TV ruins Reality AGAIN

VorpelSword

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I was an initial fan, but became disappointed in the "Forged In Fire" TV program. I really enjoyed the testing, but it was changed for each episode. The makers were always required to make a knife that no regular citizen would EDC unless they were a hunter-gatherer or warfighter (exaggeration). I kept looking for an episode to produce a masterwork. The show's format never really allowed that to happen. There were some really great looking and well performing knives made, but the time pressure always got in the way of a knife makers creating a true master work.

I know that there are excellent makers out there with access to top-drawer materials who are working in techniques that they have mastered.

I would lolve to see a special show where they tested highly touted production and semi-custom knives to destruction. The budget for such a show would allow them to buy high-end knives off the shelf and and find their ultimate limitations.. Edge retention, toughness would be my interest. Corrosion resistance is important of course, but everyone knows that steel will corrode to some extent. Usability might be a subjective thing, but the user's ability to keep a controlling grip on a knife while processing an Elk is important too.

There could be several episodes with testing on categories or types of knives together. . .. from pocket folders through belt knives and on to camp knives and so on. Price range might be one way to groupe knives . . . .these are details.

I know that this might not be that interesting to a wide audience. I know that premium knife makers would resist and involve lawyers.

Just early morning wishful thinking over my coffee.
 
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It's a low budget competition show, so yeah you can't just let people take however long they want to make knives and film the whole thing.
 
No one would watch a show about real handmade knifemaking. It would be the most boring show in the history of television.

Knife enthusiasts and those in our circles seem like a big deal but in the grand scheme of hobbies and interests, we are in a very small and dimly lit corner.
 
Have you seen the show Knife or Death? It's a spin off of Forged in Fire.

Each episode has contestants using blades that they either made themselves, had custom made, or just purchased off the shelf in a gauntlet of different cutting tasks. Materials they cut through include meat, rope, ice, wood, and metal.

The show focuses mostly on skill and technique with the contestants racing a clock to complete the challenges. They don't get too nerdy, but occasionally you'll hear talk about blade steel and heat treating.
 
I started making knives last year mainly because of my 11 year old’s interest in the show. Going through that process has only given me a greater respect for what the contestants are able to accomplish in the time they are given. I don’t watch it much anymore but it definitely inspired me to take up the hobby. To condense down the process of someone making a “master work” to an hour wouldn’t do it justice or allow them to go into any detail of how hard/involved it is.
There’s plenty of junk on YouTube where people test production, semi-custom and super expensive knives to failure so I don’t see that as being very marketable to a network. It’s already overdone in my opinion.
 
Forged in Fire is a reality show, or really an unreality show. While occasionally entertaining, for the most part it follows the standard script, creating an artificial challenge that the participants must meet, or fail. Yawn. Only rarely does it offer any interesting insight into traditional forging.
 
No one would watch a show about real handmade knifemaking. It would be the most boring show in the history of television.

Knife enthusiasts and those in our circles seem like a big deal but in the grand scheme of hobbies and interests, we are in a very small and dimly lit corner.
Yet, we enjoy one of the oldest works of craft and hobbies in human history!

Older than language!

I understand what you are saying, however you underestimate us!

Not only do we have food and drink, but also fire and steel! Baseball has the former, but not the latter!
 
It could have Guy Fieri and the Pawnstars crew. They'd drive across the USA in a big ol' Caddy convertible stopping at Walmarts and Dicks along the way cleaning out the store shelves of all knife shaped objects and then they'd strip down to the buff and survive for a week just with their haul.

Genius!
 
Have you seen the show Knife or Death? It's a spin off of Forged in Fire.

Each episode has contestants using blades that they either made themselves, had custom made, or just purchased off the shelf in a gauntlet of different cutting tasks. Materials they cut through include meat, rope, ice, wood, and metal.

The show focuses mostly on skill and technique with the contestants racing a clock to complete the challenges. They don't get too nerdy, but occasionally you'll hear talk about blade steel and heat treating.
That sounds pretty cool, may have to check that out.Heres a question; what knife would you guys bring to this ^ show? Im thinking Busse Hellrazor II or 3V Recon Scout....
 
Well, no one's stopping you from pitching your concept to some production companies.

Or, just watch some Joe-X and DBK (Dutch Bushcraft Knives) YouTube vids...that's pretty much what those do.
 
The pitch didn't go well.

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It could have Guy Fieri and the Pawnstars crew. They'd drive across the USA in a big ol' Caddy convertible stopping at Walmarts and Dicks along the way cleaning out the store shelves of all knife shaped objects and then they'd strip down to the buff and survive for a week just with their haul.

Genius!
That idea is so money, dog. I’d watch that on a flip flop.
 
That sounds pretty cool, may have to check that out.Heres a question; what knife would you guys bring to this ^ show? Im thinking Busse Hellrazor II or 3V Recon Scout....
Kukris or short swords pretty much dominate the few episodes I’ve watched.
 
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