The BEST Episodes of Forged in Fire
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Mar 11, 2021
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 - San Mai Mystery
Season 8 - Episode 13 - Aired Mar 10, 2021
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?
10.00 
#2 - Headhunters Revenge
Season 8 - Episode 10 - Aired Feb 17, 2021
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?
8.35 
#3 - The Massive Maguro Bocho
Season 8 - Episode 8 - Aired Jan 6, 2021
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.
8.29 
#4 - Judges' Home Forge Battle
Season 8 - Episode 7 - Aired Dec 30, 2020
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?
8.24 
#5 - Machete of the Amazons
Season 8 - Episode 12 - Aired Mar 3, 2021
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?
8.20 
#6 - 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?
8.18 
#7 - The Deadly Vajra-Mushti
Season 8 - Episode 2 - Aired Nov 25, 2020
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?
8.18 
#8 - 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 
#9 - Russian Special Forces Spetsnaz
Season 8 - Episode 11 - Aired Feb 24, 2021
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?
8.10 
#10 - The Legendary Sword of Saladin
Season 8 - Episode 3 - Aired Dec 2, 2020
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?
8.08 
#11 - Forged in Fire Christmas
Season 8 - Episode 6 - Aired Dec 23, 2020
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?
8.04 
#12 - Teeth of the Tegha
Season 8 - Episode 9 - Aired Jan 13, 2021
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?
8.02 
#13 - 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 #14 - 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 
#15 - 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?
7.99 
#16 - 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 
#17 - 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 #18 - 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.
7.97 
#19 - 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?
7.96 
#20 - Super Champion Edition
Season 7 - Episode 34 - Aired Jul 29, 2020
Four former champions return to the forge to engage in a competition unlike any other. Although they've mastered the fire their first time around, they'll have to dig deeper in order to overcome a set of new challenges. After an intense first round takes down one, three move onto a fit and finish round with more at stake than they could ever imagine. Ultimately one former champion is tasked with recreating a Cossack Shashka, but in a challenge that features the biggest twist in Forged in Fire history--the smith must defeat one of our judges to be named the first ever Super Champion and walk away with $10,000.
7.95 
#21 - 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?
7.95 
#22 - 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 
#23 - 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 
#24 - 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.
7.93 
#25 - 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