The Blacksmith's Project Book: Intermediate & Advanced Projects from European Masters - Hardcover

Antonello Rizzo

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0997979828 ISBN 13: 9780997979824

Publisher: Artisan Ideas, 2018

Synopsis

Scroll down this page to the "EDITORIAL REVIEWS" section to see what they are saying about this book.
"The Blacksmith's Project Book" presents 20 original intermediate and advanced projects for blacksmiths looking to further hone their skills and learn techniques from European master smiths. This hardcover 248 page book, with over 900 high-quality photos, clearly explains the necessary steps and techniques for completing projects which include metallic fusion, damascening, chromatic finishing techniques, foldforming, patination, sculpture forging, and other interesting topics.
Antonello Rizzo's first bestselling project book, "Secrets of the Forge", contained almost 50 original projects by master smiths for beginning and intermediate level blacksmiths. This excellent new book brings the level up a notch and has the intention of also serving as creative fodder for the smiths' own project designs. Rizzo's two project books together provide blacksmiths with what are probably the most varied, the most interesting and most modern blacksmithing projects available today in a printed format.
The bonus 21st chapter of this book is a fascinating essay presenting the essayist's heartfelt thoughts on the restoration of old wrought iron.
You can be sure that there is plenty of material in The Blacksmith's Project Book that will be of great interest to any practicing blacksmith.

About this title

Review

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS BOOK:

"This is an exceptional book with many projects that I plan to attempt myself." - Barry Myers, On the Anvil Newsletter (The Phillip Simmons Artist Blacksmith Guild)

"... sparks the imagination, informs and inspires." - Amy Mook, Hot Iron News, (Northwest Blacksmith Association)

"The pieces presented in this book have motivated me to continue to attempt to expand my skills and their use in the creation of art in metal." - Jeff Jarrett, The Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths Newsletter

"I intend to put my review copy of this book in the Indiana Blacksmithing Association library and purchase a copy for myself because there are many fascinating projects in this book that I would like to try. The wide variety of subjects means there is something of interest for everyone." - Bill Kendrick, The Forge Fire 

"I found The Blacksmiths Project Book to be very useful. The layout and design of the book was thorough and easy to follow and filled with great variety of tips and ideas. I would recommend this book to any of my fellow Blacksmith colleagues as a great teaching as well as learning tool." - David S. Short, Forge Master for Tidewater Blacksmith Guild

"Fills a void in blacksmithing texts available today ... a serious treatment of a large collection of different skills ... priced slightly below what comparable advanced text books are selling for. With the wealth of information contained it is truly a bargain." - Bob Menard, The New England Blacksmiths Newsletter.

"I'm well pleased with my purchase. The text is clear, and the pictures are excellent. This is a worthwhile book to add to your personal library." - Rob Fertner, Editor, Newsletter of the Central States Metal Artisans.

"I found this book to be very well done and excitingly refreshing. It is full of ideas that I want to try, some of which I have not seen before. If you are interested in blacksmithing and metal work on just about any level, I highly recommend that you get a copy." - The Editor, The Saltfork Craftsmen Artist-Blacksmith Association Newsletter

"... an exceptional publication." -  Northern Rockies Blacksmiths Association Newsletter.

"I really enjoyed reading this and read it from cover to cover, however it is just as easily used as a reference guide to make any of the included projects. I recommend this book. It is a good addition to your library and a great source of some new ideas and inspiration." - Jon McCarty, BAM (the Newsletter of the Blacksmith Association of Missouri)

"... there is a lot to learn by studying the various projects." - Albin Drzewianowski, Hammer Notes (The Newsletter of the Mid-Atlantic Smith's Association)

"This book would be helpful for any blacksmith trying to broaden their ideas and technique." - Monica Coyne, Artist Blacksmith
"... I really like this book and feel that it's a bargain. (It) is printed on quality paper and the photos are crisp, clear, plentiful, and do a very good job of portraying the work being done. The steps for each project are well written and provide sufficient information to duplicate these wonderful pieces." - Paul Novorolsky, Editor, The UMBA Journal (Upper Midwest Blacksmith Association)  

