1 00:00:05,122 --> 00:00:06,790 [dramatic music] 2 00:00:06,883 --> 00:00:08,541 - Here in The Forge, we have put hundreds of smiths 3 00:00:08,626 --> 00:00:10,543 to the test, but one fierce competitor 4 00:00:10,636 --> 00:00:13,388 has proven himself time and time again. 5 00:00:13,473 --> 00:00:15,298 - Ben Abbott. 6 00:00:15,382 --> 00:00:16,975 - An expert blacksmith and bladesmith, 7 00:00:17,060 --> 00:00:18,727 a fan favorite turned judge, 8 00:00:18,886 --> 00:00:22,722 Ben Abbott remains undefeated in this Forge. 9 00:00:22,807 --> 00:00:25,567 His current record is seven wins and zero losse, 10 00:00:25,651 --> 00:00:27,644 but soon, all that could change. 11 00:00:27,728 --> 00:00:30,814 ♪ ♪ 12 00:00:30,898 --> 00:00:32,649 Tonight we are bringing back two smiths 13 00:00:32,733 --> 00:00:35,151 from Ben Abbott's first time competing in this Forge 14 00:00:35,236 --> 00:00:37,654 who are looking to rewrite history. 15 00:00:37,747 --> 00:00:41,908 Do they have what it takes to finally beat Ben Abbott? 16 00:00:42,001 --> 00:00:43,752 The competition continues now. 17 00:00:43,911 --> 00:00:46,588 ♪ ♪ 18 00:00:46,672 --> 00:00:50,083 [rock music] 19 00:00:50,167 --> 00:00:51,251 - My name is Brent Stubblefield. 20 00:00:51,344 --> 00:00:53,837 I'm 40 years old, from Richmond, Virginia. 21 00:00:53,921 --> 00:00:55,505 I am a full-time smith, 22 00:00:55,589 --> 00:00:57,432 and last time I competed on "Forged" 23 00:00:57,591 --> 00:00:59,684 I was sent home because of inexperience. 24 00:00:59,769 --> 00:01:02,345 - Brent, when heating that spine, you let that heat travel 25 00:01:02,429 --> 00:01:04,264 all the way to the edge, and that really puts 26 00:01:04,348 --> 00:01:06,775 the strength of your blade's edge in question. 27 00:01:06,934 --> 00:01:08,944 - But now I am a full-time bladesmith, 28 00:01:09,103 --> 00:01:11,613 and I'm here to win and take no prisoners. 29 00:01:11,772 --> 00:01:14,941 ♪ ♪ 30 00:01:15,034 --> 00:01:16,701 - My name is Nathan Zimmerman. I'm 31. 31 00:01:16,786 --> 00:01:18,528 I'm from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 32 00:01:18,621 --> 00:01:20,530 and I'm a full-time bladesmith and knife sharpener. 33 00:01:20,614 --> 00:01:22,198 The last time I competed, 34 00:01:22,283 --> 00:01:25,210 I put a bunch of spiderweb cracks all over the blad. 35 00:01:25,294 --> 00:01:28,621 - Well, Nathan, I can see two large cracks 36 00:01:28,706 --> 00:01:31,633 going across the spine, a few smaller ones, 37 00:01:31,717 --> 00:01:35,053 and, plus, we've actually got lateral cracking. 38 00:01:35,138 --> 00:01:36,796 That's a very big issue. 39 00:01:36,881 --> 00:01:38,473 - My skills have vastly improved since last time, 40 00:01:38,632 --> 00:01:40,058 so if I were to come back and beat Ben, 41 00:01:40,143 --> 00:01:41,726 it would obviously be a legendary feat, 42 00:01:41,811 --> 00:01:43,311 that's for sure. 43 00:01:43,470 --> 00:01:46,389 ♪ ♪ 44 00:01:46,473 --> 00:01:47,816 - Well, Brent, Nathan, gentlemen, 45 00:01:47,900 --> 00:01:50,059 welcome back to The Forge. 46 00:01:50,144 --> 00:01:54,981 Now, guys, you have been selected for an epic rematc. 47 00:01:55,065 --> 00:01:58,076 The last time you were here was back in season two, 48 00:01:58,161 --> 00:01:59,828 and that just so happened to be the same competition 49 00:01:59,912 --> 00:02:01,821 that was Ben Abbott's first time in this Forge. 50 00:02:01,906 --> 00:02:03,406 Now, I don't want to get into the history of it 51 00:02:03,499 --> 00:02:05,408 and get into the details, but we all know how that went. 52 00:02:05,492 --> 00:02:07,252 - Ben, congratulations. 53 00:02:07,336 --> 00:02:08,837 You are the "Forged in Fire" champion 54 00:02:08,996 --> 00:02:12,498 and will be receiving a check for $10,000. 55 00:02:12,592 --> 00:02:14,092 - Now, one of you is gonna have the chance 56 00:02:14,177 --> 00:02:15,335 to rewrite history 57 00:02:15,419 --> 00:02:17,253 and potentially beat Ben in this Forge, 58 00:02:17,346 --> 00:02:20,006 earning you that coveted title of "Forged in Fire" champion 59 00:02:20,090 --> 00:02:22,258 that comes with a check for $10,000. 60 00:02:22,343 --> 00:02:24,510 Since you last met Ben, he has tallied up 61 00:02:24,595 --> 00:02:27,272 quite a few more wins, and he is currently undefeated 62 00:02:27,356 --> 00:02:29,941 with a record of 7-0. 63 00:02:30,026 --> 00:02:32,685 So, bladesmiths, you have your work cut out for you. 64 00:02:32,778 --> 00:02:34,103 The two of you are going up against each other 65 00:02:34,197 --> 00:02:36,698 in a five-hour straight bladesmithing competition, 66 00:02:36,857 --> 00:02:38,700 where we want you to build a signature blade 67 00:02:38,859 --> 00:02:40,944 in your signature style, but before we get in to I, 68 00:02:41,037 --> 00:02:42,537 I gotta ask, do you guys think 69 00:02:42,696 --> 00:02:44,113 you have what it takes to take Ben down now? 70 00:02:44,198 --> 00:02:45,207 - I hope he's ready. 71 00:02:45,291 --> 00:02:47,617 [laughter] 72 00:02:47,701 --> 00:02:49,202 - Brent, how about you? 73 00:02:49,295 --> 00:02:50,962 - You know, I'm cautiously optimistic. 74 00:02:51,121 --> 00:02:52,464 [laughter] - That's fair. 75 00:02:52,548 --> 00:02:53,381 Ben, do you have anything to say to the guys 76 00:02:53,540 --> 00:02:55,124 before we get going? 77 00:02:55,209 --> 00:02:56,134 - I know you guys are feeling confident and that's good, 78 00:02:56,293 --> 00:02:57,877 but all I can say is good luck. 79 00:02:57,970 --> 00:03:00,046 - All right, guys, in this competition, 80 00:03:00,130 --> 00:03:01,714 Ben is going to be solely a spectator. 81 00:03:01,799 --> 00:03:03,225 He is not gonna be testing your weapons. 82 00:03:03,384 --> 00:03:05,227 All the crucial decisions are gonna be left 83 00:03:05,386 --> 00:03:07,312 up to Dave and Doug; they're gonna be the ones 84 00:03:07,471 --> 00:03:09,138 deciding which one of you 85 00:03:09,232 --> 00:03:10,899 will be going forward to the final round of the competition 86 00:03:11,058 --> 00:03:12,817 to face Ben. 87 00:03:12,902 --> 00:03:13,818 Now, I said you guys are gonna be building 88 00:03:13,903 --> 00:03:14,894 your signature blades, 89 00:03:14,979 --> 00:03:16,396 but as far as techniques go, 90 00:03:16,489 --> 00:03:19,482 we're gonna leave that up to the Wheel of Forging. 91 00:03:19,566 --> 00:03:21,076 I'm gonna spin the wheel for each one of you, 92 00:03:21,235 --> 00:03:22,819 and wherever it lands is the technique 93 00:03:22,903 --> 00:03:24,487 you must use to build your blade. 94 00:03:24,571 --> 00:03:25,738 Brent, you're up first. 95 00:03:25,823 --> 00:03:27,824 - All right. - Let's see what you get. 96 00:03:27,908 --> 00:03:30,076 - I really don't want that wheel to land 97 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:31,920 on Canister Damascus. 98 00:03:32,079 --> 00:03:34,005 I want to make a pattern Damascus 99 00:03:34,090 --> 00:03:36,416 and show that I can do that. 100 00:03:36,500 --> 00:03:38,418 - I gotta say, Brent, you are about the luckiest guy 101 00:03:38,511 --> 00:03:39,844 that's walked through this Forge. 102 00:03:39,929 --> 00:03:42,347 You just landed on Choose Your Own Pattern Damascus. 103 00:03:42,506 --> 00:03:43,848 I gotta ask, what do you want to do? 104 00:03:43,933 --> 00:03:46,601 - I want to do something that'll really wow the judges. 105 00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:49,012 Twisted crushed Ws, we'll see how that looks. 106 00:03:49,096 --> 00:03:50,847 - That is a massively tall order. 107 00:03:50,931 --> 00:03:52,098 You think you have what it takes? 108 00:03:52,191 --> 00:03:53,433 - We're not gonna win this thing 109 00:03:53,517 --> 00:03:55,026 without taking a few risks. 110 00:03:55,111 --> 00:03:57,437 - That is very, very true. Nate, you're up. You ready? 111 00:03:57,521 --> 00:03:59,531 - Yeah. Come on, same thing. 112 00:03:59,690 --> 00:04:01,357 There was a couple options on there 113 00:04:01,442 --> 00:04:02,617 that I really don't want 114 00:04:02,776 --> 00:04:04,110 to have to be doing in this competition 115 00:04:04,203 --> 00:04:05,704 because having to do a jelly roll, 116 00:04:05,863 --> 00:04:07,205 having to do a Turkish twist, 117 00:04:07,290 --> 00:04:08,865 is just something that I don't think 118 00:04:08,949 --> 00:04:11,701 that I could do within the allotted time. 119 00:04:11,785 --> 00:04:13,878 - You have to do Raindrop Pattern Damascus. 120 00:04:14,038 --> 00:04:15,547 - Raindrop Damascus is something 121 00:04:15,631 --> 00:04:16,956 I've done quite a few times 122 00:04:17,049 --> 00:04:18,458 and I've played around with a lot. 123 00:04:18,551 --> 00:04:20,302 The most difficult part of this process for me 124 00:04:20,386 --> 00:04:23,471 is gonna be making sure that I have clean forge welds. 125 00:04:23,630 --> 00:04:25,807 - Now, guys, once the clock expires, the judges 126 00:04:25,966 --> 00:04:27,633 are gonna check your blades for strength and durability 127 00:04:27,727 --> 00:04:30,636 in a log chop and check your edge retentin 128 00:04:30,730 --> 00:04:32,638 in an apple slice. You guys ready? 129 00:04:32,723 --> 00:04:34,316 - Ready. - Ready. 130 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:37,319 - Let the epic battle begin. Your time starts now. 131 00:04:37,478 --> 00:04:40,155 ♪ ♪ 132 00:04:40,314 --> 00:04:41,656 - All right. 