My name is Noel Manis. I am a bladesmith and sculptor. I grew up in the forests of northern California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. I have always spent as much of my time in the woods as humanly possible. For me adventure and exploration always seemed more important than homework and school. This lead to a firm understanding of the inherent necessity of practical objects such as swords, spears and throwing axes. While getting older I noticed many of my friends loosing interest in the art of sword play, and dashing through the woods with bows and arrows in search of dark realms and hidden places. In an attempt to keep these virtues alive and thriving in my life, I took what I saw to be the logical next step and began my journey into bladesmithing.  

           I have been studying this craft since the age of fourteen. In subsequent years, I became an apprentice for the sculptor Todd Andrews. In the two and a half years I spent working with Todd and his team, I was rewarded with the privilege of participating in the sculpting and production of several monumental sculptures. Through this incredible experience, I gained the courage to try my hand at entrepreneurial craftsmanship. Today, I dedicate my time to the study of materials, techniques and tools of my trade.   

           OakHeart Forge is my means to continue to be in the shop learning new skills and doing what I love. My greatest aspiration is to create a quality of work worthy of the craft. A hand-crafted blade should be an object whose lifetime can outlast us all, getting handed down from one generation to the next. I am currently a one man team and do not use volume production techniques. Unless working in collaboration with another artist, every blade is hand-forged and fitted by myself in my shop. I outsource none of my work. I utilize all manner of tools and machinery in the production of my blades. I believe there is a place for traditionalism and a place for the expedient convenience of modern machinery. As I progress in my craft, it is my intention to move into more intricate and historic forms of bladesmithing.          

   For me the act of creating with my own two hands is almost a compulsion. When I can not create, I begin to wither away. Creation is a powerfully rewarding thing, and I am eager to share it with others. I hope for this platform to grow into a place where I can offer insight and inspiration to those with common interests, and curious passers by. I love what I do, and take pride in the work that I produce. I make an effort to set a high standard for the materials, and manufacturing techniques I utilize. By doing so I can feel confident in the function and longevity of the work I place in the hands of my customers. It is my pleasure to welcome you to my business.

I invite you to join me in the growing movement that is keeping the forged blade alive. Please feel free to get in contact with me. As one of the many people interested in the education and the perpetuation of this craft, I am always open to answering any questions.