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.
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Anvils in America – Richard Postman – Anvil Identification & Reference Guide (2025 Hardcover)
$95.00564 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.
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CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN BLACKSMITHS – FROM IRON THROUGH FIRE (HARDCOVER)
Original price was: $29.95.$19.47Current price is: $19.47.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
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BENT IRON WORK BY PAUL N. HASLUCK – U
Original price was: $14.00.$7.00Current price is: $7.00.NOTE: This Is a Dented, Smudged, or Dinged Book Offered at a Special Price!!
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Softcover, 160 pages, illustrated
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The Blacksmith’s Project Book and The New Spruce Forge Manual of Locksmithing (Two Book Set)
Original price was: $94.90.$86.00Current price is: $86.00.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.
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THE FULL BODIED RAM WITH DARRYL NELSON (DVD)
Original price was: $35.00.$22.75Current price is: $22.75.A 45 minute Blacksmithing Video with expert blacksmith Darryl Nelson demonstrating how to forge a Full Bodied Ram.
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THE NEW SPRUCE FORGE MANUAL OF LOCKSMITHING: A BLACKSMITH’S GUIDE TO SIMPLE LOCK MECHANISMS (REVISED AND EXPANDED)
$44.95European 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.
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Locks and Keys Throughout the Ages – Classic Reference on the History and Mechanisms of Locks and Keys
$32.50A 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.
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A Blacksmithing Primer – Beginner & Intermediate Blacksmithing Book by Randy McDaniel (Hardcover)
$25.00A 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.
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FROM FIRE TO FORM BY MATHEW S. CLARKE – U
Original price was: $50.00.$25.00Current price is: $25.00.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
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CANISTER DAMASCUS WITH STEVE SCHWARZER (VIDEO)
$30.00Steve’s many years of experience and in-depth knowledge of forging damascus is on full display in this demonstration. Although the canister pattern that he forges in this video may be somewhat simple, the principles taught throughout the video can be used to produce virtually any other more complex pattern.
Total Run Time: 58 minutes
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Persian Locks: 1500 Years of Iranian Padlocks – Illustrated History of Antique Persian Locks and Mechanisms
$32.50An award-winning, beautifully illustrated book on Persian lockmaking, presenting 1,500 years of antique locks history through over 500 photographs and drawings. Explore the design, craftsmanship, and mechanisms of traditional Iranian padlocks in this richly detailed visual reference.
Hardcover, 144 pages, 10 × 8.5 inches, over 500 full-color photos 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.
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