Forged in Fire , March 1 episode

[bodog]

You don't think they would have been distressed if one of the smiths set himself ablaze when the quenchant exceeded flash point and one of the judges, I figure the martial expert, had to extinguish him with a well thrown tarp

I have a feeling the martial expert would've squealed while one of the smiths did what was necessary to extinguish the fire and get EMS there.

But will it kkeeeeeelllll?

I think my DVR hates me. It didn't record last night's episode.

 

[Spey]

The show did little to promote the art of knife making. It was more a reality show than something I see as instructional and promotional for knife makers.

The task of making a Claymore in 5 days and then hacking a hog in half would be daunting for the most experienced smith. I felt more embarrassment than anything.

Fred

I had big hopes after Salem's episode, but this one really took a step backward.

This is true, despite the flaws it IS the best on TV.

These three previous posts sum my opinion quite well.
I can remember last season I quit watching out of frustration, then later came back with a different attitude & found enjoyment watching with a new perspective.
I do appreciate everyone's comments here, especially the informatives.
I think the show could be better, if there was some type of qualification process related to the specifics of the individual shows tasks (but then just as I write this I remember last season an improvised outdoor satellite dish forge that got temporarily shut down by the fire dept. being the episode winning smith ... and check my sh_t right there ;-)
Good thread.
Let's hope for better from future episodes
Regards,

 

[stabman]

The failures are just as important as the successes.
People will know that it's not so simple to make a sword, right?
If everyone succeeded all the time, it would look like just about anyone could do it.

 

[AVigil]

The failures are just as important as the successes.
People will know that it's not so simple to make a sword, right?
If everyone succeeded all the time, it would look like just about anyone could do it.

+1 This

In all of these challenge type shows, it is the failures as much as the successes that keep viewers coming back

If they treated like something from the ABS the viewer ship would come to a screeching halt due to boredom.

 

[coldsteelburns]

Seeing the winner use his boot to straighten the soft blade and then slice the bag and hold his hand up in victory was painful to this smith. The bag could have been sliced with a soup can lid, no sword needed.

FWIW, it was actually a piece of sheet metal that they cut after he straightened his sword. He made a joke saying his sword probably would've done better on the pig test if the pig was made out of metal.. or something like that lol.

At the very least they could print the last name on the TV, and maybe show it a couple more times throughout. Unfortunately, I don't think this show is really about the smiths as much as it is grabbing some ratings for the network and entertaining the masses with challenges and competition.

Man, I've been saying the same thing ever since the very first episode aired last season. Every single time I watch, I want to look up the makers and see if I can find any of their work or even find them on FB, since the show obviously doesn't do any of that. Just a quick example, on the first episode of this season with the female bladesmith, I tried searching for her but couldn't find a thing, and I even used my black belt in google foo. It sounded like they said her last way was "Stall" or something like that, but we all know how names have very strict rules when it comes to the way they're spelled.. lol

It just bugs the heck out of me that they show their first names on the screen, but not their last. It's the dumbest, most stupid-simple fix that's apparently too much work for them to do. lol Sorry, but it really is what bugs me most about the show! A lot of the fun ( at least for me) would be being able to easily look up these smiths work because most of the participants aren't big names that we all know of.

Oh well, I still think it's a fun show to watch and am glad we have it to watch, especially when there's a good episode, such as the last one that Salem won. Oh yea, I haven't said it yet but a big Congrats to you Salem!!

~Paul

---

My YT Channel Lsubslimed
... (It's been quite a while since I've posted any new vids)

 

[Sosa]

Anyone notice they didn't call the lump of crap a weapon when the guy handed it over after the first round.

 

[Greenberg Woods]

I had big hopes after Salem's episode, but this one really took a step backward.

Well sadly not every episode can have one of bladeforums own!

 

[DevinT]

Here's an idea, how 'bout we get some really good equipment and materials and show the viewers what is possible.

Hoss

 

[Justin.Mercier]

That's not what the show is about though Hoss.

It's not 'reality TV' it's a game-show. It's just like watching jeopardy or wheel of fortune, it's a competition, but this one happens to be bladesmithing related. This isn't a craftsman show like you'd find on PBS or BBC-1.

For what it is, I think it works just fine. The problem is people here all expect it to be a show about craftsmanship , skill, technique, etc. but that's not at all what it is, because the audience for a show like that is small, and wouldn't bring enough revenue to justify a show.

I watch every episode, and I cringe at their mistakes, cheer on their successes, and am happy that a show on TV is bringing bladesmithing as a 'job' or 'skill' to the public eye.

 

[Kentucky]

I guess Im also just kind of happy to see it on TV..I search the DVR function at least once per week to see if there is some show on PBS or KET about blacksmithing on.

 

[12345678910]

Hi Adam,

I never thought of that. Ratings and advertising. You don't think they would have been distressed, if one of the smiths set himself ablaze when the quenchant exceeded flash point and one of the judges, I figure the martial expert, had to extinguish him with a well thrown tarp, followed by copious quantities of water?

d

I was wondering why all the quenches had huge fireballs.

If they quench tanks are of the size they are, and they are only quenching once, maybe twice - then why ?

If you read the credits, there is a listing for pyro-something.


