 --> 00:11:57,425 It's just too wide. 317 00:11:57,584 --> 00:11:59,001 ♪ ♪ 318 00:11:59,085 --> 00:12:01,337 - Guys, Jesse is drilling new holes 319 00:12:01,430 --> 00:12:03,839 in that block of brass he's using for his guard. 320 00:12:03,932 --> 00:12:05,266 I think he's restarting. 321 00:12:05,425 --> 00:12:08,093 - I'm kind of panicking, but I want to stay calm. 322 00:12:08,178 --> 00:12:09,854 I don't want to screw up the second hole 323 00:12:10,013 --> 00:12:12,264 and then have to do it a third time. 324 00:12:12,349 --> 00:12:13,849 Hey! 325 00:12:13,934 --> 00:12:16,027 I'm able to get a nice fit on it, 326 00:12:16,186 --> 00:12:17,612 and I'm feeling good again. 327 00:12:17,771 --> 00:12:20,272 ♪ ♪ 328 00:12:20,357 --> 00:12:22,525 - I got the face of the blade cleaned up. 329 00:12:22,609 --> 00:12:23,743 So far, it's feeling pretty good. 330 00:12:26,705 --> 00:12:28,706 I got a warp right where the handle 331 00:12:28,865 --> 00:12:30,708 meets the spine of the blade. 332 00:12:30,793 --> 00:12:32,126 That's not good. 333 00:12:32,211 --> 00:12:34,295 - Is he making a three-point straightening jig? 334 00:12:34,454 --> 00:12:37,790 You're running a pretty big risk of snapping that blade. 335 00:12:37,874 --> 00:12:39,383 - I don't have time to do this, 336 00:12:39,543 --> 00:12:41,043 but I have to make time to do it. 337 00:12:41,136 --> 00:12:43,471 It's so bad, it's gonna affect the way the blade cuts. 338 00:12:43,630 --> 00:12:45,640 I just need to put it in the vise and straighten it out 339 00:12:45,799 --> 00:12:48,384 and pray that it doesn't break when I do it. 340 00:12:48,468 --> 00:12:50,061 - Panic time is coming. 341 00:12:50,220 --> 00:12:52,605 - I'm freaking out at this point. 342 00:12:56,476 --> 00:12:57,068 Whew! - Well, there you go. 343 00:12:57,152 --> 00:12:58,319 - Warp's out. 344 00:12:58,403 --> 00:13:00,563 I am ecstatic. 345 00:13:00,647 --> 00:13:02,398 I've got about 45 minutes now. 346 00:13:02,482 --> 00:13:04,075 I got a lot of work to do and very little time to do it 347 00:13:04,159 --> 00:13:05,234 at this point. 348 00:13:05,318 --> 00:13:07,820 ♪ ♪ 349 00:13:07,904 --> 00:13:09,831 - I'm looking at my blade. 350 00:13:09,915 --> 00:13:11,999 I've got it ground to where I want it. 351 00:13:12,158 --> 00:13:13,826 And then, I start putting my edge on there. 352 00:13:13,910 --> 00:13:16,671 One of the things that makes me and sets me apart 353 00:13:16,830 --> 00:13:19,665 is I'm not afraid to go too thin on a blade. 354 00:13:19,758 --> 00:13:21,083 - It's coming down to the wire, 355 00:13:21,167 --> 00:13:23,344 and it's gonna be a pretty close competition. 356 00:13:23,503 --> 00:13:24,929 - A lot of this might come down to edge, 357 00:13:25,013 --> 00:13:27,181 you know, on these blades. - Yeah. 358 00:13:27,266 --> 00:13:29,842 - I'm pretty confident that I'll be the one moving forward 359 00:13:29,935 --> 00:13:31,260 and I'll be competing against Ben. 360 00:13:31,344 --> 00:13:34,430 ♪ ♪ 361 00:13:34,514 --> 00:13:36,774 - So I'm at the grinder shaving that handle. 362 00:13:36,859 --> 00:13:38,359 It feels comfortable. 363 00:13:38,443 --> 00:13:40,269 So I go back to my cutting edge 364 00:13:40,362 --> 00:13:42,613 and trying to get this thing a razor at this point. 365 00:13:42,698 --> 00:13:45,774 It's got to be sharp enough to cut through leather. 366 00:13:45,859 --> 00:13:47,026 ♪ ♪ 367 00:13:47,119 --> 00:13:49,945 - Ben, it's been nice to have you here, 368 00:13:50,038 --> 00:13:51,697 but you're not allowed to come to the testing. 369 00:13:51,781 --> 00:13:54,199 - No. - Your time's up. 370 00:13:54,293 --> 00:13:55,543 - All right. You guys have fun. 371 00:13:55,627 --> 00:13:57,036 - I'll see you at the reveal, brother. 372 00:13:57,129 --> 00:13:58,454 - So long, Ben. Auf Wiedersehen. 373 00:13:58,538 --> 00:14:00,122 Goodbye. Arrivederci. 374 00:14:00,206 --> 00:14:02,216 - I'm pretty happy with the cutting edge. 375 00:14:02,375 --> 00:14:03,968 I'm still a little worried about the height, 376 00:14:04,052 --> 00:14:05,386 but at this point, 377 00:14:05,470 --> 00:14:07,972 it kind of is what it is, but it's feeling good. 378 00:14:08,056 --> 00:14:09,548 - All right, guys. 379 00:14:09,633 --> 00:14:12,551 You only have ten minutes until your testing. 380 00:14:12,636 --> 00:14:14,228 - I feel like I'm running out of time, 381 00:14:14,313 --> 00:14:16,814 and I still don't have a handle glued to my knife, 382 00:14:16,899 --> 00:14:18,566 I still don't have an edge on it. 383 00:14:18,650 --> 00:14:21,152 I gotta get this done so I can go beat Ben in the final round. 384 00:14:21,311 --> 00:14:25,406 - That handle just isn't to the scale for a blade that big. 385 00:14:25,565 --> 00:14:27,232 It's a little bit on the smaller side. 386 00:14:27,317 --> 00:14:30,411 - I grinded in some finger welds into the handl. 387 00:14:30,570 --> 00:14:32,496 A lot of fingers are a little bit long, 388 00:14:32,581 --> 00:14:34,990 but we'll let the epoxy dry while I work on the edge. 389 00:14:35,075 --> 00:14:37,826 ♪ ♪ 390 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:39,921 - Five, four, 391 00:14:40,005 --> 00:14:43,090 three, two, one. 392 00:14:43,249 --> 00:14:44,508 Bladesmiths, turn off your machines, 393 00:14:44,668 --> 00:14:45,509 put down your tools. 394 00:14:45,669 --> 00:14:47,670 This round is over. 395 00:14:47,763 --> 00:14:49,597 - Yeah, buddy. 396 00:14:49,681 --> 00:14:52,508 So I'm looking at my knife, and I'm excited. 397 00:14:52,592 --> 00:14:54,009 I'm feeling great about it. 398 00:14:54,094 --> 00:14:55,594 Don't worry, Ben. I'll take it easy on you. 399 00:14:55,679 --> 00:14:59,098 ♪ ♪ 400 00:14:59,182 --> 00:15:00,358 - All right, gentlemen. 401 00:15:00,517 --> 00:15:01,433 I think you know what time it is. 402 00:15:01,526 --> 00:15:03,936 It's time for the strength test. 403 00:15:04,020 --> 00:15:06,113 Test the overall construction of your blade. 404 00:15:06,272 --> 00:15:07,606 - I'm gonna take them and smash them 405 00:15:07,691 --> 00:15:09,441 into our rusty buckets here. 406 00:15:09,526 --> 00:15:11,702 Sounds like fun, doesn't it? - So fun. 407 00:15:11,787 --> 00:15:13,204 - All right, Andrew. You're up first. 408 00:15:13,288 --> 00:15:15,373 You ready? - Give it hell. 409 00:15:15,457 --> 00:15:17,116 Man, it looks tough. 