The Blacksmith's Craft: A Primer of Tools & Methods,   ISBN:9781580175937

Customer Rating: 

I've browsed and read thoroughly a few of McRavens books and I've noticed a pattern in regards to his work...That anyone can write a book, put a few pictures in and call themselves an author. This book is just another example of him taking just enough information and putting it between a set of covers, only to leave the reader frustrated for lack of good information. I wouldnt recommend this even to a beginner. Unless you covet disappointment. Not recommended...don't waste your money. For an informative book on the basics, projects and really good layouts, look for those by Lorelei Simms or Mark Aspery. Someone please go smash McRavens keyboard!!

Customer Rating: 

A very introductory book on the craft of blacksmithing. Unfortunately, he only hints at how to do some of the difficult projects. "The Complete Modern Blacksmith" by Alexander Weygers has alot more projects and "The Skills of a Balcksmith" by Mark Aspery is the best introductory book.

Customer Rating: 

Very few titles go into much depth on the vanishing art of blacksmithing as does Charles McRaven's The Blacksmith's Craft: A Primer Of Tools And Methods - which is why any would-be blacksmith will want to see this on a reference shelf and even in a home collection. From setting up your own forge and making common items to using recycled materials, learning and acquiring the basic tools, and using blacksmithing skills to restore homes, The Blacksmith's Craft is a 'must' for any rural resident or student craftsman thinking of taking up the art of blacksmithing for fun or profit.

Customer Rating: 

If you are interested in blacksmithing,
have no metal working experience and
are short on funds, I cannot recommend
this book enough.

Originally entitled "Country Blacksmithing",
when it was first published in the early 80's
Charles McRaven:

http://www.charlesmcraven.com/index.html

has revised (slightly) and reissued this
book as "The Blacksmith's Craft A Primer
of Tools and Methods." The author is an
expert in building with stone and timber
framing. Finding himself in need of tools,
he decided to make his own and so learned
blacksmithing in a way which combines
19th techniques with 20th century
materials "recycling".

I discovered the first edition
and immediately coveted it because McRaven
writes WELL! He is lucid and the photographs
are plentiful. Reading this is almost like
having a conversation with an experienced
"Country" or farm yard blacksmith as it is
clear and concise and colorful.

It's not what you would call comprehensive,
with respect to the subject, but there
is more than enough here to get a backyard
toolsmith started making his own tools.
If you are serious about banging on iron,
this should not be your only metal working
tome, but it is an excellent start
IMHO and in fact might be about the only
book you need.