Professional Smithing: Traditional Techniques for Decorative Ironwork, Whitesmithing, Hardware, Toolmaking, and Locksmithing [Paperback]

Donald Streeter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1995

This is one of the very few manuals written by a recognized professional smith; in this case, one with over 50 years' experience, whose work appears in hundreds of restorations throughout the country. The book has long been unavailable and a collector's item; this eagerly awaited reprint completely reproduces the original edition. Here traditional smithing techniques are presented in clear, step-by-step text and photographs, enabling the reader to produce high-quality, hand-forged small iron work. Included are detailed descriptions of work space layout, specialized tools and techniques, whitesmithing, toolmaking, and locksmithing. Mr. Streeter demonstrates not only how things are done, but how they can best be done by others. There is special emphasis on the crafting of early high-quality, handforged kitchen utensils, fireplace tools, locks, keys, and decorative ironware: hinges, hasps, latches, bolts, hooks, springs, and more. Students and professional and semi-professional smiths will find this volume of great practical value, as will collectors of early American ironwork, owners of colonial houses, historians, preservationists and restorationists in fact, anyone interested in knowing how these early products were made. 144 pages. 257 illustrations. 81/2" x 11". Soft cover.

Editorial Reviews

From Scientific American

This treasure chest is meant to be enjoyed by those who appreciate fine ironwork.

From The New Yorker

[a] well written and photographically detailed book...whether you are a professional smith or an avid hobbyist, Professional Smithing offers something for a blacksmith's bookshelf.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Astragal Pr (November 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879335662
• ISBN-13: 978-1879335660
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Information! Paperback has Inferior Photos, March 4, 2011

By 

Hravnulf (Cincinnati, OH USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Professional Smithing: Traditional Techniques for Decorative Ironwork, Whitesmithing, Hardware, Toolmaking, and Locksmithing (Paperback)

I noted the mixed reviews so I got the hardcover book from the library. I was delighted with the information in the book and felt it was particularly good for providing smithing projects and ideas for tooling. Many of the projects are described completely including each stage of forging the item. There a lot of detailed photographs. This is definitely not a beginner book.

So I ordered the paperback version and was very disappointed to discover that the photos were quite inferior in quality: very dark and less detailed. I did decide to keep the book but would recommend that you try and get the hardcover version rather than the inferior paperback.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is one of the classic books on blacksmithing, September 14, 2008

By 

D Einhorn author of Civil War Blacksmithing "... (PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Professional Smithing: Traditional Techniques for Decorative Ironwork, Whitesmithing, Hardware, Toolmaking, and Locksmithing (Paperback)

This book is a must have if you are building a library on blacksmithing, this book is a "must have". It tends to lean towards information that is a bit advanced, so it may not appeal to raw beginners, but as you advance in blacksmithing the information will become more understandable and useful.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not my favorite, December 20, 2007

By 

C. Wolff (Central Coast, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Professional Smithing: Traditional Techniques for Decorative Ironwork, Whitesmithing, Hardware, Toolmaking, and Locksmithing (Paperback)

I ordered this with high hopes based on the other review. In fact I ordered a second one as a Christmas gift. Well, after looking through mine, I sent the other one back and got a different book. This one is just OK, but you can do a lot better with your money on books of this subject.