The BEST episodes of Forged in Fire: Knife or Death

#1 - The Kukri Monster

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/15/2018

America’s top blade smiths, martial artists, and even a stuntman bring their hand-made, historical weapons to chop, slice, and stab through taxing challenges that test their skills and blades. Can one competitor show that his antique Barong was made to last? Will a Kukri/Bowie hybrid prove that two blade styles are better than one? Will the season’s youngest bladesmith surprise or get cut down? The final two competitors will face off on the dreaded final course — “Dead Run.” Only one moves on to the grand finale for the chance to win $20,000 and be crowned Knife or Death Champion.

#2 - All the Barong Moves

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/24/2018

Bladesmiths, martial arts experts, and even a butcher must use their custom made, historical weapons to slice, stab, and chop their way through a series of punishing challenges built to test weapons and competitors alike. Can an elite knife thrower hold onto his Nepalese Kukri and out wield his competition? Will the course overwhelm a 100-year-old Barong? Or will the hand-forged Falcata come out on top? The top two competitors will advance to face the ultimate final course — “Dead Run.” Only one will have a chance to win the $20,000 grand prize and be crowned Knife or Death Champion.

#3 - $20,000 Dead Run

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/21/2018

In the gripping season finale, the bladesmiths, martial artists, and professional chef who made it through the punishing course once return to face off in the winner-take-all final showdown. Their blades will have to work twice as hard to endure the super-sized challenges they’ll face this time around. Will a Cleaver cut through the noise? Does a Kukri Machete have what it takes to earn the crown? Or will it be a Longsword all the way? The fastest two will compete on the souped-up grand finale “Dead Run” course. Only one can be left standing as the Knife or Death Champion and take home the $20,000 grand prize.

#4 - Last Action Hero

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/22/2018

In the epic season finale, the bladesmiths, martial artists, and knife thrower who survived the intimidating course are back to prove their skills in the winner-take-all final showdown. This time their blades will have to be twice as fierce to endure the bigger, badder, and tougher challenges they’ll face. Will it be a Kukri that ends up a cut above? Can the Medieval Longsword outlast the rest? Or will the classic Chopper cut all the others down to size?

#5 - A Fish Called Lifeline

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/1/2018

Expert bladesmiths, martial artists, and a competition cutting champion bring their best edged-weapons to chop, stab, and slice through an exhausting set of challenges built to push blades and blade-wielding skills to the limit. Can the curved Egyptian Khopesh take a competitor straight to victory? Or will the Viking Seax put the other blades to shame? And whose weapon will fail before they can even take their first swing? Only the top two competitors will face off on the grueling final course – “Dead Run.” The last blade left standing will have a chance to be crowned Knife or Death Champion and win the $20,000 grand prize.

#6 - Enter the Yatagan

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/17/2018

America’s top bladesmiths and martial artists bring their custom made, historical weapons to slice, stab, and chop their way through a series of grueling challenges designed to test both blades and competitors. Can a Yatagan Sabre hybrid survive the course? Or will a two-handed Bowie be the blade to beat? And will one of the female blade wielders accomplish a Knife or Death first?

#7 - Gladius Maximus

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/31/2018

An experienced survivalist, expert bladesmiths, and martial artists will put their custom, historical weapons to the ultimate test on a knife course unlike anything ever built. Each competitor must slice, stab, and chop their way through a series of punishing challenges that could destroy blades. Can the Roman Gladius live up to its name as the “sword that conquered the world”? Or will it be outshone by the Oakeshott Longsword? Or will a modified Bolo called “The Reaper” cut down the rest of the competition?

#8 - Blade Runners

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/10/2018

Experienced bladesmiths, martial artists, and a professional chef bring their custom built blades to a series of grueling challenges that push their skills and their weapons to the limit; a 47 inch Iberian Montante blade; an English Billhook.

#9 - Forged in Fire All Stars

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/3/2018

Series favorites use their custom-made, historical weapons to slice, stab and chop their way through a series of punishing challenges built to test blades and competitors alike.

#10 - American Choppers

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/24/2018

A military veteran, skilled martial artists, and expert bladesmiths bring their skills and custom weapons to a knife course built to put them to the test. Can a custom Fantasy Cutter channel Hellboy and dominate the course? Or will “Lady Sensei” and her Kukri leave other blades in the dust? And will a hand-forged Longsword prove that bigger might be better?

