Born from fire and forge, Blacksmith is an exploration into the life and practices of the modern smith, and the history and folklore of this ancient art. Alex Pole guides the uninitiated on a journey from apprentice to master. Celebrating tools and traditions, from the humble nail to the history of the axe, he shares his passion and wealth of knowledge as a blacksmith to allow you a glimpse behind the steam- and smoked-filled scenes of life at the forge. Through sparks, fire and heat, delve into fascinating detail about the technique and skill that is required to master this age-old trade, and in the process discover a new appreciation of everyday objects and the people who bring them into existence. Beautifully designed and richly illustrated, Blacksmith is an essential guide to this timeless craft.

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.

Geared toward answering the many questions that new blacksmiths often have, author Ryan Ridgway hopes to fill the void of inaccessible information for aspiring blacksmiths with this comprehensive volume. By explaining the physics of moving metal, the different styles of anvils and forges, and alternative fuel sources, Ridgway sets his book apart from less detailed volumes. With 40 practical, easy-to-follow projects, The Home Blacksmith shows hopeful blacksmiths how to make tools, such as hammers and chisels; farm implements, such as gate latches and hoof picks; and items for home use, including drawer pulls and candle holders.

Teach yourself the lost arts of blacksmithing, tool design, and tool repair. Design, forge, and fix your own tools, hardware, and household accessories with master craftsman and teacher Alexander G. Weygers. The Complete Modern Blacksmith contains clear, step-by-step instructions and hundreds of the author’s own detailed drawings, bringing scores of time-honored techniques to modern artisans – experienced craftsmen and beginners alike. This unique resource brings together three popular but long-out-of-print classics: • The Modern Blacksmith, which covers everything from developing the correct hammer and body motions for forging and creating tools such as pliers, shovels, and hinges. • The Recycling, Use, and Repair of Tools, which stresses the reuse of old materials, featuring easy-to-follow processes. • The Making of Tools, which explores how to design, sharpen, and temper whichever tool you need, using only basic shop equipment and scrap steel. A truly invaluable resource, The Complete Modern Blacksmith is an essential volume in any craftman's library.

Ideal for beginners or those looking to brush up their skills, this quick-reference overview explains the basics of all aspects of blacksmithing. With more than 450 photos and a focus on only the most essential tools and equipment, it keeps the information simple for the beginner. Summaries cover the tools of forging, their uses, and the essential equipment in the work space; the differences among free-form forging, drop forging, industrial, hot work, and cold work; the steps of the process, such as bending, joining, riveting, welding, chiseling off, and splitting; and the chemistry of iron and steel. The book also shows a gallery of 44 types of forged items, from hooks to tool handles, with comments on their forged features.

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.

The Forgings, the groundbreaking series of industrially forged steel sculptures that the artist produced in 1955 and 1956, are brought together in one book for the first time, alongside complementary sketchbook drawings of the sculptures. This catalogue, documenting an exhibition at Gagosian Gallery, New York, is the first time that all ten Forgings have been on view together since 1956. The sculptures are accompanied by a series of works on paper leading up to The Forgings, as well as sketchbook drawings of the completed sculptures. With the The Forgings, David Smith translated the spontaneity of a brushed line drawing into sculptural form, manipulating thin steel bars to achieve expressive vertical abstractions. The Forgings were unprecedented as works created solely through an industrial machined process, but were perhaps even more radical as pre-Minimalist forms intended to provoke discrete responses in each viewer.

"This book breaks down blacksmithing's fascinating, if somewhat daunting, skill set into attainable fundamentals that show you how to become an accomplished smith."--Amazon.com.