Ep 10. Zulu Iklwa

In season 3 episode 10 of Forged in Fire, titled "Zulu Iklwa," four bladesmiths are tasked with creating an Iklwa, a traditional South African spear. The Iklwa is a weapon that was traditionally used by the Zulu tribe and played a significant role in their military tactics.

The episode begins with the bladesmiths introducing themselves and talking about their experience and expertise in the field of bladesmithing. They are then shown a video where they learn about the history and significance of the Iklwa in Zulu culture. They are given five days to complete their swords with the help of materials such as high carbon steel bars, coal forges, hammers, and grinders.

The first step in creating the Iklwa is to shape the blade. The bladesmiths skillfully use their tools to shape and refine their blades, with one contestant having trouble with getting the right shape and curve.

The next step is to add the handle, which is traditionally made of wood and protected by cowhide. The bladesmiths have to carve and shape their handles to the right size and thickness to make them comfortable to hold and use as a weapon.

Once the blades and handles are complete, the bladesmiths move on to the final stages of the competition which involve heat-treating the blades and adding the finishing touches like sharpening and polishing. In heat treating, the blades are subjected to high temperatures to make them hard and durable.

After a careful examination and testing of the swords, one contestant is eliminated due to a flawed blade that could not withstand the strength test. The remaining bladesmiths move on to the final challenge where they are tasked with recreating the Zulu's battle cry by testing the Iklwas on objects like watermelons and pig carcasses.

At the end of the episode, a winner is declared based on the quality of their blades, their weapon's ability to withstand the tests, and their overall performance. The winning bladesmith takes home a cash prize and the bragging rights of being the best bladesmith in the episode.

Overall, "Zulu Iklwa" is an engaging episode of Forged in Fire that showcases the skill and creativity of the bladesmiths as they take on the challenging task of recreating an iconic weapon from a different culture. The episode offers a glimpse into the history and significance of the Iklwa in the Zulu culture and how the weapon played a significant role in their military tactics. The finale where the bladesmiths test their swords on objects adds a layer of excitement to the episode and keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats.