1 00:00:06,382 --> 00:00:07,883 - Here in The Forge, 2 00:00:07,967 --> 00:00:09,551 we have put hundreds of smiths to the test, 3 00:00:09,710 --> 00:00:11,711 but one fierce competitor has proven himself 4 00:00:11,804 --> 00:00:15,131 time and time again... - Ben Abbott. 5 00:00:15,216 --> 00:00:16,975 - An expert blacksmith and bladesmith, 6 00:00:17,134 --> 00:00:18,968 a fan favorite turned judge, 7 00:00:19,053 --> 00:00:21,888 Ben Abbott remains undefeated in this forge. 8 00:00:21,972 --> 00:00:24,900 His current record is eight wins and zero losses. 9 00:00:24,984 --> 00:00:29,479 But soon, all that could change. 10 00:00:29,572 --> 00:00:32,565 Tonight, it comes down to the last two bladesmiths 11 00:00:32,650 --> 00:00:36,986 that were hand-picked by Dave and Doug to beat the unbeaten. 12 00:00:37,080 --> 00:00:40,332 Do they have what it takes to finally beat Ben Abbott? 13 00:00:40,416 --> 00:00:42,742 The competition continues now. 14 00:00:42,827 --> 00:00:45,754 [dramatic music] 15 00:00:45,913 --> 00:00:50,083 ♪ ♪ 16 00:00:50,176 --> 00:00:52,594 - I'm Nicholas Cochiolo, I'm 53 years old, 17 00:00:52,678 --> 00:00:54,754 I'm from Simi Valley, California. 18 00:00:54,839 --> 00:00:56,098 Last time I was here, 19 00:00:56,257 --> 00:00:58,591 I was brought on to represent the armorers 20 00:00:58,684 --> 00:01:00,343 in the invitational tournament of champions. 21 00:01:00,427 --> 00:01:03,438 I won that with a hooded katar and went on to the finale. 22 00:01:03,597 --> 00:01:06,525 I ended up coming in second by just the smallest margin, 23 00:01:06,684 --> 00:01:08,527 and that's really why I'm back. 24 00:01:08,611 --> 00:01:10,270 I really love this competition, 25 00:01:10,354 --> 00:01:12,447 and I was hand-selected by David Baker 26 00:01:12,606 --> 00:01:15,951 because he thought I might have some small chance 27 00:01:16,110 --> 00:01:19,788 of beating the unbeatable Ben Abbott. 28 00:01:19,947 --> 00:01:21,623 ♪ ♪ 29 00:01:21,782 --> 00:01:23,867 - My name is Zach Tarbell, I'm from Rochester, New York. 30 00:01:23,960 --> 00:01:26,711 I'm a welding instructor and a part-time bladesmith. 31 00:01:26,796 --> 00:01:28,380 The first time I was here, I helped out 32 00:01:28,464 --> 00:01:30,039 one of my fellow competitors with a parameter. 33 00:01:30,133 --> 00:01:31,550 You doing a hidden tang? 34 00:01:31,709 --> 00:01:34,469 - No. - I think we have to. 35 00:01:34,628 --> 00:01:36,713 Second round, I ended up missing a parameter. 36 00:01:36,797 --> 00:01:38,798 I didn't get a head's up from anybody. 37 00:01:38,891 --> 00:01:41,968 - Has Zach fluted anything? - No. 38 00:01:42,052 --> 00:01:44,470 - Between being chosen by Dog 39 00:01:44,564 --> 00:01:46,148 to come back and redeem myself, 40 00:01:46,232 --> 00:01:49,726 combined with my personal desire to redeem myself, 41 00:01:49,810 --> 00:01:51,311 it's a lot of pressure. 42 00:01:51,395 --> 00:01:53,146 But I really want to prove I can go up against Ben, 43 00:01:53,239 --> 00:01:56,992 hold my own, and possibly beat him. 44 00:01:57,151 --> 00:01:58,484 ♪ ♪ 45 00:01:58,569 --> 00:02:02,164 - Nicholas, Zach, welcome back to The Forge, gentlemen, 46 00:02:02,323 --> 00:02:05,167 and welcome to the fifth and final competition, 47 00:02:05,326 --> 00:02:08,494 in a series we're calling Beat the Unbeaten. 48 00:02:08,579 --> 00:02:11,089 This is the judge's pick competition. 49 00:02:11,174 --> 00:02:13,249 Nicholas, you were chosen by Dave. 50 00:02:13,342 --> 00:02:15,260 Zach, you were chosen by Doug. 51 00:02:15,419 --> 00:02:17,921 They decided they thought you both deserved a second chance 52 00:02:18,005 --> 00:02:19,589 to the title of "Forged in Fire" champion 53 00:02:19,682 --> 00:02:21,758 and a check for $10,000. 54 00:02:21,842 --> 00:02:24,936 But not only that, they thought you each have what it takes 55 00:02:25,021 --> 00:02:26,354 to potentially beat the unbeaten, 56 00:02:26,439 --> 00:02:27,856 who's got a record of 8-0. 57 00:02:27,940 --> 00:02:29,933 My question is 58 00:02:30,017 --> 00:02:32,527 do you guys think you have what it takes to take on Ben Abbott? 59 00:02:32,612 --> 00:02:34,112 - I'm going to try. - We're going to find out. 60 00:02:34,271 --> 00:02:35,855 - [chuckles] We sure are. 61 00:02:35,940 --> 00:02:36,940 Ben, you got anything to say to these guys? 62 00:02:37,024 --> 00:02:38,191 - This is my fifth time 63 00:02:38,284 --> 00:02:39,701 competing in one of these championships, 64 00:02:39,860 --> 00:02:41,620 and there's no rust on my anvil. 65 00:02:41,779 --> 00:02:44,206 I am ready to rock. Good luck to you. 66 00:02:44,365 --> 00:02:45,365 - Nice. 67 00:02:45,449 --> 00:02:46,616 [dramatic music] 68 00:02:46,709 --> 00:02:47,792 - Now bladesmiths, 69 00:02:47,952 --> 00:02:49,127 Ben is only going to be an observer 70 00:02:49,212 --> 00:02:50,712 because one of you's going up against him. 71 00:02:50,871 --> 00:02:52,631 In this very unique competition, 72 00:02:52,715 --> 00:02:55,217 the two of you are going to go head-to-head 73 00:02:55,376 --> 00:02:58,053 in a straight five-hour bladesmithing build 74 00:02:58,137 --> 00:03:00,305 where you will need to make a blade from start to finis. 75 00:03:00,389 --> 00:03:02,390 Now bladesmiths, 76 00:03:02,475 --> 00:03:04,809 you know in this forge, we love a good salvage round, 77 00:03:04,894 --> 00:03:07,729 and that is exactly what we've got set up for you today. 78 00:03:07,813 --> 00:03:09,397 In five hours, 79 00:03:09,556 --> 00:03:13,151 we want you to make signature blades using this. 80 00:03:13,310 --> 00:03:16,229 Fish hook canister Damascus. 81 00:03:16,313 --> 00:03:18,982 - I'm apprehensive, a little nervous. 82 00:03:19,066 --> 00:03:21,826 I definitely don't want to see my blade break, 83 00:03:21,911 --> 00:03:23,736 but with canister Damascus, 84 00:03:23,829 --> 00:03:26,322 it's crazy, there's always a chance. 85 00:03:26,407 --> 00:03:27,907 - When that time is up, 86 00:03:27,992 --> 00:03:30,085 Dave and Doug are going to check your blades 87 00:03:30,169 --> 00:03:32,745 for strength and durability in a tackle box chop, 88 00:03:32,838 --> 00:03:34,163 and then check your edge retention 89 00:03:34,257 --> 00:03:36,591 in a plastic tube slice. 90 00:03:36,676 --> 00:03:39,928 Bladesmiths, good luck. Your time starts now. 91 00:03:40,087 --> 00:03:44,257 ♪ ♪ 92 00:03:44,350 --> 00:03:46,434 All right, so judge's choice. 93 00:03:46,519 --> 00:03:48,428 Dave, why did you pick Nicholas? 94 00:03:48,512 --> 00:03:50,105 - Oh, man, Nicholas did such a great job. 95 00:03:50,264 --> 00:03:51,764 He was in one of our tournaments 96 00:03:51,849 --> 00:03:55,268 representing the armorers, and he did the hooded katar. 97 00:03:55,361 --> 00:03:57,770 He did a great job, but last time, 98 00:03:57,863 --> 00:03:59,114 he did the nodachi, which is one 99 00:03:59,273 --> 00:04:01,274 of the biggest weapons we've ever done in here. 100 00:04:01,358 --> 00:04:03,776 He was the runner up. His weapon was beautiful. 101 00:04:03,861 --> 00:04:05,870 There were some issues with the handle. 102 00:04:06,030 --> 00:04:07,947 - During the testing, we all noticed 103 00:04:08,032 --> 00:04:10,292 the protruding pegs from your handle, 104 00:04:10,376 --> 00:04:14,129 and your blade did take damage during the strength test. 105 00:04:14,213 --> 00:04:16,289 - I mean, it was so close. 106 00:04:16,382 --> 00:04:18,624 This is a man who deserves a second chanc. 107 00:04:18,718 --> 00:04:20,626 - Doug, what about you? Why did you pick Zach? 108 00:04:20,711 --> 00:04:22,804 - We were both on Farmers Only dating site. 109 00:04:22,888 --> 00:04:24,797 [laughter] No. 110 00:04:24,890 --> 00:04:27,133 What really set him apart was the way he performed 111 00:04:27,217 --> 00:04:29,469 when he was here the last time he was here competing. 112 00:04:29,562 --> 00:04:31,563 - You doing a hidden tang? - No. 113 00:04:31,647 --> 00:04:33,389 - I think we have to. 114 00:04:33,482 --> 00:04:36,809 - He missed parameters on his blade, but he pointed out 115 00:04:36,894 --> 00:04:39,654 the parameters of a competitor, who went on to win. 116 00:04:39,813 --> 00:04:41,740 ♪ ♪ 117 00:04:41,899 --> 00:04:43,483 - Last time I was here, I ran into a little bit of trouble 118 00:04:43,567 --> 00:04:46,578 with the handle parameters, so I'm doing everything 119 00:04:46,662 --> 00:04:49,831 that I can to make sure that doesn't happen again. 120 00:04:49,915 --> 00:04:52,417 Make fish hook Damascus, they say. 121 00:04:52,576 --> 00:04:54,669 So I have to be very, very careful 122 00:04:54,828 --> 00:04:56,496 about what I'm doing to make sure 123 00:04:56,580 --> 00:04:58,664 that I accomplish everything I need to 124 00:04:58,749 --> 00:05:01,584 as well as meet all the parameters. 125 00:05:01,677 --> 00:05:03,419 There's two options when you make canister Damascus. 126 00:05:03,504 --> 00:05:05,430 You add Wite-Out and you can peel the can off. 127 00:05:05,589 --> 00:05:06,923 If you don't add Wite-Out, 128 00:05:07,007 --> 00:05:09,517 the can should just weld to the steel underneath. 