Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun metal-forging competition has history, weapons.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Forged In Fire
What's the Story?
FORGED IN FIRE is a reality competition series that features bladesmiths crafting weapons for a chance to win a cash prize. Hosted by Wil Willis, each episode features four smiths, who, throughout a series of elimination rounds, are asked to forge blades of their choosing, work with a range of materials and equipment, and ensure that what they've crafted is fully operational. Judging their work are people like knife and sword expert J. Neilson, Hollywood prop maker David Baker, and edged-weapons specialist Doug Marcaida. Those who make it to the final round must reproduce a historically significant, technically challenging, and fully operational weapon. The winning smith wins $10K.
Is It Any Good?
This creative competition features talented blade smiths using their skills to create metal weapons using a range of tools, materials, and techniques. As they compete, brief information about some of their techniques, and the history-inspired blades they are tasked with recreating, including the Kora Sword, the Boar Spear, and The Kpinga, is offered. The testing of these weapons against things like stone, steal, ice, dead fish and animal carcasses also creates some interesting moments.
The successful series has inspired spinoffs like Forged in Fire: Beat The Judges, and Forged In Fire: Road To Redemption. Meanwhile, over the years it has seen some cast changes, including Grady Powell as the show's new host, and the appearance of judges like Ben Abbott and Jason Knight. But despite it's popularity, Forged In Fire has received some negative attention, thanks to people unsuccessfully trying replicate what they see on the show, and due to some of its more controversial contestants. But the overall series is rooted in history, and if you're interested in smithing or weaponry, there is something to be learned from it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what weapons teach us about different cultures. Throughout history different metals were used to diverse types of helmets, shields, spears, and swords. What do they tell us about the history of those who created them? Their needs? The conflicts they were involved in?
Why is it about Forged In Fire that makes it appealing to viewers? The history lessons? Did you know anything about the art of forging before this show?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 22, 2015
- Cast : Wil Willis , David Lain Baker , Doug Marcaida
- Networks : History , Netflix
- Genre : Game Shows
- Topics : History
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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