Bladesmiths, welcome to the strike test.
This test is all about what the steel does to your knives,
and not what your knives do to the steel.
John, you're up.
You ready?
OK.
Well, John, first things first, your blade is all in one piece.
In this challenge, that's not a given.
Your edge took some rolling kind of the whole way down.
Your handle is blocky.
It still has some corners to it.
But at the same time, it's comfortable.
Well done.
Thank you.
Tim, you're up next.
You ready?
I'm ready.
Good.
Well Tim, let's talk about your edge first.
It's still pretty sharp, but it took a little rolling here.
The tip is pretty flat right here.
Other than those two things, it's certainly all
in one piece, still straight.
Really well done.
Thank you very much.
Mike, you're up.
You ready?
Yes, sir.
All right.
Well, Mike.
Wow.
Yeah.
You can say that.
There's tiny little deflection on the edge right here.
But even where the mig weld was, the edge looks good.
The handle is a little on the small side,
but still comfortable.
I could hold onto it really well.
In all, I'm impressed.
Well done.
Thank you.
All right, bladesmiths, this is the sharpness test.
Now, unlike the strength test, this is all about what
your edge will do to the tarp.
John, you're up first. You ready?
Yeah.
Let's do this.
All right, John, let's talk about your blade here.
Sharp.
What can I say.
On the stabbing, it glides easily on a tarp.
And on the chop there, it cuts nicely.
Overall sir, your knife will cut.
Thank you.
Tim, you're up next.
Are you ready?
I'm ready.
Let's do this.
All right, Tim, the handle, very comfortable.
Now your edge, in the slash, it did not penetrate the tarp.
But you know what?
With some force, it does puncture,
and it lacerates all the way down.
Overall your weapon, sir, it will cut.
Thank you.
All right, Michael, your turn.
You ready?
Ready as I'll ever be.
Let's do this.
Oh, wow.
All right, Mike, let's about your blade here.
You have an acute tip the puncture swell and slashes.
But because of the puncturing all the way through,
your ricasso right here got hung up a couple of times.
But when we go back to the edge, as you can see,
it cuts this tarp.
Overall, sir, your blade, it will cut.
Yeah!
Gentlemen, the judges' deliberation is complete.
It's time for one of you bladesmiths to leave the forge.
Tim, your blade didn't make the cut.
I understand.
I'm not coming home with the win,
but I'm coming home with some great friends,
a great experience.
And it's exciting to be a part of helping other people
to understand this craft.