Many young craftsmen, as well as older ones who are taking up a craft as
hobby or as second vocation seems to ignore the value of books and
especially old books as a source of information, choosing instead to rely
solely on the internet, using websites like this one, or even worse, they
rely on the extremely subjective information given by others on forums or "chatrooms".
While there are many new books available on various crafts, many of the
recently published
are too basic for workshop use.
It should be your aim to collect and use as many books as you can afford
on the subjects of crafts and craftsmanship. And DO NOT limit your purchases to books
relate
solely to your chosen craft. A knifemaker should read about design, forging,
machining, jewellery making, woodwork, metal finishing, wood finishing,
colouring and patination, carving, engraving, etching,
ergonomics, drawing, sketching.
Reference books should not be limited to technique. Buy books on art
history as well; books on the philosophy of being a craftsman will keep you sane.
The following are books I frequently refer to:
Workshop Practise
Machinery's Handbook, 16th edition. (Older editions have extensive
chapters on forging practise.)
The Industrial Press
Fine Metalwork
Metal Techniques For Craftsmen - Oppi Untracht
Doubleday & Company, Inc
ISBN: 0-385-03027-4
Watchmakers' & Clockmakers' Encyclopaedic Dictionary - Donald de Carle
N.A.G. Press LTD, London
Engraving
The art of engraving - The Keystone
Lindsay Publications
ISBN: 1-55918-061-7
The Art of Engraving - James B. Meek
F. Brownell & son, Publishers
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 73-84371
Damascus
The Art of Forging, Patterning and Coloring Damascus
Steel - Carel Smith
Available from the author and from
KMTS
Philosophy of craftsmanship
Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance - Robert M Persig
A Cabinetmaker's Notebook - James Krenov
The impractical cabinetmaker - James Krenov
