Blacksmith Learning Resources

[primtechsmith]

I know from my short time doing this that the best resource there is for learning the trade is another blacksmith. But aside from that what else has aided you guys in gaining knowledge? Maybe this topic can help others find material to read, or videos to watch, while in search of someone to teach them.

Peyton

[HWooldridge]

I bought a bunch of old Anvil's Ring magazines and as many books as I could find. When I started, the only books I could find were the ones by Bealer and MT Richardson. I also went to every meeting and workshop I could afford to attend.

[Ed Thomas]

There are two blacksmithing sources that are superb for getting up to speed in a hurry.

One is the Blacksmith Journal: http://www.blacksmithjournal.com/

It took me awhile to save up the money, but I bought every back issue of this magazine, that's how strongly I felt about its usefulness. Jerry originally intended to only do the Journal enough to have a fairly comprehensive book, but the demand for his articles remains too high for him to abandon us. I never let this subscription lapse.

Maybe even more indispensible to me now is The Artist Blacksmith Quarterly: http://artist-blacksmith.org

George Dixon is the best of the best in every category that counts, I think. He is the consummate metal artisan, his illustrations are art all by themselves, his explanations are accessible and lucid, and his teaching style is without peer. And I'm running out of superlatives. I think his quarterly is the biggest boon to serious blacksmith community that it has ever had.

Both these sites have connections to their particular preferences for additional resources.

[Ten Hammers]

http://www.anvilfire.com/

I smithed for roughly 15 years prior to gettin the 'net. When I was looking around, I found this place (anvilfire ). Beyond doubt, it alone has helped me more than I will ever know. I have smiths stop by the shop that I have met on the Pub. I have travelled to other smiths shops (that I met on the pub). Junior Strasil taught me more in 2 days than I learned in several years putzin around by myself. I regularly phone folks that I talk to on the pub. I have purchased equipment from pub folks. All this said, a very close second to this resource is of course Glenns site here (only because it came later in the sceme of things for me).

I read Holstroms book " Practical Blacksmithing" many times in my early years and I also had several mentors (most of whom have passed away now). I wish to credit Bill Printy http://ironandlace.com/ for helping me more than he will ever know. I also have travelled a few times to events of UMBA but not enough I'm afraid. I should take more time to get out.

[Strine]

My best advice is to get your hands dirty. Do anything at the forge but take a note of the results. What was a stuff up now may well be the perfect approach to a different job in the future. And enjoy it.

[Jim C.]

There are several on-line, free to down-load, blacksmithing books at:
http://www.countryside.gov.uk/newenterprise/economies/craftpublications.asp Go over to "Publications" and search. Type in "blacksmith".
Jim C.