Blacksmithing Primer
A Course in Basic and Intermediate Blacksmithing

Randy McDaniel

Reviewed by:

Sean Yates

Don’t take this as negative criticism, but this book could almost be entitled Blacksmithing for Dummies. Mr. McDaniel has written this for the complete novice, be they Boy Scout or businessman and he’s done an excellent job. The illustrations are of the stick figure variety but clear and he assumes nothing on the reader’s part. First he explains the tools from anvil to swage and the gets into shop layout and safety. Then he explains hammering technique and the basic procedures, fire management for coal forges and then gets into the lessons, using projects to teach the skills needed. If you are totally new to shop practices, I would combine this book with Weygers and McRaven to get started, and as I learned, consider additional books based on my interests.