Friend on 'Forged in Fire'

Any of you watch 'Forged in Fire' on History Channel? If so, watch tomorrow (Tuesday) night for the show's first 'international' competition. Representing the U.S. will be a friend of mine (he built a step-up for my Ford 4000, to keep this TRACTOR related). The show sought him out and asked him to represent the U.S. The three others will be from Poland, Argentina and I think France.

My friend, J.W., is one of the most buttoned-down guys I ever met. He's a welder/builder, and he's a multi-talented perfectionist in all that he does. He got into knife-making about 20 years ago and probably could make his living making knives if he chose to. He is sworn to secrecy by the show to keep the results secret, and so far he has done just that. I do know he made the second round because the film crew came to his shop for a week. If I were a betting man I'd bet the farm that he won the thing.

History Channel aired a seven-minute preview of the show last Tuesday, and it showed J.W. becoming exasperated a couple of times, with the result that he was "bleeped" a time or two. Those of us who know him as a deacon in our church were mildly surprised, and Sunday morning the preacher kiddingly ragged on him about it. J.W. said that he didn't actually say anything salty, that the show just added the bleeps because they felt he had every right to cuss his steel, and even if he didn't he should have.

One of my favorite shows. I'll be looking for him.

the best "reality" competition show on TV. The judges never disrespect a contestant and find something good to say about their work. class act. I've had one friend on and another fellow I met years ago at a farrier's forging competition.

One of the knife making outfits that was asked to consult for this show was Angel Sword. They are out of Texas. They have a bouth at two of the Renaissance faires I go to. Beautiful blades and they ain't cheep! Tbis is the chef knife that I almost bought. Almost cried over it but almost bought it. What a beauty.

Yes....that sticker IS the "sticker" price.

Jeffcat
I always try to watch the show , its one of the better programs on tv . They are truely artist in there field . knowing how to forge weld & by looking at the color of the metal to know when it is ready for what they are doing either shapening or quinching .

John Azpeapicker

I watch that show a lot.

I'll be looking for him.

It is a well made show, better than the other "reality" shows.

If they are filming at his shop he is past second round and in the final stage. The thing I like about the show is the judges are polite and encouraging to the blade smiths.

I don't do metal work worth a hoot, but I just caught up with that show 2 months ago or so and really like it. Well done for a reality show, they haven't jazzed up the conflict beyond belief yet, just let them build knives under a time clock. Neat.

I was going to say also, he would have made it to the 3rd/ final round if they came to his farm. Typically 4 make a rough iron, 3 make a finished with handle knife from their rough work, then 2 get 50 hours at home to make a specialty bigger deal of a knife.

Paul

I will be looking for your friend. I watch that show all the time not a lot of "drama" and the judges are very polite to everyone. They are very professional.

Managed to catch it last night, the Twins fell in the tank early and too nervous to watch them, so put the knife show on. Was good.

Wonder if they will ever have them make a pocket knife, that would throw them for a loop! Little more small time fussing and machining, would not fit the forging and hammer beating methods of the show, but would be a funny 2 minute distraction to throw that at them in a bait and switch.

Paul