Forged in Fire
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.


Four bladesmiths take a shot at forging a signature blade from the steel rings of a whiskey barrel. They must quickly adapt when they realize there may not be enough hardenable steel to go around. After an intense round of testing, the final two smiths head home to forge an instrument of Chinese warfare: the qinglong ji.