Forged in Fire: Knife or Death

The competition includes an age-old Samurai technique and the ancient Kopis sword.

Bladesmiths, martial arts experts, and even a butcher must use their custom made, historical weapons to slice, stab, and chop their way through a series of punishing challenges built to test weapons and competitors alike. Can an elite knife thrower hold onto his Nepalese Kukri and out wield his competition? Will the course overwhelm a 100-year-old Barong? Or will the hand-forged Falcata come out on top? The top two competitors will advance to face the ultimate final course — "Dead Run." Only one will have a chance to win the $20,000 grand prize and be crowned Knife or Death Champion.

Expert bladesmiths, martial artists, and a competition cutting champion bring their best edged-weapons to chop, stab, and slice through an exhausting set of challenges built to push blades and blade-wielding skills to the limit. Can the curved Egyptian Khopesh take a competitor straight to victory? Or will the Viking Seax put the other blades to shame? And whose weapon will fail before they can even take their first swing? Only the top two competitors will face off on the grueling final course – "Dead Run." The last blade left standing will have a chance to be crowned Knife or Death Champion and win the $20,000 grand prize.

Series favorites use their custom-made, historical weapons to slice, stab and chop their way through a series of punishing challenges built to test blades and competitors alike.

Experienced bladesmiths, martial artists, and a professional chef bring their custom built blades to a series of grueling challenges that push their skills and their weapons to the limit; a 47 inch Iberian Montante blade; an English Billhook.

America’s top bladesmiths and martial artists bring their custom made, historical weapons to slice, stab, and chop their way through a series of grueling challenges designed to test both blades and competitors. Can a Yatagan Sabre hybrid survive the course? Or will a two-handed Bowie be the blade to beat? And will one of the female blade wielders accomplish a Knife or Death first? The fastest two competitors move onto the daunting final course — “Dead Run.” Only one will advance to the finale and the chance to win $20,000 and be crowned Knife or Death Champion.