Blacksmithing

Daniel Johnson's Blacksmithing is a solid resource. It covers all of the basics of setting up a (very expensive, very well-equipped) shop and provides a thorough introduction to blacksmithing. A majority of the included projects could certainly be made in a much simpler "backyard" set-up, but the photographs and accompanying text give the enthusiast something to aspire to.

What makes this book stand out is the abundance of full-color photos. They clearly show the different steps involved and are ideal for showing what color(s) the metal takes on when it's at the proper working temperature for different applications.

This is an excellent general resource that I would not hesitate to purchase or recommend.

Blacksmithing: A Guide to Practical Metalworking, Tools, and Techniques is a well written and accessible tutorial guide to smithy by Daniel Johnson. Due out 10th Oct 2023 from Amber Books, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a solid reference and tutorial guide for beginning and intermediate smiths & crafters which does a good job of covering the tools, supplies, workshop setup, safety, and other features necessary for safe and successful blacksmithing. The author is clearly experienced at his craft and does a good job of making that info accessible to others.

In fact, the book is arranged in a course format. Safety, equipment, basic info, technique and background are covered in the first half of the book, with 7 complete tutorial projects each in their own chapter after. The book is very well photographed throughout, in colour, and arranged well enough that "action" shots aren't obstructed by tools or hands.

The tutorials are written simply and clearly. Tools and supplies are listed in a bullet list sidebar, followed by step-by-step instructions. Measurements are provided in both metric and imperial (American) units. All the tutorials are accompanied by numerous colour photos. It -would- be possible for a keen beginner to use this book as a primary resource to gather the necessary tools and supplies and learn the basics of blacksmithy from the tutorials it contains. It's always easier (and less costly) to learn from someone who knows what they're doing, but this is a valuable resource and could serve as primary instruction, if necessary. There is no index or resources/vendors list included in the text. The photos do have an attributions credit index.

Five stars. Highly recommended to home hobbyists, crafters, recreationists/SCAdians, self-sufficiency folks, library acquisitions, etc. Makers groups will also find this a valuable addition. There's an honesty and directness in the non-stock photos; the hands and arms of the author/instructor bear the scars of his experience.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This is a superb handbook and introduction to blacksmithing (A guide to practical metalworking, tools and techniques) which is well laid out and full of pictures to illustrate techniques. The cover is wonderful and is what drew me in to reading it. There a seven projects to aspire to and a thorough guide to what you need to have, know and do to create a productive workshop. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.