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Episodes

Season: 1

1

Kyle Farace recently won in an episode of History Channel’s Forged in Fire. The show is a competition that features four bladesmiths competing in a series of challenges to determine a winner – who receives a $10,000 prize. Forged in Fire features world-class bladesmiths competing to create history’s most iconic edged weapons. From 12th century knives to 18th century swords, these artisans know their craft. Show off your love for Forged in Fire with this HISTORY® merchandise. From phone cases and mugs to a shirt with Doug Marcaida’s line. Viking Sword: Four bladesmiths are tasked with creating weapons from old car materials, before the two finalists compete to forge the best Viking sword. Former winners return for the chance to craft a weapon known for its unique mechanics and deadly double-edged blade: the pata. In a Forged in Fire first, fans vote online to bring back. On this all-new competition show, the best bladed weapon-makers in the country go head-to-head building everything from Viking battle axes to Samurai swords to Indian claw daggers. Prime Video: Forged In Fire - Season 21.

- Japanese Katana #1

Japanese Katana: Four bladesmiths compete for a $10,000 prize by forging the finest Japanese Katana blade - a weapon designed to cut as it is unsheathed. (S1, ep 1)

2 - Crusader Sword #2

Crusader Sword: The bladesmiths are tasked with utilising a Japanese hardening technique, before the two finalists forge the legendary Crusader Sword. (S1, ep 2)

3 - Chakram #3

Chakram: Four bladesmiths compete to make the best weapon out of reclaimed metal, with the best two going forward to create a deadly Indian throwing weapon - the chakram. (S1, ep 3)

4 - Viking Battle Axe #4

Viking Battle Axe: After forging a weapon out of a 'train spring', the two remaining bladesmiths will have to create a mighty Viking battle axe to prove their skill. (S1, ep 4)

5 - Katar #5

Katar: The competitors create their signature blade by using the Hada technique. The pressure mounts as one of the smiths is pushed to his breaking point. (S1, ep 5)

6 - Elizabeth Rapier #6, The

The Elizabethan Rapier: The forge heats up as the two selected bladesmiths forge the rapier, a sharply pointed sword that can kill with just one thrust. (S1, ep 6)

7 - Roman Gladius #7, The

The Roman Gladius: After crafting a weapon from just a steel ball bearing, the two finalists must create one of the most important weapons in history - the Roman Gladius. (S1, ep 7)

8 - Moro Kris #8, The

The Moro Kris: After a signature weapon trial, the two finalists have five days to forge the Moro Kris sword - a legendary weapon that dates back to 300 BC. (S1, ep 8)

Season: 2

1 - War Hammer #1, The

The War Hammer: After dumpster diving for the best blade materials, the two finalists must forge the mightiest war hammer they can and strike the winning blow. (S2, ep 1)

10 - Tabar

Tabar: After using lawnmower blades to forge signature weapons, the bladesmiths will hope to cut their competition down to size with the Tabar, a south Asian battle axe. (S2, ep 9)

2 - Khopesh #2

Khopesh: After being tasked with forging a weapon from cable steel, the best smiths must create an Egyptian Khopesh. (S2, ep 2)

3 - Scottish Claymore #3, The

The Scottish Claymore: Four bladesmiths have to work without any electricity in a gruelling qualifier, before the two finalists must forge the legendary Scottish Claymore. (S2, ep 3)

4 - Spiked Shield #4

Spiked Shield: After being tasked with forging a blade from three or more different metals, the two finalists must prepare to craft a spiked shield. (S2, ep 4)

5 - Viking Sword #5

Viking Sword: Four bladesmiths are tasked with creating weapons from old car materials, before the two finalists compete to forge the best Viking sword. (S2, ep 5)

6 - Nepalese Kukri #6

Nepalese Kukri: After a rigorous first round qualifier, two bladesmiths will compete to make one of the most lethal weapons in military history, the Nepalese Kukri. (S2, ep 6)

