About Us

About the Knife Maker
John Nolen

I was born and raised in Waco, Texas and growing up I loved to work with my hands. I also enjoyed the outdoors. Hunting and fishing are some of my favorite outdoors activities. I shot my first deer when I was about 14 years old. From a young age I have shown great interest in tools and at age 16 my dad helped me get some tools to make my first knife. To be quite honest I was disappointed about how that first knife came out at the time, so I shelved the idea of making knives. About 8 years ago my older brother Caleb asked me if I would consider working for him in his blacksmithing business. (I had grown up around blacksmithing because my dad had done it some when I was a young teen, and I enjoyed the little that I got to do myself). I agreed that I would, and within a few years I had taken on axe making along with the myriad of other items we make. Two years ago I started making some knives with some direction from my brother and I really enjoyed it. I love the idea that I can make a quality tool that someone can use and pass on to their kids.

Caleb Nolen

Caleb started blacksmithing at 14, learning first from his dad who had started learning a few years prior. His first knife he made from an old file, with only hand tools, a knife he still hunts with today. After taking over management of Heritage Forge at 2007 he began experimenting with Damascus and other steels. He spent time studying with Warren Osborn, a world class knife maker and designer of some of Benchmades Co.'s famous line of knives. Later he studied chefs knife making from master blade smith Murray Carter. He also traveled to Sweden to Grasfors Bruk and learned the finer points of traditional old-world axe making. Today Caleb runs Heritage Forge with his brother John making knives, art work, household hardware, tools and custom iron work.