I was delighted to find that you talked about the Blacksmiths Cookbook. Its a book that my dad has always had in his collection. I'm gonna have to go borrow it from him
I was delighted to find out that the first book I got several years ago is one you recommend: The New Edge of the Anvil. I agree that it is a treasure. I must say, however, that watching you and other youtubers has taught me the most. Thank you!
George Dixon had the Knife River Forge near Duluth Minnesota and was a member of the Minnesota Guild of Metalsmiths. I took a tool making class from him and attended 2 or 3 seminars he did in Minneapolis before he went to the Samuel Yellin Forge in Philadelphia. He was an excellent instructor and wanted to pass on blacksmithing skills to us beginners.
Edge of the anvil was the first real how to Smith book I read. I still have it after 15 years or so. Back when I first got my anvil and first hammer. Back when I used a hole in the ground and a hair dryer for a forge
Just catching up on some of your old videos. I was watching a video on Japanese toolmakers and in one segment, the smith demonstrated forge welding a hardenable face onto to a softer bodied hammer. Minimal tempering required and seemed very doable. Probably meant to preserve a supply of good steel and still make good tools.
I wish I could get hold of a full set of the traditional metalsmith magazines in the UK. There were a couple of issues in the library at the college where I first started learning the craft
Another good video. The Francis Whitaker book is on the way. Looks like a good one, for sure. I see that you have an old wood drill next to your drawing board. I found one like that in our museum blacksmith shop. Have you used yours?
I found "Blacksmiths Cookbook" on Alibris, an online seller. Also, bookfinder.com is a good resource. I think the old boring machine at the museum needs work too; I'm not sure about what it needs, or if all of the parts are there.
As a person who has got back into blacksmithing, I enjoy your videos. Thanks for doing them. One question I have is: What is your opinion of brake drum forges? Another question: Do you have any videos on making tongs?
I th8nk it is possible to make a brake drum forge that works OK, but most of them are pretty terrible. That is what I started with and it nearly talked me out of blacksmithing because it would not maintain a proper fire. I haven't done a video on ting making yet, but will around the first of the year. Thanks for watching
I found all three of the Albert Sonn books in an old book store in Minneapolis around thirty years ago. They were $250.00 much more than I could afford. I went to the store at lunch time a couple of times a week and when they were still there after a month I told the owner I was interested in them and asked if I could buy them on time. We made an agreement and I gave him $59.00 dollars down and stopped in every payday for three or four months and paid them off. They are now on my bookshelf.