7 - Shotel #7, The

The Shotel: After forging carbon steel and wrought iron into a fully functional weapon, two finalists move on to create the uniquely curved Ethiopian Shotel. (S2, ep 7)

8 - Cutlass #8, The

The Cutlass: The contestants transform failed blades from last season into fully functional weapons, before the finalists forge the legendary pirate cutlass sword. (S2, ep 8)

Season: 3

1 - Champions Edition

Champions Edition: Season three begins with the return of four champions who are charged with making a high-carbon-steel inlay. (S3, ep 1)

10 - Pandat, The

The Pandat: Two bladesmiths will have just five days to create a Dayak war sword, the Pandat. Will the blade's unique shape leave victims in its wake? (S3, ep 10)

11 - Naginata, The

The Naginata: Four bladesmiths must create a signature blade using a randomly chosen mystery technique, before two are chosen to forge the Japanese Naginata. (S3, ep 11)

12 - Zulu Iklwa

Zulu Iklwa: After forging a bayonet blade and attaching it to a rifle, two bladesmiths will be called upon to create the legendary African blade, the Zulu Iklwa. (S3, ep 12)

13 - Haladie, The

The Haladie: After using high carbon steel to forge a hatchet, the two finalists must create an ancient Indian weapon used to both stab and slice. (S3, ep 13)

14 - Zweihander, The

The Zweihander: Four competitors must weld blades from tiny cubes of steel before two go on to forge the mighty German Zweihander. (S3, ep 14)

15 - Pata, The

The Pata: Former winners return for the chance to craft a weapon known for its unique mechanics and deadly double-edged blade: the pata. (S3, ep 15)

16 - Redemption

Redemption: Four previously eliminated bladesmiths return to the forge for a shot at redemption, but they face a challenge more difficult than they could imagine. (S3, ep 16)

2 - Fan Favourites

Fan Favourites: Four former contestants return for a second chance, with the two finalists charged with creating a Hook Sword. (S3, ep 2)

3 - Butterfly Swords

Butterfly Swords: Four contestants forge a signature blade from a pile of tools with the two survivors charged with crafting two Chinese Butterfly Swords to become the champion. (S3, ep 3)

4 - Falcata, The

The Falcata: Four bladesmiths must create a blade out of high carbon steel while also forging the hammer they'll use to make it. (S3, ep 4)

5 - Kora Sword

Kora Sword: This time, the swordsmiths compete for a chance to craft a sacrificial sword from history which could reportedly cut a sheep in half with one swing. (S3, ep 5)

6 - Hunga Munga

Hunga Munga: Four new bladesmiths compete for a chance to forge a Hunga Munga - a four-edged behemoth of a weapon. (S3, ep 6)

7 - Boar Spear, The

The Boar Spear: With a variety of metal objects to choose their metal from, four new competitors attempt to forge a knife in their own style before taking on the Boar Spear. (S3, ep 7)

8 - Xiphos Sword

Xiphos Sword: Four custom knife makers compete to make the best usable knife through a series of challenges. Bladesmiths craft the classic Greek Xiphos Sword. (S3, ep 8)

9 - Cavalry Saber

Cavalry Saber: Four new bladesmiths face the challenge of forging the barrel of a gun into a knife, before two go on to forge the iconic Cavalry Saber. (S3, ep 9)

Season: 4

1 - Judges Pick #1

Judge's Pick: For the first time, it's judge against judge when all four pick a past bladesmith to represent them in the ultimate battle for supremacy. (S4, ep 1)

10 - Sword Breaker Redemption #10

Sword Breaker Redemption: Four eliminated competitors return, using recycled jackhammer steel in the signature round, before crafting the Sword Breaker blade in the final. (S4, ep 10)

11 - Master & Apprentice

Master & Apprentice: Masters compete alongside their apprentices as they take turns on the forge floor, crafting a cleaver using the jellyroll technique. (S4, ep 11)

