Forged in Fire

[4dogs]

Just saw an ad for a new show on the history channel. Looks like some kind of knife making challenge. Starts next Mon. I think it said. May be interesting.

[GWV]

I seen it too.  Hopefully it turns out to be something good.

[Steve Nuckels]

I will be watching!

Steve
--------
Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
ABS AP

[Uncle Buck]

It was interesting, but the contestants were given just 3 hours to forge their blade. in the final challenge however they did give them 5 days. Most of the 3 hour blades had cracks and other flaws which wasn't surprising seeing how they were rushed

[KSCATTRAPR]

Wasn't really what I was hoping for but I will probably still watch the next episode just because it's a knife show. The whole time I was watching it I was thinking, what would Lin or Karl do In That situation?

[tippit]

I didn't watch it...but at the past three ABS hammer-ins I've been to, they have had "the battle of the bladesmiths".  The smiths were allowed 2 hours to have a finished blade.  Everyone did it!

[Uncle Buck]

Like KSCATTRAPR siad, at least it was a show about knives, which are few and far between

[Lin Rhea]

I participated in Battle of the Bladesmiths in Maine and it was a blast.

I'm afraid, for this show at least, we'll just have to put up with the promoter's pushing the guys in illogical directions. I declined the offer to be on that show. I suspected that drama and trash talking might be stressed more than nuts and bolts of learning. Again, This is entirely because of the show promoters. The knife makers are, for the most part, good guys who can make a fine knife if left alone.

This is not to say there wont be some good come from the show. There very well could be. I just didn't think it was right for me.

I will be watching it though, You bet.

[Ray Hammond]

Reality TV is anything but reality, right? They think they have to create tension even if it's silly- between the "antagonists"...that's the formula for tv.

I just think it's silly....its not you against each other- but you working WITH, not against, the  steel to bring the most out of it....but that would make for what they think is a documentary...so you have to put up with all the hype to get to meet some guys like Matt Parkinson who is a really nice guy. I'm watching.

[Bobby Urban]

Yes I have DVR'd each episode and watch with an eye for ideas and cautious optimism for "not so much" fake and created drama.  But...  They sure work hard to promote it with drama.  

The part I think I like best is the camaraderie amongst the smiths - they are not competing at all - actually they seem to encourage and support each other quite a bit(or as much as is allowed to be aired).  Just as I would assume it to be if a 1/2 dozen or so of the crew here were hammering in - that part is really cool.

[Uncle Buck]

Ont last nights show, they tested the finalists swords to see if they could bend 35 degrees without bending or breaking. As he(judge David Baker) bent the swords to his right, He stood directly in front of the bend which was right in front of his crotch. its a good thing both swords passed the test!

[4dogs]

LOL..I was thinking the same thing when he bent it toward him then the other way without switching sides!