Genuine Blacksmith


Book Description

What I accomplished in my life was almost impossible, but the fact that I loved horses so much, sure helped. I loved the way they looked. I loved the way they smelled. I even loved the way their feet smelled. All odds were against me, and my father told me that fooling with horses was a waste of time. He said that I would never be worth a hill of beans. When I started riding horses I learned very well, and I had a lot of talent. When I got my first job in Lexington, Kentucky, my boss couldn’t believe that I could ride so good, since I had only been riding races at the county fairs. I guess that is where the talent come in. As I went on working, I would talk to people about wanting to be a blacksmith. Everyone I talked to told me the same thing. “You don’t want to be a blacksmith.” I spent ten years learning how to shoe a horse before I went to the race track, and the extra time sure did pay off. When I first started shoeing horses at Churchill Downs, I run into a lot of horses with foot problems. Some of the trainers doubted that I could fix their horses’ feet, so I would bet them, double or nothing, that I could. After I took several of the trainers’ money, they quit betting with me. That was the way that I got a lot of my business. It was never easy, but there is one thing that I know for sure. I had five apprentices that I helped get started, and they all turned out to be super blacksmiths. David Wilson







Traditional Blacksmithing


Book Description

Learn the timeless art of blacksmithing or simply admire the beautiful illustrations of vintage tools of the...










The Life of a Colonial Blacksmith


Book Description

Colonial blacksmiths not only fashioned objects from iron, but they were also sometimes involved in other trades, such as veterinary medicine. Readers will follow a day in the life of a blacksmith in this graphic book. Based on the life of a real blacksmith of record.







A Blacksmith's Craft


Book Description




The Country Blacksmith


Book Description

The blacksmith was once crucial to village life, whether commissioned for the humblest repair, the most luxurious ironwork or even the odd anvil marriage. Occupying prime position in the village, the forge attracted custom from miles around and was a hive of industry and social interaction. David L. McDougall here describes the varied work blacksmiths undertook, the tools and techniques they used, and the magical and mystical qualities with which they were associated. If you want to know more about the rise and fall of the country blacksmith – and the recent revival of the craft – this colourfully illustrated book is the ideal introduction.