Forged in Fire & Life: Brian Rognholt’s Journey Through Steel and Survival Episode Description: In Episode 17 of Behind The Anvil Podcast, host Michael Peterson sits down with Brian J Rognholt for a deep dive into a life shaped by fire, steel, and resilience. Brian shares how his blacksmithing journey began back in 1988, evolving from making simple crosses to tackling complex architectural ironwork and massive Damascus blades. The two swap behind-the-scenes stories from their time on Forged in Fire, revealing the intense pressures of filming, unexpected setbacks like broken blades, and the reality of competing under the clock. From gritty forge conditions in Brooklyn to the challenges of TV editing, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to perform on camera. Beyond the forge, Brian opens up about serious health battles, including heart surgery and recovery, offering a powerful perspective on perseverance. The conversation also ventures into car restoration, viral content, shop accidents, and even a bit of Star Trek and space exploration. This episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom, wild stories, and a reminder that the path of a maker is never just about the craft—it’s about the life lived around it.

In this episode of Behind The Anvil Podcast, host Michael Peterson sits down with bladesmith Dustin Rhodes for a wide-ranging conversation from the forge to the future. Dustin shares exciting plans to expand his business into Tennessee, passing the torch on current operations while building something new from the ground up. The two dive into the realities of today’s knife market—rising costs, shifting demand, and how makers are adapting with new materials, techniques, and strategies. From deep discussions on steel quality, blade finishes, and heat treating, to wild stories of meteorite forging and one-of-a-kind builds, this episode covers it all. Dustin also opens up about working with unconventional materials, including human bone, and the challenges that come with pushing artistic boundaries. Packed with insight, experience, and a few unexpected turns, this is an episode you won’t want to miss—you never know where the conversation will go when two makers get talking.

In this episode of Behind The Anvil, host Michael Peterson sits down with Chris Jones of Steel Dog Knives to talk about the real journey of building a knife-making business from the ground up. Chris shares how an unexpected season of medical recovery — and binge-watching Forged in Fire — sparked his path into bladesmithing. Eight years later, he opens up about transitioning from hobbyist to full-time maker, balancing a new tech career starting March 9th, and navigating the financial and time-management challenges of running a small custom shop. The conversation dives deep into fixed blades vs. folders, chef knife geometry, heat treatment, pricing luxury custom blades, and the importance of constructive criticism from fellow makers. Michael and Chris also tackle knife show networking, misleading “handmade” imports, Facebook ad struggles, AI innovation, and why building relationships matters more than booth sales. From shop talk to steel science to tech and AI, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and a few good laughs — all forged in the spirit of craftsmanship and community...