MovieChat Forums > Forged in Fire (2015) Discussion > Anyone bothered by the format?

Anyone bothered by the format?


I know the trend is to have these shows done by elimination rounds but wouldn't a points system be better?

The whole selling point is that the smiths are going to turn in a blade reflecting their personal tastes/technical strengths, but I've seen so many episodes where we don't even get to see what the competitors are capable of. Everyone knows that footage is going to end truncated after editing so couldn't they just give these smiths an extra hour or two per competition and then let all four complete their blades?

I want to see these smiths compete, I want to see every blade tested. And yet, I've seen several episodes where wins have been awarded without tests due to one or more competitors not having a safe or even completed blade.

Then what's the point of the damn show? So that the second half is just filler? Why even air it?

I don't want to set around and just watch an award given for failing upwards, but that seems to be what this show represents.

The latest episode I'd watched -the two hand sword episode- came down to which sword failed the least. But before the final competition -they made a big fuss about having them use coal.

Then they left the studio lights on so that temperature gauging would be guesswork at best, gave them fans/bellows with hand cranks rather than foot pedal operation so that they wouldn't have both hands free to work the steel, and then gave them ducting for the bellows that wasn't secured with ring clamps. Truly?

Take them out of their comfort zones -I get it- but with so much educational material on the craft out there in libraries and on the internet there's no reason, other than cheap drama, for the show's producers to kit these workshops they way they've done. Forged in fire?

Forged in fails.

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The judges have to decide who wins/loses.

Like any other competition if there is a draw on the results of a test, they have to use a system to decide the winner, in this show it goes like this (imho).

Both complete test, weapon with least damage wins, if neither blade is damaged then it goes to metal quality, then to usabilty (does it have any problems that would affect combat? )

so far it's not gone further than that.

Both weapons fail a test like in the episode you mentioned.

both swords failed different tests but one shattered into pieces, that was an instant loss, yes they did let the other guy 'fix his bent sword' but he had a sword to test so regardless of that last test with the sheet metal, he was going to win anyway.

if both swords fail a test but are still useable it follows the same path as above

damage to blade, quality of blade, usability of blade.



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Unfortunately when you try to create a show it has to fall within a known format. This show is based off Chopped. Networks wont put a show with a new format because if it fails the execs get fired. So think of another show already in existence and then revolve it around bladesmithing and you might just have a chance to sell it and have it made.

We've discussed something more along the line of face off so you can see some actual quality work.

Lets us know what format already out their you would like to see.

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If I'm honest even the current format wouldn't be so terrible if they gave them six to ten hours to craft their blades. Let them worry about paring down the footage, it's all digital now so it isn't as though they're burning through film.

If it's chopped then give every contestant the same metal. Don't put a jumbled assortment of crap in front of them and expect them to grab at random pieces. Keep it fair and let it come down to ability rather than springing random conditions on them. Isn't the clock pressure enough?

Safety should be paramount- making them rush about as they are and with three other competitors within arm's reach seems anything but. They're not working over cooking fires or agonising over someone's dessert. It's bladesmithing.

Reason I complained is that the environment should be safe and orderly so that the competitors turn in functional weapons. Love it or hate it, seeing the weapons in use/tested is this show's money shot. They need to see to it that all the blades are actually tested. And if not, there had better be a good reason why.

If all I want to do is LOOK at fantastical blades doing nothing that's what Windlass Steelcrafts, BudK etc. catalogues are for.

Saying to contestants, 'turn in a piece that best reflects your style and personality' just comes off as disingenuous. I'm certain that for every contestant, the last thing they'd want to come out and say is that a rush job best reflects their signature styles. And even so, even if it's about the money? The sorts of injuries these folks are courting by rushing about are potentially career ending, if not beggaring- assuming they even have good health plans.

It's just sad that Big Giant Swords, for all it's shenanigans, and for all that that doesn't take itself over serious actually gives more shrift to safety than Forged in Fire.

It's idiotic. You have a panel of experts, two of which are craftsmen, setting at their table sometimes turning to one another and saying, 'Now see that, He's about to cut off/skin/singe/burn/ his whatever/etc.' To show how in the know they are. And then it happens. They let it happen. What!?

This is just me but if were I in that position and someone saw I was about to do something stupid or potentially injurious during a stupid contest I would HOPE they'd have the decency to pull me aside and either save me from the injury or disqualify me for my own sake.

Apologies. This turned into more of a rant than anything. TLDR: Keep the format, up the safety, and ditch the stupidity/sensationalism.

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