Ep 5. Blades Gone Wild

In episode 5 of Forged in Fire season 9, titled "Blades Gone Wild," four new bladesmiths participate in three intense rounds of forging and testing their skills to create the perfect blade. The first round challenges the contestants to create a Viking sword with only three hours on the clock. The panel of judges, consisting of J. Neilson, Ben Abbott, and David Baker, inspect the creations and eliminate the bladesmith with the weakest performance. The remaining three contestants move to the next round.

In round two, the three bladesmiths face a new set of challenges, as they must forge a Japanese naginata, a polearm weapon, using the San Mai technique. The San Mai style involves layering three different types of steel. In this round, the bladesmiths have a total of four hours to complete their creations. The judges scrutinize every aspect of the blades, including the weight, balance, and overall design. After thorough evaluation, one of the contestants is eliminated, and two contenders move on to the final round.

In the last round, the two finalists are given five days to prepare a weapon of their choice. They have to demonstrate their creativity and skill by creating a fully functional blade that meets all the judges' requirements. The final round is the most challenging and grueling of all, testing the bladesmiths' endurance and attention to detail. After five days of hard work, the blades are presented to the judges for testing.

The judges put the blades through a series of rigorous tests that measure their strength, sharpness, and durability. They chop through a section of bamboo, slice through a pig carcass, and finally, attempt to decapitate a carcass with a single blow. Based on their performance in the final round, one of the bladesmiths is crowned the champion and receives a cash prize and a prestigious title.

The show "Forged in Fire" is a competition series that follows the journey of bladesmiths as they create some of the world's most iconic weapons. Each episode features expert knowledge, fascinating history, and intense challenges that test the bladesmiths' abilities and creativity. The show is an ode to the art of forging and the legacy of bladesmithing that has been passed down through generations. The panel of judges, with their extensive experience and knowledge, brings expert analysis and evaluation to the table, ensuring that only the most deserving bladesmiths win. With exciting challenges and edge-of-the-seat moments, "Forged in Fire" is a must-watch for anyone fascinated by the art of forging and the history of weapons.