Four smiths must create blades from the mind of J. Neilson; the remaining two must recreate the Maguindanao Kris.

Judges Takeover: J Neilson

Grady Powell

J. Neilson

David Lain Baker

Doug Marcaida

Damascus 500

The Dark Side

On this special episode, Forged in Fire salutes our nation's veterans. Four bladesmiths with ties to the military are tasked with re-creating four unique blades co-designed by distinguished vets, all using different techniques, during a grueling three hour forging competition. After a round of brutal testing, two smiths return home to make the patriotic American Eagle Head Sabre. The two final weapons will be pushed to their limits, but only one smith will be worthy of the title of champion and the prize of $10,000.

Veteran's Knife Special

Four smiths get rolling when they are tasked with making cannister Damascus from tubes.  After a couple of intense rounds in the forge, two competitors head back to their home forges to recreate a deadly and unique Indian weapon:  the varja-mushti.  Which smith will produce a weapon worthy of the Forged in Fire title and walk away with a check for $10,000?

The Deadly Vajra-Mushti

Four smiths are in for a twist when they are tasked with forging signature blades from either a large suspension cable or thin piano wire.  After two intense rounds that come down to the wire, two return home to recreate the legendary Sword of Saladin, one of the sharpest blades in the world.  Which smith's weapon will cut through the competition, leading them to victory and a check for $10,000?

The Legendary Sword of Saladin

Four smiths must rely on their math skills to determine the amount of steel needed to make their signature blades.  After a couple calculating rounds, two smiths return home to build the intricate M1905 Springfield Bayonet.  Which smith's design will lock him into first place, securing the Forged in Fire title and a check for $10,000?

M1905 Springfield Bayonet

Four bladesmiths are faced with a gigantic challenge, scaling down a nine foot long dagger to exactly a fifth of its size.  After a couple of intense rounds of putting their skills and calculators to the test, two competitors earn the right to return to their home forges and craft the largest sword in Forged in Fire history--the William Wallace sword.  While two smiths will enter the final testing arena, only one will emerge victorious with $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion.

The Giant Sword of William Wallace

The stockings are hung and the forges are aglow in a special Christmas competition where four smiths must work their way to the judges nice list by salvaging steel from Santa's sleigh to forge signature blades. After two festive rounds, only two smiths merrily return home to recreate the iconic sword carried by General George Washington during the American Revolution. Which smith will produce a weapon worthy of Santa's seal of approval and the greatest gift of all--the title of Forged in Fire Champion and $10,000?

Forged in Fire Christmas

For the first time, Judges Ben Abbott, J. Neilson and David Baker are thrown into the fire for a grueling home forge battle against each other. Given two weeks, each judge will construct a blade unlike anything they've made before, all while filming the process themselves. With bragging rights on the table, will the judges' work hold up to their own critical eyes and survive testing or will a mistake get the best of them?

Judges' Home Forge Battle

Four bladesmiths get cooking when they are tasked with forging a cleaver using only the steel from meat hooks. After two rounds of slicing and dicing, two smiths head back to their home forges to create the Maguro Bocho, a massive tuna knife.

The Massive Maguro Bocho

Four bladesmiths get revved up when they are tasked with forging signature blades from a burnt up car. With no usable leaf spring, the smiths race to salvage the best steel to make their blades. After a couple rounds of burning rubber, two are sent home to recreate the Serrated Tegha Sword. Which smith will produce a show-stopping weapon worthy of the title of Forged in Fire champion and a check for $10,000?

Teeth of the Tegha

Four smiths get to choose their forging method and materials. But there's a catch. Each technique comes with its own clock for the round. Will the smiths opt for the most difficult cannister damascus and the four hour clock? Or the easiest ball bearing with only one hour? After a brutal round of testing, the two surviving smiths are tasked with creating the Headhunter Axe in only 3 days. Which smith will stand the test of time to become Forged in Fire Champion and win the $10,000 prize?

Headhunters Revenge

Four bladesmiths are in for a hands-on challenge when they are tasked with forging pry bar knives. Given a variety of tools to make their blades, will the smiths be able to figure out the right tool for the job? Then after grueling round of testing two Smith's return home to forge a pair of Spetsnaz shovels famously wielded by Russian Special Forces. Which smith will dig deep to forge a pair of weapons worthy of the Forged in Fire title and a check for $10,000?

Russian Special Forces Spetsnaz

For the first time the judges flip the script, giving the competitors the opportunity to choose their own challenge. However, the bladesmiths must work together to agree on the parameters before starting the round. After an intense bout of testing, two return home to recreate the fearsome Dahomey Machete, famously wielded by an all-female army. Which smith will produce a weapon worthy of the fierce female warriors and be crowned Forged in Fire champion?

Machete of the Amazons

Four smiths are blindsided when they must choose from a selection of mystery steel to create san mai blades.  However, that isn't the only unknown.  The clock will be off, leaving the smiths to rely solely on time calls for guidance.  After a surprising rounds of tests, the last smiths standing will select between two weapons to forge at home.  Which smith will uncover the secret to forging a weapon worthy of $10,000 and be crowned Forged in Fire Champion?

