The Blacksmith’s Project Book
Intermediate & Advanced Projects from European Masters by Antonello Rizzo
Published in 2018 by Artisan Ideas Hardcover, 248 pages, over 900 color photos
Reviewed by Amy Mook, Hot Iron News editor
The Blacksmith’s Project Book sparks the imagination, informs and inspires. Written as a resource book for blacksmiths, there is much to be gleaned by makers and artists in any medium, and anyone who is an art or craft aficionado. Flip through the pages or read front to back, each time you open this book you will find something new. You will meet master blacksmiths from around the world, delve into their individual process and style, and learn new blacksmithing techniques. It may unlock secrets to a process that has been puzzling you, or knock loose a block in your design flow.
Antonello Rizzo has chosen each chapter wisely, representing a great variety of design style, smithing techniques and skill level. The 21 chapters include 11 dedicated to sculptural projects of varied complexity, 3 more on hardware, jewelry and blade projects, and 6 illustrating the techniques of damascening, metallic fusion, Swiss patina technique, mokume, chromatic finishing and restoration. The projects are intended for blacksmiths of intermediate and advanced skill levels, though an ambitious beginner could find a project to challenge and reward them. Even the most advanced smith will find something new in this wide ranging collection of design and blacksmithing technique.
The book layout is superb for readability and clarity. Each project begins with a concise introduction to the project and artist, followed by a photo essay with instructive text and captions. The direction given in the text and photos leaves room for your own personal style, and also requires some background blacksmithing knowledge as not every step is explained in detail, a relief from the redundant text of so many blacksmith how-to books which repeatedly describe even the most basic of details. The over 900 high quality photos are laid out in coherent sequence. The images tell of much more than a step in the process, we also get to see a large array of shops, tools and forges.
Throughout the pages of this book there is the undercurrent of vitality, talent and creativity alive in the international blacksmith community. A search on each of the artist’s names led to amazing galleries of contemporary iron works, an explosion of artistic expression and amazing accomplishments in blacksmithing, the king of crafts. Be warned, you may be forced to plan a trip to Europe and beyond to satisfy your curiosity, which is sure to be piqued.
If you are looking for a book with beginner to intermediate blacksmithing techniques try Secrets of the Forge, also by Antonello Rizzo. The Blacksmith’s Project Book is a continuation in the same vein, for a higher skill level blacksmith. Each book is a standalone standout, and they make great companions for your library.
I put The Blacksmith’s Project Book on my highly recommended list, it is a great addition to any library. Consider getting an additional copy for shop use, and get busy with some of these projects!
The Blacksmith’s Project Book
Intermediate & Advanced Projects from European Masters by Antonello Rizzo
Published in 2018 by Artisan Ideas Hardcover, 248 pages, over 900 color photos
