Forged In Fire

[sheathmaker]

Ken, they did mention in passing that the hammer was used also in hand to hand combat which would follow that one arm would probably be supporting a shield of some sort, hence one armed use of the hammer.

The file test was used on that one knife because they already suspected that it failed to harden properly in the first segment, and they did not feel that way about the other knives. I think they were just verifying their suspicions and if they were correct it would not be safe to proceed to the chopping.

At least that's the way I saw it.

Paul

 

[The Amazing Virginian]

Ken, they did mention in passing that the hammer was used also in hand to hand combat which would follow that one arm would probably be supporting a shield of some sort, hence one armed use of the hammer.

The file test was used on that one knife because they already suspected that it failed to harden properly in the first segment, and they did not feel that way about the other knives. I think they were just verifying their suspicions and if they were correct it would not be safe to proceed to the chopping.

At least that's the way I saw it.

Paul

Thanks for the explanation on the hammer. I did not pick up on that detail/subtlety (nor apparently did the guy who made the two-handed hammer!). But that makes sense.

 

[glock_556]

I was wondering the same thing, if they took a file to all of the knives. It doesn't seem fair that they would have only checked the heat treat on one.

 

[Scurvy092]

I think the one knife that didn't make it through the rope was a technique error on the tester's part. No way that thing goes through 90% of a rope on one swing and can't finish it on TWO follow up shots.

 

[J. Doyle]

My only complaint was . . . it seemed a little arbitrary. Did they run that file test on ALL of the knives, or just one they decided to pick on?

For what it's worth, I took issue with that too. I'm assuming the knife was tempered as well at the time of the 'file test'? In which case, it sounded and acted exactly as I would have expected a hardened AND TEMPERED blade should.

Further, in the bright lights of the studio, it looked to be one of the only blades in the whole series that went into the quenching oil at near the right temp, further supported by the fact it didn't make the oil explode into flames like so many others.

BUT....I realize that we as viewers don't know how this was edited and run together and it's hard to tell temps accurately on TV amid lights and cameras.

 

[Tad Lynch]

In speaking with some of the season one contestants, I realize that you can't assume they didn't file test any of the other blades. Things are omitted, and shown out of chronological order.

I'm with John, from my easychair the bulk of the blades seem to be quenched very much on the hot side.

Tad

 

[Storm Crow]

I would have liked to see some of the contestants doing a test quench with a sample of their scrap steel before investing the time in forging the blade out.

Overly hot quenching might not be surprising if contestants are used to relying on a digital furnace to get the temperatures right. They're hardening with the forge on the show. But, lighting and video can make things look different than they are.

I would have been fighting for the torsion bar that Jeff ended up with.

 

[Dawkind]

Why don't they bring a magnet? Not the best but better than a complete guess, IMHO.

 

[Storm Crow]

Dudley - They have a limited number of personal tools they can bring, and I think that the judges allow only one to actually get used during the competition. My guess would be most folks choose a hammer, but I'm not sure.

 

[Wormil]

The DQ'd knife was barely red when quenched; at least on my TV.

 

[Tad Lynch]

By watching the tv, temp would be tough to judge and could vary. The reaction of the oil to the quench would be a more consistent means of guessing temp as a viewer, and most have been way hot.

I believe my one tool would be a baffle to put in the forge so I could see the blade during heat treat.

Tad

 

[hardingknives]

The lights are horrible, pretty much like forging in direct sun, if you are used to a dark shop then your eyes are worthless temp readers on the show. I think makers should carry out the test on knives as well

By watching the tv, temp would be tough to judge and could vary. The reaction of the oil to the quench would be a more consistent means of guessing temp as a viewer, and most have been way hot.

I believe my one tool would be a baffle to put in the forge so I could see the blade during heat treat.

Tad

 

[J. Doyle]

By watching the tv, temp would be tough to judge and could vary. The reaction of the oil to the quench would be a more consistent means of guessing temp as a viewer, and most have been way hot.

I believe my one tool would be a baffle to put in the forge so I could see the blade during heat treat.

Tad

The lights are horrible, pretty much like forging in direct sun, if you are used to a dark shop then your eyes are worthless temp readers on the show. I think makers should carry out the test on knives as well

^^^These two quotes exactly. Which is why this...

The DQ'd knife was barely red when quenched; at least on my TV.

...is likely much closer to correct temp. While bright studio lights are optimal for filming, they are not optimal for judging temperature by eye. A proper reddish-orange to orange austenitizing temp is going to look dull red or barely red in bright lights of any sort, sunlight or artificial.

By the way, I'm not faulting any of the participants nor do I think I could do better. The bright studio is just not optimal for heat treating. I like Tad's thoughts....a magnet and a muffle would be nice tools to have.

 

[Wormil]

. I think makers should carry out the test on knives as well

Yep. One of them did and rehardened after the file scratched his knife. I think the other guy just felt rushed.

One thing we all have to remember is they shoot hours of footage which get whittled down to 40 minutes. Lots of things happen that we don't see.

 

[RogerP]

I think the one knife that didn't make it through the rope was a technique error on the tester's part. No way that thing goes through 90% of a rope on one swing and can't finish it on TWO follow up shots.

I spotted that as well. J. took three rapid whacks at that rope - it was still waving around for the second two strikes. For the other knives he let the rope settle to a still position before the second strike.

Hey, it's not an exact science, but for the most part I think they make the right call overall.

 

[hardingknives]

I was on the show,,yes lots of things don't make it to the screen

Yep. One of them did and rehardened after the file scratched his knife. I think the other guy just felt rushed.

One thing we all have to remember is they shoot hours of footage which get whittled down to 40 minutes. Lots of things happen that we don't see.

 

[Wormil]

I rewatched the quench of the controversial knife and the spine was black, the edge barely cherry.

 

[kamagong]

Liked this episode. Camerer's warhammer was magnificent. I enjoyed watching him work.

 

[C-Camerer]

Thanks for the congrats guys. Being on the show was fun and exciting. I made some lifelong friends. The show portrays the custom knife industry as a whole in a positive light. It introduces what we do to a wide ranging audience that otherwise has no idea it exists. There are nine more episodes coming up that I am sure will be great. We should all get behind the show and root for the next group of contestants because in the end it benefits our industry. I don't know how many calls and texts I have received from people that had no idea that custom knives existed and are now actively checking them out.

 

[glock_556]

Thanks for the congrats guys. Being on the show was fun and exciting. I made some lifelong friends. The show portrays the custom knife industry as a whole in a positive light. It introduces what we do to a wide ranging audience that otherwise has no idea it exists. There are nine more episodes coming up that I am sure will be great. We should all get behind the show and root for the next group of contestants because in the end it benefits our industry. I don't know how many calls and texts I have received from people that had no idea that custom knives existed and are now actively checking them out.

Mr Camerer

Your war hammer looked AWESOME!

Congrats on your well-deserved win