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Blacksmith
Book Shelf
These are
blacksmithing titles I have found of
interest over the years. Books are
vitally important in the blacksmith
craft as they give us techniques to
refer to and images of forgework to
dream about.
Look through the following list and
see if any catch your interest.
Also if you can recommend any not on
this list please email me and I will
see if I can add them.
(Click on Titles of
The Books for
Current Pricing and More
Information)
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!
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Ironwork Today
2
More
inspirational forged artwork
from many artisans around
the world. I am honored 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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Ironwork
Today 3
This is the
next in the on going series of
contemporary forged ironwork
books. This is an excellent
coffee table book that
contains many of the artisans
in the previous books. This
helps to show a progression
and diversification in each
artists works. This is not a
"How To" book but more a
gallery of juried artists in
blacksmithing.
(Just
Click the Title for Details)
Ironwork
Today 4
The fourth book in
the modern series dedicated
to showcasing the work of
modern artists blacksmiths.
256 pages of detaile
photographs of some of the
best blacksmiths of the 21st
century. Follow the further
development of the artists
and their craft.
(Just Click on the
Title for Details)
Ironwork:
Dynamic
Details
160
pages, 251
photos. Many
of the other
above Ironwork
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.
(Just
Click on the
Title for
Details)
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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Beginning
Blacksmithing
By Darrell
Markewitz
Darrell
has been a blacksmithing for 40 years
and has amassed his considerable
knowledge into this 206 page book.
This is not a "How To"
technique book.
It does provide other important
information that can often be
overlooked. Such as what type of forge
to use. Motion dynamics. Safety.
Physical requirements, designing your
shop set up and much more. It is a
good read and provides details that
might be forgotten in the passion for
hammering hot steel.
Darrell is a longtime friend and I
valued his advice (and even took some
of it) when I first started
blacksmithing. Over the years we have
collaborated on several projects and I
still turn to him for his
insights and experience.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Hydraulic
Forging Press for the
Blacksmith
I found
this book a while back and
it has been a great addition
to my collection. Randy
McDaniel goes into great
detail on how to use the
hydraulic press for
blacksmithing. He also goes
into reasonable detail on
construction of various
hydraulic presses. This is
not a set of plans but a
very good overview. With a
little research and the
pictures provided you get a
complete picture of how to
build your own press.
(Just
Click on the
Title for
Details)
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?
I would say that it is, but
do buy other knife making
books as well for a more
complete picture of the
process.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Art
Nouveau
Wonderful Detailed book on the Art
Nouveau style. Iron work plus
jewellery and architectural details.
Wrought
Iron In Architecture
Black and white sketches.
European
Arrowheads and Crossbow Bolts
This is not a "How To" book.
It is more a catalogue of different
type of arrow heads found through
history in different regions of
Europe. Pictures are clear and with
some prior blacksmithing knowledge
construction details can be discerned.
Damascus
Steel Theory and Practice
This has
become my primary resource
book when I have questions
on Damascus steel especially
pattern development. This
book takes you throught the
basics to very complicated
pattern construction. It is
clearly presented with lots
of pictures and
illustrations of the
process. Excellent if you
want to learn how to make
Damascus steel.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Striking
Women: Mild as Steel
(Please
note cover has been updated
from my original edition.)
This is a collection of work
by top level female
blacksmiths from all over
the world. We often think of
this trade as being male
dominated. This book clearly
shows that women are
producing work on par with
any of their counter parts.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
The New Edge
of The Anvil
(Please
note cover has
been updated
from my
original
edition.)
One
of the books I recommend to
my students as a great
reference book to start
with. (The photo is of my
copy of the original Edge of
The Anvil. The New version
has more details in it and a
different cover.) Clear and
well laid out and
affordable. It makes
blacksmithing within the
reach of everyone. I refer
to it often. The older
edition (1991 see above) is
one of the books that aided
the wide spread revival of
smithing as a hobby.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Swords
of The Viking Age
(Please
note cover has
been updated
from my
original
edition.)
An
extremely clear combination of
archeological diagrams and photos of
the various Viking finds of swords.
The different styles and types
discussed.
