Brasstown – The wait is over.
Forged in Fire: Appalachian Showdown, featuring John C. Campbell Folk School blacksmith instructors as contestants, debuts at 9 p.m. today. Free weekly episode screenings will be held in the Keith House Community Room.
The final showdown screening begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Peacock Performing Arts Theater in Hayesville and includes a reception. The contestants return to Brasstown for a special meet and greet at the school’s Forge After Dark event and auction Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3-4.
Meanwhile, the folk school’s blacksmithing and metals coordinator Elizabeth Belz, who appears on the show as a guest judge, and communications and brand manager Robert Grand were behind the scenes when the popular History Channel show was filmed on the folk school campus, provided some background about the show and blacksmithing.
Blacksmithing at school
Blacksmithing has been part of the folk school from the school’s early days.
“When we started, we had more of an agricultural focus – and our resident blacksmith helped forge farm equipment and tools,” Grand said.
Far from a lost art
In fact, classes have continued to grow. Grand said the increasing size of its teaching spaces, called shops, is a barometer of blacksmithing’s rise in popularity. After outgrowing a small studio space, the Oscar Cantrell Blacksmith Shop, the program transformed the old dairy barn into the Francis Whitaker Blacksmith Shop.
“Now all classes take place in our spacious, state-of-the-art Clay Spencer Blacksmith Shop, which is the focus of Forged in Fire’s episode,” Grand said.
Taking show on road
In previous seasons, Forged in Fire has been filmed on a closed set in Connecticut. This year, the folk school was selected from blacksmithing shops and schools all across the country. Grand said no other folk schools are competing, although bladesmithing and forging schools are.
Officials are thrilled to have been selected. Even more thrilling, Grand said, is, “to be able to show some of the incredible talent that comes through the folk school’s doors week after week.”
Smithing 101
The show is a bladesmith competition. Bladesmithing is the art of making knives, swords or daggers with traditional smithing tools such as forge, anvil and hammer.
Blacksmiths use the same traditional smithing tools, but have no limit on what they can craft – from hooks and coat racks to iron railings and expressive iron sculptures.
Belz puts a finer point on the distinction.
“For the difference between blacksmithing and bladesmithing: Bladesmithing is really the specific art of making edged tools – which blacksmithing encompasses, but is a broader term used to also include everything,” Belz said.
Smithing 102
Beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of blacksmithing are taught year-round at the school. A few bladesmithing classes are offered throughout the year with more in the works.
Beginners learn to make things like fire pokers or bottle openers. Advanced blacksmiths can make axes, medieval armor or full iron tables using traditional joinery techniques.
No spoilers
The name of the competition’s champion is under wraps, but the three contestants from the folk school are Jason Bivens, Jesse Bowling and Cole Harrison.
“Forged in Fire is a super-popular show, especially among blacksmiths and bladesmiths,” Belz said.
She said many previous contestants and winners of the show teach classes at the folk school, including Brock Martin, Robert Burns, Mark J. Hopper and April Franklin.
How it works
Each episode focuses on a different blacksmithing shop or two. Some are schools, but some are personal shops owned by some of the nation’s best bladesmiths.
“The winner from our episode will go on to compete in the championship. It’ll be exciting to see these expert blacksmiths get creative,” Belz said.
Grand said that Ben Abbott, a Forged in Fire champion-turned judge, participated in the show.
“Elizabeth Belz also got to see the contestants in action and offer some of her expert insights and advice,” Grand said.
Where to watch
Episodes that feature the folk school specifically will begin to air tonight on the History Channel. The folk school will host free public screenings every Wednesday night at the Keith House Community Room, 1 State Road 1565.
The final episode of the season, the showdown, will include an end-of-season celebration reception and screening beginning at 8 p.m. at the Peacock Performing Arts Center, 301 Church St. in Hayesville.
“The winner from the folk school will go on to compete in the finals, so, no telling how long we’ll be in the running but, either way, we’re looking forward to a stellar season,” Grand said.
Instant celebrity
After the finale airs, the contestants will attend the Forge After Dark, a free public event illuminating the art of blacksmithing at the Clay Spencer Blacksmith Shop. From 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Nov. 3, folks can see blacksmiths in action, forging pieces for the auction the next day.
The event also includes storytelling, axe throwing and a BBQ food truck. Forged in Fire fans can purchase posters autographed by the contestants and hear about their experiences.
On Saturday, Nov. 4, preview auction items from noon-2 p.m., with the live auction running from 2-4 p.m. in the Keith House. The auction includes handcrafted ironwork and other fine craft items donated by instructors, students and staff and its proceeds support the folk school’s programs.
Winning isn’t everything
“We’re noncompetitive in spirit, so we aren’t trying to prove that we’re the best – but our shop houses some serious talent that’s hard to beat. We are really excited to be profiled along other shops and smiths across the United States,” Belz said.
Accordingly, the folk school’s finale screening will be a celebration – no matter who wins the grand prize.
Details: folkschool.org/forgeafterdark, 828-837-2775.