Are you planning on starting blacksmithing and don’t know where to begin? Are you a more advanced smith looking for ideas, inspiration or wanting to learn new blacksmithing skills? If you are searching for the best blacksmithing books or blacksmithing videos available, you have come to the right place! Looking to learn to blacksmith? Artisan Ideas has the book for you! Already an experienced smith? Want to add some new blacksmithing skills to your skill set? We’ve got you covered! Whether it’s blacksmithing for beginners or pros, we have  interesting books and DVDs for you.

Explore our famous Artisan Ideas online bookstore. It features a large selection of books and DVDs. Subjects include anvils, anvil tools, forges, forge welding, chasing, damascus steel, and much more. Artisan Ideas also has many books and DVDs with interesting – and fun – blacksmithing projects, at all levels.

Just starting blacksmithing? Learn to blacksmith with Randy McDaniel’s great blacksmithing for beginners book –  A Blacksmithing Primer. Then practice important blacksmithing skills you will learn from Mark Aspery’s books on leafwork and traditional joinery. Francis Whitaker, Max Metzger and other great artist blacksmith masters will also teach you the secrets of their craft through their classic books.

Are you interested in forging animals or perhaps a human hand or head? Or maybe perfecting metal-moving techniques, or mastering chasing and repousse? Artisan Ideas has what you need. Our collection is for blacksmiths of all skill levels. There’s something valuable here for everyone.

  • Anvils in America book cover by Richard Postman – 2025 hardcover reprint

    Anvils in America – Richard Postman – Anvil Identification & Reference Guide (2025 Hardcover)

    564 pages • 700+ illustrations • Covers American and European anvil makers and types

    Artisan Ideas is proud to present the 2025 hardcover reprint of Anvils in America by Richard Postman — the most authoritative work on anvil makers, identification, and manufacturing history.

    $95.00
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  • -35% CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN BLACKSMITHS - FROM IRON THROUGH FIRE (HARDCOVER)

    CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN BLACKSMITHS – FROM IRON THROUGH FIRE (HARDCOVER)

    This is a fascinating and wonderful book with English text. It presents in high quality color photos the newest work of some of Italy’s most talented and renowned artist-blacksmiths.

    The creativity and virtuosity of these blacksmiths is apparent in this collection of their most recent works. This is an eclectic collection and showcases artists with very different styles.

    This book is fascinating not only for the originality of the work presented but for some of the techniques used, which will certainly pique your interest and curiosity.

    Hardcover, English/Italian text, 256 pages, all color photos

    Original price was: $29.95.Current price is: $19.47.
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  • -50% BENT IRON WORK BY PAUL N. HASLUCK - U

    BENT IRON WORK BY PAUL N. HASLUCK – U

    NOTE: This Is a Dented, Smudged, or Dinged Book Offered at a Special Price!!

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    Softcover, 160 pages, illustrated

    Original price was: $14.00.Current price is: $7.00.
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  • CREATING STEEL JEWELRY: ETCHING, FUSING, KEUM BOO, ENAMELING, STAINLESS AND MORE, BY BETTE BARNETT

    CREATING STEEL JEWELRY: ETCHING, FUSING, KEUM BOO, ENAMELING, STAINLESS AND MORE, BY BETTE BARNETT

    A comprehensive instructional book on working with steel in jewelry and metal design, combining traditional techniques with innovative processes such as etching, fusing, keum boo, enameling, and patination. Suitable for jewelers, blacksmiths, and metal artists, this book provides clear, step-by-step guidance for creating richly textured steel work.

    Hardcover, 162 pages, 306 high-quality color photos, charts, and drawings.

    European customers: Artisan Ideas books are warehoused in the UK for faster delivery and lower shipping costs. Order from our European distributor, Mare Nostrum Group (MNG Bookshop). Trade enquiries: enquiries@mare-nostrum.co.uk.

     

     

    $34.50
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  • -9% The Blacksmith's Project Book and The New Spruce Forge Manual of Locksmithing (Two Book Set)

    The Blacksmith’s Project Book and The New Spruce Forge Manual of Locksmithing (Two Book Set)

    These two beautiful and instructive blacksmithing books are the perfect source of inspiration for any smith looking for a challenge and to learn new skills. With 35 blacksmithing projects combined, these two manuals will keep you busy for a very long time.

