The art of forged blades

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - At more than 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, the orange glowing steel is removed from the forge, and is placed on an anvil where it undergoes the striking. What once was a small rectangular bar of steel, repeatedly hit with a hammer slowly shifts shape with each swing. The art of the forging metal has been around for thousands of years, but as society has modernized, there is a member of Columbus Air Force Base who belongs to a small community of people who still take raw variations of steel and metal to make resourceful tools from it. Mitch Cargile, a 14th Communications Squadron network technician, helps maintain the phone and fiber cables on CAFB. During his free time, he works on mastering the craft of forging knives. “The most enjoyable aspect is creating something that can be used for a lifetime,” Cargile said. With seven years’ experience, Cargile has become a proficient knife-smith and was featured on the History’s Channel “Forged in Fire” series that aired in January. Although he created a quality sword, Cargile finished in second place. “It was an amazing experience,” Cargile said. He’s come a long way since 2013 when he got the idea of making knives from attending a banquet for Golden Triangle Outdoors, a local non-profit that provides outdoor recreational events for people with special needs. (Source: CAFB 5/22/20) https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2191288/art-of-forged-blades/