410 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:19,868 You're literally chopping into a piece of metal. 411 00:15:19,953 --> 00:15:21,120 That's essentially the same thing 412 00:15:21,213 --> 00:15:22,788 that my knife is made out of. 413 00:15:22,872 --> 00:15:24,298 So, hopefully, I've made the knife stronger 414 00:15:24,383 --> 00:15:25,541 than this bucket is at this point. 415 00:15:25,625 --> 00:15:32,473 ♪ ♪ 416 00:15:43,819 --> 00:15:46,070 God. [laughter] 417 00:15:46,154 --> 00:15:47,989 [blows raspberry] 418 00:15:50,409 --> 00:15:51,817 - Glad you're wearing your brown pants? 419 00:15:51,901 --> 00:15:53,068 - Oh, yeah. That was a good choice. 420 00:15:53,161 --> 00:15:54,996 [laughter] 421 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:57,498 - All right, so Andrew, I'm gonna start back here. 422 00:15:57,582 --> 00:15:59,408 Your finger welds makes this blade 423 00:15:59,492 --> 00:16:01,326 a little bit hard to control. 424 00:16:01,411 --> 00:16:03,412 It's not uncomfortable. 425 00:16:03,505 --> 00:16:06,582 It's just hard to figure out what the best grip is. 426 00:16:06,666 --> 00:16:07,925 - Okay. 427 00:16:08,010 --> 00:16:10,177 - On your edge, it's still a sharp edge. 428 00:16:10,336 --> 00:16:12,921 All in all, your blade held up well. 429 00:16:13,015 --> 00:16:16,267 The grinds look great. It's a really nice shape. 430 00:16:16,426 --> 00:16:17,268 I think it did very well. 431 00:16:17,427 --> 00:16:18,594 Good job. - Thank you. 432 00:16:18,678 --> 00:16:19,928 - All right, Jesse. You ready for this? 433 00:16:20,013 --> 00:16:21,680 - Oh, yeah. - You sure? 434 00:16:21,765 --> 00:16:23,599 [laughter] 435 00:16:23,683 --> 00:16:26,769 - After seeing that go down, I'm just feeling crazy. 436 00:16:26,862 --> 00:16:28,020 Going into my test, 437 00:16:28,104 --> 00:16:29,605 I don't know what to expect. 438 00:16:29,698 --> 00:16:32,191 There's always that chance that it might break. 439 00:16:32,275 --> 00:16:39,165 ♪ ♪ 440 00:16:48,875 --> 00:16:51,802 - It stayed together. - It stayed together. 441 00:16:51,961 --> 00:16:53,378 - All right, Jessie. 442 00:16:53,463 --> 00:16:54,880 Again, I'm gonna start back here on the handle. 443 00:16:54,964 --> 00:16:56,048 How big are your hands? 444 00:16:56,132 --> 00:16:58,392 [laughter] 445 00:16:58,477 --> 00:16:59,885 That's almost 2 inches of material 446 00:16:59,978 --> 00:17:02,137 that doesn't need to be there. 447 00:17:02,230 --> 00:17:05,390 The saving grace is this contouring you put in here. 448 00:17:05,484 --> 00:17:07,651 My fingers set in there pretty good. 449 00:17:07,736 --> 00:17:10,071 The construction's nice-looking. 450 00:17:10,155 --> 00:17:11,989 You've got some spots of glinting, 451 00:17:12,074 --> 00:17:14,566 but no major deflection on the edge, which is great. 452 00:17:14,659 --> 00:17:16,327 Well, it held up well. Good job. 453 00:17:16,486 --> 00:17:17,986 - Thank you, David. 454 00:17:18,071 --> 00:17:19,571 - Brandon, you're up. You ready? 455 00:17:19,656 --> 00:17:20,748 - Break it, you buy it. 456 00:17:20,907 --> 00:17:21,907 - No. 457 00:17:21,991 --> 00:17:24,827 [laughter] 458 00:17:24,920 --> 00:17:26,170 ♪ ♪ 459 00:17:26,254 --> 00:17:28,330 - I did go with a finer edge 460 00:17:28,414 --> 00:17:29,840 just so it would perform well 461 00:17:29,999 --> 00:17:31,258 in the sharpness test, 462 00:17:31,417 --> 00:17:33,502 so I'm hoping that my blade stays sharp. 463 00:17:33,586 --> 00:17:37,339 ♪ ♪ 464 00:17:37,432 --> 00:17:39,174 [laughter] 465 00:17:39,259 --> 00:17:46,107 ♪ ♪ 466 00:17:53,365 --> 00:17:55,699 [chuckles] Yeah. 467 00:17:55,784 --> 00:17:58,452 - All right, Brandon, I really like the way this looks. 468 00:17:58,537 --> 00:18:01,363 You have a very acute edge on this, 469 00:18:01,447 --> 00:18:03,198 but you nailed your heat treat. 470 00:18:03,283 --> 00:18:04,533 There's no damage. 471 00:18:04,617 --> 00:18:07,452 I'm going to name this knife Bucket Splitter. 472 00:18:07,537 --> 00:18:08,787 [laughter] 473 00:18:08,872 --> 00:18:10,873 Excellent job. Well done. 474 00:18:10,957 --> 00:18:12,216 - Thanks. 475 00:18:12,375 --> 00:18:13,458 - Nice job. - Yeah. 476 00:18:13,543 --> 00:18:17,462 ♪ ♪ 477 00:18:17,547 --> 00:18:20,141 - All right, bladesmiths. This is the sharpness test. 478 00:18:20,225 --> 00:18:21,884 The leather apron slice. 479 00:18:21,968 --> 00:18:24,145 ♪ ♪ 480 00:18:24,304 --> 00:18:25,729 Andrew, you're up first. You ready for this? 481 00:18:25,814 --> 00:18:29,150 - Slice it up. - All right, let's do this. 482 00:18:29,309 --> 00:18:31,560 - This is no ordinary leather apron. 483 00:18:31,644 --> 00:18:33,228 I don't even know what kind of animal 484 00:18:33,313 --> 00:18:34,572 this leather comes off of. 485 00:18:34,656 --> 00:18:36,148 A Tyrannosaurus rex or something. 486 00:18:36,232 --> 00:18:38,409 The thickest leather I've ever seen in my life. 487 00:18:38,493 --> 00:18:40,494 Feeling really nervous now. 488 00:18:40,579 --> 00:18:42,487 Heart's pounding. Sweating. 489 00:18:42,581 --> 00:18:44,573 The anticipation is killing me. 490 00:18:44,657 --> 00:18:46,167 ♪ ♪ 491 00:18:49,913 --> 00:18:51,246 [dramatic music] 492 00:18:51,331 --> 00:18:58,304 ♪ ♪ 493 00:19:03,185 --> 00:19:05,761 - All right, Andrew, let's talk about your kukri here. 494 00:19:05,845 --> 00:19:07,930 Your tip does puncture. 495 00:19:08,014 --> 00:19:10,349 The edge here is sharp, 496 00:19:10,442 --> 00:19:12,443 but you also have an obtuse grind. 497 00:19:12,527 --> 00:19:15,863 And it does cut, but it also likes to hang up in there. 498 00:19:15,947 --> 00:19:19,191 But overall, your kukri, it will cut. 499 00:19:19,275 --> 00:19:20,534 - Thank you. 500 00:19:20,619 --> 00:19:22,369 - All right, Jesse, your turn. So are you ready? 501 00:19:22,454 --> 00:19:23,612 - Ready. - All right, let's do thi. 502 00:19:23,696 --> 00:19:26,123 ♪ ♪ 503 00:19:26,208 --> 00:19:29,868 - [inhales deeply] 504 00:19:29,953 --> 00:19:36,842 ♪ ♪ 505 00:19:47,562 --> 00:19:49,730 [clears throat] - All right, Jessie. 506 00:19:49,814 --> 00:19:51,974 Let's talk about your weapon here. 507 00:19:52,058 --> 00:19:55,569 During the test, it's lost a lot of its edges. 508 00:19:55,654 --> 00:19:57,404 I can really play around with this 509 00:19:57,489 --> 00:19:59,990 and move my finger around that, and it's not cutting that. 510 00:20:00,149 --> 00:20:02,243 But it still did cut the apron. 