129 00:05:09,602 --> 00:05:12,762 I know that between forging and grinding, 130 00:05:12,846 --> 00:05:14,680 I will be able to expose that core steel 131 00:05:14,765 --> 00:05:16,524 without needing to take the jacket off. 132 00:05:16,683 --> 00:05:18,184 Oh, yeah. 133 00:05:18,268 --> 00:05:19,527 - One things that neat is that neither of the smiths 134 00:05:19,686 --> 00:05:21,020 are using Wite-Out, 135 00:05:21,113 --> 00:05:23,365 so they're all planning on keeping the can on. 136 00:05:23,524 --> 00:05:26,201 ♪ ♪ 137 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:29,779 - The biggest difference between now and the last time 138 00:05:29,872 --> 00:05:32,281 I was here is my skillset has improved greatly. 139 00:05:32,375 --> 00:05:36,702 It's just been tons of swords. I've made so many swords. 140 00:05:36,796 --> 00:05:41,633 And I have fanboys because of "Forged in Fire." 141 00:05:41,792 --> 00:05:44,719 Yeah, I have fanboys. It's so weird. 142 00:05:44,878 --> 00:05:46,379 ♪ ♪ 143 00:05:46,472 --> 00:05:48,223 I like to take and reduce the size 144 00:05:48,382 --> 00:05:51,309 of the top of the can so it fits inside the canister. 145 00:05:51,394 --> 00:05:53,219 Welding! 146 00:05:53,303 --> 00:05:55,897 - And what I'm seeing out here right now is some smart work. 147 00:05:55,981 --> 00:05:57,399 By insetting, 148 00:05:57,483 --> 00:05:58,975 you get to actually get some more compression 149 00:05:59,068 --> 00:06:01,561 so they can get that outer steel to drop all the way in 150 00:06:01,654 --> 00:06:03,488 and fill all the voids in that canister. 151 00:06:03,647 --> 00:06:05,148 - Everything seems really tight, 152 00:06:05,232 --> 00:06:06,491 everything seems right. 153 00:06:06,575 --> 00:06:07,742 I'ma get it right in the forge 154 00:06:07,901 --> 00:06:09,569 and wait for that sucker to turn yellow. 155 00:06:09,662 --> 00:06:11,320 It sucks to take the time and wait, 156 00:06:11,414 --> 00:06:13,248 but it's like baking a cake. 157 00:06:13,407 --> 00:06:15,491 As long as you don't skip a part, it'll taste good. 158 00:06:15,584 --> 00:06:17,827 ♪ Get hot ♪ 159 00:06:17,911 --> 00:06:20,746 - All right steel, you gon' behave? 160 00:06:20,840 --> 00:06:22,415 I like what I was seeing inside of the forge. 161 00:06:22,508 --> 00:06:24,926 Want to start setting those welds. 162 00:06:25,010 --> 00:06:26,419 - Interesting that he used 163 00:06:26,512 --> 00:06:28,087 Big Blue to set the welds immediatel. 164 00:06:28,172 --> 00:06:31,424 - Not something I would do when I've got a 25-ton press 165 00:06:31,508 --> 00:06:33,017 sitting right next to me. 166 00:06:33,102 --> 00:06:35,103 - I go to Big Blue for two big reasons. 167 00:06:35,187 --> 00:06:37,180 I am comfortable with an air hammer, 168 00:06:37,273 --> 00:06:40,349 and I have never once touched a hydraulic press. 169 00:06:40,434 --> 00:06:42,527 This is not a good time to start experimenting. 170 00:06:42,611 --> 00:06:44,520 - The nice thing about the squaring, guys, 171 00:06:44,613 --> 00:06:46,114 is as it presses down, 172 00:06:46,273 --> 00:06:48,858 it's pressing from all sides towards the center. 173 00:06:48,951 --> 00:06:52,036 So as opposed to Big Blue, which is going to go this way. 174 00:06:52,121 --> 00:06:54,539 - It's like trying to make a snowball by doing that. 175 00:06:54,698 --> 00:06:57,041 - Right, and then turning it to the other way and dong this. 176 00:06:57,201 --> 00:06:58,868 - That's where I screwed up. 177 00:06:58,952 --> 00:07:01,129 [laughter] Oh, man. 178 00:07:01,288 --> 00:07:03,039 ♪ ♪ 179 00:07:03,132 --> 00:07:05,467 - So the squaring dies on the press give equal pressure 180 00:07:05,626 --> 00:07:07,802 all the way around on the canister, 181 00:07:07,961 --> 00:07:10,555 and for me, it is the easiest technique 182 00:07:10,714 --> 00:07:13,224 to get a good, solid weld. 183 00:07:13,383 --> 00:07:14,893 - Nicholas here with precision work. 184 00:07:14,977 --> 00:07:16,811 That's the way he does stuff. 185 00:07:16,896 --> 00:07:19,981 - Today isn't really about winning at all. 186 00:07:20,140 --> 00:07:22,650 I just really, really want to fight with Ben. 187 00:07:22,809 --> 00:07:25,987 He's one of the smartest people I have ever met. 188 00:07:26,071 --> 00:07:27,897 A lot of people don't know this about Be. 189 00:07:27,981 --> 00:07:29,741 That guy, with his team 190 00:07:29,825 --> 00:07:31,484 discovered how to detect gravity 191 00:07:31,577 --> 00:07:33,152 or something crazy like that. 192 00:07:33,237 --> 00:07:36,405 So yeah, to beat Ben is definitely an achievement 193 00:07:36,490 --> 00:07:37,990 I would like to unlock. 194 00:07:38,083 --> 00:07:40,001 Everything's solid, everything's good. 195 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:42,003 ♪ ♪ 196 00:07:42,087 --> 00:07:44,422 - What's that? 197 00:07:44,581 --> 00:07:46,591 As I'm drawing this material out, 198 00:07:46,675 --> 00:07:50,002 I start seeing what looks like a blister or bubble. 199 00:07:50,087 --> 00:07:52,838 - Zach's method to set his welds in Big Blue 200 00:07:52,923 --> 00:07:55,007 may have been a bad idea. 201 00:07:55,100 --> 00:07:57,009 He just found a blister on his billet. 202 00:07:57,102 --> 00:07:59,512 - Somewhere in there, there's a layer 203 00:07:59,596 --> 00:08:02,774 that's got something that's keeping it from welding. 204 00:08:02,933 --> 00:08:04,609 - I know that I could keep playing with this thing 205 00:08:04,693 --> 00:08:06,852 and see if it closes up on me, 206 00:08:06,937 --> 00:08:09,697 but I know that I have way more steel 207 00:08:09,856 --> 00:08:11,607 than I actually need to make this knife. 208 00:08:11,692 --> 00:08:13,859 Might as well just cut it off and get over it. 209 00:08:13,953 --> 00:08:15,778 - The danger there is if you've got a blister 210 00:08:15,862 --> 00:08:18,289 in one spot, it could be in other spots, 211 00:08:18,448 --> 00:08:21,284 and he's not going to find that out until he starts grinding. 212 00:08:21,377 --> 00:08:25,538 - I'm hoping that I don't find any more problems. 213 00:08:25,622 --> 00:08:29,551 - Blacksmiths, you have four hours remaining. 214 00:08:29,710 --> 00:08:31,961 - I'm going to pull that sucker out into a blade. 215 00:08:32,054 --> 00:08:34,639 - Nicholas, too, is a working smith, so I expect him 216 00:08:34,798 --> 00:08:37,883 to be moving a lot faster and a lot more efficiently. 217 00:08:37,977 --> 00:08:38,893 - I expect Big Blue to work this time. 218 00:08:38,978 --> 00:08:40,636 - Welding! 219 00:08:40,729 --> 00:08:42,888 - Last time I was here, that power hammer broke on me. 220 00:08:42,973 --> 00:08:45,233 What the [bleep]? 221 00:08:45,392 --> 00:08:46,392 ♪ ♪ 222 00:08:46,476 --> 00:08:48,736 Big Blue don't work. - Nick is pissed. 223 00:08:48,895 --> 00:08:51,147 ♪ ♪ 224 00:08:51,231 --> 00:08:53,658 But I think they cut up the Big Blue that I used 225 00:08:53,817 --> 00:08:54,900 and made it into Damascus, 226 00:08:54,994 --> 00:08:57,570 so I think it had a deserving end. 227 00:08:57,663 --> 00:08:58,654 [chuckles] 228 00:08:58,747 --> 00:09:00,248 - Big [bleep] piece of steel. 229 00:09:00,407 --> 00:09:04,410 I'm thinking about making a recurve chopper knife 230 00:09:04,494 --> 00:09:06,754 'cause I know that will perform well 231 00:09:06,839 --> 00:09:08,923 on both a chop and a slice test. 232 00:09:09,082 --> 00:09:10,258 ♪ ♪ 233 00:09:10,342 --> 00:09:11,834 Come on, now. 234 00:09:11,918 --> 00:09:13,678 I've got two big concerns right now. 235 00:09:13,837 --> 00:09:16,005 Number one, I still don't actually know what's going on 236 00:09:16,098 --> 00:09:17,673 inside of that can. 237 00:09:17,766 --> 00:09:19,767 I'm also worried that I'm just going to forget something 238 00:09:19,926 --> 00:09:20,852 along the way here. 239 00:09:20,936 --> 00:09:22,345 I've got all my lists going, 240 00:09:22,429 --> 00:09:24,522 but always in the back of my head 241 00:09:24,681 --> 00:09:27,183 it's like, "Don't forget, don't forget, don't forget." 242 00:09:27,276 --> 00:09:31,112 It's important that I prove to Doug who gave me the honor 243 00:09:31,271 --> 00:09:35,950 of being picked to come back that I can do this. 244 00:09:36,109 --> 00:09:37,526 ♪ ♪ 245 00:09:37,611 --> 00:09:39,037 - So I'm making a competition chopper. 246 00:09:39,121 --> 00:09:40,955 Great for slicing, great for chopping. 247 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:42,540 I'm going to make it probably a little heavier 248 00:09:42,625 --> 00:09:43,958 than I normally would, 249 00:09:44,117 --> 00:09:45,710 just because he's chopping into a metal box. 250 00:09:45,794 --> 00:09:47,045 Whoo. 251 00:09:47,129 --> 00:09:48,713 - Look at the height that Nicholas is getting 252 00:09:48,797 --> 00:09:50,048 to hammer that one spot. 253 00:09:50,132 --> 00:09:52,541 Reaching for the sky. 254 00:09:52,635 --> 00:09:53,968 - I love to strike the anvil. 255 00:09:54,053 --> 00:09:55,544 It's like a painter with his paint brush. 256 00:09:55,629 --> 00:09:57,880 My wife calls it my love affair. 