The ability to heat and shape metal into tools, fixtures, and other useful items is one of the most practical skills in the handyman's toolbox. The Book of Blacksmithing shows how surprisingly easy it is to get started in this rewarding craft. Veteran blacksmith Michael Cardiff teaches you how to set up a basic shop, gather the necessary tools, select the right steel, and hone common metalsmithing techniques. He then walks you step-by-step through 15 simple projects- including making handy tools for your workshop, decorative items for your home, and a classic single-edge knife-that will help you master hammer control, co-ordinate tong and hammer use, and perfect other essential skills of the trade. Every technique and project is accompanied by clear, easy-to-follow illustrations. Hot iron is a joy to work with-a normally hard, unyielding material that suddenly, as if by magic, becomes easy to bend, twist, cut, and shape into all sorts of functional items. Learn how to do it safely and effectively with The Book of Blacksmithing.