Ep 23. The Cane Sword

In the twenty-third episode of season six of Forged in Fire, titled "The Cane Sword," four bladesmiths compete to forge blades that could create an impact. The episode opens with the introduction of the contestants; Jonathan Porter, Matt Chisholm, Sterling Roberts, and Alex Baker, who reveals their mission – to craft a blade using the canister method to create a pattern, test it for toughness, and add a handle to make it an efficient weapon.

The first round begins with the bladesmiths making their first weapon – a canister Damascus blade. The canister method refers to a technique to create patterns in a blade during the forging process. The smiths start preparing their canisters, filling them with various materials that will create unique patterns. The judges inspect the canisters to ensure they are placed correctly before being baked in the forge.

Once the canisters are removed from the forge, the bladesmiths work at removing the canister and revealing their patterns. The judges evaluate the patterns and quality of each blade and decide who will move on to the next round based on their toughness test.

In the second round, the bladesmiths work on crafting a weapon that has a solid handle. They have to forge the blade, quench it in oil, and anneal it to get the right texture. They then move on to crafting a handle for their blade, using different materials like leather or wood. The judges inspect the final products, evaluating their curvature, sharpness, and durability before deciding the two bladesmiths who will move onto the final round.

In the final round, the two remaining bladesmiths use their skills to craft a Cane sword, also known as a sword stick – a concealed sword with a removable blade inside. They work with metal in the forging process and then move on to creating the handle, which is crucial in making a sword stick. They must craft a comfortable and functional handle, with the ability to conceal the removable blade. The final products undergo tests to ensure they are of the highest quality possible before the judges declare the winner of the competition.

The judges of the show, Doug Marcaida, David Baker, and Ben Abbott, are experts in the art of bladesmithing and have examined thousands of blades in their careers. Doug Marcaida is a martial arts expert who tests the weapons to ensure they function correctly and are capable of making an impact, while David Baker is a specialist in refining details, patterns, and designs unique to each blade. Ben Abbott is a specialist in blacksmithing, metallurgy, and the science behind creating the ultimate blade.

Overall, "The Cane Sword" is an exciting episode of Forged in Fire, where the bladesmiths undergo rigorous tests to prove their skills under pressure. The contestants show their creativity and passion for bladesmithing throughout the show, and the judges provide insights into what makes a successful blade. Viewers are sure to enjoy the episode, whether they are watching as fans of the show or curious about the world of bladesmithing.