Forged in Fire - Happy Winner Photos

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I hope many of you caught Season 7 Episode 7 last night. Jesse really made a superior sword.
David Catoe had been instructing him for a year when he filmed the episode several months ago. He had never made a sword or canister damascus. Dave brought him up to speed on the damascus construction and since a sword was very likely, they got with me to coach him on some fine points of making a sword and things that matter and don't matter on FIF. I developed a HT and tempering regime for the equipment he would be using to make a long sword that would give a sharp edge with great toughness and flexibility. I also taught him the easy way to make a fuller. Jesse did a great job using his innate reasoning and remembering his cramming and coaching. He nailed the bend test better than anyone could have hoped for.
He had a viewing party at a Irish Pub last night. A big crowd of other knifemakers and friends were there. The TV sets were all set on FIF and when the episode came on, Jesse was in a trance. I have been told it is interesting to see your episode for the first time, as you haven't seen any of the editing or other shots yet. Below are some shots of Jesse as the episode played out:

Holy, crap, that is me on the screen.
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Please don't break! Please don't break!
IMG_20191106_214042.jpg

Yeah, I won!
IMG_20191106_220324 (2).jpg
(The sword isn't the one he made, but one of mine I brought for him as a photo prop.)
 
Congrats on the win.
I learned if I ever try a sword I need to dig a hole and bury the quench tank a couple feet in the ground. That quench was close to being real bad.
 
Great episode! I thoroughly enjoyed it! Congrats to Jesse. His sword was beautiful and performed beautifully. I only wish they had spent more time showing all the work that went into the handle and guard. That was impressive!
 
David was out in his driveway when the quench was being done and was the "fire watch". He said he almost crapped in his jeans when Jesse snagged the tank. He envisioned the whole shop a ball of flaming oil. Luckily, the clamps on the blade popped off and the blade fell back in the tank. The editing did not show an earlier quench that wasn't hard enough. That one went perfect as far as in and out went, so there was no exciting footage to show. After all it is Forged In FIRE!
 
Thanks for sharing Natlek! And you too Stacy!

(Does everyone else cringe and hold their breath when watching someone do a bend test on a blade?)
 
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The knives made durring the show are kept by the show and are all over the walls. The winning sword/knife/crosbow/etc is kept by the show and they are all in display cases. The only person who gets to keep his blade is the runner-up. That is because it was made in his shop. with his materials, equipment, and supplies. But he doesn't get it back for about six months.
 
weo said:
Thanks for sharing Natlek!

(Does everyone else cringe and hold their breath when watching someone do a bend test on a blade?)
Click to expand...
I was cringing when the bend test was going on. Just waiting for the inevitable snap. Then it doesn't.... And I breathe a sigh of relief.
 
First of all, a GREAT BIG congrats to Jesse, and thank you Stacy and Natlek for sharing. Just a part of what makes this a GREAT forum.
 
Finally got a chance to watch it last night, Jesse did a great job and we enjoyed the episode very much.
 
Yep, I watched the episode and it was obvious that Jesse had done some thinking and prep for the show. He did GOOD!!
 
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