133 00:04:41,741 --> 00:04:43,158 - Ben, you seem pretty tickled about this one. 134 00:04:43,317 --> 00:04:44,984 - Yeah, man, you know, these are buddies of mine, 135 00:04:45,077 --> 00:04:47,487 so it's just really great to see these guys again. 136 00:04:47,571 --> 00:04:50,248 - Now, are you concerned? - Yeah. Yeah. I'm concerned. 137 00:04:50,407 --> 00:04:51,916 These are good smiths, and, you know, 138 00:04:52,076 --> 00:04:54,169 we belong to a larger group 139 00:04:54,328 --> 00:04:56,746 that freely shares information to and fro. 140 00:04:56,839 --> 00:04:58,915 So I don't really have any secrets from these guys. 141 00:04:59,008 --> 00:05:00,842 - That can be dangerous. 142 00:05:01,001 --> 00:05:04,420 - I only have five hours to do this really complex pattern. 143 00:05:04,505 --> 00:05:06,681 I am trying to go above and beyond. 144 00:05:06,766 --> 00:05:07,924 I want to show the judges that I'm not afraid 145 00:05:08,008 --> 00:05:09,434 to risk everything 146 00:05:09,518 --> 00:05:12,687 because this is my chance to prove 147 00:05:12,772 --> 00:05:14,606 that I've got what it takes to beat the unbeaten. 148 00:05:14,690 --> 00:05:18,017 So I want to get that steel stacked and welded 149 00:05:18,102 --> 00:05:20,195 and in the forge immediately. 150 00:05:20,354 --> 00:05:22,688 There's so many things that have to go right. 151 00:05:22,773 --> 00:05:24,273 Nothing can go wrong. 152 00:05:24,367 --> 00:05:29,028 I have to hit the bull's-eye with this build. 153 00:05:29,113 --> 00:05:31,197 - Brent got to choose whatever he wanted to do, 154 00:05:31,281 --> 00:05:33,783 but he chose crushed W twisted. 155 00:05:33,867 --> 00:05:35,368 - Yeah. - Never seen it. No idea. 156 00:05:35,452 --> 00:05:36,711 Please explain. 157 00:05:36,796 --> 00:05:38,955 - All right. So you take your stack 158 00:05:39,039 --> 00:05:40,715 and you stack it up as normal, you'll forge weld it togethe, 159 00:05:40,874 --> 00:05:43,459 then you turn it on its side and you squeeze it, 160 00:05:43,544 --> 00:05:45,470 and what that does is it takes those layers 161 00:05:45,629 --> 00:05:49,048 and it crushes them into sort of like a U-shape. 162 00:05:49,133 --> 00:05:51,726 Then you restack that again and you squeeze it again, 163 00:05:51,885 --> 00:05:53,812 and they get more crushed and they actually, 164 00:05:53,971 --> 00:05:55,555 instead of just being a U, 165 00:05:55,639 --> 00:05:57,232 they've become Ws all the way down the billing. 166 00:05:57,316 --> 00:05:58,891 And if you twist it, every now and then you see 167 00:05:58,976 --> 00:06:00,560 a little bit of that pattern as it comes around. 168 00:06:00,644 --> 00:06:02,070 - I tack it up 169 00:06:02,229 --> 00:06:04,739 and get it into the forge in 17 minutes flat. 170 00:06:04,898 --> 00:06:08,410 ♪ ♪ 171 00:06:08,569 --> 00:06:09,994 - Coming into this competition a second time, 172 00:06:10,154 --> 00:06:11,746 my focus is slightly different. 173 00:06:11,905 --> 00:06:13,823 I'm not trying to make the best knife I've ever mad. 174 00:06:13,916 --> 00:06:15,992 I'm really trying to just mae a blade that will, 175 00:06:16,076 --> 00:06:17,410 first off, be finished. 176 00:06:17,503 --> 00:06:19,921 Second off, not have any cracks. 177 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:21,756 Third off, perform well in the challenges 178 00:06:21,915 --> 00:06:23,583 because I think that that's what's gonna 179 00:06:23,676 --> 00:06:25,760 make me go on to the second round. 180 00:06:25,845 --> 00:06:27,753 I gotta keep 'em in order. 181 00:06:27,847 --> 00:06:31,433 My game plan is to get my steel cleaned, 182 00:06:31,592 --> 00:06:33,342 'cause that's, I think, the most important step 183 00:06:33,427 --> 00:06:35,270 in forge welding. 184 00:06:35,354 --> 00:06:37,763 - It's only 15 layers is what he's got right now. 185 00:06:37,848 --> 00:06:40,191 When he draws that out, is that anywhere near enough 186 00:06:40,350 --> 00:06:41,767 to be able to see that raindrop 187 00:06:41,861 --> 00:06:43,111 or does he have to draw, cut, stack? 188 00:06:43,270 --> 00:06:45,864 - Yeah. I would love to see him draw that out, 189 00:06:46,023 --> 00:06:47,607 cut in in at least five pieces, 190 00:06:47,691 --> 00:06:50,610 maybe six pieces, restack that. 191 00:06:50,703 --> 00:06:53,029 - Yeah. With a few layers you end up with raindrop 192 00:06:53,113 --> 00:06:55,957 that looks kind of like a ring and a dot, and that's borin. 193 00:06:56,116 --> 00:06:58,117 - I know that I have a low layer count. 194 00:06:58,202 --> 00:06:59,368 I can make it look a lot cooler 195 00:06:59,453 --> 00:07:00,953 with a higher layer count, but I don't want 196 00:07:01,046 --> 00:07:03,039 to have to forge weld twice in this round. 197 00:07:03,132 --> 00:07:05,458 So I think I can make it work as long as I drill 198 00:07:05,542 --> 00:07:07,877 my holes deep enough, I forge my blade thin enough, 199 00:07:07,961 --> 00:07:10,138 and I don't grind all that raindrop away. 200 00:07:10,297 --> 00:07:12,223 ♪ ♪ 201 00:07:12,382 --> 00:07:13,808 - I have my billet up to heat, 202 00:07:13,967 --> 00:07:16,135 so not it's time to squish some welds. 203 00:07:16,228 --> 00:07:18,730 This has to go absolutely perfect. 204 00:07:18,889 --> 00:07:20,139 This is a really complex pattern. 205 00:07:20,232 --> 00:07:22,391 I just don't have the time to restart. 206 00:07:22,476 --> 00:07:24,477 I know that I've gotta get that in there 207 00:07:24,570 --> 00:07:27,238 and give it just some nice light compression 208 00:07:27,397 --> 00:07:28,823 and get it right back in the forge. 209 00:07:28,982 --> 00:07:30,992 - Oh... 210 00:07:31,151 --> 00:07:33,069 - Any weakness in those initial forge welds 211 00:07:33,153 --> 00:07:34,987 will shear apart later, 212 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:39,584 destroying my chances at winning. 213 00:07:39,668 --> 00:07:40,910 The forge weld looked okay, 214 00:07:40,994 --> 00:07:43,421 but we won't know until much later. 215 00:07:43,506 --> 00:07:45,924 - I think he's positive that those welds have held 216 00:07:46,008 --> 00:07:47,592 and now it's about drawing that billet out 217 00:07:47,676 --> 00:07:48,834 as quickly as he can. 218 00:07:48,928 --> 00:07:50,753 - And that's really important. 219 00:07:50,837 --> 00:07:53,181 Time management is absolutely paramount in this competition. 220 00:07:53,340 --> 00:07:55,675 - Not only that, he's got to cut and stack it, 221 00:07:55,759 --> 00:07:57,760 but after the next build it's got to be 222 00:07:57,844 --> 00:07:59,929 almost like a square so he can twist it. 223 00:08:00,022 --> 00:08:01,514 - That's right. 224 00:08:01,607 --> 00:08:04,517 - I'm not doing amazing, but I'm doing okay. 225 00:08:04,610 --> 00:08:09,355 I go over to the chop saw and cut it up. 226 00:08:09,448 --> 00:08:11,366 Once everything's stacked to my liking, 227 00:08:11,525 --> 00:08:13,693 I take it over to the welder, tack it up, 228 00:08:13,777 --> 00:08:16,112 put it back in the forge again. 229 00:08:16,196 --> 00:08:18,456 I really want to have this thing forged out 230 00:08:18,541 --> 00:08:20,283 at about the two-hour mark. 231 00:08:20,376 --> 00:08:23,545 I think I'll be okay, if everything goes perfect. 232 00:08:23,704 --> 00:08:25,871 ♪ ♪ 233 00:08:25,965 --> 00:08:28,040 - We're getting pretty close here. 234 00:08:28,125 --> 00:08:31,302 So once the billet is about the same temperature 235 00:08:31,387 --> 00:08:33,221 as the forge, I take it out 236 00:08:33,380 --> 00:08:35,473 and I lightly press it on the forge press 237 00:08:35,632 --> 00:08:37,800 just to set the welds very lightly. 238 00:08:37,884 --> 00:08:40,052 - Now, that's a good color. - That's it. 239 00:08:40,137 --> 00:08:41,729 Once I know my billet is solid, 240 00:08:41,814 --> 00:08:43,222 I really feel a lot better 241 00:08:43,315 --> 00:08:44,732 about my chances in this competition. 242 00:08:44,891 --> 00:08:48,644 ♪ ♪ 243 00:08:48,737 --> 00:08:50,655 - My second stack is welded, 244 00:08:50,739 --> 00:08:52,648 and now I gotta get it back to welding heat 245 00:08:52,733 --> 00:08:54,483 so that I can twist it. 246 00:08:54,568 --> 00:08:56,319 - You really want to get this twist 247 00:08:56,403 --> 00:08:58,070 looking kind of like all thread. 248 00:08:58,155 --> 00:08:59,572 It needs to be really, really twisted 249 00:08:59,665 --> 00:09:01,407 for that pattern to really show up well. 250 00:09:01,491 --> 00:09:05,169 [dramatic music] 251 00:09:05,254 --> 00:09:06,921 - I'm 150 pounds soaking wet, 252 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:09,841 so I'm kind of struggling with this thing. 253 00:09:09,925 --> 00:09:11,334 Now, one of the things about not being able 254 00:09:11,418 --> 00:09:13,177 to twist it as much as I'd like, 255 00:09:13,337 --> 00:09:16,672 is it leaves bigger, wider deep places 256 00:09:16,757 --> 00:09:21,594 that will create all kinds of cold shuts and nasty stuf, 257 00:09:21,687 --> 00:09:23,512 but that's gonna be a concern for later. 258 00:09:23,606 --> 00:09:25,189 I gotta get moving. 