[TheForge] Bealer's mistakes?

[Jerry Frost]

Bob:

I was going to cite a couple examples then got to thinking it's been a long 
time since I read "The Art of Blacksmithing" so better hold off till I gave 
it some thought and maybe reread a page or two.

While I was pondering the matter and trying to recall specifics I started 
remembering my thoughts and reactions at the time.

See, I'm almost entirely self taught until about 15 years ago. At that time 
I was walking through a local book store and discovered "The Art of 
Blacksmithing". As it turned out the bookstore got a few dozen copies by 
mistake. I guess I wasn't all that bright as I was surprised to see a book 
about blacksmithing. <embarrassed sigh>

So, I glommed onto a copy, out of a few dozen, there were only two copies 
left but the bookstore thought it was a MISTAKE(?) ordering them. <sigh> 
Anyway, I take my copy home and start reading, sometime around noon the next 
day I finish my first runthrough and start a slower, more studied read.

Here's the point of this rather windy post. As I'm reading I'm saying to 
myself things like, "AH HAH! That's why that didn't work!" and "I"ve done 
THAT! It sure will work." Or, "Maybe I'll give that a shot." And so on.

As it turned out, some of the things Bealer said worked for me where I 
couldn't figure it out myself and some things he said worked didn't work for 
me.

The real point being nothing works for everybody and blacksmithing is a very 
individual persuit hence the term "art." I can't say Bealer made mistakes, 
what I can say for sure and for certain is: not everything he said works for 
me and some things he says won't work do work for me.

So, I guess I have to go along with you on this Bob, much as I hate to admit 
it. <grin> Not that I'm saying there aren't mistakes but I can't point to 
one for sure.

Another thing I've noticed is just how many other "how to" blacksmithing 
books use exactly the same drawings, descriptions and examples. I started to 
say "latter day" rather than "other" blacksmithing books but I don't know 
who published first. Still, there they are, the same exact drawings, 
descriptions, instructions, etc.

So in closing: Anybody have examples of mistakes in "The Art of 
Blacksmithing?" I've already learned quite a bit from the book and more from 
my mistakes so why not learn even more from HIS mistakes? <grin>

Say hi to Gretchen for me Bob.

Frosty
------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.



From: <schade at acegroup.cc>


>

>
> I hear this all the time on b'smithing sites and I always ask for examples 
> of Bealers mistakes but to date I have never heard anything specific. 
> Contrary to many others all I found of interest in the Edge of the Anvil 
> were the very nice Yellin pictures at the end of the book. Worth the price 
> for those.
>
> The one thing I recall being surprised at after reading Bealers book was 
> the first time I tried upsetting. The picture in the book made it look 
> easy. I had a way too big bar and a way to cold heat and couldn't 
> understand why it wouldn't smoosh out like it did in the book. But that 
> was my inexperience not Bealers mistake.
>
> The book that worked best for me in those early days was a little 
> pamphlet/book "Blacksmithing for the Home Craftsman" by Joe Pehoski. I 
> think it was $3. I think it was up to $5 the last time I looked.
>
> Bob
>