Ep 24. Pocket Knives, Soapstone Products, Electric Pole Transformers, Traditional Snowshoes

In season 5, episode 24 of How It's Made, viewers get an inside look at the processes behind crafting pocket knives, soapstone products, electric pole transformers, and traditional snowshoes. Each segment takes viewers into different factories around the world to see the step-by-step processes involved in creating these every day and industrial items.

The first segment dives into the intricate process of making a pocket knife. Viewers get a look at how different types of steel and other materials are selected and machined into the various pieces of the knife. The segment also shows how each part of the knife is carefully assembled and finished, resulting in a perfectly functioning and aesthetically pleasing tool.

Next, the show explores the world of soapstone products, which involves a unique creative process. Soapstone is a soft rock that is relatively easy to shape, and artisans around the world use it to create everything from candle holders to figurines. The segment takes viewers to a soapstone factory in Brazil, where workers hand-carve intricate designs into the stone using nothing but chisels and other simple tools.

The third segment of the episode takes viewers inside a factory that creates electric pole transformers. These devices are used to regulate voltage levels in electricity transmission, and they are an essential part of modern power grids. The episode shows how these often-cylindrical machines are crafted from start to finish, including how workers carefully wind copper wire around the transformer's core.

Finally, the episode concludes with a fascinating look at the art of traditional snowshoe making. Viewers get to see how Indigenous people of North America and Scandinavia have crafted snowshoes for centuries using only natural materials like wood, rawhide, and animal sinew. The segment shows how snowshoes are constructed today, following the same methods used for generations; preserving an essential piece of cultural heritage.

Overall, this episode offers viewers a fascinating look at the hard work, skill, and ingenuity that goes into the creation of a wide range of products, from everyday tools to complex industrial machinery and preservation of ancient traditions.