259 00:09:25,274 --> 00:09:26,858 No more. 260 00:09:27,017 --> 00:09:28,934 It wore me out, but I got it done. 261 00:09:29,019 --> 00:09:31,362 Not as tight as I want it, but I got a twist in ther, 262 00:09:31,521 --> 00:09:34,607 which is all I told them I would do. 263 00:09:34,691 --> 00:09:37,285 - I really enjoy building my tools of the task, 264 00:09:37,444 --> 00:09:39,537 so decide to do this complex spider shape 265 00:09:39,696 --> 00:09:41,122 with a curved cutting edge 266 00:09:41,281 --> 00:09:43,124 because that'll chop wood very well. 267 00:09:43,208 --> 00:09:46,210 I want to put a bit of a guard on my blade for safety. 268 00:09:46,295 --> 00:09:48,204 Any big knife like this should have a finger catch 269 00:09:48,288 --> 00:09:50,206 or something like that. 270 00:09:50,299 --> 00:09:51,966 I'm just hitting into the edge of the anvil, 271 00:09:52,125 --> 00:09:53,793 very carefully, because that could be 272 00:09:53,877 --> 00:09:55,470 a point of stress where it could break. 273 00:09:55,554 --> 00:09:57,805 It could cost me later in the competition. 274 00:09:57,964 --> 00:10:00,391 But I do think it's cool to be true to my own style 275 00:10:00,550 --> 00:10:02,301 and make a blade that really looks like something 276 00:10:02,386 --> 00:10:04,646 that might come out of my shop. 277 00:10:04,805 --> 00:10:05,897 All righty. 278 00:10:06,056 --> 00:10:07,556 Right after I put that step in, 279 00:10:07,641 --> 00:10:08,983 I'm feeling pretty good. 280 00:10:09,142 --> 00:10:10,318 So I head over to the drill press 281 00:10:10,477 --> 00:10:11,402 and start drilling into the blade 282 00:10:11,487 --> 00:10:13,071 to get my raindrop pattern. 283 00:10:13,155 --> 00:10:15,740 - Is raindrop on the same level 284 00:10:15,899 --> 00:10:17,241 as the twisted crushed Ws? 285 00:10:17,401 --> 00:10:18,484 - Well, I would say it's not 286 00:10:18,577 --> 00:10:19,902 the same level of difficulty, 287 00:10:19,995 --> 00:10:22,664 but done correctly, it's just as dramatic. 288 00:10:22,823 --> 00:10:25,908 - Oh, yes. Oh, yes. 289 00:10:25,992 --> 00:10:27,752 - I know that I've gotta be quenched 290 00:10:27,911 --> 00:10:29,578 by about the two-hour mark 291 00:10:29,663 --> 00:10:32,340 if I have any hope to finish on time. 292 00:10:32,499 --> 00:10:34,333 ♪ ♪ 293 00:10:34,418 --> 00:10:35,510 - All right. Brent is quenched. 294 00:10:35,669 --> 00:10:38,763 - I can't believe how straight it is. 295 00:10:38,922 --> 00:10:41,340 Now I can take it back to the grinder 296 00:10:41,433 --> 00:10:45,436 and grind my shape just like I want. 297 00:10:46,855 --> 00:10:48,931 - So really all I want to accomplish in this first roud 298 00:10:49,015 --> 00:10:51,275 is have one of my knives get tested by the judges 299 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:52,518 because I didn't get to do that the first time 300 00:10:52,602 --> 00:10:54,186 I was on the competition. 301 00:10:54,271 --> 00:10:56,939 - Nathan, I loved what you were doing with that design, 302 00:10:57,032 --> 00:10:59,692 but you put so many structural flaws in that blade 303 00:10:59,776 --> 00:11:02,528 that we cannot test that blade. 304 00:11:02,612 --> 00:11:04,613 - But I'm expecting much better results 305 00:11:04,698 --> 00:11:05,957 this time than previously, 306 00:11:06,041 --> 00:11:07,625 because I know my blade doesn't have cracks, 307 00:11:07,710 --> 00:11:10,712 I know my forge welds are at least solid. 308 00:11:10,796 --> 00:11:13,122 - Shazam! - Nathan's in the oil. 309 00:11:13,215 --> 00:11:15,124 - Good color for Nathan. 310 00:11:15,208 --> 00:11:17,218 - I pull it out, and I'm very happy with my quench, 311 00:11:17,377 --> 00:11:19,303 but if I take a freshly quenched blade 312 00:11:19,388 --> 00:11:22,223 and try to chop a log with it, it's gonna snap in half 313 00:11:22,307 --> 00:11:25,476 because it's very, very hard and it's very brittle. 314 00:11:25,561 --> 00:11:27,061 So I temper it just 315 00:11:27,220 --> 00:11:29,054 to bring that hardness down a little bit 316 00:11:29,139 --> 00:11:32,475 and make it faster to grind and make it tougher. 317 00:11:32,568 --> 00:11:35,060 - When I'm doing any kind of a torch temper, 318 00:11:35,145 --> 00:11:37,405 I like to get that blade completely clean 319 00:11:37,564 --> 00:11:39,815 because I want to see where the color's moving 320 00:11:39,900 --> 00:11:41,409 and how deep it's moving through 321 00:11:41,493 --> 00:11:43,077 and how quickly it's moving through the blade. 322 00:11:43,236 --> 00:11:45,404 - So you'd go and do, like, a quick pass on the grinder, 323 00:11:45,489 --> 00:11:46,998 just to expose... - Oh, yeah. 324 00:11:47,157 --> 00:11:48,750 - So the temper went pretty well. 325 00:11:48,834 --> 00:11:50,251 I didn't overheat any of my spots. 326 00:11:50,410 --> 00:11:53,078 But I hear Brent grinding away across the shop. 327 00:11:53,172 --> 00:11:54,005 The time is starting to tick down, 328 00:11:54,164 --> 00:11:55,673 I know I have a lot left to do, 329 00:11:55,832 --> 00:11:58,926 so I decide to move on to the handle. 330 00:11:59,085 --> 00:12:00,428 ♪ ♪ 331 00:12:00,587 --> 00:12:03,014 - All right, bladesmiths, you have one hour left. 332 00:12:03,098 --> 00:12:04,599 [rock music] 333 00:12:04,758 --> 00:12:07,676 - So I'm grinding away all this extra material, 334 00:12:07,761 --> 00:12:09,771 and right by the bolster 335 00:12:09,855 --> 00:12:11,514 where it's not as thick as I would like, 336 00:12:11,598 --> 00:12:13,441 there's a little place on both sides 337 00:12:13,525 --> 00:12:15,359 that could be fissures for a break. 338 00:12:15,444 --> 00:12:17,361 [bleep]. 339 00:12:17,446 --> 00:12:19,438 - Uh, that's not a good sign. 340 00:12:19,523 --> 00:12:20,531 [dramatic music] 341 00:12:20,616 --> 00:12:22,274 - This could be disastrous. 342 00:12:22,359 --> 00:12:25,203 - If it's a deep enough crack, it's a structural issue. 343 00:12:25,287 --> 00:12:28,113 - If I can't fix this blade right now, 344 00:12:28,198 --> 00:12:30,458 I'm not gonna be the one facing Ben. 345 00:12:34,379 --> 00:12:35,880 I just decide to go tack-weld it. 346 00:12:35,964 --> 00:12:37,715 - Not a good time for Brent to have to weld on to his blade. 347 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:39,375 - No. 348 00:12:39,468 --> 00:12:41,460 - If it's a deep enough crack, it's a structural issue. 349 00:12:41,553 --> 00:12:42,804 - People get sent home for that, 350 00:12:42,888 --> 00:12:44,463 so you just-- You want to address it. 351 00:12:44,548 --> 00:12:47,883 - Now, there's a risk to this because it's easy 352 00:12:47,968 --> 00:12:51,804 to overheat your edge, and the last time 353 00:12:51,888 --> 00:12:53,806 I competed on the competitio, I was sent home 354 00:12:53,890 --> 00:12:55,983 because I overheated the edge of my blade 355 00:12:56,142 --> 00:12:58,727 while I was trying to take a warp out of it. 356 00:12:58,821 --> 00:13:01,730 [dramatic music] 357 00:13:01,824 --> 00:13:04,158 - Did you notice the color in the center of Brent's blade? 358 00:13:04,317 --> 00:13:07,245 - Yes, I did. Yes, I did. - [laughing] 359 00:13:07,404 --> 00:13:08,737 - There's little to no hardness 360 00:13:08,822 --> 00:13:10,915 right in the center of Brent's blade now. 361 00:13:10,999 --> 00:13:13,167 - And I really don't want to do that this time. 362 00:13:13,326 --> 00:13:15,419 It may give me some weld in the pattern, 363 00:13:15,504 --> 00:13:17,746 but hopefully this one little tack-weld on that spot 364 00:13:17,831 --> 00:13:19,674 won't look too bad. 365 00:13:19,758 --> 00:13:21,750 All right. 366 00:13:21,835 --> 00:13:24,253 It looks consolidated, but time is running out. 367 00:13:24,337 --> 00:13:27,348 I need to get this handle done. 368 00:13:27,507 --> 00:13:29,925 - Bladesmiths, you guys are down to 45 minutes. 369 00:13:30,018 --> 00:13:32,678 [rock music] 370 00:13:32,762 --> 00:13:34,272 - Time is starting to tick down, 371 00:13:34,356 --> 00:13:35,606 and I know I have to get the handle scales 372 00:13:35,691 --> 00:13:38,017 fit up and shaped. 373 00:13:38,101 --> 00:13:39,861 I like to put a tapered handle. 374 00:13:39,945 --> 00:13:42,021 It has a little more mass up at the top of the handle 375 00:13:42,105 --> 00:13:43,781 and a little less at the back. 376 00:13:43,866 --> 00:13:46,358 It makes a really comfortable handle and also helps 377 00:13:46,451 --> 00:13:47,860 with the balance of the knife. 378 00:13:47,944 --> 00:13:49,453 There we go. 379 00:13:49,613 --> 00:13:51,873 So I get the tang of my knife ground approximately flat. 380 00:13:51,957 --> 00:13:55,293 I epoxy it all together with some quarter inch steel pins. 381 00:13:55,377 --> 00:13:57,461 I know that I can't waste the five minutes 382 00:13:57,546 --> 00:14:00,039 that the epoxy is drying, so I clamp it up 383 00:14:00,123 --> 00:14:02,958 and I immediately start trying to thin my edge don 384 00:14:03,043 --> 00:14:05,219 and get the finish that I know I need to show off 385 00:14:05,378 --> 00:14:06,795 the Damascus pattern that I made. 386 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:10,299 ♪ ♪ 387 00:14:10,383 --> 00:14:11,884 - There's 30 minutes left. 388 00:14:11,968 --> 00:14:13,385 I've got the handle installed, 389 00:14:13,470 --> 00:14:15,813 but I've gotta let it cure before I can shape it. 390 00:14:15,972 --> 00:14:20,142 I'm going to finish grinding while the epoxy is setting up, 391 00:14:20,235 --> 00:14:21,569 and I'm hoping that I can get that pattern etch 392 00:14:21,728 --> 00:14:24,647 to sharpen the blade in the last few minutes, 393 00:14:24,740 --> 00:14:27,399 and I want to make sure that my edge geometry is robust 394 00:14:27,484 --> 00:14:29,985 so that it's great at chopping that log. 395 00:14:30,078 --> 00:14:32,663 I check the edge, make sure it feels pretty good, 396 00:14:32,822 --> 00:14:34,323 and put it in the acid. 397 00:14:34,416 --> 00:14:38,577 - Fifteen minutes left, guys. - I hope this is pretty. 