The BEST Episodes of Forged in Fire
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Sep 13, 2019
World-class bladesmiths re-create historical edged weapons in a cutthroat competition. Hosted by Wil Willis, a former Army Ranger and Air Force para-rescue specialist, the competition series pits master weaponsmiths against each other to re-create iconic weapons that will be tested and evaluated by a panel of judges. Competitors will re-create weapons from historical periods ranging from Japanese katanas to medieval broadswords to ancient throwing blades. Each entry will be judged on its artistry as well as its functionality and accuracy. The panel will consist of Willis, knife and sword expert J. Neilson, combat specialist Doug Marcaida and weapon history buff David Baker.
#1 - Tournament Championship (Nodachi)
Season 5 - Episode 34
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.
8.18 
#2 - Branch Battle: Finals
Season 6 - Episode 14
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?
8.02 
#3 - Tournament Round 4 (Modern Metalworkers) - The Flamberge Rapier
Season 5 - Episode 33
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 #4 - Tournament Round 3 (Blacksmiths) - The Knightly Pole Axe
Season 5 - Episode 32
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 #5 - Barbarian Sword
Season 6 - Episode 6
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.
7.99 #6 - Branch Battle: Army
Season 6 - Episode 10
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.
7.98 
#7 - The Ring Hilted Sword
Season 5 - Episode 39
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.
7.96 #8 - Long Road to Redemption Part 2
Season 6 - Episode 2
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?
7.96 #9 - Slasher Edition (Grim Reaper's Scythe)
Season 5 - Episode 35
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?
7.94 #10 - Attila's Sword of Mars
Season 6 - Episode 16
Four bladesmiths aim for the stars when they are tasked with forging fantasy blades from a meteorite. Forced to use the canister method, the smiths battle difficult forge welds in order to create their one of a kind blades. After a ruthless bout of testing sends one smith back to the real world, the final two head to their home forges to recreate a legendary weapon: Attila the Hun's Sword of Mars. Which smith will create a weapon that is truly out of this world, resulting in a check for $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion?
7.93 
#11 - The Falcata
Season 3 - Episode 4
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?
7.93 #12 - Blackbeard's Cutlass
Season 6 - Episode 28
It's anchors aweigh, as four bladesmiths are tasked with forging a Pirate's Boarding Axe from a treasure chest. They must batten down the hatches as they battle wayward welds and forging fiascos that leave two smiths high and dry. The final two smiths return to their home forges to recreate the legendary weapon carried by history's most notorious pirate: Blackbeard's Cutlass. Who will seize the ultimate treasure of $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion?
7.93 
#13 - Champion Edition / Scottish Claymore
Season 3 - Episode 1
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?
7.92 #14 - Hollywood Edition (Hattori Hanzō Katana)
Season 5 - Episode 27
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 #15 - Tournament Round 1 (Farriers) - The Mortuary Sword
Season 5 - Episode 30
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.
7.92 
#16 - Fans' Choice
Season 4 - Episode 5
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.
7.91 #17 - The O-katana
Season 6 - Episode 4
For the special 100th episode of Forged in Fire, four bladesmiths are tasked with forging a chopper and must choose from a mammoth pile of metals and materials from all previous 99 episodes. Some of the smiths are doomed to repeat the past, making mistakes made by former competitors. After a fiery round of tests, the two finalists head home to recreate one of the most epic swords in the history of this competition: the O-Katana. Whose blade will bite the bullet and whose will earn $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire Champion?
7.90 #18 - Branch Battle: Marines
Season 6 - Episode 12
In the third round of the Battle of the Branches, four Marines are tasked with forging one of the most versatile, and iconic combat knives in history: the KA-BAR. As an additional challenge, these smiths must adapt and overcome to forge together metals from a massive anchor using the San Mai technique. After a punishing round of testing, the two surviving smiths return home to forge a weapon that was crucial to history: the Marine Corps Officers Sword. Only one Devil Dog can earn the right to stand at the Marine Anvil and compete for the $50,000 grand prize.
7.88 
#19 - The Sica
Season 5 - Episode 3
The smiths get locked and loaded to forge a signature blade out of a 50-caliber flintlock pistol. Despite giving it their best shot, it’s a struggle turning a gun into a blade and after two grueling rounds two smiths are sent barreling towards elimination. In the final round, the remaining competitors must recreate a lethal gladiator sword, the Sica, and its unique construction poses the final challenge in their attempt to crush the competition and take home the title of Forged In Fire Champion.
7.87 
#20 - The Cinquedea
Season 4 - Episode 8
Four bladesmiths are welcomed to the forge with a curveball–they must utilize questionable steel from mining tools to forge a blade in their signature style. Ultimately, two smiths survive to forge an intricately designed and deadly Italian sword–the Cinquedea.
7.87 
#21 - Kora Sword
Season 3 - Episode 5
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.
7.87 #22 - The Boar Sword
Season 6 - Episode 24
Four bladesmiths must scavenge a construction site to salvage their own knife-making materials. The smiths are then presented with an additional physical challenge when they are required to use a hand-cranked coal forge for the first round. After a critical error sends one competitor home, the three remaining bladesmiths must move on to the even more challenging round 2. Eliminating one more smith, the remaining two head to their home forges where they’ll attempt to re-create a historic hunting weapon: The Boar Sword. Which smith will return to the forge with a weapon mighty enough to be crowned Forged in Fire Champion and earn a check for $10,000?
7.86 #23 - Branch Battle: Navy
Season 6 - Episode 13
Round Four of the Battle of the Branches sets sail as four Naval officers must forge a multipurpose Naval Mark 3 Dive Knife with metal from a giant anchor chain. It’s sink or swim as delaminations and forge weld failures plague some of the bladesmiths. After a particularly brutal round of testing, two sailors return home to recreate the intricate and iconic Naval Officer’s Sword. Which smith will secure a spot at the Navy Anvil, a chance at glory, and the $50,000 grand prize?
7.86 #24 - The Kampilan
Season 4 - Episode 16
Four bladesmiths head to a scrap yard to create their signature blades using harvested metal and a coal forge; in the final round, the smiths must recreate a fearsome battle weapon known as the kampilan.
7.85 
#25 - Tabar
Season 2 - Episode 10
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.
7.85