“Under the spreading chestnut tree, The village smitty stands….” Although not a book, Longfellow’s famous poem captures the image and spirit of the blacksmith. Despite the fact that blacksmiths today are very different from the image people have in their mind, this book portrays the image we all like to think of when we picture a blacksmith. But like all production processes, that of the Blacksmiths has become very technical and sophisticated and there is today an ever growing list of books, magazines and online articles dedicated to the art of blacksmithing. While the number of books available will fill a reasonably sized library, there are some that may be of interest to the aspiring blacksmith or metal artist.
· Edge of the Anvil by Jack Andrews. Acknowledged by many as one of the best books on the art of the Blacksmith , starting with the basics and progressing to fairly advanced concepts, theory and practices, this book is written in a style that makes it easy to read and understand, even for someone with no knowledge of blacksmithing. Especially useful for the metal artist, it contains some fairly advanced material including a chapter on how CAD maybe used for designing decorative metal work.
* Written by Magaziner, this book is called The Golden Age of Ironwork. An interesting book for anyone interested in the development and growth of metal working in America. This book is very specific in the fact that it covers the iron industry in Philadelphia around the 19th century. At that time Philadelphia was the center of the country’s metal industry and it was from here that innovative foundries and blacksmiths found new uses for iron both in construction and well as decorative work.
· Practical Blacksmithing, edited by M.T. Richardson- 2 volumes. Made up of 19th century magazine written for a blacksmithing magazine in the 19th century gives a great insight into the passion and drive of the blacksmiths of that time, the technologies that were being introduced (many of which are still in use today) and the hurdles and hardships the industry had to over come.
· Architectural Ironwork by Dona Meilach. This book encompasses the wide variety of decorative iron work and Blacksmithing art that has been commissioned in the recent past for both residential as well as commercial buildings. The book compares both the traditional styles that are returning to favor today as well as the avant garde work that is opening up new dimensions of imagery and creativity among blacksmith artists. A good book for anyone interested in understanding the trends that are influencing modern artistic metal work.
* For the artist lovers, there is a book by Parkinson called The Artist Blacksmith. This is not a technical book but a book of photographs of beautiful artistic iron work. Although it may look like a coffee table book, the wonderful pictures are accompanied by detailed technical information that will be invaluable to any aspiring, or even established metal artist.
* Sims wrote a great book called the Backyard Blacksmith. The complete beginner’s book for the amateur blacksmith it contains illustrations and instructions on the making of small tools and household items and well as small decorative pieces.
Blacksmith Zone is a brand new website that is all about blacksmithing. Blacksmith Zone is the best place to go for information that is up to date on blacksmithing. Come by Blacksmith Zone today to get your free ebook on Blacksmithing just for signing up for free to be a member on the site. Stop by Blacksmith Zone Right Now!
No comments:
Post a Comment