In the summer of 2015, the History Channel aired the first episode of a new reality competition show called Forged in Fire. A competition in which four bladesmiths compete in a series of three rounds of competition that test each of the smith’s abilities as bladesmiths for the chance to win a check for $10,000. In each of these rounds the smiths are judged by three Judges, two Master Bladesmiths and an edged-weapons expert. In the first round, the four contestants must create either a “signature blade” or “required blade” in either the smith’s “signature style” or “required technique”, with set parameters for the blade such as “blade length” and “overall length”. After each round, one of the smiths is eliminated, this is done until only two contestants remain, and those two are then given five days at their home forge to forge a specific historical edged weapon. At the end of the five days the remaining two are to return to “The Forge” where their weapon is then tested by the judges.
Now that I have explained the show, I will talk about what I observed as the effects of the show on the craft of bladesmithing. I actually was blacksmithing before the show premiered, and when I heard that there was going to be a competition show about knife making I knew I was going to be a fan of the show before it premiered. I feel that this show has drawn attention to a skill that had possibly been forgotten by the majority of popular culture. I work at a hardware store and there are now people coming into the store asking us if we sale anvils and various equipment needed to start making knives. Now, whenever I mention that I make knives, I am almost always asked if I have seen the show Forged in Fire and I always reply yes. In April of last year, while at medieval fair, I met one of the winners of the episodes of Forged in Fire. At first I did not recognize him until his friend mentioned that he was on the show after I had mentioned that I made knives, which at that time my knife making was beginning to improve and when I realized who the person was, I was excited and began bombarding the poor guy with questions about the show and tips on improving my skills. Granted, he had every opportunity to not answer any of my questions and be as patient with me and excitement, but he patiently and happily answered my questions. We ended up spending up to possibly an hour and a half talking about knife making.
Me with Mr. Jamie Lundell a winner of Forged in Fire
Before the show and even now that the show exists I have still encountered people who were amazed when I said was a blacksmith, and that some would say “Really, I didn’t know people still did that anymore.” or they simply do not believe me, because they believe that the skills on the show is all theatrical and not real or the think I am not capable of processing the skill. With all of that said, I believe that bladesmithing is gaining new life thanks to the show.
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