PMCI December 2019 | Page 34

pmcimagazine.com DUSTIN RHODES: CHOPPER Throughout history, various cultures have held edged tools, knives specifically, symbolic of strength, power and survival. As special operators around the globe can tell you, there are still many countries today in which their society holds symbols of battle such as a soldier’s knife as a reflection of his character, honor and status; Trampas digs deeper... T o wield a high-quality blade with power and deliberation is a well-respected feat among men regardless of language barriers, religion or education. While it is more common these days for warriors to carry commercially manufactured during peace time and war, there are those however who still honor the old ways of learning the secrets of steel. These architects of glowing hot metal and heavy hammer regularly create some of the best blades in the world in which any survivalist, tribesman or special operations operator would be honored to employ. This month, PMCI looks at once such special blade project created by a skilled keeper of the old ways of hammer and forge. Unless you have lived under a rock for the past few years, you already know, one of the biggest things to happen to the knife community has been television’s Forged in Fire presented by the History Channel. Each week 4 contestants battle it out building custom blades under time limits for a chance to overnight become a household name by winning the episode and a check for US$10,000. Each one of these everyday knife makers are potentially the next Ernie Emerson, Bill Harsey or Gil Hibben. One of the most outstanding of these contestants is Dustin Rhodes. Dustin made his appearance on the show’s Season 4 Episode 2. 34