San Mai Mystery

For the first time, eight former competitors will head back into the arena for an epic tournament.  However, before making it to the main event they will have to go head to head against another smith.  Up first, two smiths who suffered catastrophic failures face off.  Then, two smiths who failed to turn in weapons in time get another shot to beat the clock.  Which smiths will seize the moment and advance to the final round of our Second Chance Tournament for the ultimate title of Forged in Fire Champion?

Second Chance Tournament:  Part 1

The Second Chance Tournament continues with two final duels.  Up first, two runner-ups compete to prove they have what it takes to be in the number one spot.  Then, two smiths whose blades failed to make it to testing will go head to head.  Which smiths will advance to the final round of our Second Chance Tournament to prove they have what it takes to become the next Forged in Fire Champion and finally take home the $10,000 prize?

Second Chance Tournament:  Part 2

After winning their duels, the Second Chance Tournament concludes with four remaining smiths in an epic final battle.  After a couple of grueling rounds, two survive and head back to their home forges to take on a complex weapon from the Forged in Fire vault.  Which smith will take down the competition with a weapon worthy of $10,000 and finally be crowned Forged in Fire Champion?

Second Chance Tournament:  Finals

Four smiths put their memory to the test when they are tasked with recreating an insanely complicated blade after looking at it for only 20 seconds.  After an intense round of testing, the remaining two competitors return home to make one of the most unique weapons ever featured on the forge floor--the Elephant Tusk sword.  The two weapons then will undergo some of the most brutal tests in Forged in Fire history, but only one will survive to win the title of Forged in Fire champion and a check for $10,000.

Memory Game

On this very special WWE edition of Forged in Fire, four smiths will go head-to-head in the ultimate forging battle.  After an all out smackdown, the two surviving smiths will head back to their home forges to build the gruesome Bastard Sword.  Two blades will face off in a final round of testing, but only one can rise to be the cream of the crop to claim victory, earning $10,000 and a WWE title from The Nature Boy himself, Ric Flair.

WWE Edition

Four smiths must brave the frigid cold as they enter the Arctic Forge, where they will have to recreate the trusty Inuit tool, the Ulu, from steel harvested from a giant block of ice. After a round of spine-chilling tests, two smiths return home to forge a blade worthy of the mighty Viking warriors, the Northern Long Seax. These tundra-ready weapons will then be pushed to their limits to determine who will take home the prize of $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion.

Arctic Forge

In this special Civil War themed competition, four smiths must turn either a massive cannonball or small grapeshots into the battle-tested Arkansas Toothpick knife.  After staring down the barrel of a brutal round of tests, two smiths return home to recreate General Ulysses S. Grant's Donelson Sword.  Two smiths will enter the final battle, but only one will win the war to earn a check for $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion.

Civil War Battle

The stakes are high when the forge floor is transformed into the Forged in Fire Casino.  Four smiths must leave it all up to chance and allow the Wheel of Forging to determine their challenge in this competition.  After the smiths press their luck in a brutal round of testing, two smiths risk it all one more time att he wheel to determine their final weapon.  Two smiths will leave it all out on the floor but only one will hit it big as Forged in Fire Champion, taking home a jackpot of $10,000!

Casino Challenge

Four smiths face double the trouble during this Forged in Fire challenge when they have to make a single blade using two different techniques--san mai and layered damascus.  After surviving twice the amount of brutal testing, the two smiths left standing return home to recreate a pair of legendary weapons used by the Philippine Marine Corps--the Ginunting Swords.  The smiths face off in one last round of testing that's so intense, it'll have them seeing double, but only one can come out on top to win $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion.

Deadly Duo

In this special competition, Forged in Fire pays homage to Korean bladesmithing by challenging four smiths to recreate the Hwando sword and attempt the dreaded water quench.  After achieving this delicate balance between fire and water, two smiths advance to the final round where they must recreate the fearsome Korean Woldo.  Two smiths will test their battle-ready Woldos, but only one will emerge victorious with $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire champion.

Fire and Water

It's hammer time in the forge when four smiths have to make knives out of 10 lb sledgehammers.  After the blades are smashed and bashed during a brutal round of testing, the two surviving smiths return to their home forges to recreate another iconic pounder--the Polish War Hammer.  In the end, only one smith will hammer out the competition to win $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion.

Sledgehammer Showdown

In this mysterious competition, four smiths won't know what material they're working with until they open up a crate and discover one of any number of salvaged metals inside.  After a brutal round off testing, two smiths return home to recreate a weapon that's been puzzling historians for centuries--the Medieval Sword of Mystery.  The smiths' skills are pushed to their limits, but only one will crack the code to win $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion.

Medieval Mystery Sword

In this competition, four smiths must make a difficult decision at the start, that could help them later. Because the more difficult round one challenge they choose, the easier their round two will be. After an intense round of testing, the smiths that choose correctly return home to make the intimidating Burmese Dha. The swords will then be put through their paces to determine which smith made the best decision and will walk away with $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion.