257 00:09:57,973 --> 00:09:59,465 [chuckles] 258 00:09:59,558 --> 00:10:02,968 - Blacksmiths, you have three hours left. 259 00:10:03,062 --> 00:10:05,805 The time calls are not phasing the smith. 260 00:10:05,898 --> 00:10:09,058 They're doing very well with time management. 261 00:10:09,142 --> 00:10:11,477 - At this point, I'm happy with the shape of my blade, 262 00:10:11,561 --> 00:10:14,063 but I know there's mild steel all the way around it, 263 00:10:14,156 --> 00:10:16,157 so I need to get the canister material off of it, 264 00:10:16,241 --> 00:10:19,911 expose to the core steel to the edge. 265 00:10:19,995 --> 00:10:22,988 What's that? [bleep] is that? 266 00:10:23,073 --> 00:10:24,916 [dramatic music] 267 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:26,668 Kind of looks like a crack, 268 00:10:26,827 --> 00:10:29,245 it kind of looks like maybe a cold shut. 269 00:10:29,329 --> 00:10:31,005 I'm not really sure what I'm looking at, 270 00:10:31,164 --> 00:10:33,666 but if this goes all the way down my edge, 271 00:10:33,759 --> 00:10:36,511 it could crack or break in testing. 272 00:10:36,595 --> 00:10:38,003 - Watch what Zack's doing. 273 00:10:38,088 --> 00:10:40,339 - That's a physical manifestation 274 00:10:40,432 --> 00:10:42,591 of the question, "How bad is this?" 275 00:10:42,685 --> 00:10:46,762 - This could be an absolute sink or swim moment for Zach. 276 00:10:46,855 --> 00:10:49,440 - I know that this could be a problem. 277 00:10:49,599 --> 00:10:51,025 I'm getting a little nervous, 278 00:10:51,110 --> 00:10:52,768 I need to figure out what to do about it now. 279 00:10:52,853 --> 00:10:54,654 [bleep] piece of steel. 280 00:10:58,450 --> 00:10:59,784 - Is it surface? 281 00:10:59,943 --> 00:11:01,944 Oh, [bleep], is it can? 282 00:11:02,028 --> 00:11:04,447 I don't give a [bleep] about can. 283 00:11:04,531 --> 00:11:05,873 I'm thinking that 284 00:11:05,958 --> 00:11:08,459 this might just be jacket steel pulling away. 285 00:11:08,618 --> 00:11:11,546 So I dip it in the acid and as I look at the surface, 286 00:11:11,705 --> 00:11:15,374 I see around what is now a hole is white, 287 00:11:15,459 --> 00:11:16,968 and I see black underneath. 288 00:11:17,052 --> 00:11:19,712 And that tells me that I'm just looking 289 00:11:19,796 --> 00:11:22,724 at a little delamination of the jacket steel. 290 00:11:22,883 --> 00:11:25,050 So I'm not super concerned about it. 291 00:11:25,135 --> 00:11:26,894 It's ugly, I don't like it, 292 00:11:27,053 --> 00:11:28,304 but I think I'm going to leave it alone. 293 00:11:28,397 --> 00:11:30,139 All right. 294 00:11:30,232 --> 00:11:32,224 [dramatic music] 295 00:11:32,309 --> 00:11:33,726 - Halfway through the competition, 296 00:11:33,810 --> 00:11:35,978 I'm feeling pretty good, but the quench is next, 297 00:11:36,062 --> 00:11:39,073 and that's where really things can go wrong. 298 00:11:39,232 --> 00:11:40,649 Every time I've been here before, 299 00:11:40,734 --> 00:11:42,651 I've always had to fix a warp. Every time. 300 00:11:42,736 --> 00:11:44,487 Aw, [bleep]. 301 00:11:44,571 --> 00:11:46,914 [bleep] 302 00:11:47,073 --> 00:11:48,750 So I'm going to take a little bit of time now 303 00:11:48,909 --> 00:11:50,826 so I don't have to fix anything later. 304 00:11:50,919 --> 00:11:52,828 Here it goes. 305 00:11:52,913 --> 00:11:56,257 ♪ ♪ 306 00:11:56,416 --> 00:11:59,594 - And Nicholas is quenched. That is fast. 307 00:11:59,753 --> 00:12:01,587 - Ha! 308 00:12:01,680 --> 00:12:03,347 I couldn't ask for it to be straighter. 309 00:12:03,432 --> 00:12:04,673 Super happy with that. 310 00:12:04,758 --> 00:12:07,435 Whoo-hoo! Knife is straight. 311 00:12:07,519 --> 00:12:08,770 I'm super excited. 312 00:12:08,929 --> 00:12:10,679 I really want to make Dave proud 313 00:12:10,764 --> 00:12:12,348 and how him that he was right by picking me. 314 00:12:12,432 --> 00:12:15,109 ♪ ♪ 315 00:12:15,268 --> 00:12:17,436 - All right, steel, you gon' behave? 316 00:12:17,521 --> 00:12:19,614 I'm feeling good about my temperatures. 317 00:12:19,698 --> 00:12:21,199 I'm feeling good about my procedure, 318 00:12:21,283 --> 00:12:24,118 but there is still that little spot on the blade 319 00:12:24,277 --> 00:12:25,787 and when you quench this thing, 320 00:12:25,946 --> 00:12:29,123 if that spot is going to be a big issue, 321 00:12:29,208 --> 00:12:31,042 it's going to let you know now. 322 00:12:31,126 --> 00:12:32,785 - Moment of truth. Zach's about to quench. 323 00:12:32,869 --> 00:12:36,297 ♪ ♪ 324 00:12:36,456 --> 00:12:38,382 - I don't hear anything, I don't feel anything. 325 00:12:38,542 --> 00:12:41,469 I got that little spot, but it hasn't done anything bad. 326 00:12:41,628 --> 00:12:43,304 Cool. 327 00:12:43,463 --> 00:12:45,139 So I throw the blade in the tempering oven 328 00:12:45,298 --> 00:12:47,466 and while that's chilling in there, 329 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:49,385 I start working on this handle. 330 00:12:49,469 --> 00:12:50,978 ♪ ♪ 331 00:12:55,225 --> 00:12:56,559 My blade is in the oven, 332 00:12:56,652 --> 00:12:58,894 so I want to have a really nice mosaic pin 333 00:12:58,979 --> 00:13:00,729 just to add a little more flair to my blade. 334 00:13:00,814 --> 00:13:01,981 Got to do something pretty. 335 00:13:02,065 --> 00:13:03,574 ♪ ♪ 336 00:13:03,659 --> 00:13:05,818 Come up. Come on. 337 00:13:05,902 --> 00:13:09,405 ♪ ♪ 338 00:13:09,489 --> 00:13:11,073 Jesus. 339 00:13:11,157 --> 00:13:12,741 [groans] 340 00:13:12,835 --> 00:13:17,338 Can't get this epoxy to go inside the syringe. 341 00:13:17,497 --> 00:13:18,756 - Nicholas is trying to suck the epoxy 342 00:13:18,841 --> 00:13:20,341 up through the syringe 343 00:13:20,500 --> 00:13:21,834 instead of just loading the syringe with the epoxy 344 00:13:21,927 --> 00:13:23,511 and squeezing it down through. 345 00:13:23,670 --> 00:13:25,680 - Everything I know has been self-taught. 346 00:13:25,839 --> 00:13:27,756 That and watching "Forged in Fire." 347 00:13:27,850 --> 00:13:31,427 So I'm not sure if I do things the way everybody else does. 348 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:33,262 You know what? 349 00:13:33,355 --> 00:13:36,515 I ended up just scooping it up and dabbing it in 350 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:38,100 and squishing it into the pi. 351 00:13:38,193 --> 00:13:40,278 I think I got enough in there, so I think it's okay. 352 00:13:40,362 --> 00:13:42,196 Stupid syringe. 353 00:13:42,281 --> 00:13:43,689 - All right bladesmiths, 354 00:13:43,773 --> 00:13:44,782 you have one hour left to complete your blades. 355 00:13:44,867 --> 00:13:46,367 Get after it. 356 00:13:46,451 --> 00:13:48,360 - A little long. 357 00:13:48,453 --> 00:13:50,204 - If I were Zach, I would have gone 358 00:13:50,363 --> 00:13:53,282 with a hidden tang and fluted the handle. 359 00:13:53,375 --> 00:13:55,367 [laughter] 360 00:13:55,452 --> 00:13:58,045 - We asked you guys to give us a fluted handle, 361 00:13:58,130 --> 00:13:59,622 but your knife does not have that. 362 00:13:59,706 --> 00:14:01,382 ♪ ♪ 363 00:14:01,466 --> 00:14:03,792 - I get the handle's basic geometry 364 00:14:03,877 --> 00:14:05,386 to where I want it to be. 365 00:14:05,470 --> 00:14:07,546 It tapers from the front to the rear. 366 00:14:07,631 --> 00:14:09,390 I've got a little swell ground in there. 367 00:14:09,549 --> 00:14:12,143 Kind of resembles a Coke bottle shape. 368 00:14:12,227 --> 00:14:15,471 - I'm noticing a really large handle to Zach's blade. 369 00:14:15,555 --> 00:14:17,398 Is that going to be comfortable? 370 00:14:17,482 --> 00:14:18,974 - I mean, you can have a handle that's perfectly comfortable, 371 00:14:19,059 --> 00:14:21,402 but if it's got that much more material 372 00:14:21,486 --> 00:14:23,228 just sticking out of the back of it, 373 00:14:23,313 --> 00:14:26,073 your hand try to adjust to the length of the handle 374 00:14:26,158 --> 00:14:27,491 as opposed to just picking it up 375 00:14:27,576 --> 00:14:28,984 and having that handle in the proper space. 376 00:14:29,077 --> 00:14:30,903 ♪ ♪ 377 00:14:30,996 --> 00:14:32,914 - Whoo! Everything's good. 378 00:14:33,073 --> 00:14:35,074 Blades out of the temper, still straight, 379 00:14:35,158 --> 00:14:37,493 but the blade is no good without a handle, 380 00:14:37,586 --> 00:14:39,253 so that's really where I need to focus my attention. 381 00:14:39,412 --> 00:14:41,339 So I'm making sure now that there's going to be 382 00:14:41,498 --> 00:14:44,667 no hot spots and the handle is going to be comfortable. 383 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:47,428 So I think I'm in a good spot. I'm pretty happy. 384 00:14:47,512 --> 00:14:49,421 - Running out of time, bladesmiths. 385 00:14:49,506 --> 00:14:52,174 In five minutes, we'll be testing those blades. 386 00:14:52,267 --> 00:14:53,601 - Whoo. 387 00:14:53,685 --> 00:14:56,020 - Ben, you've done this enough times. 388 00:14:56,104 --> 00:14:57,855 - Yeah, I've got to get out of here. 389 00:14:57,940 --> 00:14:59,106 I'll leave it up to you guys. - Good luck, brother. 