White Oak Forge specializes in architectural ironwork. Owner Nol Putnam, an artist-blacksmith, has had his own shop since 1973. When mild steel is heated in the forge, brought to the anvil and hammered into shape, the material is transformed. But after being worked, there is a smoothness and often a delicacy to the work which belies the true nature of the medium. In modern or traditional works, the White Oak Forge use traditional joinery methods of rivets, collars, mortise and tenon, and fire welding.
Hot work allows flexibility in bringing together all parts of a design.
Working iron hot gives the smith obvious freedom to make original design elements. This is forged iron's primary advantage over cast iron, and is impossible with cold work. There have been many other private commissions both large and small. Putnam has had extensive experience in designing ironwork and is quite willing to collaborate with design professionals as a Master smith in modern and traditional styles. He can draw upon his practical knowledge of the engineering, the client's aesthetic concerns, and the designer's structural needs for installation.