This is not a "How To" book. It does
display the observed various twist
patterns in the forge welded steel as
well as pommel construction.
Treasury
of Ironwork Designs
Mostly European architectural designs.
These are detailed black and white
drawings of various ironwork pieces
through out Europe. Great for design
ideas but not a "How To" book. Most of
the diagrams provide enough detail
that elements could be reproduced by a
knowledgeable blacksmith.
Decorative and
Sculptural Ironwork
This
book was originally
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 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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Smithing
With The Hand held Pneumatic Hammer
This detailed book opens up a rarely
used option in the blacksmith shop.
Many of us use large Pneumatic Air
Hammar machines, but these machines
are expensive and require a larger
shop. The small hand held air hammer
allows for detailed work on larger bar
with smaller equipment. Creates a
richness in detail and also saves
hours of work.
(Just
Click on the
Title for
Details)
The
Axe and Man
Not a "How To" book. This is a general
overview of axe development through
the ages by region. Lots of photos to
give you ideas of various shapes and
styles.
(Just
Click on the
Title for
Details)
Classic
French Wrought Iron
(Please note the cover has been
updated since my original edition)
Many people don't realize the the
French have a long tradition of
detailed ironwork. This book contains
pen and ink sketches of notable
historic French ironwork. Although not
a "How To" book there are some
construction details that are helpful.
Best for design ideas.
(Just
Click on the
Title for
Details)
Samuel
Yellin Metalworker
(Please note
the cover has been updated
since my original edition)
A
great exploration of one of the great
American blacksmiths. Contains
historical information about his
business as well as an extensive photo
catalogue of his work.
Stahl-Gestaltung
(Possibly out of print now)
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!
(Just Click on the
Title for Details)
Karl Blossfeldt
Art Forms in the Plant World
(Please
note cover has been updated
since my original copy)
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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Iron (Le
Fer)
(note link leads to French version as
it seems the English version is out of
print)
Some forged pieces in forms of gates
grilles and hardware. Also a lot of
cast iron samples.
Artist
Blacksmith Design
by British blacksmith David
Freedman.
This book
highlights David's design
process in some of his
larger sculptural pieces.
Drawings and images detail
the design process.
See also Artist
Blacksmith Sculpture
which is not a "How To" book
but more a photo essay of
the sculptural work and
inspiration of David
Freedman. He creates a
number of realistic to
whimsical plant and animal
representations. Image
quality is quite good and
shows enough detail to
provide inspiration for your
own work.
Diderot
Trades and Industry Volume 1
(Please note cover has been updated
from my copy)
This is a historic book that details
the tools of the early trades in
Europe. Not limited to blacksmithing
but a good general overview of
different tools and mechanisms.
Art
and Design in Modern Custom
Fixed Blade Knives
This
is 2008 edition that gives
many inspiring photographs
of both classic and
fantasy styled knives.
This book does give a few
hints on construction
techniques but it is
primarily just a photo
collection of what some of
the makers were doing in
2008.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Architectural
Ironwork
240
pages. Heavy steel
forged by hand and power
hammer to create gates,
railings, etc. Another
wonderful book by Donna Z.
Meliach
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
The
Craft of The Japanese Sword
This book gives a reasonably detailed
process of start to finish traditional
sword making in japan. I do not
consider it a "How To" manual but more
a process exploration.
Enameling
on Metal
Not exactly blacksmithing but related
metal working. Especially if you are
look at doing enameling for sword
pommels or on art knives.
A good solid How To book.
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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Art Deco
Ornamental Ironwork
The art
deco period follows on the
heals of art nouveau.
Characteristic of series of
straight lines with
interesting intersections.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Decorative
Wrought Iron Projects for
Beginners
119
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.....
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Art Forms in
the Plant World
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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
Methods For
Modern Sculptors
Primarily
concerned with casting metal
(bronze) to create large
sculpture pieces.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
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.
(Just
Click on the Title for
Details)
It is always comforting to look in a
book and say to yourself "Hey I Could
Have Made That!" Then use the idea as
a jump off point to create your own
forged piece.
David
Robertson is a participant in
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