A Pennsylvania Forge Is Preserving the Craft of Metalworking With Every Piece of Handmade Giftware

Few things escape change. Yet Wendell August Forge, located about an hour outside Pittsburgh, has been using the same process to create unique metal wares since the early 1900s. Each Christmas ornament, custom plate, America 250 memento, and decorative bookmark is crafted using techniques established when the company was founded. 

Generations of individuals own Wendell August Forge items handcrafted by the company’s skilled artisans. The process begins with a hand-engraved die, which is the piece of steel that a master die engraver carves art into. Then, aluminum or bronze is hand-hammered into the original die, hand-edged with a hammer to create a unique border, and finally hand-polished. Many employees have spent their entire careers at the company, and some pass down their love of artisan skills to the next generation, who enter into apprenticeships.

As the adage goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Wendell August must have had that mindset when, in 1923, he could not find two door latches for his new home to match the one he already had. August asked the blacksmith at the coal mine he owned to forge matching latches. Recognizing that other people might appreciate such items, he and the blacksmith, Ottone Pisoni, began a business partnership. 

Nine years later, they established a dedicated metalworking factory in a small building with a handful of employees. Today, dozens of artists, metalsmiths, and engravers ensure that the legacy of Wendell August Forge endures. 

The History Continues

Transitioning from coal mine owner to overseeing the making of practical and gift items came at a good time. Coal mining had taken a hit due to the Great Depression, so August concentrated instead on working with iron and then with aluminum, which was easier to manipulate. 

Initially, money makers for Wendell August Forge were architectural commission items, such as gates and elevator doors. Leftover metal scraps were crafted into smaller pieces and presented to the presidents and CEOs of the companies commissioning the jobs. However, by the mid-1930s, giftware became the main focus. Also, specialty pieces to present as awards or to commemorate an event or historic milestone—such as for the Hindenburg’s 1936 “Millionaire’s Flight” over England—became sought after. 

A pause in the company’s production occurred only during World War II, when metal was scarce because it was needed for the war effort. The company resumed operations post-war, concentrating primarily on hand-crafted giftware and some utilitarian items made of four main metals: aluminum, bronze, copper, and stainless steel.  

After August died in 1963, his son Robert took the helm. He propelled Wendell August Forge into the retail realm by opening a gift shop in Grove City, Pennsylvania, where the factory was once located. Presently, the gift shop and a company history center remain in Grove City, while 7 miles away, in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, is the company’s factory and distribution and shipping center. 

In the late 1970s, with no heirs to whom he could pass the company’s torch, Robert sold the business to Frank William Knecht III, whose IBM marketing and sales experience boosted the company’s offerings even further. “He took inspirational, holiday, and special occasion items to a collectibility level,” current owner Christian Werner explained. Eventually, the business was passed down to Knecht’s son, Frank William (Will) Knecht IV. 

American Story

Prior to joining Wendell August Forge, Werner and his wife, Susan, and family of three children lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he owned a mortgage company and a property investment company. It was in Charlotte that Werner met someone at a Bible study who told him about the forge. “He had grown up with Will [owner of Wendell August Forge], and he told me I should meet him,” Werner shared with American Essence. “He thought we had much in common.” Werner quickly developed a strong friendship with Will Knecht, but it was when Werner was invited to the forge’s factory that his life changed. “I was like, ‘Wow, how is this not a household name nationwide?’ … Men and women were forging pieces one at a time. Each piece has … an iconic touch mark, like a signature, to indicate what era it was produced and who the artisan was.” He added, “I was just so impressed by the entire process—a raw piece of metal becoming an heirloom-quality, beautiful item.”

Werner decided he wanted to be a part of the Wendell August Forge story in 2009. He began overseeing strategic planning and wholesale for the company and its custom products division. He became its part owner nine years ago and full owner two years ago.

Tangible Commemoration

A collector himself, primarily of baseball cards, Werner determined that the collectibility of the forge’s products was one of its most valuable assets. In 1980, Frank William Knecht III’s wife, Connie, had the idea to release a collectible annual Christmas ornament. It has since become a customer favorite. The forge also makes items for the White House, Disney, sports teams, and individuals seeking custom-made family heirlooms. 

Before any of the handwork with the metal happens, talented artists create unique designs for each client’s needs, whether an individual or a large organization. “Their artistry is the foundation of every piece we craft,” said Werner. 

Alex DeGroff, the company’s digital marketing manager, explained that the creative team—comprised of graphic designers, photographers, and marketers—brainstorms new product ideas together. “It can take days, weeks, or even months of refining and perfecting every detail before a product is ready,” she said. 

Wendell August Forge has created special commemorative tickets for sports events, and it offers a host of items, such as charcuterie boards, coasters, ornaments, clocks, and more, for college, university, and NFL teams. In 2025, the company filled its largest order to date. Another century-plus-year-old American business, Caterpillar, requested that the forge create gift options for its 100,000-plus employees. 

Although the government, corporate, and sports-related side of the business is significant, Werner noted that faith, wedding, and holiday-related items are its staples. “We are a Christian-run company, so Christmas season is especially magical here. We create hundreds of thousands of holiday ornaments and gifts.” He anticipates many customers will acquire the company’s yearly special ornament design. They buy for themselves and start collections for their children and grandchildren. “I get story after story from people. … There is something especially meaningful about creating Christmas ornaments in America that become part of a family’s holiday tradition.”

The same is true with momentous occasions, such as this year’s 250th anniversary of America’s founding. Gold- or silver-plated limited edition ornaments include a certificate of authenticity signed and numbered by Werner. 

“As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we believe there could not be a more meaningful time to share the story of American craftsmanship, American manufacturing, and the people who are keeping these traditions alive,” Werner said.

This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.