398 00:14:38,662 --> 00:14:40,829 I pull it out of the etch. 399 00:14:40,914 --> 00:14:44,008 The twisted crushed W pattern looks great. 400 00:14:44,167 --> 00:14:46,001 It has some really bold line, 401 00:14:46,094 --> 00:14:47,920 and I'm just really hoping that it's gonna be 402 00:14:48,004 --> 00:14:51,590 something that the judges just haven't seen before. 403 00:14:51,675 --> 00:14:53,342 - We got five minutes on the clock. 404 00:14:53,435 --> 00:14:54,685 Fare thee well, buddy. - All right, brother. 405 00:14:54,770 --> 00:14:56,103 - See you later. 406 00:14:56,188 --> 00:14:57,012 - I'll see you guys on the other side. 407 00:14:57,105 --> 00:14:58,105 - All right, Ben. 408 00:14:58,264 --> 00:15:00,191 - Yeah, you better get ready, Ben. 409 00:15:00,350 --> 00:15:03,268 - At this point, I have basically a sharpened edge, 410 00:15:03,353 --> 00:15:05,187 but I also know that I need to get a good finish 411 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:07,523 on this blade to show off the Damascus pattern, 412 00:15:07,607 --> 00:15:10,534 so I want to make sure that's all etched. 413 00:15:10,619 --> 00:15:11,610 - Nate is etching. 414 00:15:11,695 --> 00:15:13,037 - I'm really happy to see 415 00:15:13,121 --> 00:15:14,613 that there's rings all over the blade. 416 00:15:14,698 --> 00:15:15,957 Some of them are not very bold. 417 00:15:16,116 --> 00:15:17,700 That's because I have a low layer count, 418 00:15:17,784 --> 00:15:19,460 but they are on both sides of the blade 419 00:15:19,619 --> 00:15:21,128 and I'm really thrilled to see that. 420 00:15:21,287 --> 00:15:22,964 I'm feeling pretty good about my blade. 421 00:15:23,123 --> 00:15:24,799 I'm happy that my pattern's showing. 422 00:15:24,883 --> 00:15:26,542 I'm happy that it feels good, so I'm really hoping 423 00:15:26,635 --> 00:15:28,711 that my blade performs well in the testing here. 424 00:15:28,795 --> 00:15:31,722 ♪ ♪ 425 00:15:31,807 --> 00:15:36,802 - Five, four, three, two, one. 426 00:15:36,886 --> 00:15:38,053 Bladesmiths, turn off your machines, 427 00:15:38,146 --> 00:15:39,555 put down those blades. 428 00:15:39,639 --> 00:15:41,649 This round is over. 429 00:15:41,733 --> 00:15:43,317 - Previously on the competition, 430 00:15:43,402 --> 00:15:44,810 my blade didn't even get tested, 431 00:15:44,903 --> 00:15:47,146 so I'm thrilled to be able to see that 432 00:15:47,230 --> 00:15:49,398 and I'm excited to see how my blade performs. 433 00:15:49,482 --> 00:15:51,742 ♪ ♪ 434 00:15:51,901 --> 00:15:53,160 - All right, gentlemen. 435 00:15:53,245 --> 00:15:56,155 It's time for the strength test, the log chop. 436 00:15:56,248 --> 00:15:57,581 Now, to test the overall strength 437 00:15:57,666 --> 00:15:59,074 and construction of your blades, 438 00:15:59,159 --> 00:16:01,502 I'll be chopping into this log multiple times. 439 00:16:01,586 --> 00:16:03,671 Now, this is not about what your blades do to the log, 440 00:16:03,755 --> 00:16:05,589 but what that log can do to your blades. 441 00:16:05,674 --> 00:16:07,091 And Brent, you're up first. You ready? 442 00:16:07,250 --> 00:16:08,917 - Go for it, Dave. 443 00:16:09,011 --> 00:16:10,761 [dramatic music] 444 00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:13,431 I want to get through this so bad, but these wooden logs 445 00:16:13,515 --> 00:16:15,099 are a lot tougher than wooden dowels. 446 00:16:15,258 --> 00:16:16,842 The bark's all been shaved off, 447 00:16:16,935 --> 00:16:18,102 so there's gonna be no soft stuff. 448 00:16:18,186 --> 00:16:19,770 We're going right into the hard stuff. 449 00:16:19,855 --> 00:16:21,430 I'm really nervous. 450 00:16:21,514 --> 00:16:28,320 ♪ ♪ 451 00:16:33,035 --> 00:16:36,370 - That flew straight by. 452 00:16:39,199 --> 00:16:41,784 - Brent, you can see right there, that brown. 453 00:16:41,868 --> 00:16:43,202 - Yeah. 454 00:16:43,286 --> 00:16:44,628 - There was some kind of a microfracture in there 455 00:16:44,713 --> 00:16:49,625 that when I hit this, it made contact just behind it 456 00:16:49,709 --> 00:16:50,959 and it just peeled off, you know? 457 00:16:51,044 --> 00:16:52,628 You know, the grain structure looks great, 458 00:16:52,721 --> 00:16:55,806 but that crack being right where it was on the spine, 459 00:16:55,891 --> 00:16:58,300 it looks like it was just one of those microfractures 460 00:16:58,393 --> 00:16:59,977 that you just don't see. 461 00:17:00,062 --> 00:17:01,470 What can I say? 462 00:17:01,554 --> 00:17:03,388 - Last thing I expected, to be honest with you. 463 00:17:03,473 --> 00:17:05,474 - Me too. 464 00:17:05,558 --> 00:17:08,310 ♪ ♪ 465 00:17:08,394 --> 00:17:09,645 - All right, Brent. 466 00:17:09,729 --> 00:17:10,979 Unfortunately, your blade 467 00:17:11,064 --> 00:17:12,073 did suffer a catastrophic failure 468 00:17:12,157 --> 00:17:13,649 on the first strike of the test, 469 00:17:13,733 --> 00:17:15,326 so we cannot continue testing your blade. 470 00:17:15,410 --> 00:17:17,578 But you're not out of the fight yet 471 00:17:17,737 --> 00:17:18,913 because, Nathan, in order to move forward 472 00:17:18,997 --> 00:17:20,664 into the final round of the competition 473 00:17:20,749 --> 00:17:22,908 and go against Ben, you have to completely survive 474 00:17:22,992 --> 00:17:24,827 one of the same strikes on our log. 475 00:17:24,920 --> 00:17:26,003 Are you ready? 476 00:17:26,162 --> 00:17:27,246 - Yeah. - All right. 477 00:17:27,330 --> 00:17:29,673 Let's do it. - Let's see it. 478 00:17:29,758 --> 00:17:31,250 Right now, I just need my blade 479 00:17:31,334 --> 00:17:32,510 to make it through one strike 480 00:17:32,594 --> 00:17:34,095 and then I'm off to face Ben Abbott. 481 00:17:34,254 --> 00:17:38,507 So I'm excited, but also a little bit nervou. 482 00:17:38,591 --> 00:17:40,935 ♪ ♪ 483 00:17:41,019 --> 00:17:42,937 Oh, [bleep]. - Oh! 484 00:17:46,683 --> 00:17:49,101 - No. No! 485 00:17:49,185 --> 00:17:52,571 - You've got to be kidding me. - Come on. 486 00:17:53,448 --> 00:17:56,617 [dramatic music] 487 00:17:56,701 --> 00:17:59,537 - Exact same thing, microfracture right there. 488 00:17:59,621 --> 00:18:01,038 You can see the brown. 489 00:18:01,123 --> 00:18:02,614 - Yeah. Yeah. I can see it from here. 490 00:18:02,699 --> 00:18:06,368 - It's etched in to it. Yeah. - God, come on. 491 00:18:06,461 --> 00:18:10,372 - I know how you feel, man. - [laughing] Yeah. 492 00:18:10,456 --> 00:18:12,466 ♪ ♪ 493 00:18:12,551 --> 00:18:13,959 - Well, bladesmiths, you've put us 494 00:18:14,043 --> 00:18:16,712 in a very unique situation. 495 00:18:16,805 --> 00:18:19,473 Just two minutes ago, we had two beautiful blades 496 00:18:19,632 --> 00:18:21,133 coming out of a five-hour competitio, 497 00:18:21,217 --> 00:18:23,227 but now, after two strikes, 498 00:18:23,311 --> 00:18:25,396 we have two broken beautiful blades. 499 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:27,064 The time has come for the judges 500 00:18:27,149 --> 00:18:29,975 to discuss your blades and make a difficult decision. 501 00:18:30,059 --> 00:18:31,977 They've got to decide which one of you 502 00:18:32,061 --> 00:18:33,404 is gonna be moving forward in this competition 503 00:18:33,488 --> 00:18:34,822 and facing Ben. 504 00:18:34,981 --> 00:18:36,315 So while they discuss, I'm gonna ask 505 00:18:36,399 --> 00:18:39,568 the both of you to please step off the Forge floor. 506 00:18:39,661 --> 00:18:42,746 - I'm hoping that because my blade bit in so deep, 507 00:18:42,831 --> 00:18:44,907 that they'll pick my blade, 508 00:18:44,991 --> 00:18:46,408 but it's all gonna be up in the air now, 509 00:18:46,501 --> 00:18:48,243 and it's completely up to the judges' decision. 510 00:18:48,328 --> 00:18:50,996 ♪ ♪ 511 00:18:51,089 --> 00:18:52,756 - So, guys, we've got two broken blades, 512 00:18:52,841 --> 00:18:54,675 both beautiful, but only one of these guys 513 00:18:54,834 --> 00:18:56,010 can move forward in the final round. 514 00:18:56,169 --> 00:18:59,338 So have at it. Dave, what do you think? 515 00:18:59,422 --> 00:19:01,256 - I think both smiths did a great job. 516 00:19:01,349 --> 00:19:04,176 I just think that Brent's willingness to risk 517 00:19:04,260 --> 00:19:06,437 and do a complicated pattern 518 00:19:06,521 --> 00:19:08,439 and have it come out as well as it did 519 00:19:08,598 --> 00:19:10,682 is top-notch work. 520 00:19:10,775 --> 00:19:12,184 - Okay. Doug, what do you think? 521 00:19:12,268 --> 00:19:15,270 - Both smiths present us with great Damascus patterns 522 00:19:15,355 --> 00:19:17,281 through the process they chose; it really shows. 