The BEST Episodes of Forged in Fire
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Sep 23, 2020
Network: History
Forged in Fire features world-class bladesmiths competing against each other to create some of the most iconic edged weapons from history. In each episode, four of the best bladesmiths in the country will come together to put both their skills and reputations on the line. Whether they are making a Japanese katana, a medieval broadsword, or an ancient throwing blade like the chakram, the weapons they forge will be fully functional and lethal works of art and war. The unique histories contained within each weapon will be creatively told during the forging process and the final weapons themselves will be assessed and ruthlessly tested by our panel of expert judges. These dynamic and explosive tests will be individually designed to push the weapons to their absolute limit. One by one, the bladesmiths will be eliminated until only one remains to be crowned the champion.
#1 - Tournament Championship (Nodachi)
Season 5 - Episode 34 - Aired Oct 31, 2018
In the final round of the Invitational Tournament, our winning Farrier, Armorer, Blacksmith and Modern Metal Worker face off to forge the longest round one weapon in Forged in Fire history: the Wakizashi. The smiths race to produce a damascus blade in three hours and must rely on their expertise to bring them one step closer to victory. The tough competition leaves no room for error. After a meticulous round of tests, only two smiths remain and return to their home forges to recreate one of the largest Japanese swords, the Nodachi.
8.12 
#2 - Summer Forging Games Part 2
Season 7 - Episode 37 - Aired Aug 19, 2020
In the second half of the Forged in Fire Summer Games, three smiths remain, eager to win the Damascus metal and $15,000. However, the challenges are far from over as they must forge the Greek Xiphos Sword, from start to finish, in one round. After being ranked from first to last, all three enter the final event at their home forges, where they must choose to recreate one of four historical weapons, ranging in level of difficulty and point value. Which smith will return with a weapon worthy of being crowned the first Forged in Fire Summer Games champion and walk away with $15,000?
8.08 
#3 - French Pioneer Sword
Season 7 - Episode 20 - Aired Jan 29, 2020
Four smiths are out on the farm to salvage steel from old farm equipment to make classic chef knives. Only two smiths will slice and dice their way to the final round where they must forge the iconic Rooster Head French Pioneer Sword. Find out which smith will cook up a sword worthy of victory, earning the title of Forged in Fire Champion and a check for $10,000.
8.03 
#4 - Zulu War Axe
Season 7 - Episode 22 - Aired Feb 5, 2020
Four smiths are tasked with forging Japanese Natas using a traditional Japanese technique. After two intense rounds, the three remaining blades are tested to determine which contestants will head to their home forges to recreate the prestigious Zulu War Axe. Which smith’s weapon will have what it takes to chop down the competition, win $10,000, and be crowned Forged in Fire Champion?
8.01 
#5 - Tournament Round 4 (Modern Metalworkers) - The Flamberge Rapier
Season 5 - Episode 33 - Aired Oct 24, 2018
In the fourth round of the Forged in Fire Invitational Tournament, four modern metal workers must harvest materials from a metal sculpture to forge a needle point Damascus blade. Will they find allies in these alloys, or will someone experience a metal meltdown? When time’s up, an especially harsh round of testing leaves only two metal workers standing. These smiths return to their own home forges to recreate an extravagant sword from the elite classes of Renaissance Europe: the duel-ready Flamberge Rapier. Which smith will earn the spot at the metal worker’s anvil, and the chance to win $50,000 and be crowned Tournament Champion?
8.01 
#6 - Tournament Round 3 (Blacksmiths) - The Knightly Pole Axe
Season 5 - Episode 32 - Aired Oct 17, 2018
In Round Three of the first ever Forged in Fire Invitational Tournament, four blacksmiths must forge a signature Damascus blade using steel they must harvest from a stockpile of varied tools. In an ultimate test of their blade-making skills, these smiths persevere through missteps that chisel away at their resolve. The smiths that survive two brutal rounds of testing return to their home forges to recreate a multipurpose Medieval weapon of war – the Knightly Poleaxe. Which smith will advance to the coveted spot at the blacksmith’s anvil, and earn the chance to be crowned Tournament Champion and win the biggest Forged in Fire prize ever: $50,000?
8.00 
#7 - Long Road to Redemption Part 2
Season 6 - Episode 2 - Aired Feb 13, 2019
In the second half of the Road to Redemption competition four former smiths remain, each competing for a second chance to become a Forged in Fire Champion. There’s no slowing down for these bladesmiths as they’re tasked with crafting a Jambiya, an elegant and deadly Yemeni dagger. The intricacies of the dagger prove too much for one smith, and an intense round of testing eliminates a second. For the first time ever, the two finalists must choose their weapon which they will create at their home forges. Which smith has the knowledge, skills, and craftsmanship to outlast the others, win $20,000, and earn the most elusive prize of all: redemption?
