I just had an interesting few days. A couple of years ago I was contacted by the producer of a German TV show called “Galileo”. He wanted to do a show on making and testing a Bowie knife. After 2 years of scheduling and re-scheduling, on Wednesday a crew of 2 Camera Operators and 1 Producer arrived at my shop. For weeks prior to their arrival I prepared 4 Damascus Bowies in various stages of completion so we could film for 2 days and complete 1 knife, from selection of materials to presenting it to the customer.

I started getting a little worried when first thing it took 1 hour and 45 min to film lighting the forge. Every step was set up, lighted and filmed multiple times from various angles with 2 or 3 cameras. I prepared for 47 steps making the knife. I believe we filmed 24 of these steps and I did the rest off camera while they set up for the next filmed spot or took a break. This was the most physically difficult 2 days I have had as a Bladesmith. Long days and because the artificial lighting was better for most shots I had to shut the doors and cover windows. Living in the NC Mountains I don’t have air conditioning and it was around 140 degrees in the forging / heat-treating shop where we filmed for most of the first day. After the first few times I began to dread hearing “now get a little closer to the flames so we can see your face”. I can proudly say I got the prize for the hottest environment they had worked in, even surpassing the previous winner, a Pork Rind factory.

For the most part it went pretty well but occasionally, when there would be differing opinions between the Producer and Head Camera Operator they would change from speaking English to German. I don’t know what they were saying but it was probably something like “Can you believe this wimpy Bladesmith can’t hold that piece of red hot steel for more than 10 seconds, after all he is wearing gloves.” I have done a few demonstrations, both at my shop and at ABS hammer-ins. I am used to explaining what I am doing while I work. Not the case here. I would forget and be reminded “it looks funny when you are working and your mouth is moving but there is no sound to match. We will add the audio; in fact you will be speaking German.” I always wanted to speak German; I never knew it would be so easy.

After 2 long, hot days my customer was finally up, it was his turn to be filmed. He pulled into the shop driveway,” now one more time, once more and look at the shop not the camera, once more, we need to shoot from this angle. “Get out and walk to the Shop, one more time. Once more and don’t look at the camera, one more time from this angle.” A bit of discussion in German and “OK park your car here where the light is better.” This customer is one of the finest men I know and a very successful Businessman, but he is not used to being told what to do. However he handled taking direction well and did everything he was asked to.

The knife was completed; we cut 2x4’s, 1” ropes, paper and made a stabbing dummy. All went well and the customer paid me for the completed knife. Next they want to come back in a year or so and film a Tomahawk and Karen making a sheath. Karen is not interested and I will see if I am rested up in a year or so. The film crew was very professional and pleasant. I have a better understanding why TV and Movies are so expensive to produce. I think I’ll stick with making knives.

The 4 Bowies; the first one finished went to the customer who participated in the show. The second will go to another customer who has had a Bowie on order for a while. The third and fourth I’ll finish and sell in the coming months. Each sale will include a special description card and a DVD in both English and German. The show is set to air in September.

Daniel