Artist Blacksmith

The Artist Blacksmith is the essential handbook for anyone interested in bringing a creative, contemporary approach to this ancient craft, and for those already hooked who want to improve and expand their skills.Topics covered include: the range and use of tools and materials; fundamental blacksmithing processes; working at the anvil, drawing down, bending, upsetting and spreading, hot cutting, punching, and finally, twisting and joining. Illustrated with over 200 diagrams and photographs, The Artist Blacksmith will provide an introduction to the beginner and valuable information for the more experienced smith looking to expand their workshop.

With more than 500 illustrations, this book is perfect for craftsmen who want to set up a blacksmith shop, and for lovers of history and craft alike. This book describes and illustrates the equipment and techniques developed in more than six thousand years of working iron by hand.Indeed, this unique book covers every aspect of a fascinating and little-known art, the fundamental craft on which the civilization of the Iron Age was built.

David Freedman has taken the art of blacksmithing in a new direction. His metal work ranges from giant insects in the woods of Scotland to seaweed inspired gates on the Cornish coast, ethereal deer in the ancient forests of England and organic seats in some of the UK's finest historic gardens. David's unique sculptural metalwork is shown here at its best, set within the landscape that inspires its creation. David has been forging creative metal sculptures, delicate copper water features, decorative wrought ironwork gates and much more for over 20 years from his backyard workshop in the UK. Rather than a beginner's guide or a blacksmithing manual, this book is more than a catalogue of David's work, with stunning photographs, design notes and sketches as well as perspectives from blacksmiths around the world and a look into the forge, past and present, giving a unique window into the ancient yet ever evolving blacksmith's craft. This collection is also a source of inspiration for those interested in garden design and garden art as well as public sculpture. David is also a writer of articles and fiction. His children's book Stunt Crow is available on Amazon and Jewel of The Brook is forthcoming.

The Artist-Blacksmith's Craft, published in 1935 and My Life as Artist-blacksmith, published in 1941, are the literary legacy of Julius Schramm and offer a strong encouragement for renewal here in the United States just as they did during their day in Germany. This edition contains the text of both books. Schramm's words in The Artist-blacksmith's Craft speak to blacksmiths today with just as much importance as they did when he wrote them, at the age of seventy: Schramm's My Life as Artist-Blacksmith provides us with the philosophy of his craft, sharing the integrity and enthusiasm that he had for his work at the forge. Francis Whitaker has been responsible for getting the Schramm books published; he suggested the books be translated by Robert Ruhloff and be published by SkipJack Press. Whitaker proudly carries on this tradition of blacksmithing gives us the final word on the contributions Julius Schramm: We all took great pains to satisfy the master and in return had our own satisfaction in doing a fine job. A year with Yellin, two years with Schramm, set the pattern for the rest of my life. The pursuit of perfection.

Blacksmithing in the modern age has become as much about art as it is about shaping metal. The artist blacksmith must rely on an ability to design to produce original and enduring metalwork, turning steel into sculpture, welding details together in the forge. Casting around for ideas, the artsmith must look at many influences from nature to architecture and beyond. This book looks at the unique design approaches and influences of metal artists, from sketching with wire to paper templates. From the natural world to historical references, artist blacksmiths develop their ideas and hone their techniques. The variety of methods employed is endless and their ingenious solutions endlessly fascinating.David Freedman, an artist blacksmith for over 20 years, draws upon his own work and influences as well as the masterful work of blacksmiths and metal artists he admires. With design sketches, scribbles, photos and ideas from diverse strands of the craft, David looks at what makes good craft skills into great pieces of art, providing inspiration for anyone interested in metalwork and design.Artist Blacksmith Design features the work and design ideas of seasoned artist blacksmiths Brian Russell and Stephen Rook as well as the unique work of Bex Simon and incredible wire work of Portuguese artist David Oliveira.

Discover the thrill of working with hot metal and creating your own pieces. This book shows you how: with lavish photographs, it captures the excitement of working at the fire and explains the techniques to get you started. Drawing on traditional methods, it encourages you to develop your own style and to design your own tools and creations. Step-by-step instructions to shaping, bending, splitting and drawing down hot metal are given along with advice on traditional methods to fasten metal pieces together. Projects included in this new book are making a hanging basket bracket and a toasting fork. Aimed at blacksmiths, sculptors, metal workers and farriers, Creative Blacksmithing explains the techniques required to get started, how to make your own tools and tongs and how to help create your own designs, in particular leaves and organic forms. Superbly illustrated with 176 colour photographs.

Get to know the ultimate skill for using your own two hands! The Art and Craft of the Blacksmith discusses a range of blacksmithing tools, techniques, and projects, from fundamental skills to advanced forging, as well as a gallery showcasing inspiring artists using innovative techniques today. Craftspeople making the transition from interest to hobby and beyond will find both inspiration and practical how-to projects in this comprehensive reference to ironwork. Beginning with an overview of iron and the traditions of historical forging, professional blacksmith Robert Thomas offers everything you need to get started or to take your work to the next level.