David Baker: The Knife Junkie Podcast (Episode 665)

David Baker: The Knife Junkie Podcast (Episode 665)

From The Knife Junkie Podcast by Bob "The Knife Junkie" DeMarco

April 19, 2026

About this episode

David Baker discusses his journey from Hollywood to becoming a renowned bladesmith and his new project, Baker's Blades.

On Episode 665 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco welcomes David Baker, the historic weapons recreation specialist, bladesmith, and longtime Forged in Fire judge who has spent decades building some of the most accurate weapon replicas on television. Before he ever touched a forge, Baker was dancing in Grease 2 and acting in Hollywood. A knee injury, a stage combat class, and a chance to watch the legendary Jody Samson at work eventually pointed him toward the craft that would define his career. Baker walks through his early years building stage swords in Burbank, the Spanish TV production Queen of Swords that launched his professional weapon-making business, and how he landed on Deadliest Warrior before eventually becoming a fixture on Forged in Fire. His job on the show went far beyond judging. He was the one building the example weapons, often working under a 10-hour deadline, sometimes in the early morning before the crew arrived, and sometimes late at night after everyone had gone home. He shares the lessons that experience taught him, including the clever salt trick one colorblind smith used to time his quench. The episode shifts to Baker\'s new project: a…

People in this episode

Host: Bob DeMarco

Guest: David Baker

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Forged in Fire, Queen of Swords, Deadliest Warrior

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