The judges pick past bladesmiths to represent them; first, the smiths must use steel from N.Y.C. streets to forge signature blades; in the final round, the competitors have five days to forge a sword that originated in West Africa, the Ida; enhanced.

Facing a new twist in the first round, four bladesmiths must forge a karambit, a curved knife that resembles a claw; the final two competitors have five days to forge one of the deadliest weapons in African history, the makraka; enhanced.

Chosen by fans, four bladesmiths return for a second shot at victory; the smiths must use their best forging techniques to make a signature blade using barbed wire; the final two smiths craft a Filipino weapon of war, the Panabas; enhanced.