Secrets of the Founding Fathers

Bladesmiths have to forge one of the most iconic weapons from history, the Japanese Katana; their swords will be pushed to the absolute limit with the final test determining which is stronger.

The finalists go to their home forges to create an ancient Indian Chakram, and they return with two very different interpretations of that deadly, circular throwing weapon; only one stands up to the judges' dynamic battery of tests.

The bladesmiths have to turn a steel train spring into a weapon of their choosing; only two competitors will move on and are given only five days to forge a legendary Viking Battle Axe.

Competitors make their signature blade by using the Hada technique, a traditional process that involves forging multiple layers of steel together.

Following a difficult first round of testing, the remaining two bladesmiths head home with only five days to forge the legendary Crusader Sword.

The bladesmiths have to use an age-old technique to make their signature weapons; two finalists head to their home forges to create one of history's most notorious weapons, the rapier.

After a hard round of tests that literally breaks a blade in two, the finalists get the chance to make one of the most important weapons from history, the Roman Gladius.

The bladesmiths have forge a signature weapon using everyday steel objects; two competitors will move on and are given only five days to create the mystical Moro Kris Sword, a distinctive blade that dates all the way back to 300 B.C.