Product Description

Blacksmithing is one of the traditional “lost arts” deserving re-discovery by anyone interested in do-it-yourself building and crafting.

Charles McRaven discovered blacksmithing when he moved “back to the land” in the 1970s and shares his knowledge in The Blacksmith’s Craft. Creating one’s own tools and instruments from metal enhances woodworking, stonework, building, and restoration work. In his readable and humorous style, McRaven tells readers all they need to know to begin blacksmithing.

Simple and clear instructions, supplemented by step-by-step photography, show how to build a forge, how to make and/or acquire tools, and how to use those tools to create items of lasting beauty and durability.

This book belongs in the reference library of everyone interested in traditional American building crafts and culture, as well as those practical folks who want to make and repair their own metal tools, household items, hardware, or farm equipment.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39354 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781580175937
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
Charles McRaven is a stonemason and blacksmith, nationally known for building and repairing dozens of stone structures and log homes. He has written extensively on stone, including the books Building with Stone and Stonework, and articles for Country Journal, Fine Homebuilding, and many regional magazines. He lectures and conducts workshops and private courses in stone construction. Charles lives in Virginia.

Customer Reviews

Best Way to Start?
If you are interested in blacksmithing,
have no metal working experience and
are short on funds, I cannot recommend
this book enough.

Originally entitled "Country Blacksmithing",
when it was first published in the early 80's
Charles McRaven:

http://www.charlesmcraven.com/index.html

has revised (slightly) and reissued this
book as "The Blacksmith's Craft A Primer
of Tools and Methods." The author is an
expert in building with stone and timber
framing. Finding himself in need of tools,
he decided to make his own and so learned
blacksmithing in a way which combines
19th techniques with 20th century
materials "recycling".

I discovered the first edition
and immediately coveted it because McRaven
writes WELL! He is lucid and the photographs
are plentiful. Reading this is almost like
having a conversation with an experienced
"Country" or farm yard blacksmith as it is
clear and concise and colorful.

It's not what you would call comprehensive,
with respect to the subject, but there
is more than enough here to get a backyard
toolsmith started making his own tools.
If you are serious about banging on iron,
this should not be your only metal working
tome, but it is an excellent start
IMHO and in fact might be about the only
book you need.

A 'must' for any rural resident or student craftsman thinking of taking up the art of blacksmithing for fun or profit

Very few titles go into much depth on the vanishing art of blacksmithing as does Charles McRaven's The Blacksmith's Craft: A Primer Of Tools And Methods - which is why any would-be blacksmith will want to see this on a reference shelf and even in a home collection. From setting up your own forge and making common items to using recycled materials, learning and acquiring the basic tools, and using blacksmithing skills to restore homes, The Blacksmith's Craft is a 'must' for any rural resident or student craftsman thinking of taking up the art of blacksmithing for fun or profit.

Nice and basic, but there are better
A very introductory book on the craft of blacksmithing. Unfortunately, he only hints at how to do some of the difficult projects. "The Complete Modern Blacksmith" by Alexander Weygers has alot more projects and "The Skills of a Balcksmith" by Mark Aspery is the best introductory book.