|
|
The
Contemporary Blacksmith
One of the must have books for inspiration for blacksmiths. This book
254 pages long is packed with photos of current work by blacksmiths.
Sections on architectural , sculptural, knifemaking,
functional blacksmithing. A fine hard cover book full of inspiration.
It is one of my main resources! |
|
|
Art
Forms in the Plant World
A book of black and white close-up photos
of many plants. It gives blacksmiths a detailed view of different plant
forms which can easily be created in iron. This book has nothing to do
with metal work except to provide inspiration for any artisan for
organic form. |
|
|
Catching
the Fire
Work of Philip Simmons in Charleston South Carolina. Primarily gates
fences and railings. Primarily biographical. |
| |
Art
Nouveau Decorative Ironwork
Black and white photos of the art nouveau style at the turn of the last
century. Most examples are larger scale architectural. Beautiful lines
and ideas. Economical book with lots of ideas in ths art form.
|
|
|
Art
Deco Ornamental Ironwork
The art deco period follows on the heals of art nouveau. Characteristic
of series of straight lines with interesting intersections.
|
| |
Art
Nouveau Ironwork of Austria and Hungary
240 pages with 500 photos. Austria and Hungary were areas that
developed the art nouveau style to its height. This book details common
uses of ironwork in this style for exteroir ornamentaion.
|
| |
The
Back Yard Blacksmith
I had the pleasure of meeting Lorelei a few years back when she did a
demonstration for our local blacksmithing chapter. Knowledgeable and
entertaining. Her book is an excellent starting place for new
blacksmiths. She covers the basics well and is insightful and provides
a good foundation for those that are looking to start. |
| |
Beautiful
Iron
I had a chance to meet Francis Whitaker in the late 1980's when I first
started blacksmithing. He was a stickler for detail and quite
knowledgable. This book is a photographic collection of his
works. Many of the older smiths around have fond memories of his
classes and his skills. |
| |
Classical
Techniques of Hand Forge Iron
72 pages. Techniques based around traditional hand blacksmith work.
Primarily German based techniques that were adapted from the
Renaissance era. |
| |
Decorative
Wrought Iron Projects for Beginners
80 pages. Stuck for a gift idea for your cousins? This book gives you a
whole series of plans and ideas of easy to make projects. Candle
holders, door knockers, flower pot holders etc..... |
| |
Forged
Architectural Metalwork
176 pages. 180 photos. Heavy steel forged by hand and power hammer to
create gates, railings, etc. Sections on finishes and installation
which may be worth the price of the book. |
| |
The
Complete Metalsmith
312 pages 1600 illustrations. Primarily directed to jewelry makers many
of the techniques will translate to working with steel. Sections on
casting, polishing, forming, soldering, chasing, repouse. Precious
metals are fun to work with but save every scrap as you can reclaim it.
|
| |
Ironwork
Today
256 pages. Another of the must have inspirational blacksmith books.
Filled with pictures (482 photos in all) that coax you out to the shop
to create something beautiful. Beautiful work of modern smiths.
Wonderful to read on cold winters night! |
|
|
Ironwork
Today 2
More inspirational forged artwork
from many artisans around the world. I am honoured to have some
examples of my work in this book. For me the difficulty is in
photographing the piece so that the quality of the photo is high enough
to print in a book. 253 pages of inspirational
work. |
| |
Ironwork:
Dynamic Details
160 pages, 251 photos. Many of the other inspirational books show the
overall piece. This book has all close up photography of the texture
and assemble details that you want to see in the full piece photos. Pay
close attention to the photography details of backdrop and lighting.
|
| |
Natural
Art Forms
128 pages, 120 black and white photos. Close up photos of seed pod,
stems and leaves. Not directly related to blacksmithing but is a good
reference for shapes of floral-forms. |
| |
Methods
For Modern Sculptors
Primarily concerned with casting metal (bronze) to create large
sculpture pieces. |
| |
Step
by
Step Knifemaking.
This is an older book but has detailed information about grinding
knives and adding handles, guards and making sheathes. Large section on
acid etching blades for decorative appeal. He also has a good reference
section on different steels to use for knife making and how to heat
treat them. Good reference without being too technical. There is not
much about forgeing knife blades, but good grinding tips.
|
| |
The
New
Edge of The Anvil
One of the books I recommend to my students as a great reference book
to start with. Clear and well laid out and affordable. It makes
blacksmithing within the reach of everyone. I refer to it often. The
older edition (1991) is one of the books that aided the wide spread
revival of smithing as a hobby. |
| |
The
Craft of The Japanes Sword
Learn the traditional way of making and grinding a sword in Japan. Many
Layers and much time sitting down at the anvil. Some pecular techniques
involving rice paper, but well photographed and laid out. Layered steel
at its most refined. |
| |
Decorative
and Sculptural Ironwork
This book was originaly published in 1977 the second edition was
updated in 1998. This is an informative book and is a step into our
recent past when smithing was just getting going again. Many wonderful
photos of good solid work. Much of the work is not complex but does
show what our current work (see the must have books) is based upon.
Many smiths I know used this book when they were starting out as
inspiration and reassurance that we were on the right path.
|
|
|
Wrought
Iron by Fritz Kuhn
Detailed black and white photos of various elements used in
blacksmithing. Short English descriptions. Not a how too book the
pictures are clear enough to see construction details. Traditional
joinery and techniques. Birds, plants, and animals are all
clearly detailed. |
| |
The
Smithy's Craft and Tools
128 pages. Many pictures of close up detailed iron work and tools. The
book is based around hand working of steel in a traditional German
shop. Photos are given of finished product then water color sketches
show the tools used to make each form and the sequence. It is a book of
"This is the shape I made, and this is the tools I used, and this is
what you do with them". Techniques could be adapted to power hammer
use, but this is not really covered in the book. Very informative book.
English, German and French text. |
| |
The
Complete Bladesmith
This book is written by a master of forged blades. This is THE how to
book of forged blades. Jim has done extensive pattern welding on his
blades and has heat treatment down to an art. |
| |
The
Complete Modern Blacksmith
This book is a good start point in the smithing craft. It has basic
projects based around tool production for the smith. Primarily devoted
to coal fired forge work. |
|
|
Basic Knife Making
By Siebeneicher-Helwig and Rosinski.
Schiffer
Publishing asked me to review this book. This is a bit tricky as I do
have mixed feelings about it. First it is beautifully illustrated. The
photography is stunning. There is good information on forging and heat
treating a basic knife. A couple of problems. Many of the pictures are
of excellent Damascus knives. These are by no means beginner projects.
Several of the techniques they discuss are the hard way of doing
things. It will work but there are easier ways. If you choose to build
a forge look around on the internet as there are easier and better ways
of doing it.
Is it worth the Amazon price of $19.79?
I would say that it is, but do
buy other knife making books as well for a more complete picture of the
process. |
|
The Lockback Folding Knife
From Design to Completion
By
Fronteddu and Steigerwald
This
book is very well illustrated. It deals only with the machining aspect
of folding knives. If you want to do any forge work you will
need to get the information else where. Very clear information on how
to make lockback folding knives. I do recommend this book if you wish
to make folders.
|
|
|
|
|