12 - Kachin Dao, The

The Kachin Dao: After two turbulent nautically themed rounds, two smiths head the final round to forge the Kachin Dao, a deadly headhunting sword. (S4, ep 12)

13 - Gladiators' Scissor, The

The Gladiators' Scissor: After a first round besieged with setbacks, two bladesmiths go on to the finals to craft an Ancient Roman gladiator's scissor. (S4, ep 13)

14 - Ngombe Ngulu

Ngombe Ngulu: The competing smiths must forge a weapon from an elevator cable, before two go on to recreate the African Ngombe Ngulu - an executioner's sword. (S4, ep 14)

15 - Tabar Shishpar

Tabar Shishpar: Four more bladesmiths head into the forge to prove they have the mettle to master metal. (S4, ep 15)

16 - Shamshir, The

The Shamshir: The contestants get to work on a unique bowie knife in the first round, before two will go on to craft a deadly sabre called The Shamshir. (S4, ep 16)

17 - Kampilan, The

The Kampilan: Four bladesmiths head to a scrap yard to create their signature blades, then recreate a fearsome battle weapon known as the kampilan. (S4, ep 17)

18 - Kpinga, The

The Kpinga: After layering a complex Damascus pattern in their signature blades, the remaining competitors recreate a three-bladed African throwing knife called the Kpinga. (S4, ep 18)

19 - Yatagan, The

The Yatagan: The smiths are tasked with turning a rusted 1971 Mercury Cougar into their signature blades, before creating an elite military weapon known as the Yatagan. (S4, ep 19)

2 - Deer Horn Knives #2

Deer Horn Knives: Four bladesmiths harvest the steel from a golf club to forge their signature blade, before the finalists must craft a pair of iconic double bladed weapons. (S4, ep 2)

20 - International Championship

International Championship: Four of the top smiths from around the world compete in an international championship, with the best two crafting a Spadroon in the final. (S4, ep 20)

21 - Knights Templar

Knights Templar: The smiths must forge together rusty chain mail and high quality steel to produce weapons used by the Knights Templar. (S4, ep 21)

22 - Ultimate Champions Edition

Ultimate Champions Edition: Five champions return to the anvil, with the final two competing to craft the finest Tai Chi sword. (S4, ep 22)

23 - Viking Edition

Viking Edition: Competitors march into a dry moat where they resurrect old swords and forge them into a Viking Seax. (S4, ep 23)

24 - Horsemans Axe, The

The Horseman's Axe: Four bladesmiths are pushed to their limits when they must forge a signature blade from springs of steel, before recreating the mighty horseman's axe. (S4, ep 24)

25 - Jumonji Yari

Original Viking Swords

Jumonji Yari: After forging functional friction holders, two finalists go on to craft a Japanese trident called the Jumonji Yari, a weapon of unparalleled strength. (S4, ep 25)

26 - Schiavona, The

The Schiavona: The bladesmiths must harvest steel from farming tools before crafting the decorated and deadly Schiavona sword.

27 - Rhomphaia, The

The Rhompaia: The bladesmiths are forced to achieve one of six Damascus patterns for their first round blade, before two go on to forge the fearsome Rhomphaia sword.

28 - Sica Sword

Sica Sword: The smiths must forge a signature blade out of a flintlock pistol before two go on to craft the lethal gladiator sword, the Sica. (S4, ep 28)

29 - Navaja, The

The Navaja: Four bladesmiths test their mettle in a rock quarry before two go on to recreate one of the most dangerous folding weapons in history, the Spanish Navaja. (S4, ep 29)

3 - Katzbalger #3, The

The Katzbalger: Four competitors look to secure a place in the final where they will be tasked with forging the intricate renaissance side-arm, the Katzbalger. (S4, ep 3)

30 - Ultimate Team Challenge

Ultimate Team Challenge: Four master smiths compete alongside their apprentices to forge an iconic weapon of warfare, the trench knife. (S4, ep 30)

