Iron Asylum

I am referring to the book itself and its appearance, how it opens ect, not what is inside of it, but i think the hinges could be interesting. Thanks Ian

I have previously posted some threads about my dissertation i am writing. I am now looking at ways in which would be the best way to present it in a book form, does anyone have any ideas of how a book could be made that had the appearance that it was made by inspiration from smithing? Also i need some photos to put in my writing, which is on Contemporary blacksmithing and forging, if anyone has anything they think could be relevant and wouldn't mind me using them it would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks Olly

I am currently writing my dissertation on blacksmithing and am curious where all of you get your inspiration from? Who is doing what? and how are they doing it? and where? Who are your idols in the craft and who do you think is the best? How do you let their work influence yours? I am mostly going to be writing about UK based blacksmiths, but if any other smiths from other countries are of great importance then i wont hesitate to add them in to my essay. Thanks Olly

Sorry this reply is brief, im just on my way to bed. 3D design for me at my uni is mainly involving furniture design, but there are a contrast of materials available, i just use steel as my chosen material as i have been brought up using it since i was younger. The reason i have chosen to write on blacksmithing is it is something i am just getting involved with and hope to continue doing so over the years as it links in with my fathers steel fabrication business. thanks Matt87

Hi Jon i have got Peter Parkinson books - The artist blacksmith and Forged architectural metal work here with me and i have just ordered The contemporary blacksmith by Dona. Z Meilach which i hope will come in handy. I will look further in to the BABA website, i am just starting to panick as what i sen to you i have now scrappped so iv got 2 months to write the full essay and send it off to the bookmakers, which seems plenty of time, but i am doing my major project at the moment and going home to work on the week ends, so having a hard time fitting it all in. We have a thesis written by David Hawkins in our library but its not allowed to be removed from the library, im going to go and have a look at that tomorrow and see what i can find in that, but it is a huge book. Thanks again

Dear all, Thank you all for your comments and help, i have taken them all in to account and had a discussion with my tutor. I explained my problems finding the information i wanted and what i wanted to write about. We have come to the conclusion it would be best for me to write about contempory forging and blacksmithing. I am UK based so would really be writing about things that would be relevant to me. But things that did not occur in the UK but are relevant would also be considered. The questions my tutor and I came up with are - Who is doing what? Who is the best out there?...Who do you as blacksmiths look to for inspiration...Who are your idols and why do you like / appreciate there work so much? And how and when are they doing it? i hope this doesn't make things too confusing as i myself am feeling a little confused at this point in time, but i think i will be starting my dissertation again after writing 1700 words, because as a lot of you have mentioned, my question is too vague. Thanks again for all your help, it is very much appreciated! Note to Dave Budd - I am studying 3D Design and use metal as my chosen material and started blacksmithing last year by doing some courses at the Devon Guild of blacksmiths. Olly

i am looking for some of the history of blacksmithing to start off with to be honest, then maybe where it is going, or gone over the years, with power tools ect. By IFI i presume u mean I forge iron, where can i find relevant info here? Thanks Dale

i am a student at university and am currently writing my dissertation on blacksmithing as i have recently started forging last year after working with my dad in his steel fabrication business for a few years. i am finding it difficult to find useful information on blacksmithing, such as the history of it and useful facts. I was wondering if anyone had written anything themselves they wouldn't ind sharing or pointing me in the right direction. My tutor has told me to look at the 'crafts council' but i cant seem to find any information to extract or find any of the old copies of the magazine. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated. Thought i would post this at the top so people didnt have to read through all the comments - Dear all, Thank you all for your comments and help, i have taken them all in to account and had a discussion with my tutor. I explained my problems finding the information i wanted and what i wanted to write about. We have come to the conclusion it would be best for me to write about contempory forging and blacksmithing. I am UK based so would really be writing about things that would be relevant to me. But things that did not occur in the UK but are relevant would also be considered. The questions my tutor and I came up with are - Who is doing what? Who is the best out there?...Who do you as blacksmiths look to for inspiration...Who are your idols and why do you like / appreciate there work so much? And how and when are they doing it? i hope this doesn't make things too confusing as i myself am feeling a little confused at this point in time, but i think i will be starting my dissertation again after writing 1700 words, because as a lot of you have mentioned, my question is too vague. Thanks again for all your help, it is very much appreciated!