Forged in Fire Female Contestants Who Actually Took Home the Prize
The History Channel's Forged in Fire has crowned only two female champions in its run — but both walked away with $10,000 and blades that impressed even the show's toughest judges.
The History Channel's Forged in Fire has built its reputation on muscle, metal, and the unmistakable clang of hammer on steel — but two women have proven that victory in the forge isn't just for the stereotypical bearded blacksmith.
While female competitors remain rare, the show's history includes two women who beat the field and claimed the $10,000 top prize.
The women who won 'Forged in Fire':
- Rita Thurman — Won with a hand-forged Sodegarami, a Japanese barbed polearm once used by feudal officers to capture criminals. Judges praised the craftsmanship of her "Man Catcher," which outperformed blades from Justin Harrington, Chuy Talavera, and Cory Miller. Thurman now shares her weapon work on her Witchy Woman Facebook page.
- Kelly Vermeer — Took first place in Season 3, Episode 4, "The Falcata," and later launched a successful smithing business that continues today.
Other women have made their mark without taking home the title. Rae Lynn Vander Weide competed twice, finishing fourth and fifth, and became a local celebrity in her hometown of Turlock, California. All three have been featured on the Forged in Fire Facebook page, which regularly highlights "women who forge."
How the show works
Each episode tasks contestants with creating a blade or iconic historical weapon — from katanas to rapiers to U.S. Army officer's swords — under strict time limits. The best blade, as judged by the panel, wins $10,000.
The winning weapon doesn't go home with its creator. Production keeps the first-place piece, often to display in the studio, while non-winning blades are generally returned to their makers after filming wraps.
Only the champion gets paid; there's no prize money for runners-up, though some earn return invitations to compete again.
Blacksmithing isn't an easy way to make a living. The average bladesmith salary hovers around $38,450 a year, with higher earnings possible for those who secure prop-making work or private commissions. Handmade blades require hours of labor and expert skill, and their quality far surpasses anything mass-produced — a difference Forged in Fire makes obvious to viewers.