|
Post by jseymour on Aug 11, 2015 18:41:35 GMT
Hello Mr. J Seymour.. Congrats on your appearance on the show.
About the show... How did the blade makers get on? Were they applicants that was selected, or, chosen/invited to compete? Were you guys told the layout and equipment available before you arrived at the Forge site?
It must be hard to do well when not in the convenience/comfort of your own shop/forge. I guess that is what the competition was mostly about, Raw skills..
Thanks guys.. Alton Takata aka ken katana How did the blade makers get on?
I got involved on the show from my Instagram account. It seemed pretty shady to me at first. So I contacted the guy and asked if this was the project another local producer in Las Vegas had contacted me about. I had worked with him in the past for the 48 film festival and other short films. They apparently didn't know each other but had the same idea. He saw my work on Instagram and Facebook and sent me a link to put my hat in and I did. We all had an interview process via Skype where they examined my shop and interviewed me.
Were they applicants that was selected, or, chosen/invited to compete?
I guess I was invited. Not everyone agreed to the contract. It was changed at the last minute because no one would agree to it. I'm not sure how they chose who, and how they would compete. Were you guys told the layout and equipment available before you arrived at the Forge site?
Not really other than being told their were professional bladesmiths that knew what we needed so everything we needed would be available. The shop was well laid out, had some good equipment, some horrible equipment to make your life miserable. We got a 30 minute preview of the shop and were only allowed to bring three tools of our own. Unfortunately I didn't choose a handle broach because they didn't have the handle section with material and tools laid out when we chose. I would never have tried to make a hidden tang knife without a handle broach. I have the same press from Uncle Al so I was very familiar with it. Some guys weren't. The 25 lb little giant hit really hard for a 25. One guy had never used a press or a trip hammer before. Sanding belts were cheap. No 3M cubitrons that eat steel like butter. The drill press was a nightmare.
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Aug 11, 2015 20:50:54 GMT
Last show this season in the books, sadly. I was hoping for a longer run. Last nights show was really good. Another upset victory, at least in my mind. I really hope we get to see another season.
Mr. Seymour, thanks for coming in and answering a few questions. Despite it not meeting specs, I thought it looked pretty good. I'm a bit of a sucker for big Bowie/camp knives, hahaha. The show was a hit with some of our own smiths, and they decided to make a little in-house competition in the same spirit.
|
|
|
Post by chrisperoni on Aug 11, 2015 21:22:28 GMT
Hello Mr. J Seymour.. Congrats on your appearance on the show.
About the show... How did the blade makers get on? Were they applicants that was selected, or, chosen/invited to compete? Were you guys told the layout and equipment available before you arrived at the Forge site?
It must be hard to do well when not in the convenience/comfort of your own shop/forge. I guess that is what the competition was mostly about, Raw skills..
Thanks guys.. Alton Takata aka ken katana How did the blade makers get on?
I got involved on the show from my Instagram account. It seemed pretty shady to me at first. So I contacted the guy and asked if this was the project another local producer in Las Vegas had contacted me about. I had worked with him in the past for the 48 film festival and other short films. They apparently didn't know each other but had the same idea. He saw my work on Instagram and Facebook and sent me a link to put my hat in and I did. We all had an interview process via Skype where they examined my shop and interviewed me.
Were they applicants that was selected, or, chosen/invited to compete?
I guess I was invited. Not everyone agreed to the contract. It was changed at the last minute because no one would agree to it. I'm not sure how they chose who, and how they would compete. Were you guys told the layout and equipment available before you arrived at the Forge site?
Not really other than being told their were professional bladesmiths that knew what we needed so everything we needed would be available. The shop was well laid out, had some good equipment, some horrible equipment to make your life miserable. We got a 30 minute preview of the shop and were only allowed to bring three tools of our own. Unfortunately I didn't choose a handle broach because they didn't have the handle section with material and tools laid out when we chose. I would never have tried to make a hidden tang knife without a handle broach. I have the same press from Uncle Al so I was very familiar with it. Some guys weren't. The 25 lb little giant hit really hard for a 25. One guy had never used a press or a trip hammer before. Sanding belts were cheap. No 3M cubitrons that eat steel like butter. The drill press was a nightmare.
I think Ken kata meant "get on" in the first question in the British way. As in how did you all get along?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2015 21:36:28 GMT
|
|
ken~katana
Member
I'm Ken Katana on the weekends...
Posts: 29
|
Post by ken~katana on Aug 12, 2015 2:56:05 GMT
I think Ken kata meant "get on" in the first question in the British way. As in how did you all get along? " I think Ken kata meant "get on" in the first question in the British way. As in how did you all get along? "
I just saw this.. I did mean get on the show . I was not referring to how they got along.
to me, They all had " Metal "...
Alton
|
|
ken~katana
Member
I'm Ken Katana on the weekends...
Posts: 29
|
Post by ken~katana on Aug 12, 2015 3:06:59 GMT
Thanks for the interview Mr. Seymour
I always wonder what happens "Behind The scenes" stuff. We all assume many things when watching, but, do not know the very tiny details that can make or break the smiths from doing their best work , live on T.V. (Do we still call it T.V. )
You got any more stories about your experience on the show?. It's fun to read/listen from those who experience new things that we enjoy.
