For six hours, three men worked with hot metal, shaping, welding and grinding the steel into high quality knives.
The day of competition at North Platte's Prairie Arts Center, called Fire On the Prairie, was similar to that of the Forged in Fire competition on television's History channel.
It came together Saturday, Oct. 5 outdoors at the center. A crowd of about 500 people came and went under a sunny sky through the afternoon.
Knife-making has a rich and storied history that dates back thousands of years, according to scholars. Initially necessary for hunting, cooking, and survival, knife-making has evolved to encompass a wide range of techniques and styles. Bladesmiths come to understand the nuances of metallurgy and the forging process.
Tyrel Wilson of Sutherland, an accomplished blacksmith in his spare time, was the prime organizer of the contest, with encouragement from Brandy Jamerman, a visual artist and former assistant director of the arts center, with plenty of support from the board of directors of the arts center.
The competition was judged by three Nebraskans who are experienced in blade smithing - Chris O'Brien of Mullen, a Forged in Fire TV champion in 2021, Peyton Ramm of Valentine, a champion in 2020, and Garrett Elting of Lincoln.
The competitors were Todd Ludacka of Belleville, Kan., Kevin Neubauer of Omaha and Dan Yoka of Independence, Mo.
Holly Carlini, the executive director of the Prairie Arts Center, said the competition grew out of similar but non-competitive demonstrations two years ago. Inspired by the Forged in Fire TV show, organizers invited contestants through social media and websites, then narrowed the number of applicants to three.
Wilson supplied most of the equipment, motivated by a love for the process of revitalizing antiques into usable tools. Metal working and blade smithing are nearly lost traditions that don't need to be lost, he said.
Elsewhere in the arts center, blacksmith Marty Weidenbacher of North Platte gave demonstrations and made a items upon request. Mike Gruntorad of Kearney asked for a bottle opener forged of steel, and Weidenbacher happily made it on the spot.
Upstairs, Chris Haussler of Lawrence, Neb. melted glass to make tiny ornamental creatures. Outdoor writer Rick Windham showed a collection of military knives through the years -- a Marine Mameluke, a Bowie Knife, an Arkansas Toothpick, a Marine Corps combat knife, a kukuri used by soldiers in Nepal, and a puukko, used by Laplanders of northern Scandinavia.
Carlini said visitors came from New Hampshire, Germany, Kansas, Lincoln and Omaha, elsewhere in Nebraska, and North Platte.
"It's fantastic to have these competitors; I hope to see it grow," Carlini said. "It's visually friendly. It's fun to watch the process and learn about our own heritage. It fits with the Prairie Arts Center and the spirit of the West."
As the afternoon came to a close, the judges tested and rated the blades for strength, cutting, endurance and appearance.
Todd Ludacka won first prize, collecting $1,000 in prize money. Kevin Neubauer was second and Dan Yoka third.