The Complete Modern Blacksmith

Maybe I am Biased because ""the modern blacksmith" was the first book I read on blacksmithing almost 20 years ago. But I really liked it and I think there are things in this book that you can't learn anywhere else. I have or have read ALL of the popular books on blacksmithing and this is still one of my favorites, certainly my favorite beginner-intermediate one. It really stands out from the crowd of generic beginner books. To set the record straight, this takes "the modern blacksmith" and adds a couple few small books to it, content about making scissors (not as easy as you would think), woodworking tools, amateur machining, and little giant power hammers. This book is profusely illustrated, great for the visual learner. I found the illustrations to be clear to follow and aesthetically pleasing. Especially when you consider that the author/illustrator was practically blind, it is kind of amazing. If your into salvaging things from the scrap yard, this is for you, I think the world could use a little more Red Greening up anyways.

I bought this book for less than half what I could find it for in Oz. The book is written well, and assumes some knowledge in the reader's part and focuses on technique and function, rather than basic skills... however that being said there is enough to get someone started who has rudimentary skills or aptitude. There is some repetition since the book is the combination of three seperate books, but that is not a problem when reading the material. There is excellent material on recycling, and reuse of raw and salvaged materials, and the notes concerning the manufacture of tools, with small notes concerning how their use influences their manufacture is knowledge worth having. In all, a worthwhile read/ purchase for anyone interested in the art/skill of working with steel.

The projects are still mostly useful, the drawings are excellent, and the explanations clear and understandable. The techniques are a pretty good selection, slightly limited and expanded by the author's preferences. For example, some of the tong-making includes machining steps, where the blacksmith might normally use hot working instead. The author includes a description of how to make the machine tool, though, which is beyond the usual blacksmithing text's scope. Because of the age of the books, some of the advice isn't as useful (e.g., many cheap files are now surface-hardened mild steel, so files are not always a good source of material when tool steel is wanted). Treat this as a nice historical record of how things were at the time, and know that you'll have to search out your own information, which is fortunately much easier now than when Weygers was writing. I wouldn't want it to be the only book I'm using for teaching myself blacksmithing, but it's a very good second book.

This is just a good book, it is really 3 of his books put together really a good buy. Google the author to really get a idea of his experience and that experience is reflected in these books , full of good illustrations that match the paragraphs almost like he is teaching you right there by example and words . The author was a teacher of art for years and the book lay out matches that experience, I wish most how to books were written this way . A real joy to read and learn from .

You've gotta have one for your collection. Read it through several times and managed to incorporate some of the ideas into my own work with no problems. That's probably the best thing about this book.... it gives you ideas from a different perspective. Yes, it's dated in some sections but for the guy who's more hobbyist than for profit like me you'll enjoy it no matter what. I'd say it's inspiring and a good testament to what could be done on a shoestring. I have many, many blacksmithing books but none are like this at all. Basically Weygers just tells you how he did it, it's his way and his way worked for him and it can work for you. The section on how to make specific stone cutting tools is unique! You'll not find those specific instructions anywhere else in nearly as much detail.

My intent for this product is to have a guide to learn and perform the tool making and black-smithing from a known resource, my Uncle's teacher and mentor. The final results with use of this guide, I am witness to, and in the right hands, with learned skills and creativity, I expect to be able to at best mimic what I have seen with my own eyes - beautiful long lasting creations. I also intend to provide this to my son for him to use as he begins to learn the need for best built hardware and tools, in his life - skills most people don't have - and that makes him a trades (craftsman) commodity worth paying for, should he choose to.

I first found this book on the shelf of a working blacksmith. And subsequently bought my own copy. It’s a great beginners book as it includes how to make all the basics, like a hammer. It has accurate and useful diagrams, which is key. The are many workshop/bushcraft books out there that are all talk. However the illustrations should be remastered, because they’re tiny. I have yet to do any of the projects but I can appreciate that the author has a depth of knowledge. Compared to the other blacksmithing books on the market, this is 5 star.

Probably one of the best overall introductions to Blacksmithing and tool making on the market. A great many books are totally technical, but Weygers gives more of a feel for the practice, something that cannot be had from the technical books that will fill out one's library if you decide to pursue it. The biggest gripe I have with this compilation of Weygers' previous work is that the print is so danmably small. The Making of Tools can be read for the pure pleasure of it, but this edition has print small enough to compress my head. This is the first and only time I have had such an issue with any book. Perhaps it comes from being spoiled by the larger print edition.

Muy detallado y completo!

Great book. Lots of info.

Comprehensive smithing book, easy to understand, good value.

Un incredibile quantitativo di progetti (disegnati a mano) e nozioni, forse il libro con più progetti di tutti. La vera mancanza di questo libro è la carenza di immagini dettagliate a ogni fase della forgiatura (troverete indicazioni su come fare, ma poche immagini). I progetti di questo libro sono molto pratici (ci sono molti attrezzi da lavoro, ad esempio), ma se volete fare battitura artistica del ferro, forse dovrete cercare altrove. Libro più che consigliato

excellent work