NEWS from Discovery Science FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TWO WEAPON MASTERS EMBARK ON A MISSION TO FIND, TEST, AND IMPROVE ON THE MOST DANGEROUS HANDHELD WEAPONS KNOWN TO MAN
- Medieval machetes and weapons of war get an upgrade -
Technology and history collide head-on this December in the new action-packed series
WEAPON MASTERS, where we witness first-hand the power of pivotal world-changing weapons. Could we make a better weapon today with modern materials, science and techniques? Or did ancient craftsmen's seemingly simple solutions make the most sense, withstanding the test of time? Follow hosts Mike Loades and Chad Houseknecht as they step into the shoes of the forgers and warriors to whom these weapons meant life and death – sometimes with disastrous results. The WEAPON MASTERS will reveal construction secrets behind the weapons and even wield the weapons and battle each other to demonstrate the weapons’ power and efficiency. Episodes of WEAPON MASTERS air every Saturday at 1830 hrs (6:30 pm SIN/HK), starting June 21. Encores on Tuesday at 1100 (11:00 am), 1530 (3:30 pm), and 2300 hrs (11:00 pm). Weapon Master Mike has literally spent a lifetime studying and wielding weapons. Mike swings swords, shoots bows, fires guns and hurls all manner of weapons with the best of them. He is adept at wrangling lethal force on horseback and driving chariots; he shoots blowpipes in the jungle and he plays with liquid fire – just like the Ancient Greeks did.
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2-2-2 Master Craftsman Chad is an American Renaissance man. Offbeat, alternative-minded, and the ultimate “jack of all trades”, Chad inhabits a ramshackle but uber-equipped shop and he can make just about anything. As he sets to work we find out a lot about materials science and the way things work. Consulting with scientists, metallurgists, physicists and other experts, our two WEAPON
MASTERS take another look at weapons such as the katana, the Viking sword, the bendable Urimi whip-sword, Native American bows and arrows, daggers, axes, spears to make them more deadlier. Laser cutters are used to make a scimitar even sharper, knowledge about modern metallurgy is applied to make a Viking sword harder and stronger, while computer technology is used to perfectly balance a long bow. Find out if the new “modern” sword can cleave a bullet clean in two, if the “new and improved” crossbow can shoot further… or will the traditional weapons reign supreme? From trainers who worked on Hollywood blockbusters such as The Matrix and Highlander to the only master samurai sword maker left in the world, the secrets of the world’s most deadly weapons are revealed. About Discovery Science From the depths of our galaxy to the practical science in the world around us, Discovery Science is the only network dedicated to making science programming accessible, relevant and entertaining. By examining the impact of science and technology on our everyday lives, Discovery Science searches for the answers to the questions that have eluded us for centuries and reveals life's greatest mysteries and smallest wonders, from uncovering lost worlds to exploring the latest in scientific discoveries from today's headlines. Reaching more than 81 million households in 87 countries worldwide, Discovery Science distributes programming customized in 16 languages throughout North America, the UK, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. In Asia Pacific, Discovery Science reaches 4 million subscription units. About Discovery Communications Discovery Communications is the number one non-fiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks include Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science and Discovery HD, with digital media properties including HowStuffWorks.com. In Asia Pacific, seven Discovery brands reach 346 million cumulative subscribers in 24 countries with programming customized in eight languages. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman.
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