4 - Makraka #4

Makraka: The finalists are tasked with crafting the Makraka - the sickle-shaped blade that was the favoured close-range weapon of the Zande warriors of Central Africa. (S4, ep 4)

5 - Fans' Choice #5

Fan's Vote: In a Forged in Fire first, fans vote online to bring back four of their favourite craftsmen for a second shot at victory. (S4, ep 5)

6 - Akrafena #6

Akrafena: In the preliminary round, bladesmiths are tasked with forging a Kukri before moving on to the distinctive African Akrafena sword. (S4, ep 6)

7 - Talwar #7

Talwar: A new group of competitors are tasked with using odd shapes of mystery steel to forge a blade, before two go on to recreate the sacred and lethal Talwar sword. (S4, ep 7)

8 - Cinquedea #8, The

The Cinquedea: Four bladesmiths must utilise questionable steel from mining tools, before two go on to forge an intricately designed and deadly Italian sword, the Cinquedea. (S4, ep 8)

9 - Charay #9, The

The Charay: The competitors are tasked with turning salvaged junkyard steel into a weapon, before two go on to craft the legendary Charay sword. (S4, ep 9)

Season: 5

1 - Rookies Edition

Rookies Edition: Five novice smiths must earn their way into the competition before the forge is even lit, before recreating a 16th-century weapon known as the War Golok. (S5, ep 1)

10 - Pioneer Sword

Pioneer Sword: Four smiths must forge a multipurpose weapon from old rescue tools, before two go on to recreate a unique utilitarian tool, the Russian Pioneer Sword. (S5, ep 6)

2 - Kabyle Flyssa, The

The Kabyle Flyssa: The bladesmiths are challenged to salvage a cannon to make signature blades, and the finalists recreate the North African Kabyle Flyssa. (S5, ep 2)

3 - Karabela

Karabela: Four bladesmiths are tasked with forging blades out of steel from a chain and a sprocket, before moving on to craft the iconic Karabela sabre. (S5, ep 3)

4 - Zande Spear, The

The Zande Spear: Four bladesmiths must forge J. Nielson's favourite blade, a Damascus European dagger, before moving on to the Zande spear. (S5, ep 4)

5 - German Halberd, The

The German Halberd: After a testing qualifier, two smiths head home for the final round to recreate the German Halberd, a medieval-era triple threat. (S5, ep 5)

6 - Two-Handed Sword, The

The Two-Handed Sword: The bladesmiths harvest steel from motorcycles to forge blades in their signature style, before two craft a giant two-handed sword in the final. (S5, ep 6)

7 - Kelewang, The

The Kelewang: After two challenging rounds of signature crafting two smiths recreate a beautiful but deadly Indonesian sword, the Kelewang. (S5, ep 3)

8 - Bagh Nakh Blades

Bagh Nakh Blades: The bladesmiths are forced to make canister damascus using nuts and bolts before two must recreate a pair of deadly Indian Bagh Nakh weapons. (S5, ep 4)

9 - Glaive Guisarme, The

The Glaive Guisarme: After forging the iconic Ka-Bar military blade using only tiny cubes of W-1 steel, finalists are challenged to craft the battle-tested glaive guisarme. (S5, ep 5)

The best reality television focuses on talent. Sure, we all love drama, and watching a bunch of people scheme and plot and riff on some version of 'I'm not here to make friends' like they invented the phrase is fun and all, but shows that pit smart, talented people against each other in a test of skill? Magic.

That's why the History Channel's Forged in Fire — in which bladesmiths compete to make various knives, swords, and other bladed weapons — is such a success. Not only is the subject fascinating, it's also educational both in terms of how these things are actually made and the history of some of the weapons they create. The best part is that they manage to wring drama out of the competition instead of interpersonal drama. Each episode is exciting because of the challenges posed to the competitors, not because of their personality conflicts. And also the fire. We're not gonna lie, the fire has a lot to do with how great this show is. And while the series might seem like an open book, there's actually a lot going on under the surface. Here's the untold truth of Forged in Fire, some of which is really going to surprise you.