390 00:14:59,191 --> 00:15:00,441 - See you, brother. 391 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:02,434 - And good luck. - See you, man. Thank you. 392 00:15:02,519 --> 00:15:03,861 - I'm feeling pretty good, 393 00:15:03,946 --> 00:15:05,437 my blade's in pretty good shape. 394 00:15:05,522 --> 00:15:06,781 Think with the time that I have left, 395 00:15:06,865 --> 00:15:08,857 everything's going to be all right. 396 00:15:08,951 --> 00:15:11,527 Since Doug chose me to come back this go around, 397 00:15:11,611 --> 00:15:14,038 I'm really looking forward to seeing my blade 398 00:15:14,197 --> 00:15:17,366 in Doug's hand getting swung around and cut into things. 399 00:15:17,450 --> 00:15:18,367 ♪ ♪ 400 00:15:18,460 --> 00:15:19,952 Want some paper, bud? 401 00:15:20,045 --> 00:15:21,787 - Oh, thanks. Sure. [laughter] 402 00:15:21,871 --> 00:15:24,957 - Oh. It's sharp there. 403 00:15:25,050 --> 00:15:30,388 - Five, four, three, two, one. 404 00:15:30,547 --> 00:15:32,881 Bladesmiths, turn off your machines, put down your tools. 405 00:15:32,966 --> 00:15:34,133 The first round of this 406 00:15:34,217 --> 00:15:35,643 Beat the Unbeaten competition is over. 407 00:15:35,727 --> 00:15:38,145 - Good work, bro. - Killing it, man. Nice. 408 00:15:38,230 --> 00:15:40,389 - I'm happy with the blade itself, 409 00:15:40,473 --> 00:15:42,566 but that little spot, that little delam 410 00:15:42,651 --> 00:15:45,394 or whatever it was, it's still there. 411 00:15:45,478 --> 00:15:46,988 I think it's going to be okay, 412 00:15:47,147 --> 00:15:50,816 but this testing is going to prove that. 413 00:15:50,900 --> 00:15:52,910 - All right, gentlemen, time for the strength test, 414 00:15:53,069 --> 00:15:55,079 the tackle box chop. 415 00:15:55,238 --> 00:15:56,414 Now, to test the strength 416 00:15:56,498 --> 00:15:57,915 and overall construction of your blades, 417 00:15:58,074 --> 00:16:00,334 I will be swinging them into these steel tackle boxes. 418 00:16:00,493 --> 00:16:01,994 Now remember, this test is not about 419 00:16:02,087 --> 00:16:03,587 what your blades do the boxes, 420 00:16:03,672 --> 00:16:05,840 but what those boxes do to your blades. 421 00:16:05,924 --> 00:16:06,832 Nicholas, you're up. Are you ready? 422 00:16:06,916 --> 00:16:08,917 - I'm ready. Hit it hard. 423 00:16:09,002 --> 00:16:11,920 ♪ ♪ 424 00:16:12,005 --> 00:16:13,756 So I have no idea what's going to happen. 425 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:16,008 He's going to smash my blade into a metal box. 426 00:16:16,092 --> 00:16:17,935 Metal on metal is never a good idea. 427 00:16:18,094 --> 00:16:19,595 Don't do it, kids. 428 00:16:19,679 --> 00:16:26,527 ♪ ♪ 429 00:16:37,622 --> 00:16:39,782 - It's like a trash compactor. 430 00:16:39,875 --> 00:16:42,960 [all chuckle] 431 00:16:43,045 --> 00:16:44,953 - All right, Nicholas. Comfortable handle. 432 00:16:45,038 --> 00:16:47,539 You took the time to round everything off on thi, 433 00:16:47,624 --> 00:16:48,716 but there's good retention. 434 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:50,968 Nice touch with the pin on there. 435 00:16:51,127 --> 00:16:53,712 Your edge, minimal damage. 436 00:16:53,797 --> 00:16:55,547 There's a couple of small deflections, 437 00:16:55,632 --> 00:16:58,967 but the blade maintained its edge, so nicely done. 438 00:16:59,052 --> 00:17:00,219 - Thank you. 439 00:17:00,303 --> 00:17:01,562 - All right, Zach, you're up. Ready? 440 00:17:01,646 --> 00:17:03,972 - I'm ready. Let's do it. - Okay. 441 00:17:04,057 --> 00:17:06,308 ♪ ♪ 442 00:17:06,401 --> 00:17:09,311 - Banging a blade up against any piece of steel 443 00:17:09,395 --> 00:17:11,155 is going to be really, really tough on the edge 444 00:17:11,314 --> 00:17:12,656 and on the material. 445 00:17:12,816 --> 00:17:14,325 I'm getting a little nervous. 446 00:17:14,409 --> 00:17:17,078 I know that if that blister on the end of my blade 447 00:17:17,162 --> 00:17:20,664 is going to present a problem, it's going to show up now. 448 00:17:20,749 --> 00:17:23,167 I need my blade to come out of this test in one piece, 449 00:17:23,251 --> 00:17:24,326 not two. 450 00:17:24,410 --> 00:17:27,588 ♪ ♪ 451 00:17:31,334 --> 00:17:33,427 ♪ ♪ 452 00:17:47,859 --> 00:17:49,360 - All right, Zach. Great-looking blade. 453 00:17:49,519 --> 00:17:51,278 It's got a neat shape to it. 454 00:17:51,363 --> 00:17:53,021 When I get to your handle, 455 00:17:53,106 --> 00:17:56,283 I like a lot of retention on the handle, but man, 456 00:17:56,442 --> 00:18:01,363 so wedged at the back there it pushed my hand way forward. 457 00:18:01,447 --> 00:18:04,291 It would've been nice to have just a little bit more dept. 458 00:18:04,376 --> 00:18:06,118 As far as your blade goes, 459 00:18:06,211 --> 00:18:07,962 there's one small blemish on your blade. 460 00:18:08,121 --> 00:18:09,955 And you've got this one section up here where I can still 461 00:18:10,039 --> 00:18:11,966 get my finger in that blister you had on that. 462 00:18:12,125 --> 00:18:13,625 Makes me worry about things underneath there, 463 00:18:13,710 --> 00:18:15,627 but held up beautifully in the test. 464 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:17,888 It wasn't an issue at all. Good job. 465 00:18:17,973 --> 00:18:20,141 - Thank you. - Nice, brother. 466 00:18:20,300 --> 00:18:23,310 ♪ ♪ 467 00:18:23,469 --> 00:18:25,312 - All right, bladesmiths, now it's time to find out 468 00:18:25,397 --> 00:18:27,139 just how sharp your weapons are. 469 00:18:27,223 --> 00:18:30,651 This is the sharpness test, the plastic tube slice. 470 00:18:30,735 --> 00:18:32,319 Nicholas, you're up first. You ready for this? 471 00:18:32,404 --> 00:18:33,896 - I am. - Let's do this. 472 00:18:33,980 --> 00:18:40,828 ♪ ♪ 473 00:18:50,496 --> 00:18:52,506 All right, Nicholas, let's talk about your weapon here. 474 00:18:52,665 --> 00:18:54,416 Your edge did very well on the ballistic tubes. 475 00:18:54,500 --> 00:18:56,510 It cut three tubes. 476 00:18:56,669 --> 00:18:59,338 And on the rice filled tube, it cut two of them. 477 00:18:59,431 --> 00:19:00,839 A little bit of resistance there 478 00:19:00,932 --> 00:19:02,674 because it's a thicker grind on this, 479 00:19:02,767 --> 00:19:05,186 but overall your weapon, it will cut. 480 00:19:05,345 --> 00:19:06,762 - Nice. 481 00:19:06,846 --> 00:19:07,771 - All right, Zach, your turn. So you ready? 482 00:19:07,856 --> 00:19:09,848 - Yes, sir. - Let's do this. 483 00:19:09,933 --> 00:19:16,780 ♪ ♪ 484 00:19:20,035 --> 00:19:21,493 - [sighs softly] 485 00:19:23,696 --> 00:19:26,031 - All right, Zach, let's talk about your weapon. 486 00:19:26,115 --> 00:19:28,033 Your edge cut through two of the tubes 487 00:19:28,117 --> 00:19:32,129 on the ballistics tube and two also of the rice-filled. 488 00:19:32,288 --> 00:19:34,882 Overall sir, your weapon, it will cut. 489 00:19:35,041 --> 00:19:36,717 - Thank you. 490 00:19:36,876 --> 00:19:38,377 ♪ ♪ 491 00:19:38,461 --> 00:19:39,711 - Well, bladesmiths, I'm going to say that I thik 492 00:19:39,804 --> 00:19:42,223 Dave and Doug did a phenomenal job picking you. 493 00:19:42,307 --> 00:19:44,391 We gave you a difficult task, and you both succeeded. 494 00:19:44,550 --> 00:19:46,051 But as you know, only one of you can move forward 495 00:19:46,144 --> 00:19:47,135 in the final round of this competition 496 00:19:47,220 --> 00:19:48,145 and face Ben Abbott. 497 00:19:48,304 --> 00:19:49,813 The bladesmith who's joining us 498 00:19:49,898 --> 00:19:53,234 in the final round of this competition is... 499 00:19:53,393 --> 00:19:55,236 ♪ ♪ 500 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:58,480 Nicholas. Congratulations. 501 00:19:58,564 --> 00:19:59,982 Zach, man, you fought hard. 502 00:20:00,075 --> 00:20:01,659 But unfortunately, your blade just didn't make the cut, 503 00:20:01,818 --> 00:20:03,986 and Dave Baker's going to tell you why. 504 00:20:04,070 --> 00:20:05,996 - Zach, first off, I think Doug made a great choice 505 00:20:06,155 --> 00:20:07,915 in bringing you back here. You did a really good job. 506 00:20:08,074 --> 00:20:09,825 - Thank you. - But this decision came down 507 00:20:09,918 --> 00:20:12,419 to the overall construction of your blade. 508 00:20:12,578 --> 00:20:14,079 The fact that that blister's still there 509 00:20:14,163 --> 00:20:15,664 and that handle design, 510 00:20:15,748 --> 00:20:16,924 that's why we're letting you go. 511 00:20:17,008 --> 00:20:18,417 - Understood. 512 00:20:18,501 --> 00:20:20,261 - Well, Zach, you're talented, man, 513 00:20:20,345 --> 00:20:21,762 and I'm really glad we got 514 00:20:21,921 --> 00:20:23,255 to finally watch one of your blades get tested. 515 00:20:23,348 --> 00:20:24,673 But unfortunately, I'm going to have to ask you 516 00:20:24,757 --> 00:20:26,091 to please step off The Forge floor. 517 00:20:26,175 --> 00:20:27,268 - Good job, Zach. 518 00:20:27,352 --> 00:20:28,352 - Thank you guys, appreciate it. 519 00:20:28,436 --> 00:20:29,678 - Nicely done. - Good luck. 520 00:20:29,771 --> 00:20:31,513 - Thank you, man. Thank you. 521 00:20:31,597 --> 00:20:33,107 The experience to come back was great. 