511 00:20:02,402 --> 00:20:05,996 So overall, it will cut. - Thank you, Doug. 512 00:20:06,081 --> 00:20:07,739 - All right, Brandon. Are you ready? 513 00:20:07,832 --> 00:20:11,159 - I'm ready. - Let's do this. 514 00:20:11,244 --> 00:20:18,092 ♪ ♪ 515 00:20:23,172 --> 00:20:25,516 All right, Brandon, let's talk about your weapon here. 516 00:20:25,675 --> 00:20:27,342 Your edge is razor sharp. 517 00:20:27,435 --> 00:20:30,345 Puncturing and cutting, it was smooth like butter. 518 00:20:30,430 --> 00:20:33,015 Now, on the corner of this apron, 519 00:20:33,099 --> 00:20:34,599 when I slashed through it, I can't really say 520 00:20:34,684 --> 00:20:36,685 why it didn't cut; I was expecting it to. 521 00:20:36,769 --> 00:20:39,280 It could be the weight, but it is a sharp edge. 522 00:20:39,439 --> 00:20:41,023 I wouldn't run my hand through it. 523 00:20:41,107 --> 00:20:44,109 It feels good in the hand, and it will cut. 524 00:20:44,193 --> 00:20:45,444 - Thank you. 525 00:20:45,528 --> 00:20:47,362 ♪ ♪ 526 00:20:47,447 --> 00:20:49,948 - Tight race, guys. 527 00:20:50,033 --> 00:20:52,126 Well, bladesmiths, before we get into eliminations, 528 00:20:52,285 --> 00:20:54,036 I want to say, it's been an absolute pleasure 529 00:20:54,120 --> 00:20:56,371 watching you guys in a five-hour competitio, 530 00:20:56,456 --> 00:20:57,798 taking rusty steel and turning them 531 00:20:57,957 --> 00:20:59,791 into beautiful and functional blades. 532 00:20:59,884 --> 00:21:01,802 You're all very talented smiths 533 00:21:01,961 --> 00:21:03,971 and you all have what it takes to be here. 534 00:21:04,055 --> 00:21:06,807 But I'm unfortunately gonna be sending two of you home. 535 00:21:06,891 --> 00:21:08,642 The judges have talked it through, 536 00:21:08,727 --> 00:21:10,635 and the first smith who's gonna be leaving The Forge is... 537 00:21:10,720 --> 00:21:13,230 ♪ ♪ 538 00:21:13,389 --> 00:21:15,557 Jessie, unfortunately your blade didn't make the cut. 539 00:21:15,641 --> 00:21:16,975 And Doug's gonna tell you why. 540 00:21:17,060 --> 00:21:19,236 - Jessie, that was a nice-looking blade, 541 00:21:19,395 --> 00:21:21,905 but the choice of grind and edge that you put in there 542 00:21:21,990 --> 00:21:23,899 took some damage in the strength test 543 00:21:23,983 --> 00:21:25,993 and just underperformed in the sharpness test. 544 00:21:26,152 --> 00:21:28,320 For those reasons, we're sending you home. 545 00:21:28,404 --> 00:21:29,913 - Understood. - Well, Jesse, 546 00:21:29,998 --> 00:21:31,749 you're a fierce competitor and you have what it takes 547 00:21:31,833 --> 00:21:33,417 to fight in this Forge, but unfortunately, 548 00:21:33,501 --> 00:21:34,918 your time in this competition has ended 549 00:21:35,078 --> 00:21:36,920 and I have to ask you to please step off the Forge floor. 550 00:21:37,005 --> 00:21:39,006 - Thank you, guys. That was a blast. 551 00:21:39,165 --> 00:21:40,832 This was an incredibly tough challenge 552 00:21:40,917 --> 00:21:44,178 because that time crunch is real. 553 00:21:44,262 --> 00:21:46,838 Didn't get what I wanted to get done, 554 00:21:46,931 --> 00:21:49,016 but I'm proud of what I did today, 555 00:21:49,100 --> 00:21:50,592 and it didn't break. 556 00:21:50,676 --> 00:21:52,511 ♪ ♪ 557 00:21:52,595 --> 00:21:55,189 - All right, guys, now it is down to the two of you, 558 00:21:55,273 --> 00:21:56,765 one of which is gonna be going forward 559 00:21:56,858 --> 00:21:59,684 in this competition, head-to-head with Ben Abbott, 560 00:21:59,769 --> 00:22:01,862 trying to beat the unbeaten. 561 00:22:02,021 --> 00:22:03,781 The judges have made their final decision. 562 00:22:03,865 --> 00:22:05,532 The man who's gonna be going against 563 00:22:05,617 --> 00:22:08,276 our very own Ben Abbott, the undefeated... 564 00:22:08,361 --> 00:22:10,954 ♪ ♪ 565 00:22:11,114 --> 00:22:13,031 Brandon. Congratulations. 566 00:22:13,124 --> 00:22:15,283 Now, Andrew, you're talented, 567 00:22:15,377 --> 00:22:17,628 but unfortunately, your blade didn't make the cut. 568 00:22:17,787 --> 00:22:19,621 And Dave's gonna tell you why. 569 00:22:19,714 --> 00:22:21,799 - Andrew, I think you forged a beautiful kukri there, 570 00:22:21,958 --> 00:22:24,718 but your choice of edge geometry and that handle shape 571 00:22:24,803 --> 00:22:27,712 kinda hurt you in that sharpness test. 572 00:22:27,806 --> 00:22:28,889 That's why we're letting you go. 573 00:22:28,973 --> 00:22:30,882 - I understand. - Andrew, again, 574 00:22:30,967 --> 00:22:32,801 thank you for coming out, thank you for fighting. 575 00:22:32,894 --> 00:22:34,895 It was a pleasure watching you work, but unfortunately, 576 00:22:35,054 --> 00:22:36,313 your time in this competition has ended. 577 00:22:36,398 --> 00:22:37,898 I'm gonna have to ask you to please step off 578 00:22:38,057 --> 00:22:39,724 the Forge floor. - Congratulations, brother. 579 00:22:39,809 --> 00:22:40,809 Well deserved. - Thanks, man. 580 00:22:40,893 --> 00:22:42,152 - It sucks losing, 581 00:22:42,237 --> 00:22:43,487 but I'm happy with my performance. 582 00:22:43,571 --> 00:22:45,489 I'm proud of the weapon I turned in. 583 00:22:45,648 --> 00:22:49,401 I'm gonna put a new handle on my hammer and get back to work. 584 00:22:49,494 --> 00:22:51,236 - Brandon, congratulations, man. 585 00:22:51,320 --> 00:22:53,664 You are moving forward into the final round of this competition 586 00:22:53,823 --> 00:22:55,824 where you're gonna choose what blade you're gonna be building 587 00:22:55,917 --> 00:22:57,501 as well as what technique you're gonna be using 588 00:22:57,660 --> 00:22:59,327 to build that blade. 589 00:22:59,412 --> 00:23:01,839 You're going head-to-head against Ben Abbott. 590 00:23:01,998 --> 00:23:03,748 He's undefeated, 4:0 right now. 591 00:23:03,833 --> 00:23:05,426 How are you feeling? - I feel great. 592 00:23:05,510 --> 00:23:07,335 - Yeah? You ready? - Yeah. Oh, yeah. 593 00:23:07,429 --> 00:23:08,920 - All right, bud. Well, this is the last time 594 00:23:09,005 --> 00:23:10,755 you're gonna see these two judges 595 00:23:10,849 --> 00:23:13,091 because they are going into the final testing completely blind. 596 00:23:13,176 --> 00:23:14,509 So if there's anything you want to say to 'em, 597 00:23:14,594 --> 00:23:15,677 say it now. 598 00:23:15,761 --> 00:23:17,187 - Be gentle. - "Be gentle." 