Ep 6. Hunga Munga

In Forged in Fire season 3 episode 6, the bladesmiths are tasked with creating a weapon that is shrouded in mystery - the Hunga Munga. This unique throwing weapon originated in Central Africa and has been used by tribes for centuries. It has a distinctive shape, featuring three or four points that curve forwards, backwards, or both. This makes it a difficult but exciting challenge for the bladesmiths.

The four competitors begin by selecting a piece of high carbon steel that will be the basis for their weapon. They then start the process of forging, shaping, and grinding their blades. The judges - J. Neilson, Doug Marcaida, and David Baker - inspect and critique their progress at each stage, offering advice and suggestions to help them improve their designs.

As the bladesmiths work, they face a number of setbacks and challenges. One struggles to get his blade to harden properly, while another accidentally snaps his blade during the quenching process. Another competitor faces a major setback when his blade is twisted out of shape during the grinding stage.

Despite these difficulties, the bladesmiths press on with determination. They have just a few hours to complete their weapons before they must face the final challenge - a series of tests to see how well their Hunga Munga performs.

The weapons are put through a series of strength and durability tests, including smashing through a coconut and slicing through a pork loin. Doug Marcaida tests the weapons' balance, weight, and ability to throw accurately. The judges carefully examine each blade to check for deformities, chips, or other imperfections that might make them less effective in combat.

Only two bladesmiths make it through to the final round, where they must create a Hunga Munga that is twice as deadly as their first weapon. They have just five days to create their new blade using a different type of steel from their original. This is an even more challenging task, and the pressure is on to produce a weapon that is both beautiful and functional.

The final judging takes place in the forge, where the bladesmiths have one last chance to impress the judges. They must demonstrate their weapon's throwing ability and combat effectiveness by hurling it at a wooden dummy. The judges carefully examine each weapon, checking for balance, sharpness, and overall design.

At the end of the episode, the winning bladesmith is revealed, having proven their skill and creativity in crafting a weapon that is true to the spirit of the Hunga Munga. It's an intense and thrilling episode that showcases the extraordinary talents of the bladesmiths and the beauty of these ancient weapons.