522 00:20:33,191 --> 00:20:35,359 You know, I'm very honored that I was picked by Doug 523 00:20:35,443 --> 00:20:36,360 to come back. 524 00:20:36,444 --> 00:20:38,020 Really, really glad 525 00:20:38,104 --> 00:20:39,604 I got to see my blade get tested finally, 526 00:20:39,689 --> 00:20:41,365 but the blister on the side of my blade, 527 00:20:41,524 --> 00:20:42,774 the decision that I made, 528 00:20:42,867 --> 00:20:44,776 that stuck with me all the way through. 529 00:20:44,861 --> 00:20:46,787 You know, I wish Nicholas the best, 530 00:20:46,871 --> 00:20:49,456 and I think he's got a really good shot at maybe beating Ben. 531 00:20:49,615 --> 00:20:50,874 ♪ ♪ 532 00:20:51,034 --> 00:20:52,710 - Nicholas, this is it, man. 533 00:20:52,869 --> 00:20:55,045 You are moving forward into the final round of this competition 534 00:20:55,204 --> 00:20:56,288 where you're going to choose 535 00:20:56,381 --> 00:20:57,631 what blade you're going to be building 536 00:20:57,716 --> 00:20:59,633 as well as what technique you're going to be using 537 00:20:59,792 --> 00:21:02,044 against the champion, who's got a record of 8-0. 538 00:21:02,128 --> 00:21:03,804 Are you ready? - No. 539 00:21:03,888 --> 00:21:05,222 [laughter] 540 00:21:05,381 --> 00:21:06,640 - I guess honesty's nice. 541 00:21:06,799 --> 00:21:09,051 - The first battle's won, but the war's not over. 542 00:21:09,144 --> 00:21:12,313 Ben has been unbeaten, and I'm the last guy to try. 543 00:21:12,472 --> 00:21:13,564 I'm going to have my work cut out for me, 544 00:21:13,648 --> 00:21:15,390 but I think I can beat Ben. 545 00:21:15,483 --> 00:21:18,060 We're going to find out. 546 00:21:18,153 --> 00:21:20,487 - Nicholas, congratulations. You made it to the final round 547 00:21:20,572 --> 00:21:22,823 of the Beat the Unbeaten competition. 548 00:21:22,982 --> 00:21:27,077 Now up till now, Ben has faced multiple smiths 549 00:21:27,236 --> 00:21:29,237 and he's knocked them all ou. 550 00:21:29,322 --> 00:21:30,489 It's all up to you. 551 00:21:30,582 --> 00:21:31,749 In order to take home the title, 552 00:21:31,833 --> 00:21:33,167 you're going to have to go against 553 00:21:33,326 --> 00:21:35,327 the unbeaten smith himself, Ben Abbott. 554 00:21:35,411 --> 00:21:38,497 ♪ ♪ 555 00:21:38,581 --> 00:21:40,165 - I've known Nicholas for years, 556 00:21:40,249 --> 00:21:41,925 so seeing him standing there, I'm not surprised. 557 00:21:42,010 --> 00:21:43,761 He's a very talented smith. 558 00:21:43,845 --> 00:21:45,429 And I know that Dave was very impressed with Nicholas 559 00:21:45,588 --> 00:21:47,097 when he made that hooded katar. 560 00:21:47,256 --> 00:21:48,766 So he proved that he can win, 561 00:21:48,850 --> 00:21:51,176 so I know this is going to be a tough competition, 562 00:21:51,269 --> 00:21:52,761 it's all going to have to come down 563 00:21:52,845 --> 00:21:54,188 to performance first, 564 00:21:54,347 --> 00:21:56,357 and then the finer details if they perform equally. 565 00:21:56,516 --> 00:21:58,683 - Ben, welcome. - Thank you, Grady. 566 00:21:58,777 --> 00:22:00,861 - Are you ready? - Yes, sir. 567 00:22:00,945 --> 00:22:02,938 - Well, guys, I've got to say I am extremely thrilled 568 00:22:03,022 --> 00:22:04,272 to be standing here 569 00:22:04,357 --> 00:22:05,857 for this final round of this competition. 570 00:22:05,950 --> 00:22:08,527 Now in order to take home the title, 571 00:22:08,620 --> 00:22:09,870 you're going to have to beat Ben Abbott 572 00:22:09,954 --> 00:22:13,031 in a straight eight-hour bladesmithing competition 573 00:22:13,124 --> 00:22:14,616 where you're both going to build a blade 574 00:22:14,709 --> 00:22:16,284 from start to finish. 575 00:22:16,369 --> 00:22:18,120 As I'm sure you've noticed, 576 00:22:18,204 --> 00:22:20,964 both Dave and Doug will not be joining us for this round. 577 00:22:21,124 --> 00:22:22,207 We want them to go into testing 578 00:22:22,300 --> 00:22:23,792 not knowing whose blade is whose 579 00:22:23,876 --> 00:22:25,302 so it's all completely fair. 580 00:22:25,387 --> 00:22:26,962 Now Nicholas, because you are the challenger here, 581 00:22:27,055 --> 00:22:28,547 you get to choose any weapon 582 00:22:28,631 --> 00:22:29,881 you wanted from the "Forged in Fire" vault. 583 00:22:29,966 --> 00:22:32,393 Ben, you ready to find out what that is? 584 00:22:32,552 --> 00:22:34,895 You are both going to have to complete this. 585 00:22:38,641 --> 00:22:39,808 The spatha. 586 00:22:39,892 --> 00:22:41,652 ♪ ♪ 587 00:22:41,811 --> 00:22:44,563 - The spatha sword dates back to third century Rome. 588 00:22:44,656 --> 00:22:46,240 This cavalry weapon features 589 00:22:46,324 --> 00:22:47,825 a straight, double-edged blade 590 00:22:47,984 --> 00:22:50,235 that allows for deeper and deadlier cuts and thrusts 591 00:22:50,319 --> 00:22:51,912 than the shorter gladius sword 592 00:22:52,071 --> 00:22:54,331 previously used by the Roman soldiers. 593 00:22:54,416 --> 00:22:56,908 First featured in season seven of "Forged in Fire," 594 00:22:56,993 --> 00:22:58,493 two smiths impress the judges 595 00:22:58,578 --> 00:23:00,579 with their ornate versions of this blade. 596 00:23:00,663 --> 00:23:03,498 However, once this failure to include one of the parameters, 597 00:23:03,591 --> 00:23:07,594 a medial ridge, cost him the competition. 598 00:23:07,679 --> 00:23:09,430 - When you're building your blades, 599 00:23:09,589 --> 00:23:11,256 make sure they fall within these parameters. 600 00:23:11,340 --> 00:23:12,933 The blade length measured from tip to the guard 601 00:23:13,092 --> 00:23:15,343 needs to be between 26 and 28 inches. 602 00:23:15,437 --> 00:23:16,845 Needs to be double-edged 603 00:23:16,938 --> 00:23:18,847 and have a medial ridge running up both sides. 604 00:23:18,931 --> 00:23:22,684 You guys need to have a wooden guard and a rounded pomme. 605 00:23:22,768 --> 00:23:24,361 Now Nicholas, you also got to choose what technique 606 00:23:24,446 --> 00:23:26,688 you wanted to use. You chose this. 607 00:23:26,781 --> 00:23:28,449 ♪ ♪ 608 00:23:28,533 --> 00:23:29,774 What we have here are bars 609 00:23:29,868 --> 00:23:32,286 of 1095 and 15N20 high-carbon steel 610 00:23:32,445 --> 00:23:34,288 for twist and stack Damascus billets. 611 00:23:34,372 --> 00:23:36,707 That is two bars of opposing twists 612 00:23:36,791 --> 00:23:39,201 welded together into one billet. 613 00:23:39,294 --> 00:23:41,536 Now Nicholas, because you are returning to this forge, 614 00:23:41,621 --> 00:23:44,372 we wanted to give Ben a chance to add his own little spi. 615 00:23:44,457 --> 00:23:46,467 So Ben, have anything you want to add to it? 616 00:23:46,626 --> 00:23:48,043 - Yeah, I'm going to add two twists. 617 00:23:48,136 --> 00:23:49,544 Let's do four stacks. 618 00:23:49,629 --> 00:23:51,305 - Doubling down. All right, guys. 619 00:23:51,464 --> 00:23:53,381 So you need to make your spathas with four stacks 620 00:23:53,466 --> 00:23:55,050 of opposing twist and stack Damascus. 621 00:23:55,134 --> 00:23:57,219 ♪ ♪ 622 00:23:57,303 --> 00:23:59,480 - I hate you. [laughter] 623 00:23:59,639 --> 00:24:01,398 I can't believe this is happening. 624 00:24:01,483 --> 00:24:05,143 The counter-twisted Damascus spatha with just two bars 625 00:24:05,228 --> 00:24:06,737 is really quite difficult. 626 00:24:06,896 --> 00:24:10,732 To do four bars just makes that challenge twice as hard, 627 00:24:10,816 --> 00:24:13,568 and especially up against Ben, who is just incredible. 628 00:24:13,653 --> 00:24:15,820 ♪ ♪ 629 00:24:15,905 --> 00:24:17,572 - Now when that time is up, 630 00:24:17,665 --> 00:24:19,666 Dave and Doug are going to join us again for testin. 631 00:24:19,751 --> 00:24:21,910 Doug's going to start off with a dynamic kill test 632 00:24:22,003 --> 00:24:23,411 on a pig carcass. 633 00:24:23,505 --> 00:24:27,499 Then we move onto sharpness with a tatami mat slice. 634 00:24:27,583 --> 00:24:29,343 When he's done with that, Dave's going to step in 635 00:24:29,502 --> 00:24:31,678 and check your strength and sharpness 636 00:24:31,763 --> 00:24:35,257 on a hanging pot chop and a fish slice. 637 00:24:35,341 --> 00:24:37,017 ♪ ♪ 638 00:24:37,176 --> 00:24:39,594 So good luck, your time starts now. 639 00:24:39,679 --> 00:24:40,854 ♪ ♪ 640 00:24:41,013 --> 00:24:42,606 This is it. 641 00:24:42,690 --> 00:24:44,933 This is the final competition in a five-part series, 642 00:24:45,026 --> 00:24:47,018 the Beat the Unbeaten, where we've had smiths come in 643 00:24:47,103 --> 00:24:48,946 trying their hand at beating Ben Abbott. 644 00:24:49,105 --> 00:24:50,948 His current record is 8-0 645 00:24:51,032 --> 00:24:53,441 and he's going for that ninth win. 646 00:24:53,526 --> 00:24:54,609 ♪ ♪ 647 00:24:54,694 --> 00:24:56,111 - So I grab my steel, 648 00:24:56,195 --> 00:24:58,872 20 pieces of 15N20, 20 pieces of 1095, 649 00:24:58,957 --> 00:25:01,291 and I start cleaning up all my pieces. 