Bladesmiths, this is the kill test
to see what kind of lethal damage your weapon will do.
We'll take your sword and deliver killing
blows on this boar carcass.
Jonathan, you're up first. You ready?
Go for it.
So a boar has got a really tough hide on it.
I'm a little nervous.
I mean, it's a big weapon.
It's got a lot of swinging power behind it.
But there's a lot that could go wrong.
[music playing]
All right, Jonathan.
Let's talk about your sword right here.
First up, it's sharp.
When wielding this weapon, there is a nice balance to it.
Overall, your weapon, sir, will kill.
Thank you.
Ed, are you ready?
I am.
I see him queuing up to have a go at the pig.
I'm just like, please don't break, please don't
break, please don't break.
[music playing]
All right, Ed.
Let's talk about your weapon right here.
First up, I like the leather wrapping that you
did right here on the handle.
It gives it a good grip.
Your blade is a little bit on the heavier side.
But upon the swing, it lacerates deeply into the carcass.
It will kill.
Gentlemen, this is the dreaded bone chop.
Remember, this test is all about what
the bones do to your blades and not what
your blades do to the bones.
Ed, you're up first. Are you ready?
Mm-hm.
[music playing]
Well, Ed, it's all in one piece
but there is some chipping on the blade here.
Oh, shoot.
The sword itself is heavy.
The handle is a bit big for my hand.
All that being said, it held up relatively well.
Well done. - Thank you.
Jonathan, you're up. You ready?
Hope so.
[music playing]
Well, Jonathan, it's a similar result.
There is some edge chipping here as well.
The handle being round on one of the hits did roll in my hand.
Aside from edge chipping, it held up very well.
Well done.
Thank you.
All right, gentlemen.
To test the sharpness of your blade,
I'll be cutting through these pumpkins.
We'll take a look at those cuts, see how clean they are.
Jonathan, you're up. Are you ready?
Ready.
[music playing]
Nice.
Jonathan, you can see your blade
has such a flexibility to it.
And when it hit, the blade actually warped
out, cut over and through.
It's a heck of a cutter. Nicely done.
Thank you.
All right.
Ed, you're up.
Are you ready?
I'm pretty confident going through the pumpkin slice
because a pumpkin is a lot softer than cow fingers.
[music playing]
All right, Ed.
That's a good clean cut on that pumpkin.
You kind of see what happened.
I started compensating for the weight
and pulled up and through.
The weight factor in me using it is
an issue, but definitely sharp, definitely a good cutter.
Well done.
Jonathan and Ed, the judges have finished
their deliberation and there can only be one "Forged in Fire"
champion. And that champion is Jonathan.
Congratulations.
You are our new "Forged in Fire" champion.
Ed, your sword didn't make the cut.
David Baker is going to tell you why.
Ed, you brought us a well crafted and beautiful
looking weapon.
But the oversized handle and the extra weight
made that weapon difficult to wield.
And at the end of the day, this competition is
about making the best weapon.
Ed, please surrender your blade.
ED: I agree with the judge's decision.
His blade was more usable.
There is a big part of me that wanted Jonathan to win.
There's a bigger part of me that wanted me to win, of course,
but I'm really happy for him because he's a great guy.
I made a good blade, he made a little bit better blade.
No matter what, I'm still a happy cat.