Forged in Fire was inspired by cooking shows

If you're wondering how someone comes up with the idea for a TV show about sweaty people beating slabs of metal into useful and often beautiful weapons, wonder no more: You hang out with your teenage kids and pay attention.

Tim Healy, head of programming and development at the History Channel, explained (via Decider) that the inspiration for Forged in Fire came from his 14-year-old daughter's love of cooking competition shows like Chopped. As anyone who's ever interacted with a 14-year-old kid knows, connecting with them can be challenging. So in order to spend some time with her, Healy would sit and watch those culinary shows, and he began to wonder how he could do a 'cooking competition show without cooking' (now that's some outside-the-box thinking).

He also knew from experience that whenever a reality show featured a weapon, the ratings went up, and that was his inspiration — a show where they make weapons from scratch instead of fancy burritos. The idea eventually evolved towards bladed weapons specifically, but Healy stuck with his initial inspiration, structuring the format like a cooking show with new competitors every episode.

A fan burned down a city block

Unlike reality cooking or design shows, where part of the fun is attempting to replicate what you just watched, Forged in Fire isn't the sort of show where you can jump off your couch, excited about fire and blades and wielding a two-pound hammer like Thor. Bladesmithing is a time-consuming craft requiring a lot of specialized stuff. It's also a very dangerous craft, as one huge fan of the show discovered in 2017.

John Gomes of Cohoes, New York, a big fan of the show, decided to spend one extremely windy afternoon trying to make a hammer in his backyard, using a fire he started in a barrel as a forge. According to The New York Times, the fire got out of control, and the winds did the rest, spreading the fire to Gomes' home and then nearby apartment buildings, eventually driving nearly 30 people from their homes. Shawn Morse, the mayor, called it (via the New York Daily News) 'the worst disaster this city has ever seen.' Gomes was charged with arson and reckless endangerment, and one of the show's contestants, Kim Stahl, warned other fans, 'Not every episode outlines all the procedures that were followed.' Which, fair, but we're not sure how you can watch Forged in Fire and think you can make a sword using a barrel in your backyard.

Forged in Fire is pretty dangerous

Okay, saying a show about making bladed weapons is dangerous is like saying running with scissors is dangerous, but it's not actually the blades that you should worry about if you wander onto the set of Forged in Fire. It's the heat. As Erin Healy, the managing editor of Blade magazine, notes, with four forges lined up next to each other, plus the heat of the television studio lights, the set gets super hot. And while the place is vented, it's vented against asphyxiation, not heat.

Of course, the heat is part of the challenge, and experienced bladesmiths are used to working under similar conditions, but that isn't magic protection against succumbing to the intense, baking heat of the set. While the contestants are provided plenty of water and encouraged to drink it (and to take breaks), the show has had several cases of heat exhaustion, and there's been at least one episode (season four's 'The Katzbalger') where a contestant collapsed, suffering chest pains and heading to the hospital instead of completing the challenge. And all this before the knives come out.

Forged in Fire has a woman problem

Bladesmithing has long been a male-dominated field, and that's caused the show some difficulties. It's been criticized for the lack of female representation on the show (the first season, in fact, had exactly zero women on it), especially since the host and judges are exclusively male. It's not entirely the show's fault, of course. There are only four female Master Bladesmiths in the country, after all. In fact, Audra Draper become the first female Master Bladesmith just 20 years ago. And as contestant Rachel Oliver notes, most female bladesmiths don't use the forge technique that the show features. Instead, they use a wholly different technique known as 'stock removal,' making the search for female contestants even more challenging.

The show has made a real effort to increase the number of female smiths, though, and producer Tim Healy explained (via Decider) that in season one, it was hard enough to find any bladesmiths willing to come on the show because it was an unknown quantity. Since then, the show has managed to have several female smiths on, and a few have even won the episode and walked away with the $10,000 prize.