650 00:25:01,450 --> 00:25:02,784 Any of that forge scale 651 00:25:02,877 --> 00:25:05,963 that comes on the steel inhibits a forge weld, 652 00:25:06,122 --> 00:25:09,374 so you really want to clean all of that garbage off of it. 653 00:25:09,467 --> 00:25:11,293 I'm going to pull two billets out, 654 00:25:11,386 --> 00:25:13,637 twist one one way, twist one the other way, 655 00:25:13,721 --> 00:25:15,806 cut them in half, stack them, 656 00:25:15,890 --> 00:25:17,558 and weld them again, 657 00:25:17,642 --> 00:25:19,059 and that'll give me the pattern that I'm looking for. 658 00:25:19,143 --> 00:25:20,811 - If their heats are not high enough 659 00:25:20,895 --> 00:25:22,229 and their welds are not tight enough, 660 00:25:22,313 --> 00:25:25,232 everything could fall apart very far down this road. 661 00:25:25,316 --> 00:25:27,392 - I really want to beat Ben. I'm working at it. 662 00:25:27,476 --> 00:25:30,478 That guy's really good, but he hasn't faced me yet. 663 00:25:30,563 --> 00:25:33,073 - Nicholas, he is a very talented smith. 664 00:25:33,157 --> 00:25:36,318 He's very fast and he's very scientific, 665 00:25:36,411 --> 00:25:39,329 and so I just know that it's time to get crackin'. 666 00:25:39,488 --> 00:25:40,822 I'm making two billets. 667 00:25:40,915 --> 00:25:42,833 So I cleaned the first billet, stack it up, 668 00:25:42,992 --> 00:25:46,420 run it over to the welder, and throw it into the forg. 669 00:25:46,579 --> 00:25:48,839 - Ben already has one billet in the fire. 670 00:25:48,998 --> 00:25:50,081 While one billet is heating up, 671 00:25:50,174 --> 00:25:51,499 he can be working on the other one. 672 00:25:51,593 --> 00:25:54,085 - Multitasking for me is quite natural. 673 00:25:54,170 --> 00:25:56,096 There's always something else you can be working on. 674 00:25:56,180 --> 00:25:58,673 And luckily, I still have the stamina 675 00:25:58,758 --> 00:26:01,843 to run around a forge like a monkey and get it all done. 676 00:26:01,927 --> 00:26:04,271 ♪ ♪ 677 00:26:04,355 --> 00:26:06,607 - All right, ready for my first weld. 678 00:26:06,766 --> 00:26:08,108 - Nicholas' billet's looking pretty good. 679 00:26:08,267 --> 00:26:10,185 Colors are looking even throughout. 680 00:26:10,278 --> 00:26:12,863 - The most critical part of this build is right now. 681 00:26:12,947 --> 00:26:15,782 If I don't get these forge welds right, 682 00:26:15,867 --> 00:26:17,451 it's going to break. 683 00:26:17,535 --> 00:26:18,702 My first forge weld went perfect. 684 00:26:18,786 --> 00:26:20,871 Second one went great. I'm really happy. 685 00:26:20,955 --> 00:26:23,365 These billets are looking really, really good. 686 00:26:23,449 --> 00:26:25,200 ♪ ♪ 687 00:26:25,284 --> 00:26:26,543 - I put two big blocks of steel 688 00:26:26,628 --> 00:26:28,119 on the black dies on the press 689 00:26:28,204 --> 00:26:30,955 so that I can get that weld all in one squeeze. 690 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:34,292 It makes for an even weld that almost never fails. 691 00:26:34,385 --> 00:26:36,720 Once those welds are good and solid, 692 00:26:36,804 --> 00:26:37,638 then it's just drawing out a piece of steel. 693 00:26:37,722 --> 00:26:38,713 That's pretty easy. 694 00:26:38,798 --> 00:26:40,140 ♪ ♪ 695 00:26:40,299 --> 00:26:41,892 I feel a lot of pressure for this being my last on. 696 00:26:41,976 --> 00:26:43,560 I really want to leave on a high note. 697 00:26:43,645 --> 00:26:46,063 I know Nicholas is really good, so I really want to win, 698 00:26:46,147 --> 00:26:47,564 but this is a rough one. 699 00:26:47,723 --> 00:26:48,732 - All right, bladesmiths, 700 00:26:48,816 --> 00:26:49,724 you're a quarter of the way through. 701 00:26:49,809 --> 00:26:51,393 You have six hours remaining. 702 00:26:51,477 --> 00:26:53,070 ♪ ♪ 703 00:26:53,229 --> 00:26:54,312 - Both my billets are forge welded and pulled out 704 00:26:54,397 --> 00:26:56,406 to a really nice dimension. 705 00:26:56,491 --> 00:26:58,158 I'm really happy with them, and I'm ready to go twist. 706 00:26:58,242 --> 00:27:00,077 - Nicholas is using the press as a vice 707 00:27:00,161 --> 00:27:01,236 and getting his first twist going. 708 00:27:01,320 --> 00:27:03,330 ♪ ♪ 709 00:27:03,489 --> 00:27:04,989 - So when you're twisting Damascus, 710 00:27:05,074 --> 00:27:06,500 you want to really be careful 711 00:27:06,659 --> 00:27:08,910 not to twist too much too fast. 712 00:27:09,003 --> 00:27:12,163 You can actually twist your piece into two pieces. 713 00:27:12,248 --> 00:27:14,165 The second piece is ready, 714 00:27:14,250 --> 00:27:15,583 and I start my twist to the left. 715 00:27:15,668 --> 00:27:19,504 ♪ ♪ 716 00:27:19,588 --> 00:27:21,673 I get about two turns in... 717 00:27:21,757 --> 00:27:23,758 Oh, [bleep]! 718 00:27:23,851 --> 00:27:26,937 And I realize I'm twisting it the same direction, 719 00:27:27,021 --> 00:27:29,764 so I try to counter twist to get it straight... 720 00:27:29,857 --> 00:27:32,109 Mother[bleep]! 721 00:27:32,193 --> 00:27:34,102 And it starts to pull my billet apart. 722 00:27:34,186 --> 00:27:35,353 [bleep] 723 00:27:35,446 --> 00:27:37,197 I need to start this billet over! 724 00:27:37,356 --> 00:27:39,023 After all the work that I had done so far, 725 00:27:39,108 --> 00:27:41,201 there's no way I'm going out on a parameter. 726 00:27:41,360 --> 00:27:43,361 - He's got to completely start over a billet. 727 00:27:43,454 --> 00:27:44,871 - This is really frustrating. 728 00:27:44,956 --> 00:27:46,206 I don't know if I can come back from this. 729 00:27:50,286 --> 00:27:52,620 There's no saving that billet. The welds have opened. 730 00:27:52,705 --> 00:27:54,131 All I can think of is, "How am I going to make up this time?" 731 00:27:54,290 --> 00:27:55,540 I gotta start over. 732 00:27:55,624 --> 00:27:57,375 - Ugh. Sorry, brother. 733 00:27:57,468 --> 00:27:58,802 - So now I need a new game plan. 734 00:27:58,961 --> 00:28:00,387 To make up this time, 735 00:28:00,471 --> 00:28:04,391 I'm going to make two not as very many twisted billets. 736 00:28:04,550 --> 00:28:06,301 So my pattern is going to be looser, 737 00:28:06,385 --> 00:28:08,311 but I'm going to at least make the parameters 738 00:28:08,471 --> 00:28:09,554 of the counter twist. 739 00:28:09,647 --> 00:28:11,306 This is really heartbreaking. 740 00:28:11,390 --> 00:28:12,974 ♪ ♪ 741 00:28:13,067 --> 00:28:15,569 - Now's the time to start twisting this billet. 742 00:28:15,728 --> 00:28:17,312 So I make sure with my first billet, 743 00:28:17,396 --> 00:28:19,314 I twist counter clockwise, 744 00:28:19,398 --> 00:28:21,158 'cause that way if I get lazy or I forget, 745 00:28:21,317 --> 00:28:23,651 I'll accidentally turn the other one the right way. 746 00:28:23,736 --> 00:28:25,245 ♪ ♪ 747 00:28:25,404 --> 00:28:26,738 I just start twisting and twisting. 748 00:28:26,822 --> 00:28:28,832 I want really tight bars, 749 00:28:28,916 --> 00:28:30,575 because I think the pattern at the end 750 00:28:30,659 --> 00:28:31,326 is going to look phenomenal. 751 00:28:31,410 --> 00:28:32,744 ♪ ♪ 752 00:28:32,828 --> 00:28:34,329 - Ben's back to twisting his billet a second time, 753 00:28:34,422 --> 00:28:36,998 so he's going to have a really nice, tight twist. 754 00:28:37,082 --> 00:28:38,258 ♪ ♪ 755 00:28:38,342 --> 00:28:40,502 - Now I have my second billet out, 756 00:28:40,586 --> 00:28:43,013 I start twisting it clockwise. 757 00:28:43,097 --> 00:28:44,598 It's going to take one or two more heats 758 00:28:44,682 --> 00:28:45,840 to get it just to where I want it, 759 00:28:45,925 --> 00:28:48,176 but it's coming along great. 760 00:28:48,260 --> 00:28:50,094 ♪ ♪ 761 00:28:50,179 --> 00:28:52,430 - Nick's got his replacement billet in the fire now. 762 00:28:52,515 --> 00:28:54,024 - It's the moment of truth. 763 00:28:54,183 --> 00:28:56,267 All I can think, counter clockwise, counter clockwise. 764 00:28:56,352 --> 00:28:58,111 ♪ ♪ 765 00:28:58,196 --> 00:29:00,197 Everything goes perfect, I'm really happy. 766 00:29:00,281 --> 00:29:02,357 [chuckles] How you doing, Ben? 767 00:29:02,441 --> 00:29:04,701 - Good, good. - I'm catching up. 768 00:29:04,786 --> 00:29:06,361 - Awesome, dude. Awesome. - [laughs] 769 00:29:06,445 --> 00:29:07,445 ♪ ♪ 770 00:29:07,530 --> 00:29:09,623 - Now, it's time to make a sword. 771 00:29:09,782 --> 00:29:12,367 A spatha is sort of like a longer gladius 772 00:29:12,451 --> 00:29:14,202 with a more curved tip, 773 00:29:14,295 --> 00:29:16,871 so you have to make sure your blade is nice and thin 774 00:29:16,956 --> 00:29:19,299 and isn't too forward-heavy. 775 00:29:19,383 --> 00:29:20,792 - Diggin' it! 776 00:29:20,876 --> 00:29:21,968 - This is my last competitio. 777 00:29:22,053 --> 00:29:24,295 I do not want to leave this 8-1. 778 00:29:24,380 --> 00:29:25,889 I really want to win this on, 779 00:29:25,973 --> 00:29:28,383 and watching Nick run around just proves to me 780 00:29:28,476 --> 00:29:30,218 that this is going to be a tough competition. 781 00:29:30,302 --> 00:29:32,395 ♪ ♪ 782 00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:33,647 - All right, guys, 783 00:29:33,806 --> 00:29:34,973 we are half way through this competition. 