Traditional Blacksmithing

Learn the timeless art of blacksmithing or simply admire the beautiful illustrations of vintage tools of the...

The Backyard Blacksmith takes the mystery out of blacksmithing, but not the magic... There is an increasing interest and revival in the art of blacksmithing as a hobby and art, and both men and women are becoming at-home blacksmiths. Blacksmithing is a simple, rewarding craft anyone can enjoy in their backyard or home workshop -- even beginners can produce useful and beautiful projects on their first try. The Backyard Blacksmith shows you how blacksmithing can be easy to learn, and a rewarding hobby, with some patience and a working knowledge of metals, basic tools, and techniques. Through instructions and illustrations, readers will learn to make simple tools and useful items, such as nails, hinges, and handles, and also an interesting mix of artful projects, such letter openers, door knockers and botanical ornaments.

Only an experienced blacksmith with genuine care for his craft and the livelihood of all blacksmiths could produce such a wonderful guide. Holmstrom provides not just practical instruction for all manner of small-scale blacksmith work, but intersperses his guidance with more general life lessons for blacksmiths, such as not falling prey to “habits of intemperance.” More than a snapshot of a bygone era, the style and the content of Traditional Blacksmithing will appeal to readers of today, thanks to Holmstrom’s generous and patient approach. Topics covered include: setting up shop, building your own machinery, repairing horse hooves, fixing your tools, and even building a strong reputation in the community.

"This book will teach you to hand build a knife using the traditional method of blacksmiths of old-forging. Traditional forging of a knife blade is a process which uses the ancient techniques of moving hot steel with hammer and anvil alone into a knife-form that is ready for filing, heat treating and sharpening with no or very minimal electric grinding. Almost anyone with basic hand tool aptitude can learn to make a knife by forging. Forging skills are not outside the average person's facility or capacity. If this is a new encounter for you it will necessitate your swinging a hammer; not at a nail but at a piece of hot steel, learning and applying some ten or twelve blacksmithing techniques and secrets, and experiencing some trial and error. I have probably taught hundreds of men, women and a few children to do this and I am confident you can learn to do this too. As a wise man said: "Life is trial and error, mostly error". I make errors every time I go to my anvil. So will you. This book also teaches traditional fit-and-finish skills with hand tools alone. It explains an ancient riveted full-tang handle construction system that surpasses modern methods. This book is designed for both first-time, back-yard beginner smiths to experienced knifemakers and any general blacksmiths in between wanting to build a knife using these ancient ways"--

Provides an accessible introduction to forging, the process of hammering or pressing steel to a finished shape, most often by applying high heat to the metal. There's an overview of materials (such as various forms of steel) as well as essential tools (including hammers, torches, and anvils). Master such techniques as creating a right-angle bend, forming a point, and making spirals and curls. You'll also learn how to craft your own nails, fasterners, and brackets. Then choose from the beginner-friendly projects, from a simple trivet to a handsome weathervane.

Clear, photo-illustrated instruction for learning the practical and artisanal craft of blacksmithing Keen on making your own custom cutlery? Want to make your own fireplace tools or even your own garden art? The Beginner’s Guide to Blacksmithing, adapted from The Backyard Blacksmith, introduces you to everything you need to know, from the tools and basic techniques to a variety of different approaches to this old-school trade. Whether your interest is practical, like fixing broken rails or tools, or artistic, like sculpture and decorative art made from metals, you will find all the instruction you need to be successful in this essential reference. This easy-to-follow beginner’s guide features: Clear instructions that make learning easy—Like having a master blacksmith at your side, detailed, step-by-step, full-color exercises teach all the universal skills and techniques used to forge iron. Accessible content for absolute beginners—Learn to find and salvage the right kinds of steel, set up your shop, collect the essential tools, and work safely, then explore the properties and characteristics of hot metal and how to shape it successfully. Beautiful and functional projects—The book includes beautiful and functional projects organized by level of difficulty, allowing you to progress at your own pace, and master the skills you learned in earlier chapters. Blacksmithing is a rewarding craft that you can enjoy in your backyard or home workshop, and this book makes learning the basic skills easy and fun. Set yourself up for success with this indispensable guide.

24 projects for novices and experts include door latches, garden tools, tables, fences, weather vanes, and more. Includes lists of materials, step-by-step instructions, and suggestions for variations. 80 illustrations.