Four bladesmiths take a stab at history when they are tasked with recreating an iconic fighting knife from the 20th century: the Fairbairn Sykes. However, replicating the blade is only half the challenge -- they must also combine three different sizes of W1 round stock to forge their weapon. After battling forge welds and parameters, one smith falls victim to a costly mistake. Two smiths make it through a brutal round of testing and head back to their home forges to recreate another iconic World War II weapon: General Yamashita's Gunto.

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.