Ep 4. The Falcata

In season 3 episode 4 of Forged in Fire, titled "The Falcata," the challenges continue as four new bladesmiths are tasked with creating functional and lethal falcata swords. The falcata is a curved sword with a single-edge blade that was used by ancient Iberian warriors, and it's known for its ability to inflict devastating cuts.

The first round of the competition requires the bladesmiths to use only salvaged steel to create a signature blade in just three hours. The creativity and ingenuity of the contestants are put to the test as they must work with what they have in order to make a beautiful and functional blade. The judges scrutinize every aspect of the blades, examining their strength, flexibility, and overall design, before sending two contestants home.

For the remaining two bladesmiths, the competition heats up as they are given only five days to forge and assemble a falcata sword from scratch. They must again impress the judges with their craftsmanship, including the use of proper quenching techniques, heat treating, and grinding.

But the final test is the most daunting of all. Each sword must be tested against a variety of materials, including ballistic dummies and a pig carcass, to see how well they hold up to real-world use. The judges look for sharpness, durability, and overall performance of the swords in each challenge.

Only one bladesmith will be crowned the winner of this episode of Forged in Fire, earning the title of champion and a cash prize. But all four contestants walk away from the competition with a newfound appreciation for the art of bladesmithing and the history and tradition of the falcata sword.