Who We Are

River City Forge & Tool is a two man operation with nearly 50 years combined blacksmithing and fabrication experience. 

Benton Frisse - Blacksmith, Bladesmith, Owner

Benton has been forging knives, tools, and axes since 2012. Growing up in his step-dad's (Wayne) blacksmith shop, Benton decided to start pursuing blacksmithing in college and has never looked back. Benton has attended classes at John C. Campbell Folk School and New England School of Metalwork and is the recipient of the 2017 David Knowlton Bladesmithing Scholarship. You can also find Benton on season 6, episode 27 of History Channel's "Forged in Fire" which he made to the final round of competition.

Wayne Hall - Blacksmith, Bladesmith

Wayne has been swinging a hammer since 1978 when he enrolled in the Midwest Horseshoeing School in Macomb, Illinois. Wayne retired from his side job of horseshoeing in 2005, and retired from his career as a welder after 39 years in 2015. Wayne began forging intricate and ornate structural ironwork in 2000 and has since shifted to forging tools and bladesmithing with Benton.