Pick Your Poison

It's a night of unhinged terror as four unwitting bladesmiths find themselves ensnared in a competition straight out of the scariest horror movie you can imagine. First, they'll craft murderous knives out of old, rusty torture devices, then fashion handles from vampire stakes. After a terrifying round of testing, two surviving smiths will be tasked with building a weapon known for its brutal slayings in horror movies--the Fireman's axe. Which bladesmith will endure to win the prize of $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion?

Forge of Fear

Four smiths turn a pile of rusty old nails into a pristine knife. After their weapons are hammered in testing, the two surviving competitors return home to recreate the terrifying North African Tuareg Takoba. When they return to the forge, another brutal round of tests will determine which smith really hit the nail on the head and will win $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion.

The Terrifying Tuareg Takoba

In this challenge, four bladesmiths are faced with a tough decision. They get to pick their mild steel out of the barrel to make a san mai blade, but the easier the mild steel they choose, the more difficult their high carbon steel will be. The two smiths who chose wisely and survive the testing then return home to recreate an iconic sword from medieval history--the Belgian Walloon Sword. Two smiths will enter the final testing arena, but only one can come out on top, winning $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion.

Barrel Full of Mystery

Eight armed forces members redeploy to the forge for a three-part tournament where they will go head-to-head against one other smith in an intense five-hour battle. Up first, the E-4 Duel, where a corporal from the Marines who shares rank with a specialist from the Army will face off. Next, the Two-Branch Duel, where a veteran from the Army and Air Force will battle it out with a veteran from the Navy and the Air Force. Armed with grit and fueled by fire, which smith will take home the ultimate reward of $10,000 and rise to the rank of Forged in Fire Champion?

Armed Forces Tournament Part 1

In the second part of the Armed Forces Tournament, four U.S. service members redeploy to the forge floor to go head to head in one five-hour battle. Up first it's the Champions Duel where two Forged in Fire winners battle it out. Next, the Sergeants Duel, pits a sergeant from the Army against a sergeant from the Air Force. Which two smiths will come out on top and advance to the final round of the Armed Forces Tournament?

Armed Forces Tournament Part 2

On the finale of the Armed Forces Tournament, the four surviving smiths will face off to determine who wins it all. In the first rounds, they're challenged to make military-style weapons out of an old bazooka. After a round of testing more intense than boot camp, the worthiest smiths return home to make the ultimate military weapon--the Ames Cavalry Sword. Which smith will take home the $10,000 and rise to the highest rank of Forged in Fire Armed Forces Tournament champion?

Armed Forces Tournament Finale

Four smiths recreate a weapon from the mind of judge Doug Marcaida; the remaining two must recreate the Supersized Kortada.

Judges Takeover: Doug Marcaida

Four of the youngest champions return to turn trampolines and skateboards into knives; the remaining two must recreate the legendary German Longsword.

Young Guns Challenge

Four smiths must recreate the billhook knife; the remaining two must recreate the Sutton Hoo Sword.

Judges Takeover: Ben Abbott

Four smiths make a knife out of a guillotine; the remaining two must fashion an Executioner's Sword to win $10,000 and the title of champion.

Smiths hit the fast track in a race to make a Damascus blade with the highest layer count.

Judges Takeover: Dave Baker

The smiths have five hours to create any blade they want; the winner moves straight to the final challenge.

The Firangi Sword

Forged in Fire marks its 200th competition; celebrating this milestone by turning complete control over to the fans, who vote on all the challenges, weapons and tests.

Fan's Choice

In the first part of a five-episode challenge, three smiths go head-to-head-to-head in a single 5-hour round; their blades will then be put through an intense round of testing where only one will earn the opportunity to face off against Ben Abbott.

Beat the Unbeaten: Round One

Beat the Unbeaten: Scrap Steel Challenge

Competitor-turned-judge Ben Abbott remains undefeated in the forge; three smiths who suffered broken blades hope to rewrite history in a 5-hour round; their blades will be tested, and one of them will get the chance to face off against Ben Abbott.

Beat the Unbeaten: Broken Blade Revenge

Competitor turned Judge Ben Abbott remains undefeated in the forge, but soon that could all change; two of the smiths who faced Ben in his very first competition are back to seek their revenge in a single 5-hour showdown.

Beat the Unbeaten: Back for Revenge

Competitor-turned-judge Ben Abbott still remains undefeated in the forge with a record of 8-0, but two smiths handpicked by Doug and Dave want to change that; after a tough five-hour forging round, their weapons must survive a round of testing.

Beat the Unbeaten: The Final Showdown

Competitors re-create weapons from historical periods ranging from Japanese katanas to medieval broadswords to ancient throwing blades. Each entry is judged on its artistry as well as its functionality and accuracy.

Judges Takeover: J Neilson

Seasons11

Season 8 Episodes46

Cast4

Discussion

Episode Summary