A Florida farrier made the cut for the The History Channel's new series “Forged in Fire.”
Jonathan Porter of Lakeland calls the experience “a little surreal,” after he was invited to New York for filming this year.
Porter, who began shoeing in 2008, forges horseshoes for his farrier business — Porter Farrier Service — which caters mostly to dressage clients.
Three years ago, Porter says he used his blacksmith skills and began making knives when things were slow at a horse show. So why knives?
“Everyone has kitchen knives,” Porter says. And as a former line chef and saucier, he says he learned the importance of having the right tools for the right job.
Porter hand forges kitchen cutlery and an outdoor line of knives for his second business DogHouse Forge, with the support of business partners. It is this experience that got Porter tapped by The History Channel for the cutting edge competition.
Christie Gold says not everyone is as lucky as she is to have a celebrity farrier.
“Jonathan’s attention to detail is evident, not only in the craftsmanship of the knives he sells ..., but in his farrier work as well.” she says. “He has analyzed my horse’s conformation and watched her go in order to best meet her needs as a dressage horse.”
“Forged in Fire” is touted as the most talented bladesmiths in the world testing their mettle. In each episode, four competitors put their reputations on the line to avoid elimination as they turn raw metal into working versions of classic weapons.
Porter competed against three others on the July 6th episode, which aired at 10 p.m. EST. One of the show’s contestants was eliminated while the others advanced to the next round. The last man standing will win $10,000.
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