523 00:19:17,365 --> 00:19:19,116 So both blades broke, 524 00:19:19,201 --> 00:19:22,444 but one blade, if push comes to shove, 525 00:19:22,528 --> 00:19:24,205 I can try to test it for a sharpness test. 526 00:19:24,364 --> 00:19:26,615 There's enough blade there to cut apples. 527 00:19:26,708 --> 00:19:28,209 The other one doesn't. 528 00:19:28,368 --> 00:19:29,284 - So for you guys, is this just coming down 529 00:19:29,377 --> 00:19:31,954 to which break is worse? 530 00:19:32,038 --> 00:19:33,631 - Yeah. - Yeah. 531 00:19:33,715 --> 00:19:36,383 Brent's blade broke with that much blade and a handle, 532 00:19:36,542 --> 00:19:38,552 whereas Nathan's blade broke right at the handle. 533 00:19:38,711 --> 00:19:41,380 There's just nowhere to hold that blade anymore. 534 00:19:41,473 --> 00:19:42,547 - All right, so it sounds like 535 00:19:42,632 --> 00:19:43,966 both of you guys are on the same page. 536 00:19:44,050 --> 00:19:44,800 - I think so. - Are you ready? 537 00:19:44,884 --> 00:19:45,884 - Mm-hmm. - Yeah. 538 00:19:45,969 --> 00:19:47,302 - Let's call them back in. 539 00:19:47,387 --> 00:19:51,223 ♪ ♪ 540 00:19:51,307 --> 00:19:53,392 Bladesmiths, one of you is still moving forward 541 00:19:53,485 --> 00:19:55,644 into the final round to face Ben, 542 00:19:55,737 --> 00:19:59,481 going for that redemption, a check for $10,000, 543 00:19:59,565 --> 00:20:00,983 and the title of "Forged in Fire" champion. 544 00:20:01,067 --> 00:20:02,484 And the bladesmith that's gonna be joining us 545 00:20:02,577 --> 00:20:03,986 in the final round and facing Ben Abbott is... 546 00:20:04,070 --> 00:20:06,914 ♪ ♪ 547 00:20:07,073 --> 00:20:08,082 Brent. 548 00:20:08,166 --> 00:20:09,667 Congratulations. 549 00:20:09,751 --> 00:20:10,993 - Good job, buddy. 550 00:20:11,077 --> 00:20:13,754 - I wish winning felt better. - [laughs] 551 00:20:13,913 --> 00:20:16,164 - Nathan, man, you fought extremely hard, 552 00:20:16,258 --> 00:20:18,676 but unfortunately your blade did not make the cut, 553 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:20,168 and Dave Baker is gonna tell you why. 554 00:20:20,253 --> 00:20:22,096 - Nathan, you brought us a great-looking blade 555 00:20:22,255 --> 00:20:23,931 that was really comfortable in my hand, 556 00:20:24,090 --> 00:20:26,517 but it came down to where that blade broke. 557 00:20:26,601 --> 00:20:29,520 Brent's blade still has about 4 inches of blade on it, 558 00:20:29,604 --> 00:20:31,689 and yours, there's just no way to hold onto it anymore. 559 00:20:31,848 --> 00:20:33,515 - Sure. That's fair. 560 00:20:33,608 --> 00:20:35,434 - Well, Nathan, unfortunately, due to the fact 561 00:20:35,518 --> 00:20:37,611 that you no longer have a viable blade, 562 00:20:37,770 --> 00:20:39,196 your time in this competition has ended. 563 00:20:39,355 --> 00:20:40,272 I'm gonna have to ask you 564 00:20:40,365 --> 00:20:42,199 to please step off the Forge floor. 565 00:20:42,358 --> 00:20:44,118 - I had a fun time here, 566 00:20:44,277 --> 00:20:46,445 and I was confident that I put out a good blade, 567 00:20:46,538 --> 00:20:48,196 but just that one little section 568 00:20:48,281 --> 00:20:50,624 with some wonky forging led to a tiny crack, 569 00:20:50,783 --> 00:20:53,368 that led to the blade snapping right in half. 570 00:20:53,453 --> 00:20:55,212 I'm excited to see what Ben and Brent pull out. 571 00:20:55,371 --> 00:20:56,880 I know Brent's gonna kick ass, 572 00:20:56,965 --> 00:20:58,048 I know Ben's gonna kick ass, 573 00:20:58,207 --> 00:20:59,541 so we'll see what happens. 574 00:20:59,625 --> 00:21:01,626 ♪ ♪ 575 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:03,378 - Brent, congratulations, man. 576 00:21:03,463 --> 00:21:05,139 You made it through the five-hour challenge, 577 00:21:05,223 --> 00:21:06,473 and that means you're going forward 578 00:21:06,558 --> 00:21:07,716 in the final round of the competition. 579 00:21:07,809 --> 00:21:09,301 You're gonna get a second chance at Ben Abbott 580 00:21:09,394 --> 00:21:10,811 in a competition of your choosing. 581 00:21:10,895 --> 00:21:12,229 Are you ready? 582 00:21:12,314 --> 00:21:13,647 - Yeah. I feel like the last few years 583 00:21:13,732 --> 00:21:17,067 of my life have been, like, leading up to this point, 584 00:21:17,152 --> 00:21:19,144 and I am just ready to rock on that. 585 00:21:19,228 --> 00:21:21,322 The whole reason I came here was to go up against Ben, 586 00:21:21,406 --> 00:21:22,823 so it's such a relief. 587 00:21:22,982 --> 00:21:26,910 It feels so good to get that chance. 588 00:21:26,995 --> 00:21:29,079 - Well, Brent, it may be unconventional, 589 00:21:29,164 --> 00:21:31,073 but you made it to the final round of this competition. 590 00:21:31,166 --> 00:21:33,500 You're gonna go head-to-head against the smith 591 00:21:33,585 --> 00:21:36,754 whose current record is seven wins and zero losses, 592 00:21:36,838 --> 00:21:38,422 and to see if you have what it takes 593 00:21:38,506 --> 00:21:40,248 to beat the unbeaten. 594 00:21:40,333 --> 00:21:42,918 ♪ ♪ 595 00:21:43,002 --> 00:21:45,095 Ben Abbott. 596 00:21:45,180 --> 00:21:47,422 - Brent, big surprise. 597 00:21:48,767 --> 00:21:52,019 Brent and I have been friends ever since that first episod. 598 00:21:52,103 --> 00:21:54,763 That was a hell of a time. [laughs] 599 00:21:54,856 --> 00:21:58,609 I know he's an amazing smith, so I'm gonna have to 600 00:21:58,693 --> 00:22:02,020 go all out plus a little to keep the streak going. 601 00:22:02,113 --> 00:22:04,198 - Well, bladesmiths, I gotta say, guys, 602 00:22:04,282 --> 00:22:06,691 I am thoroughly thrilled about this competition, 603 00:22:06,776 --> 00:22:09,361 not only because we got two talented smiths here, 604 00:22:09,445 --> 00:22:11,455 but because you guys have a little bit of history. 605 00:22:11,614 --> 00:22:15,042 You know each other, you've worked side by side before, 606 00:22:15,126 --> 00:22:18,036 and I'm very, very excited to see you guys battle it out. 607 00:22:18,129 --> 00:22:19,955 In the next eight hours, gentlemen, 608 00:22:20,039 --> 00:22:22,457 you will be going head-to-head in a bladesmithing competition 609 00:22:22,550 --> 00:22:25,135 where you need to make a blade from start to finish. 610 00:22:25,220 --> 00:22:26,962 Now, as you guys can see, Dave and Doug 611 00:22:27,046 --> 00:22:28,222 are not gonna be joining us for this round. 612 00:22:28,381 --> 00:22:29,965 For fairness, they're not gonna have a clue 613 00:22:30,058 --> 00:22:32,717 whose blade is whose when they get into testing. 614 00:22:32,802 --> 00:22:35,554 Now, Brent, because you won the last round, 615 00:22:35,638 --> 00:22:37,139 you were able to choose whatever blade you wanted 616 00:22:37,223 --> 00:22:38,649 from our "Forge of Fire" vault 617 00:22:38,733 --> 00:22:42,069 that you wanted yourself and Ben to build. 618 00:22:42,228 --> 00:22:43,487 So for the next eight hours, you are both 619 00:22:43,571 --> 00:22:45,981 gonna be working diligently to build this. 620 00:22:46,074 --> 00:22:47,074 [dramatic music] 621 00:22:50,912 --> 00:22:52,154 The Ida Sword. 622 00:22:52,238 --> 00:22:54,156 - [chuckling] Oh, an Ida. 623 00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:56,158 ♪ ♪ 624 00:22:56,251 --> 00:22:57,659 - The Ida Sword 625 00:22:57,743 --> 00:22:59,494 used by the Yoruba people of West Africa 626 00:22:59,579 --> 00:23:01,496 features a double-edged, leaf-shaped blade 627 00:23:01,581 --> 00:23:03,507 ideal for harvesting crops in the fields 628 00:23:03,666 --> 00:23:07,085 as well as inflicting lethal slashes and stabs in battle. 629 00:23:07,178 --> 00:23:08,762 This deadly weapon appeared 630 00:23:08,847 --> 00:23:10,514 in season four of "Forged in Fire," 631 00:23:10,673 --> 00:23:13,675 where both smiths produced ornate Damascus patterns, 632 00:23:13,759 --> 00:23:16,094 but one smith's mistake during his quench 633 00:23:16,179 --> 00:23:18,096 caused his sword to chip during the strength test, 634 00:23:18,189 --> 00:23:21,191 costing him the competition. 635 00:23:21,350 --> 00:23:25,187 - Your blade length needs to be between 23 and 25 inches. 636 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:26,780 You have quad hollows 637 00:23:26,865 --> 00:23:28,615 giving you a double-edged blade, 638 00:23:28,774 --> 00:23:31,776 and you have an integral bolster to put on. 639 00:23:31,861 --> 00:23:33,695 - The biggest part of this blade 640 00:23:33,779 --> 00:23:35,289 is the quad hollow grind. 641 00:23:35,448 --> 00:23:37,207 It's just not one of my strong suits. 642 00:23:37,366 --> 00:23:41,369 I really feel a little bit on my back foot on this one. 643 00:23:41,454 --> 00:23:42,787 - Now, Brent, along with choosing the weapon, 644 00:23:42,881 --> 00:23:44,456 you were able to choose the technique 645 00:23:44,540 --> 00:23:46,291 that you'll both use to build your Ida Swords. 646 00:23:46,375 --> 00:23:47,801 Bladesmiths, in eight hours, 647 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:51,638 you need to make your Ida Swords using this. 648 00:23:51,723 --> 00:23:54,549 What you have here are stacks of 1095 and 15N20 649 00:23:54,634 --> 00:23:56,477 along with wrought iron chain. 