Pieh Tool

Le Van

Contemporary knifemakers are far more daring than their counterparts from as recently as a generation ago: they’ve become masters of new techniques and technologies, experts in reinterpreting form and function to create sculptural works of art. Flip through this amazing on-the-page gallery, and you’ll discover a dizzying array of styles, from ones that demonstrate simple elegance to others that feature over-the-top embellishment. The collection includes daggers, kitchen knives, hunting knives, combat and folding knives, switchblades, multi-blades, swords, axes, tomahawks, and even a pistol-knife—all honed with fine creative vision.

Le Van

Contemporary Explorations of Containment

From a fabricated spice box to forged teacups and a serving tray on wheels, the 500 vessels chosen for this lavish color survey feature the remarkable design and handiwork of a diverse group of contemporary metal artists. This beautiful and provocative collection has been crafted from diverse materials (including silver, copper, pewter, iron, and gold) using various methods (such as soldering, raising, casting, forming, and welding). Applied embellishments - such as enamel, chasing, and repousse - further enhance many of the pieces.

Sloane

This was one of the most influential books on tools and had an impact on the current interest in tool collecting. There are over 180 pen and ink drawings by the author. Originally published in 1964, Sloane illustrates the uses of many of the tools and covers such diverse crafts as logging, carpentry, wheelmaking, tanning, splitting, tools with legs and much more.
 This absorbing book describes, in detail, farm tools and kitchen implements and how they were made. Includes devices used by curriers, wheelwrights, coopers, blacksmiths, loggers, tanners, coachmakers, and other craftsmen of the pre-industrial age. An informal, expressively written book for cultural historians, woodcrafters, and Americana enthusiasts. 

Unabridged republication of the edition originally published by Funk & Wagnalls, Inc., New York, 1964.

Bookout and Neubauer

Shows in detail how to make your own wooden rifling bench. See the new DVD (DVD61) where Steve demonstrates how to ream the  bore of a commercial unrifled barrel blank, then rifle it in a traditional  manner with his homemade rifling bench. 
Click on More Details to add the DVD61 NOW and SAVE $10 off the regular DVD price!

Stubbs and Clayton

Manual and DVD

This is a step-by-step manual and DVD showing exercises that mobilize the joints and engage the muscles used to round and stabilize the horse's neck, back and pelvis during athletic activities. These exercises will improve your horse's posture, self-carriage and balance. The exercises are performed from the ground and do not require sophisticated equestrian skills or special equipment. Laminated pages keep book in good shape while working in the barn!

Kuspit

The monumental site-specific metal assemblages Albert Paley has created over the past three decades place him not only in the forefront of contemporary sculpture, but also in the vanguard of artists working in the new, genre-defying area that has been called "Archisculpture". Paley goes way beyond creating sculptures that stand as isolated works of art. His sculptures enhance the spaces in which they are placed and, in return, are enhanced by those spaces. Noted art historian Donald Kuspit discusses Paley's development as an artist, his virtuosity as a monumental sculptor and his diverse and significant achievements.

Chapman

CD

5 MB PDF files for monitor viewing
41 MB files for printing

Veleanu & Hayes

This noteworthy and exceptionally comprehensive book features edged weapons dating from the Neolithic period to the early 20th century. These fascinating antiques come from all over the globe, including Europe, America, the Middle East, Asia, Japan, and Africa. Detailed descriptions and 897 outstanding color photos help collectors identify and study the characteristics, historical uses, and current values of highly diverse swords and daggers. Among the items showcased are tribal, ceremonial, and presentation edged weapons, Indonesian krises, and Borneo "headhunter" swords. Valuable information is provided about rare artifacts, terminology, and evaluating age and authenticity of the weapons. Novice as well as advanced collectors will find this an indispensable reference.

Fliegel

Associated with strength, bravery, and loyalty, arms and armor have long been decorated with great skill and care, thereby becoming artistic creations in their own right.

Beautifully photographed, the Cleveland Museum of Art’s superb collection of arms and armor appears here along with works of art from each period that illustrate their use. Chapters include discussions of chivalry and the tournament, manufacture and decoration, and weapons as technology and art.

There is a small section about swords, halberds, etc. If you are into armors, this is the book for you!

Cook III and Skinner

Treasure is brought back to life in this fantastic volume of decorative ironwork and sculpture. Fantastic photography explores the work of artisans of the burgeoning Moderne Art movement in Paris. Selected from folio volumes published in the mid-1920s to inspire fellow artists on the cutting edge, the more than 500 exciting pieces shared in this compendium have proven themselves timeless in their classic lines and exquisite detailing. This is a must-have volume for artisans of the forge, sculpture studios, and all fans of Art Deco-era decorative arts.

