Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I found it very informative about blacksmithing, because I'm a blacksmith for Milwaukee County of The Iron Workers DPW, and I thought it was very helpful.