650 00:23:56,636 --> 00:23:58,887 We want you to combine those three elements 651 00:23:58,980 --> 00:24:00,055 in the Damascus San Mai. 652 00:24:00,139 --> 00:24:01,890 - Cool. 653 00:24:01,983 --> 00:24:03,484 - Now, Brent, because this is your second time 654 00:24:03,643 --> 00:24:04,985 in this competition and your second shot 655 00:24:05,144 --> 00:24:06,311 at the title of "Forged in Fire" champion, 656 00:24:06,404 --> 00:24:07,988 we wanted to raise the bar a little bit 657 00:24:08,072 --> 00:24:09,314 and see if Ben had any spins he wanted 658 00:24:09,398 --> 00:24:10,482 to put on this competition. 659 00:24:10,575 --> 00:24:11,983 So, Ben, you've got anything? 660 00:24:12,068 --> 00:24:13,160 - Yeah. I think that that there's something missing 661 00:24:13,244 --> 00:24:14,486 from that stack up, Brent. 662 00:24:14,579 --> 00:24:15,996 I think we need a little nickel. 663 00:24:16,080 --> 00:24:17,831 - Ooh. - Ooh. All right. 664 00:24:17,916 --> 00:24:20,408 So we're talking Damascus Go Mai now. 665 00:24:20,502 --> 00:24:22,085 - Yes, we are. 666 00:24:22,170 --> 00:24:24,588 I really enjoy adding nickel to my San Mai, 667 00:24:24,672 --> 00:24:26,248 making it into a Go Mai. 668 00:24:26,332 --> 00:24:28,759 The transition between the dark cutting edge 669 00:24:28,843 --> 00:24:30,669 and whatever you put above the nickel, 670 00:24:30,753 --> 00:24:32,095 it really pops to the eye. 671 00:24:32,180 --> 00:24:34,598 I think it's really beautiful. 672 00:24:34,682 --> 00:24:36,424 - When that eight hours is up, 673 00:24:36,509 --> 00:24:38,426 we're gonna start off with a dynamic KEAL test 674 00:24:38,511 --> 00:24:41,179 on a ballistics dummy and a pork loin slice. 675 00:24:41,264 --> 00:24:42,931 Then Dave's gonna take over 676 00:24:43,024 --> 00:24:44,933 and put your blades through a dynamic strength test 677 00:24:45,017 --> 00:24:48,937 with a ammo can chop and a foam dummy slice. 678 00:24:49,021 --> 00:24:51,940 Good luck. Your time starts now. 679 00:24:52,033 --> 00:24:55,360 [rock music] 680 00:24:55,444 --> 00:24:59,122 - This is unchartered waters going on right now. 681 00:24:59,207 --> 00:25:00,707 Now, the process these smiths are gonna have to go through 682 00:25:00,792 --> 00:25:02,459 in order to get this built correct, 683 00:25:02,544 --> 00:25:04,628 we've seen before; we've seen Damascus. 684 00:25:04,787 --> 00:25:07,130 - Whoa. Dagnabbit. 685 00:25:07,215 --> 00:25:08,456 - We've seen Go Mai. 686 00:25:08,541 --> 00:25:10,625 - Charlie wanted to go Go Mai 687 00:25:10,710 --> 00:25:13,712 'cause he wanted a thicker blade. 688 00:25:13,796 --> 00:25:15,630 - We've seen nickel used. 689 00:25:15,715 --> 00:25:17,057 - I've never worked with nickel before. 690 00:25:17,216 --> 00:25:19,810 This is gonna be a bit of a challenge for me. 691 00:25:19,894 --> 00:25:22,387 - But we've never seen all of them put together in one. 692 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:24,973 This is gonna be very interesting. 693 00:25:25,057 --> 00:25:29,069 ♪ ♪ 694 00:25:29,153 --> 00:25:30,979 - The whole reason I came hee was to go against Ben, 695 00:25:31,063 --> 00:25:33,824 so it feels so great to get that chance. 696 00:25:33,908 --> 00:25:36,910 But after this last testing, I'm a little rattled. 697 00:25:37,069 --> 00:25:38,820 The first time I was on this competition, 698 00:25:38,904 --> 00:25:42,657 my blade didn't hold up that well to the testing. 699 00:25:42,742 --> 00:25:44,993 - Brent, we definitely have waves in the blade. 700 00:25:45,086 --> 00:25:46,745 - This time, I thought I had a great knife, 701 00:25:46,829 --> 00:25:48,330 and it exploded, 702 00:25:48,414 --> 00:25:49,998 so I want to make a blade 703 00:25:50,082 --> 00:25:52,667 that can pass the "Forged in Fire" testing. 704 00:25:52,752 --> 00:25:55,178 - How are you feeling, bud? - Pretty good. Pretty good. 705 00:25:55,263 --> 00:25:56,430 - So what's your plan for the billet? 706 00:25:56,514 --> 00:25:57,922 You went with the crushed Ws last time, 707 00:25:58,007 --> 00:25:59,182 you saw how that worked out. 708 00:25:59,267 --> 00:26:00,258 - No. You know what we're gonna do here, 709 00:26:00,351 --> 00:26:01,602 we're gonna stage the parameters, 710 00:26:01,761 --> 00:26:03,687 so I'm gonna go with a natural pattern. 711 00:26:03,771 --> 00:26:04,929 - Okay. - Some people call it random. 712 00:26:05,014 --> 00:26:07,182 It's natural when I do it. - [laughs] 713 00:26:07,266 --> 00:26:09,943 ♪ ♪ 714 00:26:10,102 --> 00:26:12,103 There is a lot on the line here for Ben. 715 00:26:12,188 --> 00:26:14,439 If he loses one competition, 716 00:26:14,532 --> 00:26:16,524 he will no longer be the unbeaten. 717 00:26:16,618 --> 00:26:19,527 - I feel really good about my record so far, 718 00:26:19,612 --> 00:26:22,456 but every single challenge is a brand new mystery 719 00:26:22,540 --> 00:26:25,533 and a potential failure, and I don't want to lose. 720 00:26:25,618 --> 00:26:27,044 ♪ ♪ 721 00:26:27,203 --> 00:26:28,787 I draw the wrought iron, 722 00:26:28,871 --> 00:26:31,539 and while that's heating up, I clean up the steel 723 00:26:31,624 --> 00:26:32,791 that I'm gonna use for my Damascus billet. 724 00:26:32,884 --> 00:26:34,885 I'm gonna go with a 26-layer 725 00:26:34,969 --> 00:26:38,305 alternating stack of 1095 and 15N20, 726 00:26:38,464 --> 00:26:40,974 draw it out to a 24 plus inches long, 727 00:26:41,059 --> 00:26:44,135 cut it into six pieces, and make 156 layers 728 00:26:44,220 --> 00:26:47,814 that I will make the core of my Ida Sword out of. 729 00:26:47,973 --> 00:26:49,641 Ninety percent of what you're gonna see 730 00:26:49,725 --> 00:26:52,486 at the end of the day is gonna be the Damascus, 731 00:26:52,645 --> 00:26:54,821 so I really want to put extra effort in 732 00:26:54,980 --> 00:26:59,076 to that Damascus to make it beautiful. 733 00:26:59,235 --> 00:27:01,820 - So as my billet's coming up to heat in the forge, 734 00:27:01,904 --> 00:27:04,164 I'm working on forging out my wrought iron. 735 00:27:04,248 --> 00:27:06,166 - Is there anything specific about wrought iron 736 00:27:06,325 --> 00:27:08,243 that makes it more difficult to work with? 737 00:27:08,327 --> 00:27:11,421 - It can split really easy, so if I'm not really careful 738 00:27:11,506 --> 00:27:13,924 and open this just slow at real high heat, 739 00:27:14,008 --> 00:27:16,593 then this can tear; I don't want to do that, 740 00:27:16,678 --> 00:27:18,762 so I'm just gonna open it up, 741 00:27:18,846 --> 00:27:21,515 as painful as it is, a little slower. 742 00:27:21,674 --> 00:27:23,091 Now it's time to squish some welds. 743 00:27:23,175 --> 00:27:24,843 ♪ ♪ 744 00:27:24,936 --> 00:27:26,761 This feels really solid, really good, 745 00:27:26,854 --> 00:27:30,524 but I have to move on because I know that this sword build 746 00:27:30,608 --> 00:27:33,935 is gonna take every minute that I have. 747 00:27:34,019 --> 00:27:36,863 ♪ ♪ 748 00:27:36,948 --> 00:27:39,282 - After the welds are set, I get the billet to length. 749 00:27:39,367 --> 00:27:42,360 Now it's time to start grinding all that scale off 750 00:27:42,445 --> 00:27:43,528 of both sides of that billet 751 00:27:43,612 --> 00:27:45,447 so that I can cut it and restack it. 752 00:27:45,531 --> 00:27:48,208 - This is a really important moment for Ben. 753 00:27:48,367 --> 00:27:50,118 If he doesn't get the faces of this steel, 754 00:27:50,211 --> 00:27:53,046 the billet, cleaned up, when he cuts and restacks it 755 00:27:53,131 --> 00:27:55,039 he runs the risk of having delaminations 756 00:27:55,124 --> 00:27:57,792 or cold shuts in that final billet. 757 00:27:57,877 --> 00:28:00,220 - So I cut all my pieces to 4 inches long. 758 00:28:00,379 --> 00:28:02,389 There's a huge risk each time I win. 759 00:28:02,473 --> 00:28:04,466 It becomes more and more important 760 00:28:04,550 --> 00:28:06,134 to keep the streak going. 761 00:28:06,218 --> 00:28:08,311 I don't want to get a first number and a second number. 762 00:28:08,396 --> 00:28:10,889 I like "0" as a second number. 763 00:28:10,973 --> 00:28:12,807 So as this billet is heating up, 764 00:28:12,900 --> 00:28:16,236 I try to select a nice piece of wood for my handle. 765 00:28:18,647 --> 00:28:21,566 - Brent just put his final stack in the forge. 766 00:28:21,659 --> 00:28:24,244 So he's got a Damascus center 767 00:28:24,403 --> 00:28:27,155 collided with the nickel and then the wrought iron. 768 00:28:27,239 --> 00:28:28,656 - I'm getting a little nervous. 769 00:28:28,741 --> 00:28:30,417 This is a critical moment 770 00:28:30,576 --> 00:28:31,585 'cause I've got to have good welds. 771 00:28:31,744 --> 00:28:33,503 There we go. 772 00:28:33,588 --> 00:28:36,339 It looks good, it's not splitting apart at the ends 773 00:28:36,424 --> 00:28:40,668 in any significant way, and I'm really happy with it. 774 00:28:40,762 --> 00:28:43,764 - Brent, Ben, you guys have four hours left. 775 00:28:43,848 --> 00:28:46,674 We're halfway through. 776 00:28:46,759 --> 00:28:48,518 Now on Ben's side of The Forge, 777 00:28:48,603 --> 00:28:50,270 he's going for a high-layered Damascus in the core. 778 00:28:50,354 --> 00:28:52,180 Then he's still got to collide it with the nickel 779 00:28:52,264 --> 00:28:53,440 and the wrought iron 780 00:28:53,599 --> 00:28:55,099 and go back for another fourth weld. 781 00:28:55,184 --> 00:28:57,444 - All I've got now is one more weld 782 00:28:57,528 --> 00:28:59,354 to get the wrought iron and nickel 783 00:28:59,438 --> 00:29:02,532 stuck onto this billet, and I am off to the races. 