So they are probably floating a light solvent / fuel on the quench oil and lighting up all those fireballs on purpose.

Seems foolish.

 

[dmelton]

I've been going back and watching the first season. So how many of you guys give a kamikaze battle shout when you quench your blades?

 

[Don Hanson III]

The huge fireballs are caused by two reasons,

First, most of the blades are too hot.

Second, the smiths are pulling the blades out too soon and still hot enough to ignite the oil vapors.

Seems too dangerous to be floating a light solvent / fuel on the quench oil???

 

[Rhinoknives1]

Here's an idea, how 'bout we get some really good equipment and materials and show the viewers what is possible.

Hoss

I'm all for it! :thumbup: We need a production crew and an idea of what channel we want to pitch this to?

The huge fireballs are caused by two reasons,

First, most of the blades are too hot.

Second, the smiths are pulling the blades out too soon and still hot enough to ignite the oil vapors.

Seems too dangerous to be floating a light solvent / fuel on the quench oil???

Don,
I think there is a third reason, Ratings! They want to press the safety level to the max for the theatrics of a big fire ball or small explosion. I'm a stock removal maker and was in the first batch of emails of makers interested.

They wanted Forgers only and I can see why. Its their show and I'm glad Salem won one of the episodes.

Its more of a reality/ game show in some ways and less about our true craft. They want those big fire balls and see if it will KeeeeeLL

I'm waiting for the phone call any day now from a new customer.

Can you make a big knife for me in an hour that will KeeeeeLL ?? LOL.

 

[Kevin McGovern]

Wait, So you say T.V. shows are about ratings and selling advertising? SHOCKED! SHOCKED I TELL YOU!

 

[Fred.Rowe]

I was wondering why all the quenches had huge fireballs.

If they quench tanks are of the size they are, and they are only quenching once, maybe twice - then why ?

If you read the credits, there is a listing for pyro-something.


So they are probably floating a light solvent / fuel on the quench oil and lighting up all those fireballs on purpose.

Seems foolish.

I believe you may have it with that idea. I've never seen Parks 50 go up in flames like that.

 

[Eblackmore]

With the clock breathing down your neck, no air to breath and snot running down your face (and never having used a coal forge before), it was actually pretty easy for 30 minutes to fly by. Id just dumped a big pile of coal on my fire right about the time my hose fell out, so I ended up trying to relight it with the torch and and scrape more and more coal away thinking Id smothered it. The contest doesnt have anything "filmed for drama" it plays out the way it plays out. They have to cram a lot of stuff into an hour show, so it gets streamlined in the editing. I burned the hell out of my steel losing track of the time it sat in the coal towards the end and it fell apart. I knew it was pretty well crap, but I figured what the hell, might as well bang what was left of it into some semblance of a knife shape. You fellas are sure quick to point fingers and throw someone under the bus. Its a whole different thing when your standing there with cameras in your face knowing any little thing that goes wrong is going to be seen by a million people and trust me, Wil shouting down the time and that clock changes your perspective a bit.

 

[Eblackmore]

Thats because it was a lump of crap. I burned my steel, shit happens. Once it cooked, I shrugged and made the most of it. We all had a good laugh about it. Gotta admit, Im kinda dissapointed in some of you guys and your attitude. All of the contestants are people who love doing what they do and put their reps on the line to go on the show and then get treated like crap if things in a very unpredictable and stressful environment rattle them or things just dont go according to plan. That kind of things expected from the masses on the youtube videos, but a bit surprising to find on forums full of people who have a common love for this kind of thing. Most of us love chatting about our experience on the show, but not so much when the first thing they run into is people talking crap. Sorry if the episode didnt live up to your expectations, but all 4 of us put everything we had into it.

 

[AVigil]

With the clock breathing down your neck, no air to breath and snot running down your face (and never having used a coal forge before), it was actually pretty easy for 30 minutes to fly by. Id just dumped a big pile of coal on my fire right about the time my hose fell out, so I ended up trying to relight it with the torch and and scrape more and more coal away thinking Id smothered it. The contest doesnt have anything "filmed for drama" it plays out the way it plays out. They have to cram a lot of stuff into an hour show, so it gets streamlined in the editing. I burned the hell out of my steel losing track of the time it sat in the coal towards the end and it fell apart. I knew it was pretty well crap, but I figured what the hell, might as well bang what was left of it into some semblance of a knife shape. You fellas are sure quick to point fingers and throw someone under the bus. Its a whole different thing when your standing there with cameras in your face knowing any little thing that goes wrong is going to be seen by a million people and trust me, Wil shouting down the time and that clock changes your perspective a bit.

Don't worry about those guys, they always say stuff like that when the show first season as well and are always looking to put 'their take" on something they have nothing to do with. They want to pretend they know,when they do not.

I enjoyed the episode and look forward to the next no matter what happens I am always looking forward to see the show and usually watch them more then once.

 

[Ken H>]

Just being there using a coal fired forge you're doing good. I'm waiting for it to be listed "on Demand" so can watch it. I'm just amazed how well the knifemakers have done in front of all the camera and lights there. It's TOTALLY different than working at home in your own shop. BIG DIFFERENCE.

Well done to all of ya'll - I think the March episode might be listed so I can watch tomorrow (Friday).

Ken H>