599 00:23:17,272 --> 00:23:18,680 They don't know what that word means. 600 00:23:18,764 --> 00:23:20,265 - Going up against Ben, 601 00:23:20,349 --> 00:23:22,609 he's clearly proven himself time and time again. 602 00:23:22,768 --> 00:23:24,778 But he's never gone against me. 603 00:23:24,863 --> 00:23:25,946 I'm gonna give him a run for his money. 604 00:23:29,859 --> 00:23:31,276 - Well, Brandon, man, congratulations. 605 00:23:31,369 --> 00:23:33,120 You just came off a huge win 606 00:23:33,204 --> 00:23:35,530 against two formidable opponents, 607 00:23:35,623 --> 00:23:37,458 which means you're still in contention for the title 608 00:23:37,542 --> 00:23:39,626 of "Forged in Fire" champion and that check for $10,000. 609 00:23:39,785 --> 00:23:41,962 But in order to take home the win, 610 00:23:42,121 --> 00:23:44,131 you've got a lot of work ahead of you 611 00:23:44,215 --> 00:23:47,551 because you're gonna have to go against an undefeated opponent 612 00:23:47,635 --> 00:23:49,544 who has a lot of experience in this Forge. 613 00:23:49,629 --> 00:23:52,297 And that guy is Ben Abbott. 614 00:23:52,381 --> 00:23:54,299 - I've been preparing for this competition, 615 00:23:54,383 --> 00:23:56,301 but Brandon seems to be a very talented smith. 616 00:23:56,385 --> 00:23:58,303 When I was watching the first part of this competition, 617 00:23:58,396 --> 00:23:59,304 I was impressed by his efforts. 618 00:23:59,397 --> 00:24:01,398 Congratulations. - Thank you. 619 00:24:01,483 --> 00:24:03,225 - This is weird. - [cackles] 620 00:24:03,309 --> 00:24:04,726 - But, guys, I gotta tell you, 621 00:24:04,819 --> 00:24:07,896 I am extremely excited for this competition. 622 00:24:07,980 --> 00:24:10,073 And if you guys probably noticed, 623 00:24:10,233 --> 00:24:11,492 the table is empty. 624 00:24:11,651 --> 00:24:13,243 Dave and Doug, for fairness' sake, 625 00:24:13,328 --> 00:24:14,661 are gonna be out of The Forge 626 00:24:14,746 --> 00:24:16,246 for this entire forging process. 627 00:24:16,331 --> 00:24:19,324 They're only gonna enter when it comes time to test. 628 00:24:19,408 --> 00:24:22,410 And they will be doing so completely blind. 629 00:24:22,495 --> 00:24:24,421 You guys will have eight hours to build a blade 630 00:24:24,506 --> 00:24:26,340 from start to finish. 631 00:24:26,424 --> 00:24:28,083 Brandon, you had the opportunity to choose 632 00:24:28,176 --> 00:24:30,511 what blade and what technique you're both gonna use, 633 00:24:30,595 --> 00:24:32,337 so you got a little bit of an upper hand here. 634 00:24:32,421 --> 00:24:34,089 But Ben, you ready to find out what you're building? 635 00:24:34,173 --> 00:24:35,766 - Yeah, let's do it. 636 00:24:35,850 --> 00:24:37,434 - The weapon that Brandon chose 637 00:24:37,519 --> 00:24:39,177 from the "Forged in Fire" vault is... 638 00:24:39,262 --> 00:24:41,763 ♪ ♪ 639 00:24:41,856 --> 00:24:43,348 the messer. 640 00:24:43,432 --> 00:24:46,860 ♪ ♪ 641 00:24:46,945 --> 00:24:48,612 - The messer traces its origins back 642 00:24:48,771 --> 00:24:49,947 to 15th century Germany. 643 00:24:50,031 --> 00:24:51,949 While these swords range in size, 644 00:24:52,108 --> 00:24:54,776 they are distinguished by the intricate hilts and guards. 645 00:24:54,860 --> 00:24:56,620 Back in season six of "Forged in Fire," 646 00:24:56,704 --> 00:24:58,038 two smiths were tasked to recreate 647 00:24:58,197 --> 00:24:59,948 a massive version of this weapon, 648 00:25:00,032 --> 00:25:01,449 where the competition ultimately went 649 00:25:01,534 --> 00:25:04,786 to the lighter, better balanced blade. 650 00:25:04,870 --> 00:25:07,455 - Now guys, this is a pretty intricate blade, 651 00:25:07,540 --> 00:25:09,466 but make sure you fall within these parameters. 652 00:25:09,625 --> 00:25:13,136 Your messer's blade needs to be between 22 and 24 inches. 653 00:25:13,221 --> 00:25:14,471 The base width of that blade 654 00:25:14,556 --> 00:25:16,390 cannot be any less than 2 inches. 655 00:25:16,474 --> 00:25:19,059 You need to have a disconnected knuckle bow, 656 00:25:19,143 --> 00:25:22,062 a rear-facing quillian, a small side guard, 657 00:25:22,221 --> 00:25:24,139 and finish it all off with a pommel. 658 00:25:24,223 --> 00:25:26,066 ♪ ♪ 659 00:25:26,225 --> 00:25:28,310 Brandon, not only did you choose the weapon, 660 00:25:28,394 --> 00:25:30,812 but you got the opportunity to choose the technique as wel. 661 00:25:30,905 --> 00:25:33,148 Ben, you're gonna be building your blade using thi. 662 00:25:33,232 --> 00:25:37,152 ♪ ♪ 663 00:25:37,236 --> 00:25:38,403 Layered Damascus. 664 00:25:38,487 --> 00:25:40,664 ♪ ♪ 665 00:25:40,823 --> 00:25:44,418 - I picked layered Damascus, not picking a specific coun, 666 00:25:44,502 --> 00:25:46,077 hoping Ben would get caught up 667 00:25:46,162 --> 00:25:48,088 trying to do a lot of intricate patterns 668 00:25:48,172 --> 00:25:50,248 because the hard part about this particular sword 669 00:25:50,333 --> 00:25:51,833 is the handle. 670 00:25:51,917 --> 00:25:55,429 So I'm hoping that is a trip-up for Ben. 671 00:25:55,588 --> 00:25:56,847 - When the eight hours is complete 672 00:25:56,931 --> 00:25:58,506 and your blades are finished, 673 00:25:58,600 --> 00:26:00,434 the judges are gonna come back and put your blades 674 00:26:00,593 --> 00:26:03,178 through some dynamic multi-target tests. 675 00:26:03,262 --> 00:26:06,181 Doug's gonna start it off with a KEAL test on a pig carcass 676 00:26:06,265 --> 00:26:08,025 and a vine slice for sharpness. 677 00:26:08,184 --> 00:26:09,276 And Dave's gonna step in, 678 00:26:09,435 --> 00:26:11,028 do a strength and durability check 679 00:26:11,112 --> 00:26:12,779 on an armor and shield chop, 680 00:26:12,864 --> 00:26:14,031 and then check your edge retention 681 00:26:14,115 --> 00:26:16,191 in a medieval painting slice. 682 00:26:16,275 --> 00:26:18,026 I'm excited to see how this all turns out. 683 00:26:18,110 --> 00:26:19,861 So, good luck, bladesmiths. 684 00:26:19,954 --> 00:26:21,705 You have eight hours to complete your messer swords. 685 00:26:21,864 --> 00:26:23,365 And that time starts now. 686 00:26:23,449 --> 00:26:25,042 ♪ ♪ 687 00:26:25,126 --> 00:26:26,785 - The moment the clock started, 688 00:26:26,878 --> 00:26:29,463 both these smiths sprinted to their steel, 689 00:26:29,547 --> 00:26:31,131 grabbed it, and started the process. 