UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Michael Bell



Michael Bell was born in 1946, raised in California, Japan and Mexico.
Bell studied fine art at Meramec College, St. Louis, Missouri and the San Francisco Art Institute.
He became a student of master sword craftsman Nakajima Muneyoshi (art name: Yoshi Kuni) in 1970 and completed his apprenticeship in 1975.
Michael owned and operated Mission Cutlery in San Francisco, California, from 1980-85.
Bell began forging swords full-time in 1984, in San Francisco.
He moved to Oregon in 1987 and established his current works "Dragonfly Forge", winning his first major award knife show in the early 80's. He has since gone on to win numerous awards, including several best of shows. He won Blade Magazine’s Best Handmade of 1997

He continues to make swords and teach the craft at his hillside studio.
He is married to Anna and has five children.