Blacksmith Books Information

“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. The way he works and the quality of his products has changed immensely since the poem was written, the image of the blacksmith it conveys is one that many people still hold in their minds today. But like all production processes, that of the blacksmith 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.
• The Golden Age of Ironwork by Henry Jonas Magaziner. An interesting book for anyone interested in the development and growth of metal working in America. The book covers the iron industry in Philadelphia in 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 blacksmith 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.
• The Artist Blacksmith by Peter Parkinson. 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.
• The Backyard Blacksmith by Lorelei Sims. 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.