After the Anvils: Forged In Fire Season 1, Episode 1
(Image credit: History)
Welcome to the first installment of our “After the Anvils” series in which we look back at the hit History series Forged In Fire and provide a “where are they now” look at the bladesmiths from each episode.
RELATED: HOW TO STREAM FORGED IN FIRE
The premier episode of Forged In Fire featured bladesmith’s Matthew Parkinson, Rich Greenwood, Billy Helton, and Joe Waites facing off in a Japanese Katana build that served as a hell of a way to kick off the series. In the end, Matthew Parkinson emerged victorious, taking home the prize and the title of “Forged In Fire Champion”.
Matthew Parkinson
(Image credit: History)
(Image credit: Dragon’s Breath Forge)
Presently, Matthew partners in the operation of Wolcott, Connecticut’s Dragon’s Breath Forge along with fellow Forged In Fire champions Jamie Lundell and Matthew Berry. Matthew is an ABS Journeyman Smith, as well as an experience bladesmithing instructor (you can sign up for Matthew’s classes here). In addition to his duties at his home forge, Matthew has also served as a Staff Correspondent for Knife Magazine.
RELATED: A CONVERSATION WITH FORGED IN FIRE JUDGE DAVID BAKER
Matt can be found online at dragonsbreathforge.com, on Facebook at Dragon’s Breath Forge, or Instagram @swordmatt. Or, if you’d like to see Matt in person, he’ll be demonstrating a Damascus knife build at the Central Virginia Blacksmith Guild’s 25th Anniversary Hammer-In.
Rich Greenwood
(Image credit: History)
(Image credit: @pokabu_forge)
Rich Greenwood is the owner and operator of Pokabu Forge in Tucson, Arizona. He’s also a founding member of Desert Metal Craft, where he teaches knife making and sets the blacksmithing curriculum. Rich began teaching bladesmithing courses following his appearance on Forged In Fire, a passion which continues today.
You can sign up for one of Rich’s classes here, and you can see Rich’s work on his website pokabuforge.com. He can also be found on IG @pokabu_forge and Facebook at Rich Greenwood-Pokabu Forge.
Billy Helton
(Image credit: History)
(Image credit: Helton Forge)
Billy is an ABS Journeyman Smith operating out of his home forge, Helton Forge, in Claremore, Oklahoma. From his forge, Billy offers bladesmithing classes as well as custom blades and metal work. You can sign up for his newsletter here.
If you’d like to connect with Billy, you can start at his website heltonforge.com. He’s also on social media; IG @heltonknives and Facebook at Helton Forge.
Joe Waites
(Image credit: History)
(Image credit: Albion Swords)
Joe has spent 17 years with Albion Swords in New Glarus, Wisconsin. In his current role as Lead Blademaker, Joe oversees the fabrication of high-end blades, museum quality reproductions, movie replicas, and other custom made weapons.
Joe can be found on Twitter @joe_waites and LinkedIn at Joe Waites. Albion Swords can be found at albion-swords.com, on Facebook at Albion Swords Limited LLC, and on IG @albionswords.
What’s next?
Links to all the training courses listed can be found on our Learn page. If you want more Forged In Fire, check out our show page. If you want to watch the show but just can’t seem to find it, we’ve got you right here. Be sure to follow BRUTE de FORGE in all the usual places to catch all our wonderful bladesmithing content, including our next installment of “After the Anvils”.
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