Description
(2 January 2022) This book has been out-of-stock (OOS) with the publisher for several months. They have just reprinted it and we should have copies soon. The DVD was also OOS and will also be available soon.
"One of the most unique and truly useful books I have seen in a long time… Virtually every task a beginning blacksmith must master is well defined in this book… The book is to be highly recommended to anyone swinging a hammer to shape hot metal." – Don Plummer- author/blacksmith
"One of the most lucid, best written and illustrated books on the subject… this is much more than a primer for beginners, but is rather a long term reference manual that will be long worn out from lying open on the workbench before one is completely done with it. This is one of the finest companions to have at your side while learning forging techniques that I have yet seen, short of a living master guiding your hand." – Christopher T. Ray- sculptor/craftsman
"This is probably the best book for the new blacksmith. This book takes you through a series of exercises that will allow you to make simple objects likeS hooks to forge welding and making door hinges and your own tools and tooling. The author calls it a basic and intermediate course in blacksmithing and he covers all of the bases. No fancy photos, just clear line drawings that convey the concept. Included is a color temperature chart and a color tempering chart that show you approximate temperatures based on the color of the metal. The tempering chart, also in color shows you how to "let the colors run" to get the correct temper for the tool you are heat treating. For example a scribe should be a light bronze color, while a spring would be a good blue coor. An excellent book to invest in". – OldWorldAnvils.com
"The title of this book says a lot about it. If you need very basic step by step instructions in blacksmithing or have little previous shop experience this book is for you! Randy covers all the important basics often overlooked today. Positioning of tools, how and where to stand, the proper way to swing a hammer. This is one of the first books I’ve read that had the correct method for making a basket twist. The book also includes dozens of basic projects, and a heat and temper color temperature illustration.
The book also includes clear CAD drawings of tools and equipment and instructions on building your own forge. Many of the drawings describe each step in forging an object including the direction of multiple hammer blows". – AnvilFire.com
From the cover:
– All you need to learn forging in one book
– Step by step illustrations and text
– Setting up a shop
– Forging and heat treating tools
– Forge welding
– Forging scrolls, leaves, heads and more
– Plans to fabricate you own coal forge and anvil
– More than 20 projects and over 400 drawings
Virtually every task beginning and intermediate blacksmiths must master is presented in this excellent book. Over 400 detailed drawings help increase comprehension levels. This is a reference manual that will be found lying open on the workbench more often than found on the bookshelf and is highly recommended to anyone swinging a hammer to shape hot metal. This is an excellent introduction to this glorious craft and an excellent resource for advancing your knowledge, skills, and vision for blacksmithing.
