In a five-part competition, top bladesmiths from each branch of the US military - Army, Air Force, Marines, and Navy - compete to earn a spot representing their branch in a battle for our biggest prize ever: $50,000. Round one belongs to the Army, as four soldiers must forge a special forces V-42 stiletto. After a ruthless bout of testing, two smiths are dispatched to their home forges to build a US Army Officer's Sword. The winner secures a place at the Army Anvil competing in the Battle of the Branches finale, where victory brings pride, glory, and a $50,000 grand prize.

In the third round of the Battle of the Branches, four Marines are tasked with forging one of the most versatile, and iconic combat knives in history: the KA-BAR. As an additional challenge, these smiths must adapt and overcome to forge together metals from a massive anchor using the San Mai technique. After a punishing round of testing, the two surviving smiths return home to forge a weapon that was crucial to history: the Marine Corps Officers Sword. Only one Devil Dog can earn the right to stand at the Marine Anvil and compete for the $50,000 grand prize.