KALAMAZOO, MI — Fans of the hit History Channel TV show “.forged in the fire‘ will have a chance to see the fiery realms of Kalamazoo’s Blacksmith’s Hideout Wednesday night.
battle ready artThe car, owned by John Reeves and Jutta Wilberding, will receive national attention on Wednesday, October 18th at 9pm.
The Kalamazoo business, which teaches blacksmithing and creates a variety of custom steel works, isforged in the fireThis fall episode. It’s all part of the show’s “On the Road” tournament.
Related: Kalamazoo blacksmith shop featured on History Channel’s ‘Forged in Fire’
The Oct. 18 episode will feature three Combat Ready Art students from the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek area competing in the “Knifesmithing Challenge,” according to the studio owner.
Reeves told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette that the episode was shot for about a week at a studio in Kalamazoo and one day at the “Forged in Fire” home studio in Samford, Connecticut.
“It was exciting and intense. But we were happy to be able to share what we do here at Combat Ready Art with a show that so many of our students love,” Reeves said.
Ironically, it was the show they appeared on that brought them together.
Like many of Reeves’ students over the past eight years since the show’s debut, Wilberding first stepped into Combat Ready Art after becoming a fan of “Forged in Fire.”
Related: Teach and practice blacksmithing techniques at Kalamazoo Studio
She and Reeves began dating after taking her son to a few classes at a studio in Kalamazoo’s Park Trade Center. A few years later, in 2019, they became partners at work as well, and now she teaches blacksmithing and helps run the business.
Wilberding said she enjoys watching people learn that they can accomplish things they never thought they could do under the hot sun.
Reeves said the classes are popular for dates, family outings and team-building exercises.
“Whether it’s a snake, a railroad knife, a cheese knife, a flower, everyone has a finished piece,” he said. “Railway knives are our most popular item.
“If you treat steel the right way, it will twist just like clay.”
With equipment reaching temperatures as high as 3,000 degrees, working at Combat Ready Art is definitely a hot place, especially in the summer. But the couple said it’s also a fun challenge.
Classes are for ages 9 and up and prices start at $60. Reservations are required and the journey takes approximately 3 hours. Reeves and Wilberding will coach at least one person or up to 12 at a time.
For information and reservations regarding blacksmithing, please visit: combatladyart.com Or call us at 269-569-1741. Combat Ready Art is located in the Park Trade Center at 326 W. Kalamazoo Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo.
To watch “Forged in Fire” on October 18th at 9pm, check your local programming to see which channel the History Channel is on.
Also on MLive:
Former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelly spends 60 days in prison for Capitol riots
Drone shows the peak of autumn leaves along the scenic UP Expressway
Michigan State embraces role as huge underdog vs. No. 2 Michigan State
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