[TheForge] Re: Books etc.

[Dann Johnson]

If  Bealer was a writer first / blacksmith second, so what?    Apparently he 
wrote  well enough to inspire a generation to try old blacksmithing 
techniques.   The point is that a lot of people were able to read Bealer's 
"The Art of Blacksmithing" cover to cover. 

Once the interest has been captured, people can move on to a dryer 
presentation by another author. 

Better still, yet, order some of Roger Degnar's UMBA videos of Blacksmith 
Conference Demonstrations. 

As a result of reading Bealer's  book, I took more time to talk and listen 
to some old timer blacksmiths that shared stories of their fathers  who came 
to America as journeyman from Denmark.   Now the  "sons" have also passed 
on. 

I thought Bealer's work good enough that I have given a few copies away to 
family members that showed even  a passing interest in working iron. 

Dann 


jonned at hvc.rr.com writes: 

> 
> I read Bealer's book in 73 and it was a great intro, got me all fired 
> up. There are mistakes and mileading concepts, but that's not what it's 
> about. I would not use it as an instruction manual. There are better 
> books, the COSIRA are great, Donald Streeter's Professional Smithing is 
> also very good (though if you do follow his instructions you'll notice 
> missing info etc). There are other books, though I don't like many of 
> the newer books (80's onward).  
> 
> I would suggest that you put in your time at the forge and anvil with 
> your eyes open and your mind in gear. The most obvious things are what 
> we often miss. 
> 
> I would suggest also that you get involved with your local group and 
> take a class or two.  
> 
> Jonathan Nedbor
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Dann Johnson