Forged In Fire

Joe,

You bring up an interesting point. While this show does expose a large audience to the art we love so much, it bears no resemblance to reality. Former V.P. Al " Global Warming made me rich " Gore won an Oscar for his " documentary " An Inconvenient Truth even though it was filled with half truths and some out and out lies. Yet he still was lauded for bringing the subject the recognition it needed.

I think that the art of knifesmithing wood be better served by a program with a format more like that of BIKER BUILD OFF. Feature two smiths and show some of their work then give them a specific project to work on and follow their work to completion then test them head to head. Following the builds would still give the producers plenty of opportunity to add whatever bullshit they think necessary for "good" television.

MSK
 
Caught up, my thoughts as someone who does not work metal. (I'm a woodworker)
-The judges and contestants are very positive and supportive compared to most reality shows.
-The blaring heavy music is distracting, but common in these type shows.
-The 3 hour time limit at the beginning is ridiculous but at least everyone on the show seems to recognize and accept it as part of being on television. In other words, they work with it while not getting worked up or taking it more seriously than it deserves. Contrast with Framework (Spike TV) where the judges act like contestants really should be able to produce a furniture masterpiece in two days.
-The testing doesn't seem overly ridiculous. Yes they are being somewhat abusive on the blades but that's what makes it a test.
-I don't think the show will give reasonable people the wrong impression about bladesmithing. An idiot is an idiot, tv shows don't make people stupid they just give stupid people ideas.
-Agree with someone who previously said they should showcase each person's work at the beginning so you have an idea of what they can do.
-Can't help but wonder how much more interesting it would be if all four people got to build the final weapon while at home and that was the competition.
 
ok, now thats more like it ! this is how i was hoping the first episode would have been. i am rooting for the guy in the red shirt & glasses that did the no clay hamon.
 
Agreed! This episode is an excellent competition with some good skill sets shown. I definitely think the show is improving.
 
Excellent episode. Everyone produced nice work and the winning piece was quite nice. Isn't he from the same forge as the episode 1 winner?
 
woodster said:
ok, now thats more like it ! this is how i was hoping the first episode would have been. i am rooting for the guy in the red shirt & glasses that did the no clay hamon.
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i was rooting for dave to,but pete done some really
nice metal work.......daves forge was not really what he needed to make a sword.
best show yet,
jd
 
I am pleased with this episode. It worked out well. I agree that Dave's forge was less than ideal for heat treating a sword. The temperature appeared uneven going into the quench. The impact with the bone was where the temperature was colder by the looks of it. Overall this was what I had hoped the show would be.

Chris
 
I've missed a couple shows but got to see last nights show. All 4 smiths did a great job. The 2 finalists showed some great stuff with those swords,too. I've heard comments many times over the years that pattern welded steel was good for art pieces and not working blades, which is bunk. So it was very nice to see it shown for its true toughness and ability to stand up to rigorous testing, good show. I look forward to seeing whats coming in next week.

I swear that J.Nielson guy just keeps getting prettier and prettier every week. :D :D :D

Bill
 
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Maybe, after viewing the show of the week, we should go out into our shops and do exactly the same challenge, in the three hours that they are allotted and see what we can come up with, and a few questions, How long is it from when they are told what they are going to make until the forges are started and up to temp, do they break within this 3 hours giving them time to rethink what they are doing? I remember last year when this was just an idea, so many folks talking about it and seems no one was wanting to do it! Not me either!
 
IMHO, last night was the best show so far....the last 2 were much better than the first 2, to me anyway.

Last nights works were all very nice and the winners sword was superb.
 
last nights episode had my butt on the edge of my recliner. All the knives were good. I really liked watching the hamon techniques. I knew David's Hamon would work out but wouldn't be "showy" like a clay method. His Bowie was his signature work. He is a capable JS but wasn't ready for a sword. I,m his mentor. If he would have simply put a square tubing inside of his forge to give his long sword a more even heating I think he could have had a much better chance. He should have called me but maybe they are coached to not leak out the content of the show?
 
When they claimed you could not get a hamon without clay, I said out loud "Tell that to Nick Wheeler" LOL
 
Bruce Bump said:
last nights episode had my butt on the edge of my recliner. All the knives were good. I really liked watching the hamon techniques. I knew David's Hamon would work out but wouldn't be "showy" like a clay method. His Bowie was his signature work. He is a capable JS but wasn't ready for a sword. I,m his mentor. If he would have simply put a square tubing inside of his forge to give his long sword a more even heating I think he could have had a much better chance. He should have called me but maybe they are coached to not leak out the content of the show?
Click to expand...

Tell me about this square tubing technique you speak of.
 
Hamon without clay is properly referred to as a
'temper line'... correct?
 
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