The contestants take the weapons home

It's easy to imagine that making weapons comes with some legal complications, and there are a lot of rumors swirling around Forged in Fire concerning what happens to all those swords, knives, and other bladed weapons once filming is finished. Many viewers note that weapons from past shows are often spotted hanging on the walls of the studio, and some have claimed that under New York State law (the show is filmed in Brooklyn), the weapons have to be classified as 'props' and kept by the production company. In other words, according to the rumors, contestants don't get to keep the weapons they worked so hard for.

That sounds reasonable, especially when you've got a bunch of people making something terrifying like a Moro kris. But according to reality TV writer Andy Dehnart of Reality Blurred, it's also 100 percent false. Dehnart actually spoke with a spokesperson for the show, who clarified that while the winning weapon is kept on display on their Winners Wall, everyone else gets their weapon back 'as a symbol of [the show's] gratitude and out of respect for the amount of work put into the weapon.'

Getting on Forged in Fire ain't easy

While reality shows work hard to hide a lot of the boring details from the viewer (and thank goodness) it obviously takes a lot of skill to get cast on any show focused on a craft like bladesmithing. You're not just wandering the local mall asking people if they want to come make a 12th-century Crusader sword and maybe win some money, after all. You want actual bladesmiths who have a shot at successfully making the weapons they're tasked with. But you might not be aware of just how much the contestants have to work just to be considered.

Contestant Gabriel Mabry of Doberman Forge detailed some of the steps he had to go through, including answering a questions about metallurgy and doing both an interview and a background check. And contestant Dustin Parrella told theRichland Source that it goes even further than that. After applying to be on the show and sitting for multiple interviews via phone and video, he had to actually forge a blade to the producers' specifications and submit photos of the finished product. And after all that, he reports he still had to do 'a couple more' interviews before being invited to compete. Considering how carefully the contestants are screened for the show, it underscores just how challenging and difficult the blades created for the show actually are.

The show isn't a bladesmithing class

As John Gomes, the man who basically burned down his entire town trying to forge metal in his backyard after watching Forged in Fire, discovered, watching the show isn't really a substitute for learning how to bladesmith the right way. As former contestant Kim Stahl told the New York Daily News, 'Not every episode outlines all the procedures that were followed.' In other words, the magic of editing means you might not be shown some absolutely essential but visually dull (or time-consuming) part of the process.

For example, many experienced bladesmiths like Darrell Markewitz have complained that while the show loves a fiery 'quench' (when the hot metal is plunged into water or oil to rapidly cool it, hardening the metal), it never shows the metal being tempered, which is a slower, less showy process designed to increase the durability of the metal after hardening. They also complain that the judges often misuse bladesmithing jargon (which might be for the audience's benefit, as the show can't expect its fans to become expert blacksmiths just to enjoy the competition) and speculate that many of the failed weapons are the result of skipped steps. That's all fine for something presented for entertainment purposes, of course. Just keep in mind you're not going to be ready to start your own bladesmithing business after a few episodes.

Most of the blades on Forged in Fire aren't so great

Watching professionals and very accomplished hobbyists work to a high standard is one of the greatest pleasures. Competence is sexy, especially when it involves something exotic like hand-crafting bladed weapons. But a lot of the weapons on this show aren't so great. Some are ugly, some are easily broken, and some simply don't do the one thing a blade is supposed to do — cut.

Steve Calvert, the bladesmith behind Green Beetle Gear, analyzed the show's episodes and determined that most of the failed weapons were due to some pretty fundamental forging errors you would think experienced bladesmiths would know to avoid. But it's important to remember that this is a TV show, after all, and the contestants are working under artificial time and material constraints and striving to create a weapon they're probably unfamiliar with, all on an incredibly hot set that's crowded with equipment and other smiths plus a TV crew. So let's not get too judgmental.