690 00:26:31,215 --> 00:26:32,957 You know they've already both got a plan 691 00:26:33,042 --> 00:26:34,134 and they're running with it. 692 00:26:34,293 --> 00:26:35,877 - Going up against Ben, being 4:0, 693 00:26:35,970 --> 00:26:39,130 I really hope that I'm the one to beat him. 694 00:26:39,215 --> 00:26:40,557 - Hey, Brandon, talk me through what you got. 695 00:26:40,642 --> 00:26:41,892 How many layers did you start with? 696 00:26:41,976 --> 00:26:43,894 - That's a great question. - [laughs] 697 00:26:43,978 --> 00:26:46,805 - I think I've got 18 layers right now. 698 00:26:46,889 --> 00:26:48,139 - So you've got 18 layers. 699 00:26:48,224 --> 00:26:49,557 Do you have any concerns as of right now? 700 00:26:49,642 --> 00:26:50,901 - I'm going up against Ben, 701 00:26:50,985 --> 00:26:52,727 so I've got to really bring my A-game. 702 00:26:52,820 --> 00:26:54,813 - All right, well, you've got 7 hours and 40 minutes 703 00:26:54,897 --> 00:26:55,739 to complete it. 704 00:26:55,898 --> 00:26:57,982 Go ahead. - Thanks. 705 00:26:58,067 --> 00:27:00,744 - Ben is literally sprinting around The Forge. 706 00:27:00,828 --> 00:27:02,404 He's going far faster 707 00:27:02,497 --> 00:27:04,665 than any smith I've ever seen on this Forge floor. 708 00:27:04,749 --> 00:27:06,249 - One thing I've learned in this competition 709 00:27:06,334 --> 00:27:09,077 is every second is important. 710 00:27:09,170 --> 00:27:11,329 - Look at the speed that Ben's working in. 711 00:27:11,422 --> 00:27:14,091 I mean, he's just going for it. 712 00:27:14,175 --> 00:27:16,843 - So, as soon as Grady tells me to go, 713 00:27:17,002 --> 00:27:18,586 I'm up there, I'm grabbing steel. 714 00:27:18,671 --> 00:27:20,088 - Talk to me, Ben. 715 00:27:20,181 --> 00:27:21,840 Show me what you got and how you're gonna stack it. 716 00:27:21,933 --> 00:27:23,350 - 19 layers in there. - Yeah. 717 00:27:23,509 --> 00:27:24,926 - I'm gonna squeeze that down, draw it out, 718 00:27:25,010 --> 00:27:26,603 cut it into five, restack it to 90. 719 00:27:26,688 --> 00:27:28,847 - Okay. - Draw that out to 12 inches. 720 00:27:28,931 --> 00:27:30,265 Cut it in half. 721 00:27:30,349 --> 00:27:32,526 Put it on either side of this 80CrV2, yeah. 722 00:27:32,685 --> 00:27:34,861 - So you're gonna have 181 layers. 723 00:27:34,946 --> 00:27:37,531 - Yeah. - Oh, fantastic. 724 00:27:37,690 --> 00:27:38,940 - I'm really putting all my eggs 725 00:27:39,024 --> 00:27:40,367 in the basket of this Damascus 726 00:27:40,526 --> 00:27:41,535 'cause it's going to take a long time. 727 00:27:41,619 --> 00:27:42,861 But I think at the end of the day, 728 00:27:42,954 --> 00:27:44,538 the pattern is gonna be gorgeous 729 00:27:44,622 --> 00:27:46,540 and I'm gonna end up with a keen edge 730 00:27:46,624 --> 00:27:49,367 that will hopefully not get damaged in the strength test. 731 00:27:49,452 --> 00:27:50,452 There's a madness to my method. 732 00:27:50,536 --> 00:27:53,455 ♪ ♪ 733 00:27:53,548 --> 00:27:55,957 - So I've got my main billet forge-welded up. 734 00:27:56,050 --> 00:27:57,792 And right now, I'm getting ready to cut it. 735 00:27:57,885 --> 00:27:59,970 And I'm gonna stack it back on itself and draw it out 736 00:28:00,129 --> 00:28:02,464 just to give it a little bit more complex of a pattern. 737 00:28:02,548 --> 00:28:04,466 - Brandon's got a manageable-size billet, 738 00:28:04,550 --> 00:28:06,801 but there is a chance he's gonna have to stretch it 739 00:28:06,894 --> 00:28:08,895 to its limits just like he did in the first round. 740 00:28:09,054 --> 00:28:11,815 Brandon is very meticulously tapping at it, 741 00:28:11,899 --> 00:28:15,059 making sure he's using every single ounce. 742 00:28:15,153 --> 00:28:16,653 - It's clearly a solid billet. 743 00:28:16,812 --> 00:28:20,315 So now, I know I need to get this billet to a half-inch, 744 00:28:20,399 --> 00:28:23,401 so I'm creating a kiss block for the press. 745 00:28:23,486 --> 00:28:26,571 That allows me to make sure that my billet 746 00:28:26,655 --> 00:28:28,573 is all the same thickness all the way down, 747 00:28:28,666 --> 00:28:30,000 which is really important, 748 00:28:30,084 --> 00:28:31,752 because making another stack of Damascus 749 00:28:31,836 --> 00:28:33,336 is gonna eat up a lot of my time. 750 00:28:33,421 --> 00:28:35,422 I feel pretty good at this point, 751 00:28:35,581 --> 00:28:37,841 but I gotta keep up with Ben. 752 00:28:37,925 --> 00:28:39,259 I've got to stay on my toes. 753 00:28:39,343 --> 00:28:40,668 So you having fun yet? 754 00:28:40,753 --> 00:28:44,172 - I'm having a blast, man. This is awesome. 755 00:28:44,256 --> 00:28:46,767 I have never seen a bigger billet 756 00:28:46,851 --> 00:28:48,426 getting weld-set on this Forge floor. 757 00:28:48,511 --> 00:28:50,011 ♪ ♪ 758 00:28:50,095 --> 00:28:53,014 - Holy cow. 759 00:28:53,098 --> 00:28:55,433 - Ben's billet already started splitting open 760 00:28:55,526 --> 00:28:57,110 right when he set his first weld. 761 00:28:57,195 --> 00:28:59,020 - I start to panic. 762 00:28:59,104 --> 00:29:01,606 It's so tall, I can't get the compression 763 00:29:01,699 --> 00:29:03,617 that I need all the way through. 764 00:29:03,776 --> 00:29:05,443 Instead of going to Blu at this point, 765 00:29:05,528 --> 00:29:06,861 I have to go to the press. 766 00:29:06,946 --> 00:29:09,447 - So it goes to show you, nobody's immune to problems. 767 00:29:09,532 --> 00:29:12,042 It's just a matter of how you overcome that adversity, 768 00:29:12,126 --> 00:29:13,618 how you keep pushing forward. 769 00:29:13,702 --> 00:29:15,537 ♪ ♪ 770 00:29:15,621 --> 00:29:16,871 - It feels like my billet is together now. 771 00:29:16,964 --> 00:29:17,956 Yeah, it's good. 772 00:29:18,040 --> 00:29:19,966 ♪ ♪ 773 00:29:20,051 --> 00:29:21,885 - Got my tip roughly where I want it. 774 00:29:21,969 --> 00:29:24,963 And then, I go over and create this subtle distal taper. 775 00:29:25,047 --> 00:29:27,307 A lot of bladesmiths grind to it, 776 00:29:27,466 --> 00:29:29,226 but I definitely want to set myself up 777 00:29:29,310 --> 00:29:31,469 for less work later on at the grinder. 778 00:29:31,554 --> 00:29:33,221 ♪ ♪ 779 00:29:33,314 --> 00:29:36,233 - Ben and Brandon, you guys are halfway throug. 780 00:29:36,317 --> 00:29:39,727 You have four hours left in this competition. 781 00:29:39,812 --> 00:29:41,154 ♪ ♪ 782 00:29:41,313 --> 00:29:43,648 - I've finally started working on a blade. 