Brewer & Price

This comprehensive guide to making mail armor is laid out in simple, easy steps that even a beginner can follow. The Art of Mail Armor instructs you in everything from assembling your tool kit and making your own links, to more complicated and intricate patterns that will personalize and tailor your mail armor for a perfect fit and custom look. Learn how to join, enlarge, round, angle, fit sleeves and add style to an ordinary piece with various trims and inlays.

Popular Mechanics
Willard

Better understand the basic, elegant elements of architecture by learning the classic art of hand drafting in this step-by-step guide; originally published by Popular Mechanics in 1912.

Heavin

Excellent book covering a vast range of axes starting with the early stone hand axes of the paleolithic period. It began as a history of the evolution of the axe. Since the history of the axe is difficult to separate from the history of man, this study has become the history of early man's stone and metal technology as exemplified by his axe. Technology is not only an important part of every culture, but it also usually affects such other aspect as the economic, political, social and religious. The degree of advancement of man's technology is not only reflected directly in his tools and weapons themselves, but also in his means of agriculture, kinds of transportation, the sophistication of his buildings and the degree of his artistic development. These in turn can be directly affected by the degree of his tool development, which in many cases means his axe.

Morgan Ford and Heintzberger
Forward by Kanre O'Connor

Renowned for their amazing athleticism and unparalleled work ethic, and famed for their "great heart" and willingness to go the extra mile, off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) have proven to be the ultimate equine partner in a host of disciplines: dressage, eventing, hunter/jumpers, trail riding-even barrel racing! Now discover all you need to know to find the right OTTB and give him the solid educational foundation he needs to excel in a new career, whether as a highly trained competitor, pleasure mount, or companion animal.

Blandford

24 projects for novices and experts include door latches, garden tools, tables, fences, weather vanes, and more. A book of ideas and suggestions, rather than an instruction manual, this volume features 80 figures and includes lists of materials, step-by-step instructions, and suggestions for variations in design.
This is a reprint of 24 Blacksmithing Projects, Tab Books, Blue Ridge Summit, 1988.

Brack, H.G.

Joe DeLaRonde is a master blacksmith. He started his blacksmithing career 35 years ago as an apprentice under a master German blacksmith. His works are in use around the globe by military personnel and living history enthusiasts, as well as in private collections and museums in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Through detailed but easy-to-understand instructions, illustrations, and photographs, he teaches the basic skills of forging. Here is all the information you need to create artistic yet functional iron hardware and accoutrements for home or ranch, including: pokers, shovels, tongs, hooks, camp sets, forks, spoons/spatulas, skewers, nails, hinges, latches, drawer pulls, coat hooks, towel bars, candle holders, brooms, hoes, crowbars, awls, screwdrivers, chain links, chisels, hammers, adzes, axes and knives. DeLaRonde continues to work in his shop in  Colorado and Europe.

Ares

Blacksmithing explains all the basics of applying high heat to steel and then hammering or pressing the metal into interesting shapes. It covers classic skills - like punching and twisting - as well as contemporary techniques - such as plasma cutting, heating with a torch, and using electric tools. It contains an over view of materials (such as various forms of steel) as well as essential tools. You can learn to master such techniques as creating a right-angle bend, forming a point, and making scrolls. You'll also learn how to craft nails, fasteners, and brackets. Then choose from ten beginner friendly projects, including a simple trivit, a door knocker, a coat rack, and a handsome weathervane.

Plummer
Photographed by Nick Vincent
Edited by Judy Boone

Daniel Boone the 7th has traced his blacksmithing heritage back 15 generations to 16th century England. This book is a tribute to his (and Judy's) success as a full time professional blacksmith; this after having a long career as a welder.

The book includes a brief bio, pictures of his shop and craft fair booth and a discussion on how he approaches the business of selling ironwork. This is followed by 6 chapters featuring the different types of ironwork he makes and sells. Along with the pictures there are brief sidebars which speak to various technical aspects involved in making the piece.

Ivers

Bowed tendons are the most dreaded performance injury in horses. The sight of a hot, swollen tendon strikes fear into the heart of every horse owner and trainer. Until now, there has been little sound advice on how to treat a bowed tendon and even less information on how to prevent one.

Hurst

This magnificent and beautiful work includes an extensive and illuminating text paired with an exceptional collection of color photographs and line drawings of the processes involved in forming metal sculpture, as well as contemporary and historic examples.

Two techniques used to form sculpture castings in metal are described: the lost wax (cire perdu) method, and the modern variant of sand casting.