In one of the toughest competitions to date, four bladesmiths must start from the ground up, building their own coal forges using materials scavenged from a storage unit. The elements test every ounce of the smiths' resolve as they forge signature blades outside in the scorching sun without any power tools at their disposal. After an intense round of testing the remaining two smiths return home to recreate a brutal European pole axe: the Bardiche.

Four bladesmiths must forge judge Ben Abbott's favorite blade, the Celtic Ring Knife, using the San Mai technique. This proves to be no easy feat as the smiths battle derailing delaminations and cracks. After a grueling round of testing, the final two competitors return to their home forges to recreate a lethal weapon from history: the Irish Ring Hilted Sword.