History in the Making

In the opening episode of the new series, Nick Kaikkonen returns the legendary M1 Garand rifle to its former glory. Plus, we also create wooden whiskey barrel using traditional methods and American leather sports balls from the 19th century.

Blacksmith Robb Martin forges a hoplite soldier's breastplate in the same way as ancient Greeks did. We also take a look at wood engraving, a traditional printing press, and see how Baird Scott handcrafts a beaver fur top hat.

Blacksmith Robb Martin manufactures a Viking shield of iron, leather and wood. We also see Randy Asplund hand-craft an illuminated manuscript using ancient techniques. Finally, Jonathan White makes one hundred percent handmade delicious traditional cottage cheese.

Craftspeople Gabriel and Michael Bell make a traditional Japanese samurai's weapon of choice, the katana sword. Next, we see Mike Robinson taking a photograph using the daguerreotype method developed in the 1830s. Finally, Rick Kelly makes a hand-made electric guitar using wood from New York buildings.

In this episode traditional methods are used by craftspeople to recreate historic items, first Doug Morlock handmakes a huge legendary American Bowie knife. We also see how Scott Gooch handcrafts a traditional Windsor chair. Finally, Roger Rodriguez makes early industrial-style small batch chocolate from his own cocoa beans using traditional methods.

Artisan Darrell Markewitz makes an intimidating Viking spear in his workshop using ancient traditional methods. William Gudenrath shows how a glass dragon goblet is created by mouth-blowing, similar to medieval Venice. Finally, Ed Koren brews small batch Indian Pale Ale with a method developed by the British in the 1860s.

Traditional crafts people use traditional methods to create legendary objects. The Claymore sword is a Scottish legend and in this episode craftsman Matthew Bujaki traditionally makes one by hand. We also see Jennifer Osborn making old-style wool with old tools from her farm. Finally, John Cryderman makes the throwing stick, a boomerang that people have used for millennia.

Artisans use time-honoured methods to create classic items, first blacksmith Ryu Lim makes the traditional Kukri knife of the Nepalese Gurkha warriors. Gibby Waitzkin makes paper from bamboo growing in her own farm. Finally, we see sisters Sarah and Mary Schweiger making handmade shaker-style brooms from natural materials.

Jamie MacDonald makes English Longbows using wood that has been dried for five years. The horseshoe was invented about 1500 years ago. Now we see how farrier blacksmith Doug Buck makes horseshoes by hand. Finally, Melanie Talkington shows you how to make old-style corset by hand.

Artisans use traditional methods to create iconic historical artefacts. David Burress shows how a rondel dagger is forged by hand. Josh Copus makes ceramic pottery using ancient techniques and digs clay from his own property. Jeans were born in the 1870s when American workers needed durable workwear. At the end of the episode Anthony Lupesco makes old-style jeans with his own hands.

Second World War fanatics restore American Wildcat fighter plane, which enjoyed a high reputation during World War II. Greg Ward and his team are restoring Wildcat, which has been lying on the bottom of the lake for 70 years. We also see craftsman Hugh Shelton using century-old methods to build a spoked wheel. Finally, music lover Kevin Edwards makes an African-based diddley bow single-string instrument.