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- Here in The Forge,
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we have put hundreds of smiths
to the test,
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but one fierce competitor has
proven himself
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time and time again...
- Ben Abbott.
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- An expert blacksmith
and bladesmith,
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a fan favorite turned judge,
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Ben Abbott remains undefeated
in this forge.
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His current record
is eight wins and zero losses.
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But soon, all that could change.
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Tonight, it comes down
to the last two bladesmiths
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that were hand-picked by Dave
and Doug to beat the unbeaten.
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Do they have what it takes
to finally beat Ben Abbott?
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The competition continues now.
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[dramatic music]
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♪ ♪
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- I'm Nicholas Cochiolo,
I'm 53 years old,
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I'm from Simi Valley,
California.
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Last time I was here,
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I was brought on
to represent the armorers
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in the invitational
tournament of champions.
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I won that with a hooded katar
and went on to the finale.
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I ended up coming in second
by just the smallest margin,
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and that's really why I'm back.
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I really love this competition,
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and I was hand-selected
by David Baker
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because he thought
I might have some small chance
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of beating the unbeatable
Ben Abbott.
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♪ ♪
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- My name is Zach Tarbell,
I'm from Rochester, New York.
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I'm a welding instructor
and a part-time bladesmith.
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The first time I was here,
I helped out
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one of my fellow competitors
with a parameter.
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You doing a hidden tang?
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- No.
- I think we have to.
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Second round, I ended up
missing a parameter.
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I didn't get a head's up
from anybody.
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- Has Zach fluted anything?
- No.
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- Between being chosen by Dog
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to come back and redeem myself,
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combined with my personal
desire to redeem myself,
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it's a lot of pressure.
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But I really want to prove
I can go up against Ben,
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hold my own,
and possibly beat him.
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♪ ♪
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- Nicholas, Zach, welcome back
to The Forge, gentlemen,
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and welcome to the fifth
and final competition,
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in a series we're calling
Beat the Unbeaten.
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This is the judge's
pick competition.
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Nicholas, you were
chosen by Dave.
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Zach, you were chosen by Doug.
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They decided they thought you
both deserved a second chance
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to the title
of "Forged in Fire" champion
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and a check for $10,000.
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But not only that, they thought
you each have what it takes
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to potentially beat
the unbeaten,
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who's got a record of 8-0.
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My question is
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do you guys think you have what
it takes to take on Ben Abbott?
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- I'm going to try.
- We're going to find out.
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- [chuckles] We sure are.
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Ben, you got anything
to say to these guys?
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- This is my fifth time
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competing in one
of these championships,
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and there's no rust on my anvil.
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I am ready to rock.
Good luck to you.
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- Nice.
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[dramatic music]
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- Now bladesmiths,
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Ben is only going to be
an observer
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because one of you's
going up against him.
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In this very unique competition,
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the two of you
are going to go head-to-head
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in a straight five-hour
bladesmithing build
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where you will need to make
a blade from start to finis.
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Now bladesmiths,
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you know in this forge,
we love a good salvage round,
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and that is exactly what
we've got set up for you today.
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In five hours,
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we want you to make
signature blades using this.
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Fish hook canister Damascus.
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- I'm apprehensive,
a little nervous.
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I definitely don't want
to see my blade break,
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but with canister Damascus,
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it's crazy,
there's always a chance.
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- When that time is up,
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Dave and Doug are going
to check your blades
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for strength and durability
in a tackle box chop,
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and then check
your edge retention
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in a plastic tube slice.
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Bladesmiths, good luck.
Your time starts now.
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♪ ♪
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All right, so judge's choice.
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Dave, why did you pick Nicholas?
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- Oh, man, Nicholas did such
a great job.
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He was in one of our tournaments
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representing the armorers,
and he did the hooded katar.
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He did a great job,
but last time,
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he did the nodachi, which is one
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of the biggest weapons
we've ever done in here.
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He was the runner up.
His weapon was beautiful.
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There were some issues
with the handle.
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- During the testing,
we all noticed
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the protruding pegs
from your handle,
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and your blade did take damage
during the strength test.
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- I mean, it was so close.
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This is a man
who deserves a second chanc.
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- Doug, what about you?
Why did you pick Zach?
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- We were both on
Farmers Only dating site.
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[laughter]
No.
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What really set him apart
was the way he performed
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when he was here the last time
he was here competing.