784 00:29:02,617 --> 00:29:05,109 - Ben is welding up his final stack. 785 00:29:05,203 --> 00:29:06,536 He's got a lot of work to do 786 00:29:06,621 --> 00:29:08,780 to catch up to where Brent's at right now. 787 00:29:08,873 --> 00:29:11,115 - This is both the scariest 788 00:29:11,200 --> 00:29:12,534 and most fun part about this build. 789 00:29:12,627 --> 00:29:15,378 If the weld doesn't stick, it would be catastrophic. 790 00:29:15,538 --> 00:29:17,464 This weld has to take. 791 00:29:17,623 --> 00:29:22,877 ♪ ♪ 792 00:29:22,962 --> 00:29:26,130 Now I'm relatively confident that this billet is welded. 793 00:29:26,215 --> 00:29:29,559 But because of my choice to restack my billet, 794 00:29:29,644 --> 00:29:31,469 it's put me behind. 795 00:29:31,562 --> 00:29:32,813 I need to catch up to Brent. 796 00:29:34,232 --> 00:29:35,816 [rock music] 797 00:29:35,975 --> 00:29:37,141 - The shape and profile of this sword 798 00:29:37,226 --> 00:29:38,810 is a little tricky 'cause 799 00:29:38,894 --> 00:29:41,822 it's nice and flowing like a leaf or a reed, 800 00:29:41,906 --> 00:29:44,574 but then I have to contend with this quad hollow grind, 801 00:29:44,733 --> 00:29:48,403 so we have to be able to take those grinds from all the wy 802 00:29:48,487 --> 00:29:51,739 from the hilt to the tip and keep that central lin, 803 00:29:51,824 --> 00:29:54,584 as well as our edges, as straight as possible. 804 00:29:54,669 --> 00:29:57,829 So I have this idea that maybe I can make tooling 805 00:29:57,913 --> 00:30:02,083 to try to press in some of this hollow grind. 806 00:30:02,167 --> 00:30:04,511 - Brent built his own dyes for the press 807 00:30:04,595 --> 00:30:07,005 using some wrought iron cylinders 808 00:30:07,089 --> 00:30:09,591 next to each other on the bottom and on the to. 809 00:30:09,684 --> 00:30:11,092 - Let's see if it works. 810 00:30:11,176 --> 00:30:14,354 The center spine that I forged in on my tooling 811 00:30:14,513 --> 00:30:16,598 is not really straight; it's very lumpy, 812 00:30:16,682 --> 00:30:18,933 but I have so much to do, I have to move on. 813 00:30:19,018 --> 00:30:22,612 ♪ ♪ 814 00:30:22,697 --> 00:30:26,032 - The next step is to cut the shoulders for the bolster, 815 00:30:26,191 --> 00:30:28,610 where the bolster matches up to the handle, 816 00:30:28,694 --> 00:30:31,863 and my first squeeze is on the tang side 817 00:30:31,947 --> 00:30:33,364 of what's gonna be my bolster. 818 00:30:33,457 --> 00:30:35,366 I have to be really careful here 819 00:30:35,451 --> 00:30:37,535 because it could end up being a weak spot, it could break. 820 00:30:37,628 --> 00:30:39,704 So I'm paying very close attention 821 00:30:39,797 --> 00:30:41,381 to make sure I don't over squeeze 822 00:30:41,540 --> 00:30:43,800 that junction between bolster and blade. 823 00:30:43,959 --> 00:30:45,135 You look a little tired, Brent. 824 00:30:45,219 --> 00:30:46,544 Why don't you take a nap, man? 825 00:30:46,637 --> 00:30:48,221 - You think you're, like, lulling me into, 826 00:30:48,380 --> 00:30:50,724 like, a sense of security, you're not, man. 827 00:30:50,808 --> 00:30:53,643 - [laughs] 828 00:30:53,728 --> 00:30:55,562 The bolster is looking really good, 829 00:30:55,646 --> 00:30:57,472 and now it's time for the quench. 830 00:30:57,556 --> 00:31:00,475 ♪ ♪ 831 00:31:00,559 --> 00:31:03,069 - Ben went from being relatively far behind 832 00:31:03,154 --> 00:31:05,146 and now he's the first one quenched. 833 00:31:05,230 --> 00:31:07,824 ♪ ♪ 834 00:31:07,909 --> 00:31:11,152 - This is a critical moment because this is the moment 835 00:31:11,236 --> 00:31:16,416 where this thing becomes a sword. 836 00:31:16,500 --> 00:31:18,752 It's warped, so I'm going straight to the leg vice 837 00:31:18,836 --> 00:31:20,662 to start to look at straightening. 838 00:31:20,746 --> 00:31:24,090 I don't love that I'm pulling on this blade back and forth 839 00:31:24,249 --> 00:31:26,334 to bend it into the correct shape, 840 00:31:26,418 --> 00:31:29,095 but of course it's very brittle from quench 841 00:31:29,180 --> 00:31:31,431 and I could break it. 842 00:31:31,515 --> 00:31:33,516 - This is dangerous, 'cause if anything happens right now, 843 00:31:33,601 --> 00:31:35,343 he's only got three hours left 844 00:31:35,427 --> 00:31:37,345 to completely build a new blade. 845 00:31:37,429 --> 00:31:39,773 - If I go too far and snap my blade, 846 00:31:39,857 --> 00:31:41,599 it's all over for me. 847 00:31:41,684 --> 00:31:43,276 I won't be able to finish. 848 00:31:43,435 --> 00:31:44,110 [grunts] 849 00:31:47,940 --> 00:31:49,941 - Okay. Let's stick with that. 850 00:31:50,034 --> 00:31:52,786 I've got a really warpy blade, 851 00:31:52,945 --> 00:31:56,122 but I still have a lot of mass on this blade, 852 00:31:56,281 --> 00:31:58,625 so I can grind a little off of this side, 853 00:31:58,709 --> 00:31:59,951 a little off of that, 854 00:32:00,044 --> 00:32:02,370 and find a center that's straight. 855 00:32:02,454 --> 00:32:06,457 ♪ ♪ 856 00:32:06,542 --> 00:32:08,626 - It's time to start working on the quad hollows. 857 00:32:08,711 --> 00:32:10,545 What makes a quad hollow grind tricky 858 00:32:10,638 --> 00:32:13,297 is to do correctly it needs to have a medial ridge, 859 00:32:13,382 --> 00:32:15,475 so if you waver, 860 00:32:15,559 --> 00:32:19,312 it's very easy to see, and it looks bad, 861 00:32:19,397 --> 00:32:21,472 so it's gonna take a lot of work to get right. 862 00:32:21,557 --> 00:32:23,307 Good stuff. 863 00:32:23,401 --> 00:32:25,059 The hollow grinds are looking good. 864 00:32:25,144 --> 00:32:27,645 It's time to start working on the handle. 865 00:32:27,730 --> 00:32:29,072 - You're running out of time, guys. 866 00:32:29,231 --> 00:32:31,324 You have one hour left. 867 00:32:31,483 --> 00:32:32,984 - I take my blade out of the temper, 868 00:32:33,068 --> 00:32:36,237 and I realize that I gotta get this handle going. 869 00:32:36,321 --> 00:32:38,489 - On Brent's side, he's doing a multi-piece 870 00:32:38,582 --> 00:32:39,490 through tang handle construction. 871 00:32:39,575 --> 00:32:41,159 He's gonna have brass, wood, 872 00:32:41,252 --> 00:32:43,086 and then a brass pommel on his blade. 873 00:32:43,170 --> 00:32:45,496 - I want to make sure it indexes well 874 00:32:45,581 --> 00:32:48,166 and it's not too round; I want those judges to fel 875 00:32:48,250 --> 00:32:51,085 like it was shaped proportionate to their hands. 876 00:32:51,170 --> 00:32:52,595 I just want it to be comfortable for them to use, 877 00:32:52,755 --> 00:32:53,930 and safe, of course. 878 00:32:54,015 --> 00:32:56,758 I finally get the thing shaped up. 879 00:32:56,842 --> 00:32:59,260 I just grab that handle and feel that sword, 880 00:32:59,344 --> 00:33:02,856 and this moment is the first moment I felt like a sword. 881 00:33:03,015 --> 00:33:04,599 It's great. 882 00:33:04,683 --> 00:33:06,934 ♪ ♪ 883 00:33:07,028 --> 00:33:09,362 - Ben's now gonna get his acid etch on his blade. 884 00:33:09,447 --> 00:33:12,607 We're gonna see that beautiful 156 layers pop. 885 00:33:12,691 --> 00:33:14,609 - I've given all the time I can give 886 00:33:14,693 --> 00:33:16,194 to the blade and the acid. 887 00:33:16,287 --> 00:33:18,446 It's now time to take a look. 888 00:33:18,530 --> 00:33:22,042 Dude! It looks boss. I mean, I see the nickel, 889 00:33:22,201 --> 00:33:23,618 I see the wrought iron in the center, 890 00:33:23,711 --> 00:33:25,703 and I'm super excited. 891 00:33:25,788 --> 00:33:28,122 It's just a matter of the last little bits now. 892 00:33:28,207 --> 00:33:30,458 ♪ ♪ 893 00:33:30,542 --> 00:33:35,880 - Five, four, three, two, one. Great work. 894 00:33:35,964 --> 00:33:37,390 Please put down your blades 895 00:33:37,549 --> 00:33:39,884 and prepare yourselves for testing. 896 00:33:39,968 --> 00:33:41,227 - So I'm finished with my blade. 897 00:33:41,386 --> 00:33:42,887 I'm really happy with the way it looks, 898 00:33:42,971 --> 00:33:46,066 and I look at Brent's blade, and I'm intimidated. 899 00:33:46,150 --> 00:33:47,567 I really want to win, 900 00:33:47,726 --> 00:33:49,819 and my thus far undefeated record 901 00:33:49,904 --> 00:33:51,395 is on the line. 902 00:33:51,480 --> 00:33:53,564 Now it's all down to the testing. 903 00:33:53,657 --> 00:33:55,399 - Doug, Dave, guys, you missed 904 00:33:55,493 --> 00:33:56,993 yet another intense competition. 905 00:33:57,078 --> 00:33:59,412 Brent decided he wanted he and Ben 906 00:33:59,571 --> 00:34:01,072 to build the Ida Sword, so now you guys 907 00:34:01,156 --> 00:34:03,249 got your chance to put your hands on the weapons 908 00:34:03,334 --> 00:34:04,250 and I want to hear what you think. 909 00:34:04,409 --> 00:34:05,660 Doug, what do you think of silver? 910 00:34:05,744 --> 00:34:07,337 ♪ ♪ 911 00:34:07,421 --> 00:34:09,506 - I really like the overall symmetry of the blade, 912 00:34:09,590 --> 00:34:11,833 the way it feels, the grinds, 913 00:34:11,917 --> 00:34:15,253 and the way it just, you know, transitions nicel. 914 00:34:15,346 --> 00:34:16,838 - Now let's talk about gold. 915 00:34:16,922 --> 00:34:18,589 ♪ ♪ 916 00:34:18,674 --> 00:34:20,600 - I like the configuration of gold's handle. 917 00:34:20,684 --> 00:34:22,769 The flare it's got fits my hand really nicely. 