Can it bend 90° ? Matt Forges ABS Journeyman's [Test Knives] - Part 1

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Videos Shot, Produced and edited by - Matt Stagmer
Co-producer -Chris Cash
Blacksmith - Chris Cash
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[ThatWorks]

Thanks for watching the first part of Matt’s journey! Part 2 will be next week where Matt goes to test with Mastersmith E Jay Hendrickson. Stay tuned!!!

[Shadowquacker]

Please don’t take this as at all a dig, but it’s really enlightening to see someone who’s far from a beginner, but who is also a bit earlier in their forging journey than Ilya’s apparently casual mastery! Best of luck with your journeyman assessment!

[eloquentsarcasm]

The difference between Matt and Ilya is wild, Ilya makes everything look so simple with efficient strikes and perfect control while Matt has much more hesitancy and erractic strikes. In comparison, when Matt is grinding it's like he barely has to focus at all, it's just instinct. I noticed that after the first blade, Matt was more controlled and smooth, so the improvements are showing already. Different skills, muscle memory and experience. I'll be teaching my boss basic smithing (as that's all I'm good for, lol) and have been recommending That Works videos to him because you and Ilya between you encompass everything smithing represents from grinding, engraving, forging, smelting. Awesome job so far, with a mentor/friend like Ilya, I have no doubt you'll crush the test!

[reddragonsmaw]

As a craftsman myself with over 25 years experience, I can tell you one thing. If you are always striving to get better, to outdo yourself, and satisfy a need to improve, regardless of how "good" the last product was, THAT is how you truly become great at it. Mastery is a title in the industry that I believe should be afforded to those who have proven that drive and passion, much more than a standardized set of "tests". A true craftsman strives to be better with each project. Over the last 15 years of watching your various channels I have seen that drive from both yourself and Ilya. Regardless how your test goes, I consider you both among the greatest craftsmen on the planet! Good luck, and keep making incredible things!

[CreatorCade]

I’ve always been a hobbyists blacksmith, everything I’ve ever learned was from a book but one thing I’ve always wanted was an apprenticeship under a proper master of the craft. Saying that Ilya is one of the best I’ve ever seen and must be one hell of a teacher.

[mattpugh]

I'd be super interested to see Ilya review your forging technique! Keep up the amazing work!

[suwerensarmata]

Everynody knows Matt can forge. He made a lot of incredible things like his sword Sebastian.

[ashy]

Hey Matt. Don't wallow in the negative comments. Welcome to the internet. You have a huge advantage, or even more, opportunity: you have the video proof that you do all your work yourself while having the guidance of someone as achieved as Ilya. At the end what matters is not what the haters say, but what your fans, and even more, the people judging your work.

[theautismiochian]

The absolute anxiety I felt while you were bending that blade at the end was SO unreal. That's very impressive.

[jedhassen]

Thoroughly enjoyable to watch, nice to see Matt behind a hand hammer.

[josray]

the blade bend was insane... I've never seen that before. All accolades aside you and Ilya are thee only forgers I really know of and I'm sure that goes for a LOT of people. So that in itself is the true accomplishment For you two to be the icons of forging on the entire planet is real success.

[garrenbrooks]

I really hope this doesn't come across as condescending or demeaning, but if I was working side by side with a craftsman of Ilyas caliber daily, I wouldn't know how to avoid being harsh on myself. Kudos to Matt for staying focus on the priority of improving and it seems he understands the only person he's in competition with is who he was yesterday.

[dean]

That bend test had me at the edge of my seat more than any horror movie I've ever seen

[dmen]

Lol, for your first blade I thought "that's... Not how Ilya told you to do it" and then you went for blade #2 and there it was. Also, well done on the clarification of the previous vid on the topic. I assumed it was Ilya being the teacher to you so you can, for multiple times and all the angles, see what he does and why he does that. The fact that you effectively have a couple of save-points to work and learn from is a definite bonus. Good job and good luck for the rest of the process.

[hankatmaggies]

Thats a pretty neat sanding stick! I always clean my plunge lines with a chainsaw round file before HT, gives a smooth blending transition to the blade, plus minimizing the chance of breaking in that area compared to a 90* plunge.

[stephenjohnson]

They are looking good so far. Good luck on your journey Matt!

[chewher]

Just enjoy yourself and do it for yourself, whether you document it or not smithing is awesome. Thanks for sharing the passions and love of metal working. Somewhere out there is the next bladesmith and your channel may have had an impact in some way. Take heart. Carey on smithbros.

[SRaburrido]

Good job Matt, you already were a great grinder, now you are in your way to become a great forger. Plus all your skills in video editing... Leave something for the rest of us ;)

[jameshamaker]

after watching a video showing someone make a like sized knife, using an angle grinder and a series of sanding belts, i'm really happy to see people still using the " old school approach."

[MrAlexH]

Matt, the fact that you have someone like Ilya in your corner that cares about you, cares about your growth, and sets you up for learning and success the way he has (literally rough forging out blades for you to practice your heat-cycling/-treating, grinding, beveling, all that jazz?) That, and the fact that you’re so humble and grateful to have a friend and mentor like Ilya? If anyone judges you for having this done for you to help you practice on the finer steps of smithing, then I think I speak for a lot of people when I say they can go suck a big FAT one and leave you alone. You’re doing a fantastic job, and I envy you for having a friend and mentor like Ilya with you. Keep doing what you do, and level up how YOU level up, Big Dawg.