| The Art of Blacksmithing | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 14 reviews)
Sales Rank: 119328
Category: Book
Author: Alex W. Bealer
Publisher: Book Sales
Studio: Book Sales
Manufacturer: Book Sales
Label: Book Sales
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Edition: Rev Sub
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 440
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.6
ISBN: 0785803955
Dewey Decimal Number: 650
UPC: 039864039550
EAN: 9780785803959
ASIN: 0785803955
Publication Date: June 1996
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Explaining how it was done in bygone days, an illustrated guide to blacksmithing shows how to make all of the things the blacksmith traditionally created--knives, horseshoes, iron grills, rifle barrels, barrel hoops, and much more.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 good read - techniques and tooling October 1, 2007
I'm still reading this book. The first few chapters are a bit dry, but do set the scene for the rest of the book. I had to laugh when the author said blacksmithing is on the rise.. around here any blacksmithing gear is bought up by yuppies who hang the tools on their wall and call it period art... it means the demand is high, but it doesn't mean the yuppies know which end of the hammer to hold, just that it suits the dining room better than the kitchen decor.
The book... once in the real meat of the book (chapter 4 on) there is good instructional material, and more than adequate diagrams (single line and monochrome sketches) to assist the reader in learning the techniques and methods. There is a strong focus on the older techniques, but some mention of the newer technologies being used by modern hobbiests and adherents. There is enough diversity in the content to appeal to bladesmiths, farriers, armourers (SCA), and wrought iron workers, although the focus is definitely on wrought work, and general techniques.
Adequate overview January 17, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This text is an excellent OVERVIEW of the history, context, and general techniques of blacksmithing. If you are looking for a general understanding of the art, this is the perfect text, and on that basis I recommend it very highly.
I do NOT recommend this text for the serious student of the subject. The discussion is generally shallow and has a tendency toward casual errors. It also presents blacksmithing traditions as fact despite modern dispute (E.g., Edge packing, pp 168-169, is now generally considered nonsense by reputable blacksmiths). If you want to learn about practical blacksmithing techniques, Jack Andrew's "New Edge of the Anvil" is much, much better. If you want to learn to make weapons, Dr. Jim Hrisoulas' several books ("The Complete Bladesmith," "Master Bladesmith," etc.) are much better, but very specialized.
Summary: highly recommended as a general overview. Insufficient depth for specialized study.
 My Second Favorite December 27, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a very good book, it's my second favorite to learn from.
This is my favorite:Blacksmithing Primer: A Course in Basic and Intermediate Blacksmithing (Paperback) by Randy McDaniel.
If you are learning by yourself it's a much more complete set of lessons, including exactly how to position teh hammer to get each set of results. No other books teaches this.
The DVD set is excellent too, but expensive.
(Note, I know the guy who publishes the videos, but I didn't know he did until after I'd bought them, watched them, and recommended them to somone else...)
 Not for the visual learner June 7, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is not so much a "how to" Book, but it would be great for anyone simply researching the subject.
My two cents March 16, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Alex Bealer's text on the subject of blacksmithing is not only of experience, but also the experience of others. In his book he talks quite a bit about the late Sam Yellin. About smith's that he knows, and about his own smithing experience. It may be long winded to some, or may be pompous. Yet Mr. Bealer is sharing not only knowledge with you. But opening doors to the same past we came from. I have been a hobby smith for 16 years, and this book is one of the finest books on the subject out there. Let the sparks fly, and the anvil ring.
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