If you have ever watched the History Chanel on a Tuesday night, then you may be familiar with a show called Forged in Fire. There are many facets of life that I have always been interested in, and when I stumble upon a new show, I usually give it an episode or two to hook me before I move on. Not a lot of programs can capture my attention because for a lot of them it seems like they are rehashing older shows just with a new cast and new name. Forged In Fire had me hooked at the beginning. It is a weekly television show about four blacksmiths (weaponsmiths) that compete for a chance at $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire champion. It's quite a feat. Here are ten reasons I fell in love with this show.

1. Historic Weapons Recreations

The two finalists in every episode are shown an ancient weapon that they must recreate and test if they are to win. Learning about the history of the weapon and the significance of it even now is very important and makes the show interesting to me. One of the short swords they had on the show is used in the Assassin's Creed games. It's little facts like this that make the information about the weapon more alluring.

2. Doug Marcaida

If you have not seen the show, then you probably do not know who he is. Doug is a Kali Martial Artist and an Edged Weapons Expert. I love watching him test the weapons because he is very much like a kid in a candy store. They put the blades through so many tests and Doug normally does the kill test to test the lethality of the weapons. I only want to hear him say three words, "It will kill" with that little smile that he does.

3. Fire

I'm not a pyromaniac by any means. I do find it fascinating what fire can do to manipulate the metal. How it changes the color depending on how hot it gets and then with manipulations by man and machine, it can help the metal become something very pretty.

4. The Challenges

Normally the challengers are given a 10-minute design window to decide what blade they are making and then 3 hours to forge the weapon. That alone is a challenge, but on some of the episodes, they have made it harder for the blacksmiths. The latest installment I watched the contestants had to forge their blades out of metal forged from a pipe wrench. IN one of them they didn't have any tongs or hammers, and they had to not only make their blade, but they had to make the needed materials to make the weapon. I've seen lawnmowers, suits of armor and more.

5. The Drama

See number 4.

6. Did I mention fire?

I like fire.

7. The Tests

Every blade is put through a series of tests. Normally a chopping and a stabbing test. When testing things I've seen them hack into giant bones, pierce through car mufflers, bend the blades and even shoot at them. It is all manner of craziness.

8. Creativity

Normally we get the same type of blades in the beginning. They either make the standard Chopper, a Bowie knife or some sort of Viking Seax. There is nothing wrong with that, as each bladesmith puts their own spin on it and makes it creative.

9. Educational Value

I know nothing about forging or blacksmithing/bladesmithing but I have learned a great deal about it just watching the show. They always tell you about the vernacular used and some of the ways things are done. I love educational shows.

10. The Cast

The cast usually consists of four people the host, Wil Willis, and then they alternate Master Bladesmiths depending on who is free. It is either J. Neilson or Jason Knight. Then they have David Baker who is a historical weapons recreation specialist and Doug Marcaida.