8.00 
#8 - The Falcata
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired Sep 13, 2016
Four bladesmiths must create a blade out of high carbon steel while also forging the hammer they'll use to make it. After an extraordinary round of testing, only two move on to the final round where they'll have just five days to create a weapon known for its deadly prowess against armored soldiers--the Falcata. Will the blade's unique handle shape leave them open to a devastating blow, or will one smith be able to slice their way to the $10,000?
7.98 
#9 - Champion Edition / Scottish Claymore
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired Aug 23, 2016
Four Forged in Fire champions return for a chance to prove who among them is the best of the best in a challenge that leaves no room for error: a high carbon steel inlay. After two surprising rounds of competition, only two will move on to the final round where they will have just five days to create a weapon that stumped previous contestants; the Scottish Claymore. Will this sizable blade be too much to handle, or will one be able to stand above the rest as Forged in Fire champion of champions?
7.98 
#10 - Darb Sri Gun Chai Battle Sword
Season 7 - Episode 21 - Aired Feb 5, 2020
In a twist of fate, four smiths must forge a twist and stack Damascus blade. After two rounds the last two smiths standing must return home and recreate the Darb Sri Gun Chai, an enormous, double handed Thai battle sword. Two beautiful swords will be tested to their limits, but only one can be proclaimed the Forged in Fire Champion and win the prize of $10,000.
7.97 
#11 - The Pira
Season 7 - Episode 19 - Aired Jan 29, 2020
Four smiths must navigate stormy seas by making Hada blades from the material harvested from a ship’s wheel. After confronting an ocean of problems in the first two rounds, just two smiths sail through testing to make it to the final challenge where they must recreate the symbolic and deadly Filipino sword: the Pira. Which smith has the sea legs to survive the final testing and win the $10,000 treasure and the title of Forged in Fire champion?
7.96 #12 - Barbarian Sword
Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired Mar 13, 2019
Four bladesmiths plunge into the first round of competition where they must forge a blade using steel harvested from a vintage pinball machine. There’s no playing around as the smiths aim to get to the next level before the clock runs out. After a wicked round of testing, only two smiths advance and return home to build a weapon rooted in savagery: the Barbarian Sword. Two enter, but only one can emerge as the Forged in Fire Champion and take home the $10,000 jackpot.
7.96 
#13 - Slasher Edition (Grim Reaper's Scythe)
Season 5 - Episode 35 - Aired Nov 7, 2018
In this special edition, four bladesmiths must create a signature slasher blade that would give Freddy Krueger nightmares. Each smith has a different type of metal to contend with, and after a gruelling first round one blade falls victim to the forge. The others are forced to face the music for a frightening round of testing. Only two smiths survive and return to their home forges to recreate the menacing Grim Reaper's Scythe. Whose weapon will silence the competition, earning $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion?
7.96 
#14 - The Ring Hilted Sword
Season 5 - Episode 39 - Aired Dec 19, 2018
Four blacksmiths must each forge judge Ben Abbott's favorite blade, the Celtic ring knife, using the San Mai technique; the final two competitors return to their home forges to recreate Irish ring hilted swords.
7.95 #15 - Branch Battle: Finals
Season 6 - Episode 14 - Aired May 22, 2019
In the final round of the Battle of the Branches the winning Soldier, Airman, Marine and Sailor return to the forge for the ultimate showdown. Tasked with replicating an iconic M3 Trench Knife from layered damascus in only three hours, the smiths work to showcase their expertise and push themselves to go above and beyond. After a last minute flaw sends one smith packing, the remaining three veterans must face a brutal bout of testing. Ultimately two servicemen persevere and head home to recreate a legendary sword: General George Washington’s Lion-headed Cuttoe. Which smith will earn bragging rights for his branch, be crowned Battle of the Branches Champion, and take home the biggest prize in Forged in Fire history: $50,000?
7.94 
#16 - Kora Sword
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired Sep 20, 2016
Four new bladesmiths step up to the challenge of forging blades using pieces of steel harvested from some monstrous power tools. While some smiths excel under the pressure, others are pushed to the limits of exhaustion in the heat of the Forge. After a vigorous round of testing, the final two go toe-to-toe in creating a sacrificial sword from history which could reportedly cut a sheep in half with one swing. After a formidable battle in the finale, only one will earn the title Forged in Fire Champion and take home $10,000.
7.94 
#17 - Tournament Round 1 (Farriers) - The Mortuary Sword
Season 5 - Episode 30 - Aired Oct 3, 2018
In the first ever Forged in Fire Tournament, four different classes of metalsmithing professionals will compete over five weeks for the chance to win the biggest Forged in Fire prize ever – $50,000. In this first week, four farriers are tasked with creating a San Mai blade from familiar tools: horseshoes and hoof rasps. After a strenuous round of testing, the remaining two farriers return to their home forges to create a famed weapon of the English Civil War: the Mortuary Sword. The winner will return in the final Tournament of Champions for a chance to prevail over the other metalsmithing classes and win the $50,000 grand prize.
7.93 
#18 - Tabar
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired Apr 19, 2016
Four bladesmiths must take an ordinary garden lawnmower and using its metal to bend and shape to their will, create one of their signature blades. When the other contestants are mowed down in the competition, two will make it to the final round where they must create a Tabar, a deadly battle axe from Southern Asia. After a series of grueling tests, only one will survive the cut to be named the Forged in Fire champion.
7.93 
#19 - Hollywood Edition (Hattori Hanzō Katana)
Season 5 - Episode 27 - Aired Sep 12, 2018
Four bladesmiths pay homage to the blade craft of Hollywood, and their first mission – forge a survival knife that would make John Rambo proud. Two smiths fail the first round parameters and, in a Forged first, must face off in a sudden death elimination to determine who will continue to compete. After an intense round of testing the final two smiths return home to recreate one of the most famous swords in cinematic history: Hattori Hanzo's 1000-Layer Katana from Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.
7.92 #20 - Branch Battle: Army
Season 6 - Episode 10 - Aired May 8, 2019
In a special five-part competition, top bladesmiths from each branch of the US military - Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy - compete to earn a spot representing their branch in a battle for our biggest prize ever: $50,000. Round one belongs to the Army, as four soldiers must forge a special forces V-42 stiletto. After a ruthless bout of testing, two smiths are dispatched to their home forges to build a US Army Officer's Sword. The winner secures a place at the Army Anvil competing in the Battle of the Branches finale, where victory brings pride, glory, and a $50,000 grand prize.
7.92 
#21 - Summer Forging Games Part 1
Season 7 - Episode 36 - Aired Aug 12, 2020
In this two-part Forged in Fire special, four smiths enter the forge to compete in four events that will test every aspect of their bladesmithing capabilities. In event one, these smiths must create a testable knife from a railroad spike and a piece of high carbon steel. After testing, the four smiths are ranked from first to last and move onto event two where they must make a set of Damascus throwing knives. After another brutal bout of testing, which three competitors will move forward to the next event for a shot at first place, the Forged in Fire title and $15,000?
7.91 
#22 - Fans' Choice
Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired May 2, 2017
Chosen by fans, four bladesmiths return for a second shot at victory. The smiths must use their best forging techniques to make a signature blade using barbed wire; the final two smiths craft a historical Filipino weapon of war, the Panabas.
7.90 
#23 - Butterfly Swords
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired Sep 6, 2016
Four new contestants must choose wisely as they try to craft a blade of their signature style from a pile of tools, both old and new. Then the stakes are doubled when, for the first time ever, they must forge not one, but two swords in the final round. Crafting Chinese Butterfly Swords, our final two bladesmiths face twice the work, and twice the pressure, in their attempt to claim the title of Forged in Fire champion.
7.89 
#24 - Champions Edition / The Pata
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired Jan 10, 2017
Over the course of three seasons, 26 bladesmiths have been crowned Forged in Fire champion. Tonight, prior winners return to prove who among them is the best of the best by forging a blade using canoe damascus. After two high octane rounds of competition, the two remaining champions will move to the final round where they must create a weapon known for its unique mechanics and deadly double-edged blade–the Pata. With $10,000 and their reputation on the line, which smith will survive the judges’ brutal testing to once again be crowned Forged in Fire champion?
7.89 
#25 - Hunga Munga
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired Sep 27, 2016
Four new bladesmiths have their creativity put to the test when they are tasked with making a serrated blade out of only the tools from the table in front of them. They must harvest enough steel to forge the blade, but without melting down a crucial tool they might need later. Then, the final two bladesmiths attempt to forge a Hunga Munga--a behemoth weapon where all four edges must maintain peak performance when put through the judges' gauntlet. Which bladesmith will prove worthy of a check for $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion?
7.89