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- You doing a hidden tang?
- No.
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- I think we have to.
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- He missed parameters on his
blade, but he pointed out
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the parameters of a competitor,
who went on to win.
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♪ ♪
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- Last time I was here, I ran
into a little bit of trouble
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with the handle parameters,
so I'm doing everything
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that I can to make sure
that doesn't happen again.
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Make fish hook Damascus,
they say.
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So I have to be
very, very careful
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about what I'm doing
to make sure
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that I accomplish everything
I need to
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as well as meet
all the parameters.
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There's two options when
you make canister Damascus.
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You add Wite-Out
and you can peel the can off.
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If you don't add Wite-Out,
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the can should just weld
to the steel underneath.
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I know that between
forging and grinding,
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I will be able to expose
that core steel
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without needing
to take the jacket off.
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Oh, yeah.
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- One things that neat is that
neither of the smiths
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are using Wite-Out,
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so they're all planning
on keeping the can on.
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♪ ♪
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- The biggest difference
between now and the last time
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I was here is my skillset
has improved greatly.
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It's just been tons of swords.
I've made so many swords.
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And I have fanboys
because of "Forged in Fire."
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Yeah, I have fanboys.
It's so weird.
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♪ ♪
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I like to take
and reduce the size
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of the top of the can so
it fits inside the canister.
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Welding!
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- And what I'm seeing out here
right now is some smart work.
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By insetting,
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00:05:57,483 --> 00:05:58,975
you get to actually get
some more compression
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so they can get that outer
steel to drop all the way in
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00:06:01,654 --> 00:06:03,488
and fill all the voids
in that canister.
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00:06:03,647 --> 00:06:05,148
- Everything seems really tight,
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00:06:05,232 --> 00:06:06,491
everything seems right.
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I'ma get it right in the forge
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and wait for that sucker
to turn yellow.
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It sucks to take
the time and wait,
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but it's like baking a cake.
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As long as you don't skip
a part, it'll taste good.
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♪ Get hot ♪
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- All right steel,
you gon' behave?
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I like what I was seeing
inside of the forge.
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Want to start
setting those welds.
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- Interesting that he used
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00:06:26,512 --> 00:06:28,087
Big Blue
to set the welds immediatel.
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- Not something I would do
when I've got a 25-ton press
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sitting right next to me.
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- I go to Big Blue
for two big reasons.
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I am comfortable
with an air hammer,
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00:06:37,273 --> 00:06:40,349
and I have never once
touched a hydraulic press.
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00:06:40,434 --> 00:06:42,527
This is not a good time
to start experimenting.
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00:06:42,611 --> 00:06:44,520
- The nice thing about
the squaring, guys,
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00:06:44,613 --> 00:06:46,114
is as it presses down,
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it's pressing from all sides
towards the center.
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So as opposed to Big Blue,
which is going to go this way.
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- It's like trying to make
a snowball by doing that.
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- Right, and then turning it
to the other way and dong this.
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- That's where I screwed up.
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[laughter]
Oh, man.
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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
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00:07:05,626 --> 00:07:07,802
all the way around
on the canister,
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00:07:07,961 --> 00:07:10,555
and for me,
it is the easiest technique
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to get a good, solid weld.
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00:07:13,383 --> 00:07:14,893
- Nicholas here
with precision work.
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00:07:14,977 --> 00:07:16,811
That's the way he does stuff.
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00:07:16,896 --> 00:07:19,981
- Today isn't really
about winning at all.
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00:07:20,140 --> 00:07:22,650
I just really, really want
to fight with Ben.
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He's one of the smartest
people I have ever met.
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A lot of people
don't know this about Be.
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That guy, with his team
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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
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So yeah, to beat Ben is
definitely an achievement
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I would like to unlock.
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Everything's solid,
everything's good.
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♪ ♪
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,
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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.
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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
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00:07:59,596 --> 00:08:02,774
that's got something
that's keeping it from welding.
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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
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00:09:19,926 --> 00:09:20,852
along the way here.
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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
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00:09:24,681 --> 00:09:27,183
it's like, "Don't forget,
don't forget, don't forget."
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00:09:27,276 --> 00:09:31,112
It's important that I prove
to Doug who gave me the honor
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00:09:31,271 --> 00:09:35,950
of being picked to come back
that I can do this.
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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.