Might see a familiar face on Season 2 of Historys Knife or Death.

[KenH]

The premise of the show....at any stage...almost gaurantees that the smiths won't be doing their best work. And that's unfortunate.

Yep, you're so right. As Gene says in his last sentence I really wish they would take at least 3 or 4 minutes to show some of the normal work each contestant does. A lot of info could be passed in only 1 minute per person and give a MUCH better understanding of the knifemaker's ability.

Perhaps a really telling point is I don't think I've ever seen anything done on the show that says to me "I gotta do it that way", while on the forum I'm always learning things that tell me "gotta try that". I do see lots of things on the show that says "don't do it this way".

 

[J. Doyle]

I don't fault any smith or contestant for choosing to participate. But it can't really do anyone any favors.

I watch all of them. I've had friends compete many times and I want them to do well and not be made to look stupid.

But really the only reason I watch is because its a train wreck I can't look away from.

It seems like no matter which camp you're in, there are only two outcomes from it for a maker, both negative:

1. It empowers and breeds a whole new generation of competing makers who are mostly going to be hacks who 'learned' what they know from FIF.

-OR-

2. It breeds a new generation of misinformed collectors/customers who will start to wonder why our prices are so high because 'knifemaking is cheap and easy...I saw it on tv.' Or they are upset because they tried to cut the bolts off their car frames with your knife and the blade broke.

I wonder if any of the judges' blades will hack through bricks and nuts and bolts?

 

[bladegrinder]

I must admit, in some sadistic way I do find it entertaining when I see a contestant holding a 6" block of wood or bar of steel in their hand while jamming down on the drill press handle with all their might.........
Here it come's ............wait for it....wait for it........BAM! .....ouch, showtime !

 

[Justin Presson]

There were? I've seen every episode and I don't recall one. I doubt even Travis Wuertz, Josh Smith or Burt Foster would say their first challenge blades were their best work...or even impressive for that matter. Far from it. They were simply adequate. But because of their high skill sets, they have the ability to make something much more passible than their opponents.

For the record....I could do no better. That's sorta the whole point.

There have been a few good first round knives I think and there are some I would call impressive final round knives I think Ben Abot and Peter Burt had some solid final round knives. I think some of the earlier episodes had some good ones some here lately looks like I could have made them and I have literally only forged 2 knives.

 

[Justin Presson]

Justin....just so you know...I'm not trying to be argumentative. I agree with the rest of your last post.

The premise of the show....at any stage...almost gaurantees that the smiths won't be doing their best work. And that's unfortunate.

I know your not being argumentative John I totally see both sides of the coin.

 

[J. Doyle]

To be totally blunt and honest....I'm not a fan at all of Ben Abbot's work. As far as I can tell, his only claim to 'fame' is being a two time FIF champion...........which to me means not much.

 

[Ty Adams]

Justin that is a cool picture of the staff. It's amazing how much work goes into making a show.

If I get asked one more time if my knives are made like they are on FIF..... there's a very good possibility I'll have a stroke. Honestly I'm a knife makers worst nightmare thats why testing is important when making knives. Will mine cut a bolt, no and I won't pretend that they will. But when I do serious damage to one there's no blaming the maker for my misuse of a cutting tool. Case in point my Medford that cut a broken windshield out of a forklift. This would be a major fail on FIF.

 

[John Wilson]

My problem with FIF is that everything they make is a bludgeon with an edge. I get that it’s a TV show and people want to see weapons. I also get that it’s basically a blacksmithing show.

 

[Chris Railey]

My problem with FIF is that everything they make is a bludgeon with an edge. I get that it’s a TV show and people want to see weapons. I also get that it’s basically a blacksmithing show.

I think that will be the evolution of the show IF it stays on the air long enough to evolve. There is only so much of the same thing people are going to tolerate even if they like it. You can already see that taking place with the new steel bows and crossbows being made. I want to see someone make a Damascus flatter, bottom swage, drift or bickern. I would like to see a true blacksmith's competition because that would open things up for a ton of items to be made. That would also better fit the use of scrap steel to create new things because that is a blacksmith's jam. In fact, the only project I will not use salvaged steel for is making a knife (I intend to sell). That I guess, is why FIF is entertainment and not education.

 

[J. Doyle]

That I guess, is why FIF is entertainment and not education.

Agreed, although the problem is there are FAR too few that can make that distinction.

 

[Self Made Knives]

I've been a fan of the show since it started, but last weeks show set me off! First, why do they keep having coal forges setup in bright daylight? Some kind of sick joke? I like all the judges, but I really want to see an episode where they are out there in the bright sun with a coal forge themselves. Let's see how it's done. The real kicker this week that made me furious was letting a broken, then mig welded blade, go to the final over what looked like a pretty nice blade. Tim got totally robbed, really upset me! Just keep the show in the realm of realistic or it's going to fizzle and go away.