Forged in Fire was almost Project Runway with guns

When Tim Healy, head of programming and development at the History Channel and the creator of Forged in Fire, was first spinning up the idea for reality series, he just imagined a show where people created 'weapons' from scratch. The specific idea to have the contestants create bladed weapons came later. In fact, as Decider reports, he consulted with Jodi Flynn, a fellow producer who was pitching a similar concept at the time, Gunsmiths — a riff on Project Runway in that would have had a fixed cast and a season-long arc of challenges as they created guns, with different challenges every week and a focus on the interactions and relationships between the smiths.

However, Healy really wanted a fresh group of smiths every week instead of Runway's fixed cast in order to take a deeper dive into the culture surrounding the craft. Plus, his research told him that on other reality shows like American Pickers or Pawn Stars, it was bladed weapons that resulted in ratings spikes. So the gun aspect was put aside in favor of the bladed weapons approach the show has found so successful.

Most bladesmiths need the prize money

Every week on Forged in Fire, four bladesmiths accept the challenge of making whatever weapon the show chooses, and the winner receives $10,000. That's pretty good money even when you take the extreme effort involved into account, both in making the weapon and even getting on the show in the first place (which requires several interviews, taking a metallurgy test, and creating a sample blade, all of which is uncompensated).

However, the three 'losing' smiths get nothing, aside from a trip to New York City and being on television, of course. And that's too bad, because according to Career Trend, the median salary for a bladesmith is estimated to be about $31,000, with a low of $20,000 (and most of them make their money creating cutlery instead of super awesome swords and the like). So most of these smiths could probably use that cash. Still, appearing on the show has other benefits. For example, Gabe Mabry told The Stanly News & Press that before being a contestant, his bladesmithing was a side hustle he did along with several other jobs, but after being on the show, he was able to begin bladesmithing full time.

Not everyone involved was an expert

There's a difference between being a weapons expert and being a bladesmith. But you might imagine that a show where bladesmiths have their work judged would get folks who know all about the craft to do that. While judges J. Neilson, David Baker, and Ben Abbott have extensive and impressive blade-making experience (Abbott was actually a two-time winner on the show before ascending to the judge's seat), host Wil Willis and Doug Marcaida came to the series with exactly zero bladesmithing knowledge. Willis is a former Army Ranger with a ton of experience using weapons of all sorts, and Marcaida is an edged weapon expert, knife designer, and martial artist. So certainly, they have the experience and knowledge to judge a finished weapon.

But still, the producers must've been a little concerned about this lack of knowledge. According to Vice, Willis had finally begun learning the basics of forging by season four of the show, and the History Channel even posted proof of Neilson teaching both Willis and Marcaida how to bladesmith, putting to rest any complaints that the smiths competing on the show might not be getting the best judging experience.

Forged in Fire is controversial

Any time weapons are involved, things can get a little complicated. And that's also true for Forged in Fire. This is a show, after all, where judge Doug Marcaida happily proclaims that a weapon 'will kill' when he's pleased with the test results. (To be fair, Marcaida spells and pronounces it KEAL, which stands for 'keep everyone alive'). But the show's focus on blades and their ability to cut through ballistic dummies and cuts of beef (often filmed in cinematic slow motion) has had some police and parents' groups in an uproar since its debut.

Forged In Fire Viking Sword Winner List

For example, The Sun has reported that some police organizations feel the show 'glorifies violence' and might be an especially bad influence on kids. This might be especially true in the United Kingdom, where so-called 'knife crime' has hit historic highs in recent years. According to The Guardian, crimes involving bladed weapons rose seven percent in 2019 — nearly 45,000 cases in just 12 months. Unsurprisingly, the History Channel dismisses such worries, noting that there's no evidence of any link between the show and crime rates involving knives or otherwise. For their part, the judges don't seem worried about inspiring the youths to violence. As Vicepoints out, J. Neilson is proudly teaching his own young children to be bladesmiths.