Edged-weapon mastery is put to the test right away as four bladesmiths must forge a functional friction folder. Without knowing how their blades will be tested, each smith must find the critical junction where skill meets resiliency to produce a folding knife versatile enough to handle any test imaginable. Ultimately, only two smiths push through to the final round where they must recreate a Japanese trident called the Jumonji Yari.
World-class bladesmiths re-create historical edged weapons in a cutthroat competition.
Hosted by Wil Willis, a former Army Ranger and Air Force para-rescue specialist, the competition series pits master weaponsmiths against each other to re-create iconic weapons that will be tested and evaluated by a panel of judges.
Competitors will re-create weapons from historical periods ranging from Japanese katanas to medieval broadswords to ancient throwing blades. Each entry will be judged on its artistry as well as its functionality and accuracy. The panel will consist of Willis, knife and sword expert J. Neilson, combat specialist Doug Marcaida and weapon history buff David Baker.