Atlanta Blacksmiths Win On History Channel’s ‘Forged in Fire’

Think “Chopped” but with bladesmiths instead of chefs. On the History Channel’s show “Forged in Fire,” bladesmiths are brought in from all around the country to compete for $10,000.

Atlanta blacksmiths Jessica Collins and Mark Hopper tested their mettle on a recent, special master/apprentice episode and won. Collins and Hopper, who teach classes at their studio Goat N Hammer at The Goat Farm in West Midtown, said their students kept asking when the pair would make their debut on the show.

“I think Mark’s reaction was, ‘We won’t be on that show until they call us and make it a team sport,’” Collins said.

“I had to eat those words,” Hopper laughed.

Collins and Hopper spoke with “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes about the competition, what it was like to win, and about the blacksmithing trade.

You can catch the episode on the History Channel’s website. You can also sign up for blacksmithing/blade making classes at goatnhammer.com.