783 00:29:43,732 --> 00:29:45,492 ♪ ♪ 784 00:29:45,651 --> 00:29:47,735 The parameters are that at the base, 785 00:29:47,820 --> 00:29:50,905 I'm 2 inches wide, but I want 2 1/4. 786 00:29:50,990 --> 00:29:52,574 Because I want to make sure that grinding, 787 00:29:52,658 --> 00:29:54,251 I don't get smaller than that, 788 00:29:54,335 --> 00:29:56,244 I take it over to the anvil and cross-pean it 789 00:29:56,337 --> 00:29:58,588 for a little extra width so that I have enough 790 00:29:58,747 --> 00:30:01,508 that I can grind a little bit away and not have to worry. 791 00:30:01,667 --> 00:30:03,501 I'm the undefeated "Forged in Fire" champion 792 00:30:03,586 --> 00:30:06,763 with the most wins of anyone on this entire competition. 793 00:30:06,848 --> 00:30:08,515 If I were to have missed parameters, 794 00:30:08,674 --> 00:30:09,841 that would be really embarrassing. 795 00:30:09,925 --> 00:30:12,185 ♪ ♪ 796 00:30:12,270 --> 00:30:13,603 - Even though this is eight hours, 797 00:30:13,688 --> 00:30:15,522 which may seem like a long time, 798 00:30:15,606 --> 00:30:17,023 in order to get it done in that time, 799 00:30:17,108 --> 00:30:18,933 you have to multitask. 800 00:30:19,026 --> 00:30:21,278 So when I'm doing some thermal cycling, 801 00:30:21,362 --> 00:30:22,696 I want to work on that guard. 802 00:30:22,855 --> 00:30:24,447 Part of the reason that I chose this blade 803 00:30:24,607 --> 00:30:26,283 was because of this guard 804 00:30:26,367 --> 00:30:29,193 and the fact that so many parts of it covers the handl. 805 00:30:29,278 --> 00:30:32,205 So you've got to be really methodical 806 00:30:32,364 --> 00:30:34,207 about how you put this together 807 00:30:34,292 --> 00:30:36,793 'cause you can get yourself in a trap. 808 00:30:36,952 --> 00:30:39,880 Do a quick test fit, and it fits up the first tim. 809 00:30:40,039 --> 00:30:41,706 And it's just this huge sense of relief. 810 00:30:41,790 --> 00:30:48,388 ♪ ♪ 811 00:30:48,547 --> 00:30:49,797 - Ben's the first one in the oil, 812 00:30:49,882 --> 00:30:52,800 and I could see the terror in Brandon's eyes. 813 00:30:52,885 --> 00:30:55,136 ♪ ♪ 814 00:30:55,220 --> 00:30:56,888 - It looks great. I'm happy. 815 00:30:56,972 --> 00:30:58,398 The next step is to get it into the temper oven. 816 00:30:58,482 --> 00:31:00,901 We're in the middle of building this sword, 817 00:31:00,985 --> 00:31:03,236 and I already feel close on time. 818 00:31:03,395 --> 00:31:05,146 I really got to kick into higher gear. 819 00:31:05,230 --> 00:31:07,148 ♪ ♪ 820 00:31:07,232 --> 00:31:11,069 - Brandon's getting ready for his quench. 821 00:31:11,153 --> 00:31:12,746 - We're at a point of no return. 822 00:31:12,830 --> 00:31:16,074 If I break this blade, I could not finish this blad. 823 00:31:16,158 --> 00:31:17,909 ♪ ♪ 824 00:31:18,002 --> 00:31:19,586 I see a nice, straight blade, 825 00:31:19,745 --> 00:31:20,995 and then it's into the tempering ove. 826 00:31:21,080 --> 00:31:23,173 ♪ ♪ 827 00:31:23,257 --> 00:31:24,925 - The pressure's on. The clock is ticking. 828 00:31:25,084 --> 00:31:27,752 You guys have two hours remaining. 829 00:31:27,836 --> 00:31:30,672 - I'm going for a relatively fine edge on this 830 00:31:30,765 --> 00:31:33,758 because 80CrV2 can hold its shape pretty well. 831 00:31:33,842 --> 00:31:37,687 ♪ ♪ 832 00:31:37,772 --> 00:31:39,356 - Ben has been sitting at that grinder 833 00:31:39,440 --> 00:31:41,191 for a long time now. 834 00:31:41,350 --> 00:31:43,693 He's only got less than an hour and a half left on the clock. 835 00:31:43,778 --> 00:31:45,195 I think Ben should really start spending 836 00:31:45,279 --> 00:31:46,688 a little bit more time on his handle. 837 00:31:46,781 --> 00:31:51,192 If not, this is gonna be a race to the finish. 838 00:31:51,285 --> 00:31:52,953 On the other side of the Forge, Brandon is spending 839 00:31:53,112 --> 00:31:54,946 a lot of time jumping from task to task. 840 00:31:55,030 --> 00:31:57,365 I think it is a great element. 841 00:31:57,449 --> 00:31:59,542 - I'm really nervous about fitting this handle up 842 00:31:59,702 --> 00:32:02,620 because I know with the multiple components going on, 843 00:32:02,705 --> 00:32:05,298 it's going to eat up a lot of my time. 844 00:32:05,457 --> 00:32:06,624 I'm kind of struggling with the pin, 845 00:32:06,709 --> 00:32:08,468 so I got to be careful here. 846 00:32:08,552 --> 00:32:10,637 I could risk cracking my handle material. 847 00:32:10,721 --> 00:32:12,046 - Brandon's running into what looks like 848 00:32:12,131 --> 00:32:13,473 the first major hurdle. 849 00:32:13,632 --> 00:32:15,058 He's having a hard time getting the pin 850 00:32:15,217 --> 00:32:16,718 through both sides. 851 00:32:16,802 --> 00:32:17,811 - I knew this handle was gonna be hard, 852 00:32:17,895 --> 00:32:20,230 but not this hard. 853 00:32:20,314 --> 00:32:22,899 - Honestly, now is the time to start getting scared. 854 00:32:23,058 --> 00:32:24,225 He's running out of time. 855 00:32:24,309 --> 00:32:25,318 ♪ ♪ 856 00:32:29,231 --> 00:32:30,565 - I'm kind of struggling with the pin, 857 00:32:30,649 --> 00:32:32,150 so I got to be careful here 858 00:32:32,234 --> 00:32:32,900 because I could risk cracking my handle material. 859 00:32:32,985 --> 00:32:34,569 ♪ ♪ 860 00:32:34,662 --> 00:32:36,329 Luckily, hitting it with a hammer was enough 861 00:32:36,488 --> 00:32:38,239 to drive it home where it needed to be, 862 00:32:38,323 --> 00:32:40,241 but I still have to sharpen this thing too. 863 00:32:40,334 --> 00:32:42,419 So now, I really need to move it up a gear 864 00:32:42,578 --> 00:32:44,078 and get this thing done. 865 00:32:44,163 --> 00:32:45,830 ♪ ♪ 866 00:32:45,914 --> 00:32:47,582 - I've never made a guard like this before, 867 00:32:47,666 --> 00:32:49,167 but I'm trying to do my steps 868 00:32:49,251 --> 00:32:51,845 in a very period-correct way. 869 00:32:52,004 --> 00:32:53,263 The way it was done in the period 870 00:32:53,347 --> 00:32:57,258 is you make the guard all in one piece. 871 00:32:57,342 --> 00:33:00,511 And then, you'd have the side guard that has a tang to it, 872 00:33:00,604 --> 00:33:02,689 and you pean it over on the far side. 873 00:33:02,773 --> 00:33:06,934 It's a difficult thing to do your first time in a rush. 874 00:33:07,019 --> 00:33:08,436 ♪ ♪ 875 00:33:08,529 --> 00:33:10,938 Is that damn thing on the [bleep] damn wrong side? 876 00:33:11,032 --> 00:33:12,440 In my haste, 877 00:33:12,533 --> 00:33:15,109 I had riveted it to the wrong side of the guard. 