All right bladesmiths, there will be a strength test,
a sharpness test.
And up first, Doug Marcaida's kill test.
Doug.
Bladesmiths, a Hanzo katana's first duty is to kill.
All right, Mike, and you're up first.
Are you ready? - Yes, sir.
Let's do this.
[rock music playing]
Yes.
Mike, your edge is razor sharp.
But more importantly, there's bone on your edge,
but your edge did not roll, did not chip,
and your blade stayed true.
Overall, sir, your blade will kill.
Thank you.
Tristan, you ready?
Yes, sir.
Let's do this.
[rock music playing]
Tah!
All right, Tristan, the balance of your blade is very good.
It's light.
It's fast.
It's easily maneuverable.
But when steel meets the skull, there were some problems.
Your blade took a serious bend.
Also, on the edge right here, it took some chipping.
But overall looking at the dummy,
I think your weapon will definitely kill.
Thank you.
Gentlemen, the second duty of a Hanzo katana
is that it is to be sharp.
It is said that the Hanzo katana is as sharp as a thousand razor
blades.
Now, a sharp blade should cut cleanly through tatami mats.
A dull blade will crush, bend, or get hung up.
A dull blade is not a Hanzo katana.
Mike, you're up first.
You ready for this?
Yes, I'm ready.
Let's do this.
[rock music playing]
Your blade, sir, is sharp.
It cut cleanly through the thickest of our tatami mats.
But on the backhand slice, it did not cut completely though.
Overall, sir, your sword will cut.
Thank you.
Tristan, your turn.
You ready?
Ready as I'll ever be, sir.
Let's do this.
[gong]
[rock music playing]
[sighs]
Well, Tristan, your edge is sharp.
It can cut through tatami mats.
My concern is the strength of your blade.
It picked up another bend.
Now you have two bends on your blade,
especially right here close to the guard.
Tristan, this Hollywood competition
has been exciting and dramatic.
You've been at the epicenter of all of that drama.
Nobody is questioning the strength of your character.
However, the strength of your blade
is such that we can no longer continue to test it.
And for that reason, I have to ask
you to please leave the forge.
Yes, sir.
Good job.
Guess I just couldn't slip through.
Second place isn't bad for somebody
who's never done this before.
Mike, you were an unstoppable force in this competition,
and your Hattori Hanzo thousand-layer katana is
absolutely deadly, earning you the title of "Forged in Fire"
champion and a check for $10,000.
Good job, brother.
I came here to show myself that I
can make a blade worthy of undergoing
this type of punishment.
I am "Forged in Fire" champion, and it feels awesome.