This is a list of books and websites I have found very helpful, including some books that are primarily for inspiration rather than education. Many older public-domain books can be found on sites such as Internet Archive and Project Gutenberg, and you may find some that will help keep you motivated and encouraged to advance yourself as a blacksmith.
Books
Aspery, Mark. The Skills of the Blacksmith Volume I: Mastering the Fundamentals of Blacksmithing. Self-published, 2007.
—. The Skills of the Blacksmith Volume II: Mastering the Fundamentals of Leafwork. Self-published, 2009.
—. The Skills of the Blacksmith Volume III: Mastering the Fundamentals of Traditional Joinery. Self-published, 2013.
Bealer, Alex W. The Art of Blacksmithing, rev. Castle Books, 2009.
DeLaRonde, Joe. Blacksmithing Basics for the Homestead. Castle Books, 2009.
Hrisoulas, Jim. The Complete Bladesmith. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 1987.
—. The Master Bladesmith, Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 1991.
Rural Development Commission. The Blacksmith’s Craft: An Introduction to Smithing for Apprentices and Craftsmen. 1997.
Sims, Lorelei. The Backyard Blacksmith. Minneapolis: Crestline Books, 2009.
Southworth, Susan and Michael. Ornamental Ironwork: An Illustrated Guide to its Design, History and Use in American Architecture. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1992.
Streeter, Donald. Professional Smithing. Apple Valley, MN: Astragal Press, 2008.
Weygers, Alexander G. The Complete Modern Blacksmith. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press, 1997.
Websites
Anvilfire
www.anvilfire.com
Artist-Blacksmith’s Association
of North America (ABANA)
www.abana.org
British Artist Blacksmiths Association
www.baba.org.uk
I Forge Iron
www.iforgeiron.com
Internet Archive
www.archive.org
Project Gutenberg
www.gutenberg.org
Photos
All Photographs by Lynn Ridgway, dvm.
Additional photos courtesy of Shutterstock