784 00:29:35,066 --> 00:29:37,567 You have four hours remaining. 785 00:29:37,726 --> 00:29:39,319 We're getting very close 786 00:29:39,478 --> 00:29:41,563 to Ben and Nicholas both being quenched. 787 00:29:41,647 --> 00:29:44,324 ♪ ♪ 788 00:29:44,408 --> 00:29:46,568 - The quench went well. I'm feeling pretty good. 789 00:29:46,652 --> 00:29:48,486 I think I've managed my time well enough, 790 00:29:48,579 --> 00:29:50,071 but I have a lot of grinding to do. 791 00:29:50,155 --> 00:29:55,752 ♪ ♪ 792 00:29:55,837 --> 00:29:59,005 - As I'm looking down, it looks good to me. 793 00:29:59,090 --> 00:30:01,666 - Both of our smiths have their blades in the tempering ovens, 794 00:30:01,750 --> 00:30:03,167 so they're spending all of their time 795 00:30:03,252 --> 00:30:04,845 working on the handles now. 796 00:30:05,004 --> 00:30:07,088 - I've got my coca bolla from my pommel, 797 00:30:07,172 --> 00:30:09,516 my purple hardwood for my handle and guard, 798 00:30:09,675 --> 00:30:11,092 and a little bit of brass for a plate. 799 00:30:11,176 --> 00:30:14,345 ♪ ♪ 800 00:30:14,430 --> 00:30:17,181 I've got my handle pieces pretty roughly shaped, 801 00:30:17,266 --> 00:30:18,933 and I have to assemble. 802 00:30:19,018 --> 00:30:21,436 - Nicholas has decided to do a burn through with his handle. 803 00:30:21,520 --> 00:30:24,865 I've never seen that be a fast and efficient process, 804 00:30:25,024 --> 00:30:26,700 but it does give you a tight fit. 805 00:30:26,784 --> 00:30:28,285 - Burned through those brilliantly. 806 00:30:28,369 --> 00:30:29,360 No problem at all. 807 00:30:29,445 --> 00:30:30,787 ♪ ♪ 808 00:30:30,872 --> 00:30:31,955 That handle's not going anywhere. 809 00:30:32,114 --> 00:30:33,448 It's good and solid. 810 00:30:33,532 --> 00:30:35,283 Oh, man. 811 00:30:35,376 --> 00:30:38,119 - Nicholas, Ben, you guys have two hours left. 812 00:30:38,203 --> 00:30:40,297 ♪ ♪ 813 00:30:40,381 --> 00:30:41,789 - So historically, 814 00:30:41,874 --> 00:30:44,801 the spatha had a rounded or a disc-shaped pommel, 815 00:30:44,960 --> 00:30:46,553 and it looks like that's what Ben's working on right no. 816 00:30:46,637 --> 00:30:49,306 - Just a round cap at the end would have been okay, 817 00:30:49,390 --> 00:30:52,058 but this just adds a little piece of panache 818 00:30:52,143 --> 00:30:53,560 at the top of this sword 819 00:30:53,644 --> 00:30:55,395 that I think really looks amazing. 820 00:30:55,554 --> 00:30:56,897 I think it's going to work really well 821 00:30:56,981 --> 00:30:58,732 as a counterbalance, so I'm going to go above 822 00:30:58,816 --> 00:31:01,059 and beyond and try to make this thing gorgeous. 823 00:31:01,143 --> 00:31:02,819 - Yeah. [chuckles] You're ridiculous. 824 00:31:02,904 --> 00:31:04,812 He made a fricking cricket ball. 825 00:31:04,906 --> 00:31:06,648 ♪ ♪ 826 00:31:06,732 --> 00:31:08,825 - I'm just doing a flat grind with an apple seed edge. 827 00:31:08,984 --> 00:31:10,076 I find that this one, 828 00:31:10,235 --> 00:31:12,987 for most of the tests, performs the best. 829 00:31:13,080 --> 00:31:16,658 So I really wanted to turn in an acid-etched blade. 830 00:31:16,742 --> 00:31:17,825 I wait for a few minutes. 831 00:31:17,910 --> 00:31:19,744 When it comes out of the acid, 832 00:31:19,828 --> 00:31:22,664 it's not quite as bold as I would've liked it to be. 833 00:31:22,757 --> 00:31:25,833 It doesn't really show the counter-twisted pattern, 834 00:31:25,927 --> 00:31:27,919 but it's one of the corners that I had to cut 835 00:31:28,003 --> 00:31:29,671 when I had to start over. 836 00:31:29,755 --> 00:31:31,923 So I'm going to focus on a functional sword 837 00:31:32,007 --> 00:31:33,433 rather than a pretty one. 838 00:31:33,517 --> 00:31:35,018 Looks are secondary. 839 00:31:35,102 --> 00:31:37,845 - Ben, Nicholas, there are only 30 minutes remaining. 840 00:31:37,930 --> 00:31:39,439 ♪ ♪ 841 00:31:39,523 --> 00:31:41,599 - The first thing I want to fit up is the guard. 842 00:31:41,684 --> 00:31:45,603 Next is the handle, and as I slide the pommel o, 843 00:31:45,688 --> 00:31:48,114 I see the tang sticking out of the top 844 00:31:48,273 --> 00:31:50,283 and I realize I think I have enough time 845 00:31:50,368 --> 00:31:52,860 to do the cool, decorative pommel cap 846 00:31:52,945 --> 00:31:54,696 that I was hoping to do. 847 00:31:54,780 --> 00:31:56,280 - Ben's slow and steady pace this competition 848 00:31:56,374 --> 00:31:57,874 is turning into a nail biter. 849 00:31:57,959 --> 00:31:59,867 He's currently 8-0 in this competition. 850 00:31:59,952 --> 00:32:03,380 If he loses one, he will no longer be the unbeaten. 851 00:32:03,464 --> 00:32:07,467 - I grab a thin piece of brass, I just cut in four divots, 852 00:32:07,551 --> 00:32:09,127 and I must admit, 853 00:32:09,211 --> 00:32:11,462 I'm excited with the way this is coming out. 854 00:32:11,547 --> 00:32:15,141 Like my brain says, "Don't worry dude, I got this," 855 00:32:15,226 --> 00:32:17,885 and then my hands are like, "We'll take it from here." 856 00:32:17,979 --> 00:32:20,146 ♪ ♪ 857 00:32:20,231 --> 00:32:23,224 - Start finishing up guys. You have five minutes left. 858 00:32:23,317 --> 00:32:24,651 ♪ ♪ 859 00:32:24,735 --> 00:32:26,486 - I'm trying to clean up this blade, 860 00:32:26,570 --> 00:32:28,655 get some linseed oil on the handle 861 00:32:28,814 --> 00:32:31,241 so at least I can have something presentable. 862 00:32:31,325 --> 00:32:33,994 Today has been the hardest day forging 863 00:32:34,078 --> 00:32:35,745 I think I have ever had. 864 00:32:35,830 --> 00:32:37,831 It has been emotionally, mentally, 865 00:32:37,915 --> 00:32:39,666 and absolutely physically draining, 866 00:32:39,750 --> 00:32:41,167 but I am just happy 867 00:32:41,252 --> 00:32:42,827 that I was able to finish something. 868 00:32:42,920 --> 00:32:48,258 - Five, four, three, two, one. 869 00:32:48,417 --> 00:32:50,501 Bladesmiths, put down your tools, turn off the machines. 870 00:32:50,586 --> 00:32:54,088 This eight-hour round is over. Incredible job. 871 00:32:54,181 --> 00:32:55,682 ♪ ♪ 872 00:32:55,841 --> 00:32:57,684 - I'm apprehensive, a little nervous, 873 00:32:57,768 --> 00:32:59,102 and really excited. 874 00:32:59,186 --> 00:33:00,854 Ben is amazing. 875 00:33:01,013 --> 00:33:02,605 This is what I came here to do, though. 876 00:33:02,690 --> 00:33:05,767 I really want to see these things tested together. 877 00:33:05,851 --> 00:33:07,110 ♪ ♪ 878 00:33:07,194 --> 00:33:08,436 - Welcome back, guys. 879 00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:10,354 Now this time, Nicholas decided 880 00:33:10,439 --> 00:33:13,191 he wanted he and Ben to build spatha swords. 881 00:33:13,275 --> 00:33:14,859 So what do you guys think about Blue? 882 00:33:14,943 --> 00:33:17,111 ♪ ♪ 883 00:33:17,196 --> 00:33:20,281 - Right off when I look at the pattern, it's a little muddy. 884 00:33:20,365 --> 00:33:22,625 There's not a lot of twist in the twists. 885 00:33:22,785 --> 00:33:24,127 - Doug, what about you? 886 00:33:24,211 --> 00:33:25,536 - It's got a nice taper to the blade 887 00:33:25,621 --> 00:33:27,455 all the way down there, 888 00:33:27,548 --> 00:33:28,715 but then when you pick up the handle though, smooth, 889 00:33:28,874 --> 00:33:30,717 and I like the way it feels in the hand. 890 00:33:30,801 --> 00:33:32,552 It is forward-heavy. 891 00:33:32,711 --> 00:33:34,045 You can tell there's no counter balance, 892 00:33:34,138 --> 00:33:35,972 like it starts to tip forward. 893 00:33:36,057 --> 00:33:38,883 Now when we talk about Green's blade... 894 00:33:38,967 --> 00:33:40,968 ♪ ♪ 895 00:33:41,053 --> 00:33:42,228 When you go to the handle, 896 00:33:42,387 --> 00:33:44,305 there is a counter balance in there. 897 00:33:44,389 --> 00:33:45,565 Must be the brass. 898 00:33:45,649 --> 00:33:47,141 I can tell that it makes the blade 899 00:33:47,234 --> 00:33:48,735 come all the way back. 900 00:33:48,894 --> 00:33:51,738 Also, that Damascus pattern, it's impressive. 901 00:33:51,897 --> 00:33:52,989 - I'm sure you guys are itching to get testing. 902 00:33:53,148 --> 00:33:54,482 You ready? - Oh, yeah. 903 00:33:54,566 --> 00:33:56,317 - All right, let's call them in. 904 00:33:56,401 --> 00:34:00,330 ♪ ♪ 905 00:34:00,414 --> 00:34:01,831 Nicholas, Ben, welcome to testing, guys. 906 00:34:01,916 --> 00:34:03,500 I've gotta say 907 00:34:03,584 --> 00:34:06,244 in eight hours, you built an extremely difficult blade. 908 00:34:06,328 --> 00:34:08,579 They both look beautiful, they both look strong. 909 00:34:08,664 --> 00:34:10,164 Now Nicholas, you're the only smith 910 00:34:10,257 --> 00:34:12,834 standing between Ben and that unbeaten streak. 911 00:34:12,918 --> 00:34:15,002 You're here for your second "Forged in Fire" 912 00:34:15,087 --> 00:34:17,347 champion title, as well as a check for $10,000. 