Trying to learn blacksmithing can be overwhelming. Knowing where to even start is a challenge, classes are expensive, and it's hard to tell genuine masters from the hacks and YouTube fast-talkers.

After twenty years as a blacksmith, I've written down all of the most critical lessons for a beginner blacksmith. This is the exact information that I've personally taught to hundreds of students at the anvil – and now it's available in this blacksmithing e-book.

This dense, 35-page guide is the backbone of my introductory course - at a fraction of the price. All of the technical knowledge that students receive in my intensive classes, written down in a carefully-illustrated guide that you can print and refer to again and again, as you gain the physical experience critical to mastering our ancient craft.

Contents include:

• How to use the tools of the blacksmith

• How to work at the anvil

• Which tools are essential

• How to easily build and maintain a coal fire

• Basic and advanced ergonomics for forging with power and control

• The types of hammer blows and their purpose

• All about forging hammers - what works and what doesn’t

• How to shape, forge and bend hot iron

• How to make your own tools

• The anatomy of anvils and forges

• The secrets of traditional heat-treating

• How to set up your workspace

• Learn about tongs, hardies, guillotines, punches, chisels and more

• Learn to gauge forging temperature by eye