878 00:33:15,194 --> 00:33:16,786 [screams] 879 00:33:16,945 --> 00:33:18,455 I'm left with one option. 880 00:33:18,614 --> 00:33:20,707 Cut that side guard off, 881 00:33:20,791 --> 00:33:22,208 weld it back on the other side. 882 00:33:22,293 --> 00:33:24,210 It's really annoying to me because 883 00:33:24,295 --> 00:33:25,879 if I had just done that from the beginning, 884 00:33:25,963 --> 00:33:26,788 I would have saved 20 minutes. 885 00:33:26,872 --> 00:33:27,955 Classy. 886 00:33:28,040 --> 00:33:29,799 Just like Stephen Hawking said, 887 00:33:29,958 --> 00:33:31,125 "Time is a bitch." 888 00:33:31,210 --> 00:33:33,219 ♪ ♪ 889 00:33:33,378 --> 00:33:36,631 - Guys, you are down to only 30 minutes. 890 00:33:36,724 --> 00:33:38,141 Keep working. 891 00:33:38,300 --> 00:33:39,634 - Time is ticking away, 892 00:33:39,727 --> 00:33:42,062 and if I turn in a dull blade, I'm going home. 893 00:33:42,146 --> 00:33:43,980 - Brandon's getting that edge refined. 894 00:33:44,139 --> 00:33:45,223 If it's gonna be anything 895 00:33:45,307 --> 00:33:46,900 like that first blade we saw from him, 896 00:33:47,059 --> 00:33:49,977 this thing is going to be a razor blade. 897 00:33:50,062 --> 00:33:51,395 - I'm going for the same edge geometry 898 00:33:51,489 --> 00:33:53,573 I went through in round one 899 00:33:53,657 --> 00:33:57,235 because it chopped through a bucket like a lightsaber. 900 00:33:57,319 --> 00:33:59,654 So I just want to work that as much as I can 901 00:33:59,747 --> 00:34:01,989 with the few seconds I have left on the clock. 902 00:34:02,074 --> 00:34:03,750 ♪ ♪ 903 00:34:03,909 --> 00:34:05,243 - One of the things I know as a judge 904 00:34:05,327 --> 00:34:07,420 is that the handle has to be comfortable. 905 00:34:07,505 --> 00:34:09,580 But there are spots on this handle 906 00:34:09,673 --> 00:34:11,499 I can't get to with the grinder 907 00:34:11,583 --> 00:34:13,417 because the knuckle bow is there 908 00:34:13,511 --> 00:34:16,003 or the side guard is there. 909 00:34:16,097 --> 00:34:17,421 I'm panicking. 910 00:34:17,506 --> 00:34:19,757 - Ben knows that he needs to clean this up. 911 00:34:19,842 --> 00:34:23,019 The question is, does he have enough time to do it? 912 00:34:23,178 --> 00:34:25,680 - In all the times that I've competed on this competition, 913 00:34:25,764 --> 00:34:27,440 this one's been more difficult. 914 00:34:27,525 --> 00:34:30,026 I think it's because I invested so much time upfront 915 00:34:30,185 --> 00:34:31,194 working on the blade. 916 00:34:31,278 --> 00:34:32,770 So, at this point, 917 00:34:32,855 --> 00:34:34,689 the only thing I can think to do 918 00:34:34,782 --> 00:34:37,117 is grab a hand file and work with a hand fil. 919 00:34:37,276 --> 00:34:38,943 My heart is beating out of my chest. 920 00:34:39,027 --> 00:34:41,696 I might not finish this thing. 921 00:34:41,789 --> 00:34:43,531 - Five, four, 922 00:34:43,624 --> 00:34:46,868 three, two, one. 923 00:34:46,952 --> 00:34:50,046 Bladesmiths, turn off your machines, put down your tools. 924 00:34:50,131 --> 00:34:54,375 This eight-hour competition is over. 925 00:34:54,468 --> 00:34:56,878 - I'm really proud of the Damascus pattern, 926 00:34:56,962 --> 00:34:58,471 but the fit and finish on there 927 00:34:58,556 --> 00:35:01,808 is just not where I'd like it to be. 928 00:35:01,967 --> 00:35:04,227 - Well, Dave, Doug, guys, welcome back. 929 00:35:04,386 --> 00:35:06,888 I got to tell you, you just missed out on the coolest thing 930 00:35:06,972 --> 00:35:08,565 I've ever seen in this Forge. 931 00:35:08,724 --> 00:35:11,484 Eight straight hours where they had to build these messers, 932 00:35:11,569 --> 00:35:15,229 and it came down to the last second. 933 00:35:15,314 --> 00:35:17,148 All right, guys, you had a minute to look them ove. 934 00:35:17,232 --> 00:35:18,324 Let's start with the red one. 935 00:35:18,409 --> 00:35:21,068 What do you guys think about that? 936 00:35:21,153 --> 00:35:22,912 - It's got a nice weight to it. 937 00:35:22,997 --> 00:35:25,823 The balance is a little bit forward, but it's not bad. 938 00:35:25,908 --> 00:35:28,576 - Now let's talk about gold. 939 00:35:28,669 --> 00:35:31,329 - What I'm hesitant about is a lot of the setup 940 00:35:31,422 --> 00:35:33,664 on this blade relies on welds. 941 00:35:33,749 --> 00:35:35,249 And those welds, of course, 942 00:35:35,334 --> 00:35:37,010 a failure point that might be built into the blade. 943 00:35:37,094 --> 00:35:38,511 - You guys ready to put 'em to the test? 944 00:35:38,670 --> 00:35:40,588 - Absolutely. - Looking forward to it. 945 00:35:40,672 --> 00:35:42,256 - Well, let's do it and call the smiths in. 946 00:35:42,341 --> 00:35:48,188 ♪ ♪ 947 00:35:48,272 --> 00:35:50,440 All right, guys. We are finally here. 948 00:35:50,524 --> 00:35:51,774 And there's a lot on the line. 949 00:35:51,859 --> 00:35:53,693 Ben, if you take home the win, 950 00:35:53,852 --> 00:35:55,278 you're continuing your winning streak 951 00:35:55,362 --> 00:35:57,521 and going on with a record of 5:0. 952 00:35:57,615 --> 00:35:59,365 Now, Brandon, if you take home the win, 953 00:35:59,450 --> 00:36:00,775 you're leaving here with the title 954 00:36:00,868 --> 00:36:03,536 of "Forged in Fire" champion and a check for $10,000. 955 00:36:03,621 --> 00:36:05,529 In order for us to find out which one of your blades 956 00:36:05,614 --> 00:36:06,948 is gonna come out on top, 957 00:36:07,041 --> 00:36:08,783 we have to put them through a series of tests. 958 00:36:08,867 --> 00:36:10,284 So I'm gonna give you to Doug for the first one. 959 00:36:10,369 --> 00:36:14,205 ♪ ♪ 960 00:36:14,289 --> 00:36:18,218 - Bladesmiths, this is the dynamic KEAL test. 961 00:36:18,302 --> 00:36:21,128 To find out how lethal your weapons are, 962 00:36:21,222 --> 00:36:23,464 I'm gonna your swords, cut through the vines, 963 00:36:23,557 --> 00:36:26,893 and deliver some lethal blows on this pig carcass. 964 00:36:26,977 --> 00:36:28,803 It's time to have fun. 965 00:36:28,887 --> 00:36:31,555 ♪ ♪ 966 00:36:31,640 --> 00:36:33,641 - Going into a vine slice, 967 00:36:33,725 --> 00:36:35,985 if you have a dull blade, that's gonna bounce. 