918 00:34:22,928 --> 00:34:24,595 It's easier to control that weapon. 919 00:34:24,680 --> 00:34:27,440 But once you move forward, things start changing. 920 00:34:27,525 --> 00:34:29,442 The edge is still in line, 921 00:34:29,601 --> 00:34:32,779 but the medial ridge is moving like that. 922 00:34:32,938 --> 00:34:34,438 - Ready to put them to work? - Oh, yeah. 923 00:34:34,532 --> 00:34:35,365 - Let's do it. - Let's get to it. 924 00:34:35,524 --> 00:34:37,033 I'll call them in. 925 00:34:37,118 --> 00:34:40,027 [dramatic music] 926 00:34:40,112 --> 00:34:41,621 ♪ ♪ 927 00:34:41,780 --> 00:34:44,282 - Well, Brent, Ben, congratulations 928 00:34:44,366 --> 00:34:45,792 on making it through that very difficult 929 00:34:45,876 --> 00:34:47,710 eight-hour build for your Ida Swords. 930 00:34:47,870 --> 00:34:49,370 It's coming down to this. 931 00:34:49,454 --> 00:34:50,797 Gentlemen, the stakes are high. 932 00:34:50,881 --> 00:34:52,373 Ben, you're trying to keep your unbeaten streak 933 00:34:52,466 --> 00:34:54,709 of 7-0 going. 934 00:34:54,802 --> 00:34:58,054 Brent, you're trying to be the first smith to beat Ben, 935 00:34:58,139 --> 00:34:59,380 taking home the title of "Forged in Fire" champion 936 00:34:59,464 --> 00:35:01,549 and getting a check for $10,000. 937 00:35:01,633 --> 00:35:03,384 Best way, gentlemen, we know how to find out 938 00:35:03,468 --> 00:35:05,645 which one of your swords is gonna come out on top-- 939 00:35:05,804 --> 00:35:08,055 By putting them through a few tests. 940 00:35:08,140 --> 00:35:11,225 And up first, we have the KEAL test with Doug. 941 00:35:11,310 --> 00:35:13,903 ♪ ♪ 942 00:35:14,062 --> 00:35:15,155 - All right, bladesmiths. 943 00:35:15,239 --> 00:35:17,740 Welcome to the dynamic KEAL test. 944 00:35:17,825 --> 00:35:20,651 To find out lethal your Ida Swords are, 945 00:35:20,736 --> 00:35:21,903 I'm gonna cut through this ballistics dummy 946 00:35:21,987 --> 00:35:23,663 and pork loins. You guys ready? 947 00:35:23,822 --> 00:35:27,074 - Yes, sir. - All right. Let's do this. 948 00:35:27,168 --> 00:35:29,744 - My blade broke in half on the first round... 949 00:35:29,828 --> 00:35:33,256 ♪ ♪ 950 00:35:33,415 --> 00:35:35,833 So the stakes are high, 951 00:35:35,918 --> 00:35:37,752 and I'm just ready to see wht Doug can do with this thing. 952 00:35:37,836 --> 00:35:41,431 ♪ ♪ 953 00:35:41,590 --> 00:35:44,592 [dramatic rock music] 954 00:35:44,676 --> 00:35:51,524 ♪ ♪ 955 00:36:08,367 --> 00:36:10,043 - All right, guys, the first thing about this 956 00:36:10,202 --> 00:36:11,786 is when you pick it up, it's forward heavy 957 00:36:11,870 --> 00:36:14,464 'cause you have thicker grinds right here. 958 00:36:14,548 --> 00:36:17,717 But when you swing it, it's manageable. 959 00:36:17,876 --> 00:36:19,794 I like the flare that he put over there 960 00:36:19,887 --> 00:36:22,296 'cause it's really giving me a nice counterbalance, 961 00:36:22,381 --> 00:36:24,215 especially when you're swinging something 962 00:36:24,308 --> 00:36:25,967 that has a forward weight to it. 963 00:36:26,060 --> 00:36:29,136 Overall, it will KEAL. 964 00:36:29,221 --> 00:36:33,233 ♪ ♪ 965 00:36:33,392 --> 00:36:35,318 - I'm most concerned that my blade is gonna 966 00:36:35,402 --> 00:36:38,071 be heavier than Brent's because it's bigger in profile 967 00:36:38,155 --> 00:36:40,823 and heavier sometimes can be worse. 968 00:36:40,908 --> 00:36:43,317 ♪ ♪ 969 00:36:43,402 --> 00:36:46,320 [dramatic rock music] 970 00:36:46,405 --> 00:36:53,253 ♪ ♪ 971 00:37:10,345 --> 00:37:11,521 - All right, gentlemen. 972 00:37:11,680 --> 00:37:13,264 When I pick up this blade, 973 00:37:13,357 --> 00:37:16,517 I can feel the distribution of the weight 974 00:37:16,601 --> 00:37:19,687 be far more even compared to gold's over here. 975 00:37:19,780 --> 00:37:22,690 When I'm cutting this, because of that distribution, 976 00:37:22,783 --> 00:37:26,610 it's even a deeper chop into this ballistics dummy. 977 00:37:26,695 --> 00:37:29,122 Now, when I'm grabbing onto the handle here, 978 00:37:29,281 --> 00:37:30,790 actually it feels good, it's ovoid, 979 00:37:30,949 --> 00:37:32,625 I can really tell where the edge is. 980 00:37:32,710 --> 00:37:37,130 Overall, it will KEAL. 981 00:37:38,382 --> 00:37:41,217 [rock music] 982 00:37:41,376 --> 00:37:42,802 - All right, gentlemen. 983 00:37:42,886 --> 00:37:44,554 It's time for our combined strength and sharpness test, 984 00:37:44,638 --> 00:37:48,215 the ammo crate chop and foam dummy slice. 985 00:37:48,309 --> 00:37:51,218 Gold anvil's up. 986 00:37:51,312 --> 00:37:53,387 - During the strength test, anything can happen. 987 00:37:53,472 --> 00:37:56,316 It can have bending or warping and, of course, breakage, 988 00:37:56,400 --> 00:37:58,476 and I definitely do not want breakage 989 00:37:58,569 --> 00:38:00,737 for the second time in competition. 990 00:38:00,821 --> 00:38:02,730 I'm really nervous. 991 00:38:02,814 --> 00:38:04,490 ♪ ♪ 992 00:38:08,403 --> 00:38:13,833 ♪ ♪ 993 00:38:24,178 --> 00:38:27,338 - So right off, when you pick up this weapo, 994 00:38:27,431 --> 00:38:29,682 there's a lot of weight up here in this blade. 995 00:38:29,767 --> 00:38:34,345 But in that test, the blade took a warp right there. 996 00:38:34,438 --> 00:38:36,097 As far as the edges of the blade go, 997 00:38:36,190 --> 00:38:37,681 they held up quite well. 998 00:38:37,775 --> 00:38:40,360 But there's really no getting around that bend. 999 00:38:43,105 --> 00:38:46,023 [dramatic music] 1000 00:38:46,108 --> 00:38:52,789 ♪ ♪ 1001 00:39:11,725 --> 00:39:12,883 All right. 1002 00:39:12,976 --> 00:39:14,718 This thing is a superior cutter. 1003 00:39:14,812 --> 00:39:17,313 Those cuts took maybe half the effort 1004 00:39:17,472 --> 00:39:19,640 to get deeper into that target. 1005 00:39:19,733 --> 00:39:23,903 As far as the strength test goes, it took no damage. 1006 00:39:24,062 --> 00:39:25,863 Nice piece. 1007 00:39:27,241 --> 00:39:29,742 [suspenseful music] 1008 00:39:29,827 --> 00:39:31,318 - Well, bladesmiths, in eight hours 1009 00:39:31,412 --> 00:39:33,663 you were both tasked to build a very difficult blade 1010 00:39:33,822 --> 00:39:35,906 with an even more difficult technique, 1011 00:39:35,991 --> 00:39:36,991 but in this competition only one of you 1012 00:39:37,075 --> 00:39:38,334 can come out on top. 1013 00:39:38,493 --> 00:39:40,077 The winner of today's "Forged in Fire" 1014 00:39:40,162 --> 00:39:41,745 competition is... 1015 00:39:41,830 --> 00:39:47,093 ♪ ♪ 1016 00:39:47,252 --> 00:39:49,345 Ben Abbott, you are now 8-0, buddy. 1017 00:39:49,430 --> 00:39:50,671 Congratulations. 1018 00:39:50,764 --> 00:39:53,007 Brent, man, you're good. 1019 00:39:53,100 --> 00:39:54,758 You're an unbelievable smith, 1020 00:39:54,843 --> 00:39:56,853 but unfortunately, you didn't come out on top today, 1021 00:39:57,012 --> 00:39:59,430 and Dave Baker is gonna tell you why. 1022 00:39:59,514 --> 00:40:01,941 - Brent, I know how difficult this blade is to make 1023 00:40:02,025 --> 00:40:03,934 and you did a great job making it, 1024 00:40:04,019 --> 00:40:05,936 but you did take a slight bend in the strength test, 1025 00:40:06,021 --> 00:40:07,363 and those uneven grinds 1026 00:40:07,448 --> 00:40:08,689 towards the front of this blade, 1027 00:40:08,782 --> 00:40:11,859 those are the two reasons we chose the other sword. 1028 00:40:11,952 --> 00:40:13,110 - Well, Brent, again, I want to say thank you 1029 00:40:13,203 --> 00:40:15,196 for coming back and letting us all watch 1030 00:40:15,280 --> 00:40:16,622 you work in the Forge; it was a pleasure, 1031 00:40:16,781 --> 00:40:18,624 but unfortunately you're not the champion today. 1032 00:40:18,783 --> 00:40:20,126 This time I'm gonna have to ask you to please step of 1033 00:40:20,210 --> 00:40:23,037 the Forge floor. 1034 00:40:23,130 --> 00:40:24,872 - I was able to do something pretty incredible, 1035 00:40:24,965 --> 00:40:26,215 I think, in eight hours, 1036 00:40:26,374 --> 00:40:27,625 but Ben's a whole nother level. 1037 00:40:27,709 --> 00:40:29,126 It looks like he took four days on it, 1038 00:40:29,211 --> 00:40:30,127 like a normal challenge. 1039 00:40:30,212 --> 00:40:31,378 Unbelievable. 1040 00:40:31,463 --> 00:40:33,631 I'm a two-time loser. [chuckles] 1041 00:40:33,715 --> 00:40:37,977 ♪ ♪ 1042 00:40:38,061 --> 00:40:41,138 - Ben, Ben, Ben. - Holy guacamole. 1043 00:40:41,231 --> 00:40:42,648 - Current record of 8-0 in The Forge. 1044 00:40:42,807 --> 00:40:43,983 How are you feeling? 1045 00:40:44,067 --> 00:40:47,737 - I feel amazing. I'm super excited. 1046 00:40:47,896 --> 00:40:49,322 Brent is such an amazing smith, 1047 00:40:49,481 --> 00:40:53,242 and to be able to pull off a win against him, 1048 00:40:53,401 --> 00:40:55,152 I just feel absolutely amazing. 1049 00:40:55,237 --> 00:40:57,738 But here I am, still undefeated. 1050 00:40:57,831 --> 00:40:59,665 With any luck, I'll be able to keep this streak alive 1051 00:40:59,824 --> 00:41:01,584 forever and a day. 1052 00:41:01,743 --> 00:41:02,743 There's a lot of smiths out there 1053 00:41:02,827 --> 00:41:04,411 that might want to take me down, 1054 00:41:04,505 --> 00:41:06,005 but I'm here, I'm ready. 1055 00:41:06,164 --> 00:41:08,174 Bring it on.