913 00:34:17,506 --> 00:34:18,932 We're about to find out 914 00:34:19,091 --> 00:34:20,683 which one of you is coming out on top. 915 00:34:20,843 --> 00:34:22,927 We're going to start off with a dynamic kill test with Doug. 916 00:34:23,011 --> 00:34:25,438 ♪ ♪ 917 00:34:25,523 --> 00:34:28,775 - Bladesmiths, welcome to the dynamic kill test. 918 00:34:28,859 --> 00:34:30,443 So I'm going to deliver some slashes and thrusts 919 00:34:30,528 --> 00:34:31,945 on this pig carcass 920 00:34:32,104 --> 00:34:33,437 and try to cut through these tatami mats. 921 00:34:33,522 --> 00:34:35,857 The Blue anvil is up first. 922 00:34:35,941 --> 00:34:38,276 - Pigs are tough. They have lots of bones. 923 00:34:38,360 --> 00:34:40,286 They dull a blade really, really well. 924 00:34:40,445 --> 00:34:41,946 This is my third time through this, 925 00:34:42,030 --> 00:34:43,531 and it's just as nerve-racking as the first. 926 00:34:43,624 --> 00:34:50,463 ♪ ♪ 927 00:35:22,580 --> 00:35:23,830 - All right, gentlemen, first up. 928 00:35:23,989 --> 00:35:25,907 When you're looking at this handle here, 929 00:35:25,991 --> 00:35:27,992 because it's a forward weight on the sword, 930 00:35:28,076 --> 00:35:29,252 there's no counter balance here 931 00:35:29,336 --> 00:35:32,246 that every time I'm swinging this, 932 00:35:32,331 --> 00:35:34,665 the blade wants to leave my hand. 933 00:35:34,750 --> 00:35:39,929 But these cuts onto the pig carcass are very deep. 934 00:35:40,014 --> 00:35:43,090 But overall, this weapon, it will KEAL. 935 00:35:43,175 --> 00:35:48,855 ♪ ♪ 936 00:35:48,939 --> 00:35:50,857 - Nicholas' sword performed really well on this test. 937 00:35:50,941 --> 00:35:52,692 The cuts were deep. 938 00:35:52,851 --> 00:35:54,185 The bar has been set really high. 939 00:35:54,278 --> 00:35:55,770 I just hope mine can match it. 940 00:35:55,854 --> 00:36:02,702 ♪ ♪ 941 00:36:36,645 --> 00:36:38,312 - All right, gentlemen. 942 00:36:38,397 --> 00:36:40,823 So the balance with this blade is back toward the handle, 943 00:36:40,983 --> 00:36:43,326 so it's easier to control. 944 00:36:43,485 --> 00:36:45,411 The edges took no damage. 945 00:36:45,496 --> 00:36:47,238 On the pig carcass, 946 00:36:47,322 --> 00:36:49,249 the weight distribution of slashing with this 947 00:36:49,333 --> 00:36:51,084 actually cuts very deep. 948 00:36:51,168 --> 00:36:53,911 Overall this weapon, it will KEAL. 949 00:36:53,996 --> 00:36:59,250 ♪ ♪ 950 00:36:59,334 --> 00:37:00,751 - All right, gentlemen, 951 00:37:00,836 --> 00:37:02,262 it's time for our dynamic strength and sharpness test, 952 00:37:02,346 --> 00:37:05,423 the clay pot smash and fish slice. 953 00:37:05,507 --> 00:37:07,934 This is all about the edge retention of your blade, 954 00:37:08,093 --> 00:37:10,603 how well they cut, how well they feel in my hand. 955 00:37:10,688 --> 00:37:13,356 So gentlemen, it's time to start. 956 00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:15,516 - Last time I was here, those clay pots did me in 957 00:37:15,600 --> 00:37:17,101 and took my win away from me. 958 00:37:17,185 --> 00:37:19,779 - Your blade did take damage during the strength test. 959 00:37:19,863 --> 00:37:22,023 - It's like hitting a rock. I don't like this. 960 00:37:22,107 --> 00:37:25,743 ♪ ♪ 961 00:37:29,623 --> 00:37:30,373 They're just the worst on blades. 962 00:37:30,457 --> 00:37:31,198 I don't like this. 963 00:37:31,283 --> 00:37:38,089 ♪ ♪ 964 00:37:58,810 --> 00:38:00,653 - All right, so it held its edge, which is great. 965 00:38:00,738 --> 00:38:02,229 The weight's not an issue, 966 00:38:02,314 --> 00:38:04,824 other than once you finish a swing, 967 00:38:04,908 --> 00:38:06,150 the recovery's a little bit slower. 968 00:38:06,234 --> 00:38:08,453 But it held up well. Good job. 969 00:38:11,156 --> 00:38:17,962 ♪ ♪ 970 00:38:46,358 --> 00:38:48,034 All right, so right off, when I pick up this sword, 971 00:38:48,118 --> 00:38:50,036 what I feel more than anything is the balance. 972 00:38:50,195 --> 00:38:51,612 You want that balance point right there. 973 00:38:51,696 --> 00:38:53,539 The pattern is beautiful, 974 00:38:53,698 --> 00:38:56,283 the edge held up really well and cut well. 975 00:38:56,377 --> 00:38:58,953 And though I love the attempted historical accuracy 976 00:38:59,037 --> 00:39:01,714 in this handle, it would've been nice to see 977 00:39:01,873 --> 00:39:03,883 a little bit more finish work done on it. 978 00:39:04,042 --> 00:39:06,127 Having said that, when I put it in my hand, 979 00:39:06,220 --> 00:39:08,129 it fits really nicely. 980 00:39:08,222 --> 00:39:09,797 It's nicely done. 981 00:39:09,881 --> 00:39:11,391 ♪ ♪ 982 00:39:13,051 --> 00:39:14,644 ♪ ♪ 983 00:39:14,803 --> 00:39:17,221 - Well, bladesmiths, it comes down to this final moment. 984 00:39:17,314 --> 00:39:18,639 You both did a phenomenal job. 985 00:39:18,732 --> 00:39:21,401 The judges agree both blades tested almost evenly, 986 00:39:21,485 --> 00:39:24,061 so it came down to the very finest of details. 987 00:39:24,146 --> 00:39:25,405 The stakes are really high. 988 00:39:25,564 --> 00:39:27,064 Ben, if you win, you will remain undefeated, 989 00:39:27,149 --> 00:39:30,151 and go to a record of nine wins and zero losse. 990 00:39:30,235 --> 00:39:31,494 Our judges discussed your blade, 991 00:39:31,578 --> 00:39:34,071 and they came out with a final conclusion. 992 00:39:34,156 --> 00:39:35,998 And the winner of today's "Forged in Fire" competition 993 00:39:36,083 --> 00:39:37,658 is... 994 00:39:37,751 --> 00:39:40,744 ♪ ♪ 995 00:39:40,838 --> 00:39:42,746 He has done it again. - [laughs] 996 00:39:42,840 --> 00:39:44,257 - Ben Abbott, congratulations, buddy. 997 00:39:44,416 --> 00:39:46,008 - Oh, my God, oh, my God. - Congratulations. 998 00:39:46,093 --> 00:39:47,751 - Oh, my God. - Nicholas, 999 00:39:47,836 --> 00:39:49,753 unfortunately your blade didn't come out on top today, 1000 00:39:49,838 --> 00:39:52,006 and Doug's going to tell you why. 1001 00:39:52,090 --> 00:39:54,175 - Nicholas, that was fantastic work that you presented u, 1002 00:39:54,268 --> 00:39:55,852 and as stated, 1003 00:39:55,936 --> 00:39:58,438 both blades pretty much performed equally on the test, 1004 00:39:58,597 --> 00:40:00,514 so it came down to pretty much the handle. 1005 00:40:00,599 --> 00:40:02,608 Not having that counter balance 1006 00:40:02,767 --> 00:40:04,185 made your blade a little bit forward-heav, 1007 00:40:04,278 --> 00:40:06,353 and that's why you're not going home with a win today. 1008 00:40:06,438 --> 00:40:08,689 - I absolutely understand. Thank you guys for having me. 1009 00:40:08,773 --> 00:40:10,858 - Nicholas, you smoked the competition, 1010 00:40:10,942 --> 00:40:12,869 you did a phenomenal job here, 1011 00:40:13,028 --> 00:40:14,445 but unfortunately, at this time I'm going to have to ask you 1012 00:40:14,538 --> 00:40:15,946 to please step off The Forge floor. 1013 00:40:16,031 --> 00:40:17,781 - Thank you guys very much. - Thank you so much. 1014 00:40:17,866 --> 00:40:18,949 - See you, Nick. Nice job, man. 1015 00:40:19,034 --> 00:40:20,534 - I did my best. 1016 00:40:20,619 --> 00:40:23,045 Ben came out on top. Totally deserves the win. 1017 00:40:23,130 --> 00:40:25,381 If you're going to come here, do your homework. 1018 00:40:25,466 --> 00:40:27,541 These guys are tough. Be ready. 1019 00:40:27,626 --> 00:40:29,710 ♪ ♪ 1020 00:40:29,794 --> 00:40:31,962 - Ben Abbott, we're running out of fingers to count on. 1021 00:40:32,055 --> 00:40:33,881 You are the champion again. 1022 00:40:33,965 --> 00:40:35,549 9-0, buddy. How do you feel? 1023 00:40:35,642 --> 00:40:36,893 - I feel amazing. 1024 00:40:36,977 --> 00:40:39,145 So much of me has gone into it blood wise, 1025 00:40:39,304 --> 00:40:42,306 but I'm just super jazzed that it paid out. 1026 00:40:42,390 --> 00:40:45,401 I just became a "Forged in Fire" champion again. 1027 00:40:45,486 --> 00:40:47,811 I'm just elated, 1028 00:40:47,896 --> 00:40:49,906 this is probably one of the best experiences of my life, 1029 00:40:50,065 --> 00:40:51,732 to go through five competitions 1030 00:40:51,816 --> 00:40:53,400 and win all five of them in a row. 1031 00:40:53,485 --> 00:40:56,820 - The blade I'd say right now that's the most stunning 1032 00:40:56,914 --> 00:40:58,155 pattern that you've presented. 1033 00:40:58,240 --> 00:40:59,573 - In each of these competitions, 1034 00:40:59,658 --> 00:41:00,658 I've learned a little bit of something. 1035 00:41:00,742 --> 00:41:01,992 You have to learn how to be fast, 1036 00:41:02,077 --> 00:41:03,085 you have to learn how to be good, 1037 00:41:03,170 --> 00:41:04,495 you have to learn how to be smart, 1038 00:41:04,579 --> 00:41:06,088 and I just feel like my skill 1039 00:41:06,173 --> 00:41:07,665 is getting better and better as I go. 1040 00:41:07,749 --> 00:41:10,000 - Where do you go from here? 1041 00:41:10,093 --> 00:41:11,177 - Dave, you ready to compete? 1042 00:41:11,336 --> 00:41:14,180 - [chuckles] Sign me up. - Oh, hell, yes. 1043 00:41:14,339 --> 00:41:17,099 - I'm currently 9-0. I'm unbeaten. 1044 00:41:17,259 --> 00:41:20,019 If you think you've got what it takes, bring it on. I'm ready.