968 00:36:36,070 --> 00:36:38,062 And then when you come to the pig, 969 00:36:38,155 --> 00:36:39,572 you're cutting through bone, 970 00:36:39,731 --> 00:36:42,066 which can cause chipping or rolling. 971 00:36:42,150 --> 00:36:43,818 So I'm hoping that I have no snags. 972 00:36:43,902 --> 00:36:50,750 ♪ ♪ 973 00:37:06,433 --> 00:37:07,591 - All right, guys. 974 00:37:07,685 --> 00:37:10,261 First up, the handle construction, 975 00:37:10,345 --> 00:37:11,771 it's a little bit on the blocky side, 976 00:37:11,855 --> 00:37:13,523 but it's comfortable. 977 00:37:13,607 --> 00:37:15,099 Why? Because it's light. 978 00:37:15,192 --> 00:37:17,277 Every cut, every one of them 979 00:37:17,361 --> 00:37:19,612 was very deep on this pig carcass. 980 00:37:19,697 --> 00:37:24,692 Overall, this eight-hour messer sword will KEAL. 981 00:37:24,776 --> 00:37:27,945 ♪ ♪ 982 00:37:28,030 --> 00:37:31,115 - I'm pretty confident that my sword is not gonna break, 983 00:37:31,199 --> 00:37:33,534 but something might chip, something might roll. 984 00:37:33,618 --> 00:37:35,044 Anything is possible. 985 00:37:35,203 --> 00:37:37,371 I'm--I'm just nervous. 986 00:37:37,456 --> 00:37:39,799 ♪ ♪ 987 00:37:43,637 --> 00:37:45,046 [dramatic music] 988 00:37:45,130 --> 00:37:51,978 ♪ ♪ 989 00:38:11,749 --> 00:38:13,416 - So, right off the bat, 990 00:38:13,500 --> 00:38:17,170 I really appreciate the flare on a heavier blade like this 991 00:38:17,329 --> 00:38:19,505 because it does allow me to control it. 992 00:38:19,590 --> 00:38:21,415 The weight of this cuts very deep. 993 00:38:21,500 --> 00:38:24,001 It thrusts nicely and delivers all the way ou. 994 00:38:24,094 --> 00:38:27,755 A blade like this, it will KEAL. 995 00:38:27,839 --> 00:38:33,844 ♪ ♪ 996 00:38:33,929 --> 00:38:35,596 - All right, gentlemen, a little bit of history. 997 00:38:35,680 --> 00:38:38,191 In 1570, Joachim Meyer's treatise 998 00:38:38,275 --> 00:38:40,360 on the use of the dussack was published, 999 00:38:40,519 --> 00:38:42,603 the training manual for the messer. 1000 00:38:42,687 --> 00:38:44,947 So, we know that it was used by peasant soldiers 1001 00:38:45,107 --> 00:38:46,699 as well as nobility. 1002 00:38:46,858 --> 00:38:49,535 So to that end, our dynamic strength test. 1003 00:38:49,694 --> 00:38:51,287 Gentlemen, I'll be taking your messes 1004 00:38:51,372 --> 00:38:53,122 and attacking our armored warrior here. 1005 00:38:53,281 --> 00:38:55,291 After that, we'll see what kind of edge you have left 1006 00:38:55,450 --> 00:38:57,118 by slicing that painting. 1007 00:38:57,202 --> 00:38:58,869 You guys ready? Both: Oh, yeah. 1008 00:38:58,954 --> 00:38:59,787 - Okay. 1009 00:38:59,871 --> 00:39:06,719 ♪ ♪ 1010 00:39:22,236 --> 00:39:26,063 All right, so right off, it's taken a couple of rolls 1011 00:39:26,148 --> 00:39:28,074 that I can feel with the fingernail 1012 00:39:28,233 --> 00:39:30,493 and then a couple small, minor chips. 1013 00:39:30,577 --> 00:39:34,163 But for hitting armor, it's not so bad. 1014 00:39:34,248 --> 00:39:36,490 All in all, our gold anvil did a good job. 1015 00:39:36,575 --> 00:39:43,423 ♪ ♪ 1016 00:40:06,271 --> 00:40:09,365 All right, so as far as the edge goe, 1017 00:40:09,450 --> 00:40:12,535 nothing's come off and nothing's really rolled over. 1018 00:40:12,694 --> 00:40:15,696 So, all in all, I think the red anvil did a really nice job. 1019 00:40:15,780 --> 00:40:19,533 ♪ ♪ 1020 00:40:19,626 --> 00:40:20,868 - [clears throat] 1021 00:40:20,961 --> 00:40:22,378 Now, guys, 1022 00:40:22,463 --> 00:40:24,455 the judges had a very difficult decision to make. 1023 00:40:24,539 --> 00:40:26,373 And they came up with a final decision 1024 00:40:26,458 --> 00:40:28,125 that they both agreed upon. 1025 00:40:28,210 --> 00:40:31,378 The winner of this "Forged in Fire" competition is... 1026 00:40:31,472 --> 00:40:34,807 ♪ ♪ 1027 00:40:34,966 --> 00:40:37,560 Ben Abbott with the red anvil. - What?! 1028 00:40:37,644 --> 00:40:38,811 - Congratulations! 1029 00:40:38,896 --> 00:40:40,804 - [breathlessly] No way. 1030 00:40:40,889 --> 00:40:43,900 - Now, Brandon, you absolutely smoked this competition, 1031 00:40:43,984 --> 00:40:46,319 but unfortunately, your messer didn't make the cut today 1032 00:40:46,403 --> 00:40:48,562 and Dave Baker's gonna tell you why. 1033 00:40:48,655 --> 00:40:50,907 - Brandon, you did a great job on that messer. 1034 00:40:51,066 --> 00:40:53,075 It's fast and it's deadly. 1035 00:40:53,235 --> 00:40:56,403 This basically came down to damage and some design choices. 1036 00:40:56,497 --> 00:40:57,997 - Fair enough. 1037 00:40:58,081 --> 00:40:59,749 - I could honestly say you're one 1038 00:40:59,833 --> 00:41:01,659 of the most talented smiths I've ever laid my eyes on. 1039 00:41:01,743 --> 00:41:03,410 - Thank you. 1040 00:41:03,495 --> 00:41:05,338 - We appreciate all of your hard work in this competition, 1041 00:41:05,497 --> 00:41:06,997 but unfortunately, I'm gonna have to ask you 1042 00:41:07,090 --> 00:41:08,749 to please step off the Forge floor. 1043 00:41:08,833 --> 00:41:10,668 - Thank you for the time, guys. - Thank you. Good job, man. 1044 00:41:10,761 --> 00:41:13,262 - Awesome work. - Thanks, Ben. 1045 00:41:13,347 --> 00:41:15,089 - Today just wasn't my day, but I think I turned in 1046 00:41:15,173 --> 00:41:16,840 an absolute phenomenal blade 1047 00:41:16,925 --> 00:41:19,593 that stacked up against one of the best, Ben Abbott. 1048 00:41:19,678 --> 00:41:22,096 ♪ ♪ 1049 00:41:22,180 --> 00:41:23,439 - All right, Ben. You did it. 1050 00:41:23,524 --> 00:41:25,441 Your messer took home the win again. 1051 00:41:25,526 --> 00:41:27,101 You're now 5:0, man. Congratulations! 1052 00:41:27,194 --> 00:41:28,769 [applause] 1053 00:41:28,853 --> 00:41:30,521 - This was an extremely close competition. 1054 00:41:30,614 --> 00:41:32,356 Brandon is a hell of a competitor. 1055 00:41:32,440 --> 00:41:34,191 He made a really good messer sword. 1056 00:41:34,276 --> 00:41:36,860 And I was actually practicing 1057 00:41:36,954 --> 00:41:39,038 my happy-faced concession speech. 1058 00:41:39,122 --> 00:41:40,706 - You ready for more? 1059 00:41:40,791 --> 00:41:42,542 - Yep! Let's do it. [laughter] 1060 00:41:42,626 --> 00:41:44,201 Any bladesmiths who want to come in here 1061 00:41:44,286 --> 00:41:46,462 and challenge me in my own house, 1062 00:41:46,621 --> 00:41:48,047 I'm here. Ready for you.