Thanks .. Alton
" I never learned or experienced metal forging, but, after watching FORGED IN FIRE, more than ever, I think I'd love to do that kind of art/creative/functional work " - Alton Takata
|
|
Mikeeman
Member
Small Business Operator
Posts: 2,904
|
Post by Mikeeman on Aug 12, 2015 3:09:07 GMT
Thanks for the interview Mr. Seymour
I always wonder what happens "Behind The scenes" stuff. We all assume many things when watching, but, do not know the very tiny details that can make or break the smiths from doing their best work , live on T.V. (Do we still call it T.V. )
You got any more stories about your experience on the show?. It's fun to read/listen from those who experience new things that we enjoy.
Thanks .. Alton
" I never learned or experienced metal forging, but, after watching FORGED IN FIRE, more than ever, I think I'd love to do that kind of art/creative/functional work " - Alton Takata
It's pretty easy to start doing.
|
|
|
Post by jseymour on Aug 12, 2015 20:15:11 GMT
Thanks for the interview Mr. Seymour
I always wonder what happens "Behind The scenes" stuff. We all assume many things when watching, but, do not know the very tiny details that can make or break the smiths from doing their best work , live on T.V. (Do we still call it T.V. )
You got any more stories about your experience on the show?. It's fun to read/listen from those who experience new things that we enjoy.
Thanks .. Alton
" I never learned or experienced metal forging, but, after watching FORGED IN FIRE, more than ever, I think I'd love to do that kind of art/creative/functional work " - Alton Takata
Due to my contract not really. The juicy stuff I can tell you in person, but not on an internet forum like this that would put me on the hook for a lawsuit. It wasn't what I was expecting or told, but it was a great experience. It has been picked up for a second season and I hope it does well. I also can't wait to see what spins off from this. If you are ever in Vegas let's grab a beer and I'll let you in on more gossip.
|
|
|
Post by brotherbanzai on Aug 14, 2015 12:37:41 GMT
This show seems like a wasted opportunity to show the general public some of the intricacies and craftsmanship involved in forging blades and making edged weapons. Each episode could have been devoted to showing two smiths at work in their own shops, describing how they do what they do and why, showing how their chosen methods differ, comparing and contrasting without competing. It could have been interesting, informative, and thought provoking. Instead it catered to the lowest common denominator of the viewing audience and gave us another reality competition show with excess drama created by tight deadlines, unfamiliar tools, working conditions, and materials.
I feel bad for most of the guys that were on that show. How are you supposed to make a decent blade with a steel you aren't at all familiar with? I hope the organizers at least gave them all information on what they would be working with so the smiths would have a chance to familiarize themselves with the working characteristics of the steel they would get. Did they have some way to gauge temperature other than by eye? How are you supposed to properly forge or heat treat a blade when the lighting in the shop can't possibly be the same as what you are used to at your own forge? No wonder they had so many pieces crack. I assume they just didn't show the tempering after hardening. So either they left out showing the audience a crucial step, or they just actually left it out.
The format was ridiculous. They didn't even give them enough information about how they would be testing the blades to let the smiths know how to design them. You might make a blade geared more toward stabbing but then the test skews heavily toward the blade's ability to chop. Seemed less about craftsmanship and skill than blind luck. And that guy who did the testing and the creepy way he would say "It will kill" at the end.
Is this really what we've devolved to? Snippets of manufactured drama as "contestants" are eliminated one at a time like some kindergarten kickball game? What a sad commentary on on the current state of television programming and the viewing public.
|
|
|
Post by L Driggers (fallen) on Aug 14, 2015 12:48:05 GMT
That why we are doing it the way we are in our contest here. I like to know what the blade is going to be used for.
|
|
|
Post by Valandur on Aug 15, 2015 15:19:09 GMT
This show seems like a wasted opportunity to show the general public some of the intricacies and craftsmanship involved in forging blades and making edged weapons. Each episode could have been devoted to showing two smiths at work in their own shops, describing how they do what they do and why, showing how their chosen methods differ, comparing and contrasting without competing. It could have been interesting, informative, and thought provoking. Instead it catered to the lowest common denominator of the viewing audience and gave us another reality competition show with excess drama created by tight deadlines, unfamiliar tools, working conditions, and materials. The format was ridiculous. They didn't even give them enough information about how they would be testing the blades to let the smiths know how to design them. You might make a blade geared more toward stabbing but then the test skews heavily toward the blade's ability to chop. Seemed less about craftsmanship and skill than blind luck. And that guy who did the testing and the creepy way he would say "It will kill" at the end. Is this really what we've devolved to? Snippets of manufactured drama as "contestants" are eliminated one at a time like some kindergarten kickball game? What a sad commentary on on the current state of television programming and the viewing public. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pretty much how I felt about the show. Everything has to be a rushed competition. I get that they couldn't do 2 hour episodes, but they left out soo much detail that it was kind of a drag being someone who'd love to watch more of the process. Especially some of the guys who obviously could have done a lot more if they'd had more time. I was totally impressed by several of the smiths, like Matthew Jensen (and others who's names I can't remember, heh). Their techniques and methods I'd really love to observe as they work. The show seemed pretty dumbed down and hastily edited. I guess just due to the number of smiths and time of each episode. I wish they would only have 2 smiths on each episode so they could focus more on their individual styles. Plus show more of their finished blades!! Those quick shots were just too fast. It's better then many shows though. At least it is about blades!
|
|