On June 22, the History Channel is presenting a brand new competition series called Forged in Fire. This new show will bring together some of the most talented bladesmiths in the world in a contest setting. Within the series, viewers will get a chance to watch as these master bladesmiths recreate some of the most iconic weapons from history, this includes medieval broadswords, Japanese katanas and even ancient throwing blades.
Forged in Fire is hosted by Wil Willis, who is not only a weapons experts, but also a former Army Ranger. Willis is also a decorated para-rescue specialist with the Air Force. The host will also be joined by an expert panel of judges, who will critique and assess the work of each of the contestants. This panel includes David Baker, J. Nielson and Doug Marcaida.
Each of the judges on Forged in Fire brings their expertise, years of experience and their own skill sets to the judging table. Baker is an authority in replicating period-specific and accurate weapons. Based out of California, he has made everything from samurai swords to submachine guns, many of which have been used in films and even museum exhibits. Nielson is a Mastersmith from Pennsylvania. He has more than 20 years of experience crafting edged weapons and knives. Marcaida is a specialist in hand to hand combat out of New York. He has not only studied, but also mastered a number of different fighting techniques and styles from across the globe.
In the new competition series, Forged in Fire, on the History Channel, four master bladesmiths will go head to head crafting and presenting weapons from raw materials. Every episode will see these talented individuals putting not only their skills, but also their reputations on the line. They will be attempting to avoid elimination as they use both the traditional tools of the trade, as well as the more state-of-the-art machinery and tools available to them. These raw materials will be transformed into authentic useable and working pieces based on classic bladed weapons from history.
Each of the gifted craftsmen will take the ordinary, every day metals and transform them into works of art. While each piece is a lethal weapon that can be used in warfare, they are also true masterpieces brought to life before the eyes of the viewers. Throughout the forging process, the histories behind each of the pieces will be told. Then the judges step in and will not only assess all aspects of the weapons, but they will also test each of weapons for use and accuracy.
Forged in Fire is being produced for the History Channel by Outpost Entertainment. Simon Thomas, Shawn Witt, Jodi Flynn, David George and Brent Montgomery are the executive producers for the program for Outpost Entertainment. While Steve Ascher and Tim Healy are the executive producers for the program for the History Channel.
Filming and production for the History Channel’s newest competition series, Forged in Fire, has already commenced in Brooklyn, New York. The series itself will premiere on June 22 at 10 PM EST.
By Kimberley Spinney
Sources:
Press Release from the History Channel
History Channel: Forged in Fire
Featured and Secondary Photos Courtesy of the History Channel and Miller Mobley
Third Photo Courtesy of the History Channel
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24 Responses
Turn off the background music it is extremely annoying. We came to hear and learn, not fight the music which most times is equal to or louder than those speaking. Many folks have hearing difficulties and language challenges, thus the music makes it very difficult enjoying and understanding the speakers.
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Your blog is a new look at an old problem. Thank you! I will be sharing this!
Love the show! There are 3 people, that I’ve seen, who correctly hand over their weapon to others. The blade should face toward the giver, not the receiver. It shows lack of basic etiquette, safety, and trust/respect. It’s would be similar to handing scissors fully open with the blades toward the receiver. Why doesn’t anyone ever correct this before the show, etc?
Would like information on how to apply to be on the show? My husband is very interested and a wonder in making knives and things!
I was wondering what kind of anvils and forges are used on the show? Never can get a good look at them.
What happens to finished weapons after they are turned in??? Why can’t the person keep them??k
I find the show to be very exciting and testing. I can’t hardly wait for more of it. So far, it seems like the judges are on spot, but I know every one has their own opinions just like on Chopped. Keep it coming. Thanks
What’s the Forged In Fire mailing address? I have to ask them a question, but I don’t know how to contact them.
Great show. I have watched every episode so far…. only 1 problem. The judging in the final decision is always wrong.
Ok… maybe that’s just my opinion…… but I keep seeing busted crooked weapons win against beautiful, better funtioning ones.
Worst decisions? …
Chakram: the winner wasn’t even round. The losing weapon was tested differently. asian moron held it wrong, so of course it didn’t work.
Katana: better blade lost because a judge didn’t like where the pins were in the handle? even though it perfomed well?
Rapier: they admit one blade is cleaner and straighter… but is maybe a bit akward to hold. then give the win to a busted piece of crap.
Roman Gladius: they gave the win to a sword that was not even straight, could not be swung proplerly because of the handle, and took damage to the edge in their sword on sword test. The loser did better in all their tests, but the handle was bent by the rediculous contraption. This was probably the worst decision yet. AND you messed up a great weapon.
I’m tired of hearing, “Your weapon is better in all ways, but you lose because we think this guy did more with less”
If you are a producer of this show…. please insist on a more concise testing method. Maybe have the judges rate the performance in each test and quantify something, so it’s not so subjective. Maybe next season will be better…
I love the show and never miss it. I’m a blacksmith and think this is great for the art of blacksmithing. I think it would be nice if you gave the names of the artisan e-mail so we could contact them.
I also think that the judges should stop acting so cool by swinging the knife or sword back and forth. Like the Chinese dude or wat ever. Just stop showing off judges!! And stop acting cool. It makes the show stupid. But it’s still and awesome show!!
Doug Marcaida is weapons trained and martial artist. He swings the way he does to feel the balance and center of the blade. His left hand swings as a counterbalance to the right hand blade swing to keep his own center of balance. It not flashy, it’s a measure of how to best utilize the weapon.
How do you audition for the show? My son in law has been a blacksmith sword and knife maker for 25 years. Contact me on my email , thankyou
terrible concept not to mention very dangerous, imagine a real artist trying to make a sword in a few hours – easy way to get careless and really hurt yourself…. why not follow the smiths around their shops, and really present teachable techniques and show the true art of metalsmithing, not some BS about how fast something can be done. it is like those terrible cooking contest shows – Lets roast a pig in 15 minutes!!
I completely agree Jack. Not to mention the last round where contestants use there own forges, where I see some forges will be very advantageous.
That’s real funny xD
I don’t think they will have any show that is “real” and truth. If it is on TV 99% is just trash and fake and made for Stupid people who believe anything that is on TV and that Hollywood puts out.
This was a fun production to work on an unlike so many other tv reality contests with all the false drama on our show, with 4 smiths lots of hot metal and a timer running, the drama creates it’s self. Hope you’ll watch
Let’s all hope they keep the manufactured drama, made up arguments and pure BS out of this. There are many of us who have varying degrees of smithing skill who are hoping that this ancient trade is honestly represented by true craft people. How many of the masters actually hold master certification from a nationally recognized guild?
Please no useless fantasy wall hangers!
T W Hudson
Honestly, that is my hope as well and they did make it sound as if they planned to represent the craft more than just make it about being a competition show, if that makes sense.
ya I can see romantics big time we aint all samuraia swordsmiths,we forge knives in shops that nooene knows about and we aint clean we are filthy,so if these guys are spotless you know its a history channel ridiculousness…
I am 62 and qualified as a Blacksmith five years ago and looking forward to the show ” forged in Fire “.
Unique concept! Brings an essential element of history/warfare/ skilled craftsmanship into 21st C focus! Looking forward to watching this series-just hope it’s not fake-staged and dramatically up-played, rather talented craftsmen in honest head-to-head competition