Forged in Fire is truly a one-of-a-kind reality show. While so many other reality shows focus on love & life, food, and home improvements, Forged in Fire has an entirely different focus. The series judges ask that the contestants put their talents to the metal and recreate some of history's most well-known blades and edges.
Knife and sword-making is an art that has fallen to the wayside over the years, so for many viewers, blade-making is a totally new experience. Every episode of the show gives four talented blade makers a chance at recreating a weapon and earning a ten thousand dollar cash prize, however, how much of the series is real?
Considering fans are eager to find out how to get on Forged In Fire, it's important to get any controversy out of the way, mainly when it comes to the surprising things that go on behind the scenes. There is a lot of love about this show, but is it all real, or is some of what we see only for show?
Updated on October 19, 2021, by Michael Chaar: When it comes to History Channel's Forged In Fire, there is a lot of questions regarding just how real the show is. Considering the controversy surrounding the legitimacy of the series, that hasn't stopped fans from wondering how to get on the show. With blade making being a lost art, it's clear that Forged In Fire has given it a second life. Despite the series success, it appears as if History has yet to announce if the show will return for a ninth season, leading viewers to assume that the show might be coming to an end.
10 The Temperature Is High On Set
Things on the set of Forged in Fire get pretty heated, literally. The contestants on the show find themselves surrounded by hot fires that are used in the sword making process. Besides this component, the filming lights can add to the already high temps, causing people on set to become very uncomfortable.
9 Interviews And Background Checks Are Always Conducted
The production team does their best to make sure everyone appearing on the show is of sound mind. Unstable knife-wielding contestants would undoubtedly prove to be unsafe. Everyone who wants a chance at earning the big prize must undergo a background check, a Skype interview, and a telephone interview.
8 Blade Makers Are Encouraged To Drink Lots Of Water On Set
With the heat from the fires continuously climbing, the contestants on Forged in Fire have to remain diligent in their hydration practices. The staff has an extremely important job of helping the bladesmiths remember to ingest as much water as possible and walk around set with thermoses.
7 One Fan Of The Show Started An Actual Fire
It's important to remember that the contestants we see on Forged in Fire are true professionals in their craft. They know how to handle sharp objects and blazing fires so that no one gets hurt, and no property gets damaged.
A fan of the show tried his hand at blade-making and ended up nearly burning down the whole neighborhood!
6 Doug And Will Initially Had No Clue How To Forge
While the contestants are all well-versed in their craft, the judges didn't all come with the same bladesmith experience. Will and Doug both came on as judges with absolutely no experience in the blade-making department. Sure, they were at the top of their game in regards to their own area of expertise, but not in weapon crafting.
5 Contestants Can Not Keep Their Weapons
On Forged in Fire, there can only be one winner; the others must relinquish their blade and leave the set, with nothing. It is actually against the law for the contestants to leave with the weapons that they fashion. Imagine the former contestants walking around town carrying a giant sword! They have to be considered as props and left behind.
4 The Show Was Supposed To Be About Cutlery
This unique reality show was initially supposed to be about cutlery making. Producers didn't feel as if that topic brought enough zest, so they spun it into what we see on television today. It was also supposed to be about guns at one point, but that idea also wasn't going to fly.
3 J. Neilson's Kids Got In On The Blade Making Action
Judge J. Neilson caught some heat for something he did, and that heat wasn't due to working over a hot flame! He apparently allowed his children to get in on the blade-making action.
Most parents would never dream of allowing their children to handle sharp objects and fire, but Neilson thought it fine that his nine and fourteen-year-old give sword making a whirl.
2 Nielson Was Brought On To Be The Mean Judge
J. Neilson was brought onto Forged in Fire for one reason, and one reason only. The show needed a mean judge to round the panel out, and Neilson fit that part. In the judging department, Neilson is probably the most well-versed bladesmith, but also the judge with the most opinions and sharpest tongue.
1 The Meat Used On Set Doesn't Go To Waste
A ton of meat products get used to highlight the sharpness of forged blades on the show's spin-off Forged in Fire: Knife or Death. But what happens to all of that meat once the cameras cease rolling? Fans of the show should know that it doesn't just get tossed out. Pork loins get thrown on the grill and fish gets cooked.