"... a few of the projects shown will be made in my shop in the near future. I think that any (black)smith would find helpful information, either as a guide to the items made, or in the techniques used to make them." - Ira Wiesenfeld, The Anvil's Horn, a publication of the Arizona Artist Blacksmith Association

".... an excellent book. A variety of projects which provide a good learning curve for blacksmiths pushing toward a higher level in their craftsmanship." - Mike Otis, Forge Facts (The Rocky Mountain Smiths)

"If you are a blacksmith who wants to delve more into the sculptural aspects of metalworking, I think you'll enjoy this book. The book contains over 900 color photographs that not only help you walk through the progression, but also seethe tools and tooling used." - Steven Spoerre, The Upsetter (Newsletter of the Michigan Artist Blacksmith Association)

"These are not your run-of-the-mill blacksmithing projects, but are nearly all sculptural in nature. You get a chance to see how a professional gets to the end result they want, which is a real treat, and with 900 color photographs it has a lot to offer.  I think this is a worthy follow up to Mr. Rizzo's previous book, Secrets of the Forge, and is definitely worth your time, especially if you are looking to expand your own work artistically and differentiate your projects from others." - I Forge Iron, Book Reviews (teenylittlemetalguy, Anchorage, Alaska)

"I enjoyed reading the book and visualizing how I can forge some of these projects in my own shop. I recommend The Blacksmith's Project Book to intermediate and advanced smiths who don't need detailed written instructions. I believe that I can forge most of these projects from the descriptions provided, but maybe on a smaller scale, and I am looking forward to that." - John Dale, California Blacksmith (the Newsletter of the California Blacksmith Association)

"I was asked by the publisher to review The Blacksmith's Project Book. I have to admit I was excited by the title words "intermediate & advanced" since it seems there is a void in blacksmith related project books if you want to go beyond the basics. This book did not disappoint.
What this book is not: You will not find the overly repeated descriptions of blacksmith tools like parts of the anvil, hammer types, how to hold a hammer, etc. You won't find out how to make S-hooks or draw tapers. And there is no lengthy discussion about how to heat treat chisels. If you are a complete beginner, some parts of the projects in this book may be a challenge. But I believe even beginners will get a lot from this book in seeing progressive steps on complex projects, seeing unique ways to set up and move metal, and seeing how certain tools are applied.
What this book is: You will find twenty projects from various, mostly European, smiths presented with 900 quality color photographs showing key steps for each project with brief explanatory text. Many of the projects are contemporary art sculptures. Some have that certain contemporary "look" (think Zeevik Gottlieb from Israel who demonstrates the first project - a joined figure sculpture.) There is an interesting Venetian door knocker, a somewhat utilitarian billhook project and window shutter stop as well. Each project is documented with photos of key steps including which tools are used and how they are used. The brief text explains the processes very well without getting overly bogged down in explaining the basics. The feel is almost like traveling in person to watch demonstrations in the various smiths' shops. Stock sizes are given for each project (in imperial units.)
Techniques: The techniques you will learn from the projects in this book are largely scalable (some projects documented in the book use fairly large stock and are best done with a power hammer and/or striker but they can be scaled down) and the techniques can be transferred in numerous ways to other projects. Some of the techniques for moving metal are probably a little different than you may have tried before. There are also projects specifically demonstrating a new application of damascening, metallic fusion, a Swiss Patina technique,polishing forged work, Mokume Gane, and Chromatic Finishing. The last chapter covers some general basics of restoring antique wrought ironwork.
Recommendation: I found this book to be very well done and excitingly refreshing. It is full of ideas that I want to try, some of which I have not seen before. If you are interested in blacksmithing and metal work on just about any level, I highly recommend that you get a copy." - The Editor, The Saltfork Craftsmen Artist-Blacksmith Association Newsletter

Edition details

• Publisher: Artisan Ideas
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0997979828
• ISBN 13: 9780997979824
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 248