User Reviews

I think the premise has potential but I think the formula needs to be tweaked.

Also agreed that there is too much commentary.

It's also frustrating to see contestants eliminated because their weapons do not pass the safety test - the safety test should be done before the contestants are allowed on the air. I don't want to have a contestant introduced and then sent home without participating - that's a waste of time.

Possible Tweaks 1) Restrict it to only weapons made by the wielder or perhaps made for them 2) Have all contestants in an episode use the same weapon 3) Group contestants by experience or size

Make changes that will level the playing field.

I like the premise of this show, but it really bothers me that the contestants do not have to forge their own blades. That really takes away a lot of the fun and interest for me. I think that really needs to be addressed and changed if this show goes on.

Also, Goldberg is a bit over the top. If he could talk less and tone it down, that would be great.

It is also a sore spot that each week's winner doesn't win anything but the chance to move forward. It would be so much better if they also won a cash prize just for beating out the other contestants as well as earning the right to move on and complete for the $20,000.

With these changes it would definitely be a much better show.

This review is based of season 1. It was good enough that I will at least continue with season 2 and see if it has improved.

I really like the premise but I was shocked, and disappointed, that some of the contestants showed up with what were, essentially, wall hangers (knives/swords meant to hang on walls). Quite a few of the contestants forged their own weapons, which was more appealing to me. That's not to say everyone should have to forge their own but they should remove contestants that don't even know to bring properly sharpened and constructed blades to the competition from the candidate pool(Or do a pre-screen and replace them with an alternate if the weapon they bring is ornamental).

I think some of the obstacles need to be redone and the commentary tightened up but there definitely is some potential with this show.

This is *not* Forged in Fire!

This is a sensationalist, comedic, ridiculous show that has nothing to do with forging metal into weapons; it's dogs trying to jump through hoops and over barrels.

Absolute *gar!* *bage!*

....clowns!

I like the show, because I like anything with knives, reading other reviews, I agree.. stop charging the course, try to mirror actual competition events, instead of what you think will look cool. Some of the obstacles are just silly, and others over complicated, or at least the rules you put on them. And most importantly, fire that guy! Tu Lam is completely out of place, he does not belong on this show, brings nothing to it, apparently knows nothing about blades, mispronounces most things, uses wrong terminology, and just plane annoys me. Replace him with someone that judges real blade competitions, or has at least seen one.

This is like American Ninja Warrior, but it seems everyone makes it till last 2 obstacles. So what is the point of first 10? Probably best potential, but needs a better test sequence so it achieves a "normal" distribution of success vs fail across challenges.

The show started out okay (agree with the previous review of too much commentary)but has since gone downhill. Concept is good but here is my biggest problem with this show; if you are going to have a weekly contest make it fair. Each season should have the same exact obstacles/challenges to be fair for every contestant, every week. It's like the hosts are bored and figure what the he-- lets change things every week but that just doesn't work. In order for every person to feel they had a fair chance then they all should go through the EXACT same challenges. Each weeks winner gets nothing except the chance to do it again at the end of the season? My favorite person on the show is Travis! I can no longer watch the whole thing because you don't give everyone the same opportunity. Not only that but some of the challenges are absolutely ridiculous. e.g. extinguish the candle by slicing the water bottle just right? Give me a break. There have been numerous contestants that have sliced the bottle correctly with water all over the flame and it doesn't go out. Now you have changed to slicing the meat to land on the grill. Stupid. Less commentary would help. You should start the show by showing Travis or the Hosts going through the course and show everyone it is actually possible with no penalties and/or that you all can put your money where your mouth is. Good Luck.

I enjoy the show. The competitors need skill, strength & stamina, not to mention an extraordinary weapon.

1: Remove Bill Goldberg 2: Remove Tu Lam 3: Show the forging of a blade and the thinking behind why it would be good for the course 4: Make the course more about blades - as it is now, it's chopping only, and a double edged axe would win at any time, as there is no stabbing and little slicing. 5: Remove Bill Goldberg 6: Remove Tu Lam

I literally made this account to respond to the comment made by the rude armchair Samurai about the AWESOME Tu Lam.

We watched this show because it made us smile, laugh and we oohed and awwwed with people trying their damn best on TV to cut random bits of chicken, fish, ice, straps, rope and wood.

I don't care what Tu Lam or Goldberg or ANY of these people know about swords. I just care about if it's great TV and it makes me excited to see people cutting crap, it makes me want to learn how to make stuff and go cut it up in an obstacle course of my own creation.

Tu Lam is adorable and is awesome and his and Goldberg's on-screen chemistry is awesome. This Tu Lame hate is honestly from a sad human.

LOVE THIS SHOW. BRING IT BACK.

I loved forged in fire. I'm not sure what it was about it in particular but I loved it. When I finished what's out now I turned on Forged in Fire: Knife or Death. Expecting a similar idea or concept I was excited. What it really is essentially an unrelated show with Forged and Fire slapped on the title. The only relation was the fact that they work with knives. Not only was it unrelated but even if it didn't have the Forged in Fire title it's just not good in its own right. It reminds me of American Ninja Warrior if it had a way lower budget. It really isn't worth it. It's not horrible, but it's a disappointment nonetheless.

This has potential, but there is too much talking, not enough action.

People who think they are some kind of sword legends match up against a super tough, challenging blade cutting course. Reality hits most of the competitors and most do not complete the course as it is pretty tough. But it is great fun watching people hack and slash through the course, me and my boys love watching every episode. while we are big fans of Forged in Fire, it does not have anything to do with forging except having the same creative team, so comparing both shows is pretty stupid. It is a totally different show but is very entertaining as contestants battle through. Love it big time!