    Both books are hardcover with a layflat binding, with over 1700 color photos and illustrations and just under 600 pages combined.  

    Original price was: $94.90.Current price is: $86.00.
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  • -35% The Full Bodied Ram with Darryl Nelson Blacksmithing Video

    THE FULL BODIED RAM WITH DARRYL NELSON (DVD)

    A 45 minute Blacksmithing Video with expert blacksmith Darryl Nelson demonstrating how to forge a Full Bodied Ram.

    Original price was: $35.00.Current price is: $22.75.
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  • THE NEW SPRUCE FORGE MANUAL OF LOCKSMITHING: A BLACKSMITH’S GUIDE TO SIMPLE LOCK MECHANISMS (REVISED AND EXPANDED)

    THE NEW SPRUCE FORGE MANUAL OF LOCKSMITHING: A BLACKSMITH’S GUIDE TO SIMPLE LOCK MECHANISMS (REVISED AND EXPANDED)

    European customers: Artisan Ideas books are now warehoused in the UK for faster delivery and lower postage costs across Europe and the rest of the world. Order directly from our European distributor, The Mare Nostrum Group, at MNG Bookshop. Bookstores and other retailers outside the US can send queries, or order from our distributor, at: enquiries@mare-nostrum.co.uk.

    Silver Medal Winner for the HOBBY and CRAFT BOOKS category, 2023 IBPA Book Awards.

    Hardcover, 304 pages, full color photos and illustrations.

    Scroll down page for complete description.

    $44.95
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  • WROUGHT IRON BY FRITZ KUHN

    WROUGHT IRON BY FRITZ KUHN

    Finally available again after many years, Hardcover, black and white photos throughout

    $25.00
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  • Locks and Keys Throughout the Ages Front Cover

    Locks and Keys Throughout the Ages – Classic Reference on the History and Mechanisms of Locks and Keys

    A classic reference on the history of locks and keys, tracing their development from prehistoric devices to modern mechanisms. Vincent J.M. Eras combines detailed explanations with over 280 black-and-white photographs and drawings to illustrate how locks function and evolved over time.

    Hardcover, 186 pages, over 280 black-and-white photos and designs.

    European customers: Artisan Ideas books are warehoused in the UK for faster delivery and lower shipping costs. Order from our European distributor, Mare Nostrum Group (MNG Bookshop). Trade enquiries: enquiries@mare-nostrum.co.uk.

    $32.50
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  • The Blacksmith’s Project Book – Intermediate & Advanced Blacksmithing Projects from European Masters (Hardcover)

    The Blacksmith’s Project Book – Intermediate & Advanced Blacksmithing Projects from European Masters (Hardcover)

    The Blacksmith’s Project Book is a blacksmithing projects book for intermediate and advanced smiths, featuring 20 challenging projects with over 900 high-quality color photos. Explore advanced techniques and artistic metalwork from European master blacksmiths. Hardcover, 248 pages.

    $49.95
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  • A Blacksmithing Primer 2023 Updated Hardcover Edition by Randy McDaniel

    A Blacksmithing Primer – Beginner & Intermediate Blacksmithing Book by Randy McDaniel (Hardcover)

    A Blacksmithing Primer is a complete blacksmithing book for beginners and intermediate smiths. Written by Master Blacksmith Randy McDaniel, this widely used guide has sold over 35,000 copies and teaches essential tools, techniques, and projects through clear, step-by-step instruction. Hardcover, 174 pages, over 400 drawings.

    $25.00
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  • -50% FROM FIRE TO FORM BY MATHEW S. CLARKE - U

    FROM FIRE TO FORM BY MATHEW S. CLARKE – U

    NOTE: This Is a Dented, Smudged, or Dinged Book Offered at a Special Price!!

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    Sculpture from the Modern Blacksmith and Metalsmith

    Original price was: $50.00.Current price is: $25.00.
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