History Series / ForgedInFire

* DropTheHammer:
** One third-round challenge was making a war hammer.
** One first-round challenge required the smiths to forge their own hammers and use them to make the blades.
** In another episode, also in the first round, the bladesmiths started with a small pan of mild steel from which they had to fashion a weapon to break an ice block and retrieve the high carbon ball bearing. Two of the contestants made hammers.

* '''Grady Powell''' (Season 8-): A former US Army Green Beret. Formerly host of ''Creator/NationalGeographic''[='=]s ''Series/UltimateSurvival: Alaska'' as well as ''Creator/DiscoveryChannel''[='=]s ''Series/DualSurvival'' and ''Series/AmericanGrit''.

* '''Grady Powell''' (Season 8-): A former US Army Green Beret.

''Forged In Fire'' is a reality GameShow about the art of bladesmithing, originally hosted by Wil Willis (Seasons 1-7) and currently hosted by Grady Powell (Season 8 to present). In each episode, four smiths compete to win $10,000 by forging bladed weapons in a three-round contest.

The first two rounds normally take place in "The Forge," a studio stocked with a wide range of metalworking tools and equipment, sometimes the show will mix it up by having one or both of them take place in an alternative location such as a scrapyard. For the first round, the smiths are given some type of steel and must use it to make a blade in a style of their choosing. The type of steel can vary from a standard block, to a choice of scrap metal objects, to material salvaged from a junked car or lawnmower, to rejected blades from previous episodes. The host issues a set of specifications for the blade length, and sometimes gives an extra challenge (add things like serrations or a fuller, use a specific technique, and so on). The bladesmiths are given three hours (four if the extra challenge is particularly difficult) to forge their blades and deal with anything goes wrong. Medics are on hand to treat any injuries or other health problems (usually caused by the intense heat) and may disqualify any smiths they feel are unable to continue safely.

When the time is up, they present their blades to a panel of three judges who evaluate the craftsmanship/quality and point out any flaws or defects. The host does not take part in the judging, but sometimes offers insights based on their military service in order to give the judges a different perspective on the blades. The person who handed in the worst blade (or a blade which didn't meet the specifications) is eliminated from the competition, and must turn in their weapon and leave the Forge.[[note]]The producers have since revealed that all contestants get their weapons back after all episodes of that season have aired.[[/note]]

In the second round, the three remaining smiths are given another three hours (reduced to two in later seasons) to turn their blades into fully functional weapons, by attaching handles, grinding/sharpening/polishing, and cleaning up any problems noted by the judges in the first round. The judges then put the weapons through tests to gauge properties such as sharpness, durability, and ease of use, by chopping/slashing/stabbing objects which include logs, ropes, animal carcasses, and steel car doors. As before, the smith whose weapon is judged the least satisfactory has to turn it in and leave.

For the final round, the two remaining smiths are shown a historically significant weapon and have five days (reduced to four in later seasons) to create their own versions of it, working at their home forges. They then bring their weapons back to the Forge for testing against objects and conditions resembling the situations in which they were typically used. The loser turns in their weapon, and the winner is named as the day's champion and receives the $10,000 prize.

* Wil Willis (Seasons 1-7): A former US Army Ranger and US Air Force Pararescueman.
* Grady Powell (Season 8-): A former US Army Green Beret.

* J. Neilson: Master Smith with the American Bladesmith Society. Replaced by Jason Knight (another ABS Master Smith) during a medical leave for hand surgery during parts of Seasons 3 and 4, after which he returned as a regular judge.
* Ben Abbott: Two-time ''Forged in Fire'' champion. Replaces Neilson for some episodes as of the end of Season 4, after which he would alternate with Neilson.
* David Baker: Swordsmith and expert in fabricating replicas of rare weapons.
* Doug Marcaida: Kali martial artist and edged- and impact-weapon specialist. When Doug was injured, his brother R. J. and two of his martial arts students tested in his place while he judged. After his recovery, he continued his role. He's also one of the judges in the Latinamerican version of the show, ''Desafío Sobre Fuego''.

Left to right - Doug Marcaida, J. Neilson, Wil Willis, David Baker. Not shown - Jason Knight, Ben Abbott, Grady Powell.]]

Compare ''Series/TheButcher'', a show with a similar premise and format to ''Forged in Fire'', [[RecycledInSpace but with butchery]] instead of bladesmithing.

When the time is up, they present their blades to a panel of three judges who evaluate the craftsmanship/quality and point out any flaws or defects. The host does not take part in the judging, but sometimes offers insights based on their military service in order to give the judges a different perspective on the blades. The person who handed in the worst blade (or a blade which didn't meet the specifications) is eliminated from the competition, and must turn in his/her weapon and leave the Forge.[[note]]The producers have since revealed that all contestants get their weapons back after all episodes of that season have aired.[[/note]]

For the final round, the two remaining smiths are shown a historically significant weapon and have five days (reduced to four in later seasons) to create their own versions of it, working at their home forges. They then bring their weapons back to the Forge for testing against objects and conditions resembling the situations in which they were typically used. The loser turns in his weapon, and the winner is named as the day's champion and receives the $10,000 prize.