45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book Review of The Backyard Blacksmith, June 14, 2006
This review is from: The Backyard Blacksmith: Traditional Techniques for the Modern Smith (Turtleback)
I have been to a blacksmithing rodeo or two and have seen most of the books intended for the beginner blacksmith. This one immediately jumps up to the top of my recommended list.
Ms. Sims is an artist and blacksmith who specializes in creating hand-forged functional ironwork. Her public art commissions include the Omaha Botanical Gardens in Nebraska, Lincoln Log State Historic Site in Illinois and Fordham University in New York. In additional to teaching blacksmithing classes and workshops, she has been a featured demonstrator for blacksmithing conferences throughout North America. She is the owner/operator of the Five Points Blacksmith Shop in Charleston, IL since 1993.
Folks, this is a get-your-hands dirty lady and in this book she shares her experience and expertise in the subject matter, but probably more importantly, has the ability to pass on just how it is done.
The Backyard Blacksmith will show you how, with some patience and working knowledge of metals, basic tools and techniques, blacksmithing can be easy to learn and a rewarding hobby. Through instructions and illustrations, readers will learn to make simple tools and useful items, such as nails, hinges and handles and also an interesting mix of artful projects, such as letter openers, door knockers and botanical ornaments.
In all over 20 projects are organized by difficulty level allowing new, novice or hobby blacksmiths to progress at their own pace and master/reinforce the skills they learned in earlier chapters.
The book is also sprinkled with safety and other tips and techniques.
If you are a beginning, hobby or want-a-bee blacksmith, this book should be read cover to cover several times.
Ken Scharabok, Poor Boy Blacksmith Tools
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BLACKSMITHS, A MUST HAVE NEW BOOK, August 1, 2006
This review is from: The Backyard Blacksmith: Traditional Techniques for the Modern Smith (Turtleback)
The Backyard Blacksmith by Ms. Simms is a an excellent addition to any blacksmithing library. She explains in plain english how to accomplish a task and the photography is excellent. Throughout the book are tips that even the advanced smith will benefit by reading. Safety, an all important issue these days, is well identified with good tips. As a 30 plus year veteran of blacksmithing as a hobby and leader of a large group, I highly recommend her book. Also, it is an affordable price range. Good luck and keep the fire burning.
Ted Stout
Forgemaster,
Rocky Forge Blacksmith Guild
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Treasure, August 30, 2006
This review is from: The Backyard Blacksmith: Traditional Techniques for the Modern Smith (Turtleback)
I have found this book to be invaluable both as a resource for my work & an all around good read.
I currently work as the blacksmith at a historical farm in extreme North Utah, and in addition to the work itself do presentations to school groups (pre-schoolers thru university) and others. This book has provided me with several means of approaching the info I discuss, and quoting Ms Sims (as I very often do), has proved to be VERY useful. Think there'll be a volume II?????????
R M Young
American West Historical Center
Wellsville, Utah
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