#11 - Mutant Ninja Chicken

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/14/2018

A Medieval Messer goes up against a traditional Bolo knife; the fastest two competitors move onto the daunting final course -- Dead Run; only one will advance to the finale and the chance to win $20,000 and be crowned Knife or Death Champion.

#12 - Don't Fear the Recurve

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/7/2018

Expert bladesmiths and skilled martial artists bring their custom blades to the toughest knife course ever created. Will a Filipino Kambantuli steal the show? Or will the two-handed Roman Gladius be too much to handle? And can a Persian style Recurve stay sharp? The final two competitors go head-to-head on the daunting second course — “Dead Run”. Only one can move on to the finale, and compete for the chance to win $20,000 and the title of Knife or Death Champion.

#13 - Super Smash Bros.

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/8/2018

Experienced blade smiths, martial artists, and weapons experts bring their custom built blades to a series of grueling challenges that push their skills and their weapons to the limit. Does the Celtiberian Ring Pommel Knife stand a chance against the course? Or will the Medieval Bastard Sword prove its mettle? And can an underdog finally surpass his longtime blade-sport opponent? The top two competitors advance to take on the punishing final course — “Dead Run.” Only one will earn a spot in the grand finale with a chance to be crowned Knife or Death Champion and take home the $20,000 prize.

#14 - The Last Samurai

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/17/2018

In this new series hosted by Bill Goldberg, America’s top bladesmiths, martial artists, and weapons experts face off in the most extreme knife competition ever created. With hand-forged, custom-made, and historical blades, each competitor must stab, slice, and chop through a grueling gauntlet of challenges designed to test their blades and their blade-wielding skills. Will the age-old Samurai technique carry one competitor to victory? Will the ancient Kopis sword survive the course? Or will America’s historical Bowie knife prevail? The final two competitors will go head to head on the daunting final course — “Dead Run.” Who will advance for the chance to win the $20,000 grand prize and be crowned Knife or Death Champion?

#15 - David vs. Goliath

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/28/2019

A bladesport champion, martial artists, and expert bladesmiths will use their custom made, historical weapons to slice, stab, and chop their way through a series of grueling challenges designed to test both blades and competitors. Will the Egyptian Khopesh prove that ancient blades are best? Or will a Greek Kopis be the sharpest blade of the bunch? And does a young bladesmith have what it takes to beat the rest? The final two competitors move on to the punishing final course - "Dead Run." Only one will advance to the finale and the chance to win $20,000 and be crowned Knife or Death Champion.

#16 - Military All-Stars

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 8/29/2019

In a Knife or Death first, seven military veterans will use their custom made weapons on a series of punishing challenges built to test both their blades and skills. Whose experience will help propel them to victory? Will the course outmaneuver a Chines Dao? Or will a Falcata prove itself in battle? The final two competitors will advance to face the epic final course – “Dead Run.” Only one moves on to the finale and has a chance to win the $20,000 grand prize and be crowned Knife or Death Champion.

#17 - Death Fish

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/5/2019

Expert bladesmiths and skilled martial artists bring their custom, historical blades to the most punishing knife course ever created. Will a Wakizashi sweep away the competition? Or will the Parang emerge victorious? And can a Sundang Sword stay sharp? The final two competitors go head-to-head on the intimidating second course – “Dead Run”. Only one can advance to the finale, and compete for the chance to win $20,000 and the title of Knife or Death Champion

#18 - Seax & Violence

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/5/2019

Martial artists, expert bladesmiths, and a Daoist grand master will wield their custom made, historical weapons on a daunting set of challenges designed to test both their blades and skills. Does a Seax have the finesse needed to triumph on the course? Or will a Broadsword be in it for the long run? And will the never-before-seen Titanium Sword outshine the competition? The fastest two move on to the ultimate course – “Dead Run.” Only one will earn a spot in the finale and the chance at $20,000 and the title of Knife or Death Champion.

#19 - Fortune Kukri

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/12/2019

#20 - Messers of the Universe

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/12/2019

#21 - Hard Knock Knife

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 9/19/2019

#22 - Blade Fest of the Champion

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 9/19/2019