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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Nov 5, 2008, at 6:57 AM, Don Bowen wrote:

> I recently read "The Backyard Blacksmith: Traditional Techniques for  
> the
> Modern Smith".  This is what I would call an armchair book, mostly for
> people who dream about doing things.  It started out with a  
> discussion of
> setting up a smithy before even describing what the tools were.   
> Some tools
> for the shop such as a trip hammer were discussed with little or no  
> follow
> up.  There was nothing about making do with found or shop build  
> start up
> tools.
>
> Where the book did shine was the sections about making your own  
> anvil tools.
> I found several good ideas of making hardie tools.
>
> For someone starting out as a blacksmith this book leaves a lot to be
> desired and for someone knowledgeable this book is too simplistic.

While it is fresh in your mind is the best time to write a review for  
the future web site.