

Since TV is about entertainment first and foremost, reality shows are always presented in the most entertaining way possible. Is what you see really what you get with this show? For starters, it’s important to note that reality TV is never 100% ‘real’.

Okay, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. In the last round, the bladesmiths really put their skills to the test by recreating an existing knife that has some sort of historical significance.
FORGED IN FIRE SERIES
In this round, bladesmiths also test the knife’s functionality and durability by putting it through a series of tests that includes cutting through various items. This includes adding a handle and other finishes. At the end of the round, each blade is critiqued by the show’s judges.ĭuring round two the contestants have to complete their blade by making it a fully functional knife. They can use any style they’d like, but they must stay within the specifications given to them by the show’s host.

At the beginning of the show, the bladesmiths are given steel and tasked with making a blade. The ‘weakest’ contestant is eliminated after each challenge. Each episode of the show consists of three rounds. One of the cool things about Forged in the Fire is that it gives viewers the chance to learn about something that they may not have otherwise had access to. If you’re a fan of the show you’ll be happy to know that Forged in the Fire is more real than you might think. Like other reality shows, many people have questioned whether Forged in the Fire is legit. During each episode, four people compete and the winner earns a $10,000 prize. The unique competition series consists of talented bladesmiths who participate in a series of challenges to see who can make the best blade. There may be one show out there, however, that is actually authentic: The History Channel series, Forged in Fire. After all, the entire reality genre has developed a reputation for creating false scenarios and manipulative editing. He has a side business-and passion-as a bladesmith.Reality TV has become incredibly popular in recent years, but most people who watch do so with the understanding that what they’re seeing isn’t really real. Bird had 52 and Matt Bingaman of Placerville finished third with 38.īird is an information technology specialist for the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. “It had a very good edge and cut beautifully.”Ĭhad Kennedy of Wichita Falls, Texas, won the “Summer Forging Games” with 84 points. “Gary’s blade was not the prettiest, but it did exactly what we asked it to do,” said show judge David Baker, an expert on ancient weapons. Bird opted for the Kachin Dao, a hunting sword used by the Kachin tribe in ancient Burma. In the final challenge, each competitor chose one of four historic weapons to construct. I pushed myself harder than I ever have before,” he said on the show. “I can’t believe I won the final challenge, but overall I am pleased. But he won the last challenge to vault into second place. One competitor was eliminated in the first week, and Bird trailed significantly among the three remaining bladesmiths going into the last two challenges on the Aug.

The competition began with four bladesmiths who were challenged to make knives or historic weapons from raw steel. Gary Bird ’91 (Marketing) was pleased with his runner-up finish in the History Channel reality show “Forged in Fire.” Bird competed in the show’s special two-episode “Summer Forging Games” competition.
