Our History
In 2016, Coy Baker, the eldest of three brothers, embarked on his blacksmithing journey in the mountains of Western North Carolina. With an innate talent for machinery, Coy quickly honed his skills in building and restoring equipment, laying the groundwork for what would become Baker Forge and Tool.
Driven by innovation, Coy engineered a 25-ton hydraulic forging press, a pivotal tool that allowed him to perfect his technique in crafting Mosaic Damascus products. These were the first items to grace our catalog, setting the stage for our future endeavors.
By 2020, Coy's ingenuity led to a breakthrough: a method for fusion welding copper to carbon steel. This innovation not only expanded our product line but also defined our brand's unique identity in the artisanal metalwork industry.
In 2023, Baker Forge and Tool took a significant leap, relocating from a shared workshop to a dedicated 10,000 square foot facility.This move not only symbolized our growth but also enabled us to expand our team to a dedicated group of 12 artisans, each passionate about crafting excellence.
Today, Baker Forge and Tool stands as a beacon in the American damascus steel community, respected by blacksmiths, knifemakers, and artists. Our commitment to quality remains unwavering, with every piece still handcrafted in Western North Carolina by a family of craftsmen, united by blood and craft.
Meet The Team
Coy Baker
Founder & CEO
Fearless leader and original founder of Baker Forge & Tool, Coy carved out a role in the industry with his innovation on mosaic damascus and alloy fusions. Now he manages the operation and growth of Baker as CEO. His skill with people and foresight in the industry have greatly impacted the success of our company.
Jay Baker
Shop Manager
As Shop Manager, Jay oversees production at Baker Forge, ensuring the quality of each and every piece of steel and acts as the cog in a well-tuned manufacturing team. As the youngest brother of three Baker boys, Jay is a part owner in Baker Forge and as strong a part of our product as any.
Bruce Baker
CFO
Father to the Baker boys, Bruce has always had a knack for the financial side of things. Now working as CFO, Bruce balances long-term budgets while assisting in growth strategy as we move to bring out steel to the masses! His intoxicating personality paired with realistic fiscal planning make him a perfect addition to our skilled team.
Waylon Hagaman
Head of Media
Head of Media, Waylon has brought the highest quality of media development to our company. Successfully building a brand that stands beside the strongest in the industry with his creativity, skill, and insight. As a result of his addition, Baker has grown to a brand capable of producing the highest quality of media, both to support the Maker’s that regularly purchase our product, and build our audience around the world!
Cole Campbell
Head Engineer
Cole joined us after years of experience in heavy machinery. Now as our machinist/head blacksmith, he is prepared to deal with the regular maintenance of our massive production machines, as well as filling vital roles in our manufacturing. Cole’s personality exemplifies the strength of diversity that has built Baker into the success that it is today.
Sam Riggins
Customer Service Representative
Sam Riggins, a familiar face at Baker Forge, brings years of hands-on experience in our manufacturing and operations to his role as Customer Service Representative. With his deep understanding of our processes, Sam is the go-to person for all your inquiries, questions, and customer service needs. Known for his charismatic and comedic personality, he stands out among our hardworking, blue-collar blacksmith crew, making him the perfect fit for this role. Sam’s infectious energy and dedication ensure every customer interaction is handled with care, humor, and professionalism, strengthening Baker Forge’s commitment to exceptional service.
Sloan Williamson
Blanchard Operator
Sloan Williamson, a local high-country resident known for his energetic cheer joins us full-time as a Blanchard Operator. Although not traditionally versed in blacksmithing like many of our employees, Sloan is a quick learner and already considers himself an “expert blanchard operator.” His confident and experienced attitude promises great things for our team.
Johnny Stephens
Head of Marketing
Involved since the very beginning, Johnny has assisted in the online growth of Baker Forge. Playing a large role in the long-term growth strategy as well as offering expertise in sales and marketing. With the help of his creativity, Baker has successfully built a brand that entertains its customers, regardless of the simplicity or depth of the product.
Greyson Weltyk
Product Development & Gator Piss Representative
Greyson, an esteemed knifemaker and founder of Grey Blades, brings his exceptional craftsmanship and industry expertise to Baker Forge working in Product Development & as a Representative for Gator Piss. As a co-creator of Gator Piss premium etchants, Greyson has been instrumental in developing this iconic product line, which has become a cornerstone of our brand. In his role, he represents and promotes Gator Piss while driving innovation across Baker Forge’s product lines. With a passion for pushing boundaries, Greyson is actively involved in crafting exciting new products, ensuring Baker Forge continues to lead the industry with quality and innovation.
Jordon Berthelot
Test Blade Maker & Sales Representative
A highly-esteemed knife-maker, Jordan first joined us as a frequent customer. But with each order, his knowledge of the product and skill to innovate built him into a larger role. Still making some of the most talked about knives in the industry, Jordon holds an important role in our quality control, helping to evaluate new products and layouts and consistently crafting the very first test blades. Now adding Sales Representative to his title, Jordon will continue to reach new knifemakers with our product, as well as seeking out new, large wholesale categories where damascus could be used. The future growth of BFT will surely include significant contributions from Jordon, as it has been with the past.