This show Would have potential if the didn't have 2 people who Seemingly Know NOTHING about knives Yelling ridiculous Stuff the whole show. And many of the Obstacles Don't cater to someone's size and or length of their blade I mean some of these people just because i'm larger then them I could have Gone through the obstacles With just a slap of un sharpened metal and i woulda gotten just as far And the Talk about contestants having breathing issues and being exhausted What do they expect They have them in an enclosed space With Fire around them Running around and half the Things Spew Paint powder when broken Just Insane That they over look that.

That is the stupidest thing I ever heard goaltending I can't even watch the show anymore if there's a right way to do it why not let them do it I am disgusted with the show it is ridiculous and I've seen everyone and it just goaltending is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of

Not for snowflakes... this is essentially just another competition/game show themed program where it more or less takes on after people walk off the set of forged in fire. These are competitors who make their own knives, and use them through an obstacle course which tests their skill, spatial awareness, depth perception, and most of all, stamina! Refreshing to see so many female competitors. Yeah she was pretty socially open minded, but if you're a snowflake... You probably won't like it.

Great concept, but Poorly designed challenges for the most part.

Would be a better show if it wasnt so wasteful with food, especially when its easy enough to use substitutes of some kind. Make me annoyed to the point where I just stopped watching it.

Ignore the haters, this show is a good time. A wild mix of contestants and blades against some crazy obstacles. Bill provides commentary on 11 every episode! Tu Lam gives the technical review on slicing form and the blades.

The variety of obstacles really allow for certain blade types to shine. I love how Bill and Tu Lam come up with specific comments on proper form whether trying to cut apart a box or slice a moving piece of meat to land on a flaming grill.

The contestants are an eclectic group of individuals with backgrounds in everything from martial arts to pirating. The fact each individual arrives with their own unique blade makes it all the better. The question is, who is going to end up gassed?

The original "Forged in Fire" is exciting, informative, engaging and in a small way inspirational (the show got me into forging). Remember the movie "Multiplicity", where Michael Keaton has himself cloned, then his clone has himself cloned, then that clone has himself cloned, each successive iteration being less accurate than the previous? Or when TLC reinvented "Junkyard Wars" as "Junkyard Mega-Wars" thus killing the franchise. Yeah, that's what we have here.

Just wasted about 20 mins watching 2 completely unhealthy individuals trying to finish a lame challenge ,out of breath with crappy weapons. This is the absolute low on late night TV. Wow what's next, HHH in a Tutu doing a hiphop #..

This a good concept but needs to have it's own title and get away from the idiots as commentator formats that most of these programmes use.

For a start there is no forging, most competitors don't make their own knives. There is no death, not even close by=ut there are knives.

The only regular worth viewing is Travis, who gives great commentary on knife design and sharpness. He often points out some unique differences and seems engaged. The other two are just loud, point out the obvious, get pronunciation wrong, and I have no idea what Tu Lam's contribution is. He criticises technique without knowing what he is talking about. His knife knowledge is zero. He just interjects to say something, anything. The faux bowing is ridiculous.

I do wonder if the competitors have actually watched the show? They often turn up with unsuitable knives, unfit (despite 15yrs of martial arts training) and poor technique. Perhaps they are brought on for entertainment not to actually compete. How refreshing it would be to see serious competitors.

Americans need to stop with the BS cultural appropriation. This looks sad and stupid. Asians in kilts because they managed a tenuous connection to Scotland, bowing like monks like its some kind of religion when all they do is throw knives around. It would be so much better and maybe I would stick with it, but it just comes across as sad appropriation.

Watched Forged in Fire, it still appropriates cultural identities but at least it lives up to it's name and the competition feels real.....for now

The contest itself is purposely built so that taller, larger people will have an easier win. The judges regularly remark how women or small men have extra challenges and that it's unfair, but nothing changes. The white judge is very angry and seems to not be having any fun except when women fail at the game. He really brings the show down.

Forge in Fire: Knife or Death is a reality show in the long line of Forged by Fire shows, a reality competition pitting bladesmiths against each other. Hosted by Bill Goldberg (best known as professional wrestler Goldberg) and former U. S. Army Special Forces Soldier Tu Lam, each episode sees eight people bring their own knives to test them, with the winner moving on to the season finale, with a chance at winning $20,000.

Yeah, I am going to agree with people that this should not have the Forged in Fire title in the show name, as this is more of a competition where the contestants bring knives to compete in various challenges, with no forging whatsoever. Also, one of the main things is having two-time Forged in Fire winner Travis Wuertz inspect the blades before the first round, with any problem found resulting in immediate disqualification. While I am all for keeping things safe, I think safety checks should not be part of the show and should be left to before the show begins filming (you know, before the competition officially begins), as these checks do nothing more than make the show longer than it already should be, and another angle that hurts it is during the runs, Goldberg and Lam talk too much, explaining how each blade works and how the contestants should better use their blade for obstacles. While it is informative, sadly, we came here to see people compete in a competition, not get a lesson about swords and knives in the process. Overall, one worth skipping.

My biggest issue with the show by far is the inclusion of Bill Goldberg and Captain Obvious Tu Lam. Lam will routinely make shockingly dumb statements like "if your knife breaks, you won't be able to continue the competition" that give me pause because he's not adding anything of value to the show but they thought it was a good idea to pay him to be there. Goldberg is almost worse because this guy has to yell about everything and gives people a hard time for struggling with the competition but his background is fake wrestling so maybe he should shut up. How much of their budget did they spend to get those two guys to host? Maybe if they had taken former FIF winners and had them host, it wouldn't be as bad. You know, people that may actually offer informed commentary. Also, maybe it was just me but there were a lot of contestants in the first season that didn't even seem remotely qualified to be on the show but I guess they had to take what they could get. Having Travis from FIF was one of the only positive things about the show and if you watch it on mute aside from his segment, you might have a chance at enjoying this.