Rating: 
Summary: Excellent and complete book for learning bladesmithing!
Review: As a beginner to the world of bladesmithing I have found this work to be excellent and as complete as you'd need to learn the art of bladesmithing. I'm impressed with the amount of material included with so few wasted words.
Rating:
Summary: how dreams do come true
Review: ever wanted to forge a blade and thought it was a dead art, all knowlege lost to the ages? if so this book is what you are looking for,as the title suggests you can be a bladesmith , all you need is the desire and the ability to hold a hammer, and of course patience,this book holds all the info you need
Rating:
Summary: Good resource
Review: I bought this book with next-to no prior blacksmithing experience. The first few chapters are good primers, but I would strongly advise -NOT- using this book as your only means of learning. As was stated previously, anvils CAN BE expensive. However, keep in mind that, especially starting out, there is no shame in the infamous "Rail Road Track Anvil." Also, a suitable forge can be made out of an old barbecue lined with clay.However, back onto the main topic: The book is called "The Complete Bladesmith" for a reason. It covers just about everything you need to know (however I cannot stress enough that no blacksmith becomes a master bladesmith by reading) from tangs to making grips and hilts. There is even a chapter on Japanese blade making. It's definately a good read, and worth the price.
Rating:
Summary: Best Bladesmith book ever!
Review: I have always wanted to make custom blades, since most of the ones on the market are so common and are of low quality construction. With this book and the other two he has written I was able to go from no experience to making custom blades in less then a month. I highly recommend this book and his others to anyone who wishes to start forging blades.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as hard as you'd think
Review: I'm also a relative novice at blacksmithing and bladesmithing. I found Dr Hrisoulas' book to be of great value. True, there's nothing in the basic bladesmithing that hasn't been written before by somebody, or multiple people. However, the sections on the Japanese and Northern European laminated blades are fascinating and valuable. His beginning section is just that. The begninning. He does most beginning smiths a favor and leaves out volumes of metallurgical data that only serves to confuse the novice smith and compound the difficulties inherent in making the first few blades. Of the dozen or so books that I've read on just blacksmithing NONE gives the reader an accurate price list. None will tell you how much a good anvil will cost, they will tell you that it's your biggest investment. Even Goddard's standby "$50 knife shop" isn't really $50 unless you have access to a machine shop or the junkyard on "Junkyard Wars" first. If you want an "anvil" any large piece of steel with a flat side will do. Railroad track isn't great but it'll do to start. Of course, that's in just about every book. For a traditional style anvil, you can sped $100 on an imported Chinese steel one at about 100#. It's face is fairly soft and 100# get moved around easily, even on heavy stumps. Or you can go overboard and spend the aforementioned $1200 and get about 450# of anvil. The average bladesmith, and blacksmith, will only ever need 150-200#. For beginners, servicable hammers are available for less than $10 (you get what you pay for)up to $50 and all manner of tongs can be had for $30-50 each. I recommend this book, especially if you're able to get it for less than cover price.
Rating:
Summary: Good book for those who want to learn.
Review: It was very informative and had a lot of illistrations. They gave vareous technequies and the author gave a lot of his ideas. If your interested in bladesmithing or swordsmithing then you should read this book. Wheather your just starting or have been doing it a while this book will teach you new things.
Rating:
Summary: Good book for those who want to learn.
Review: It was very informative and had a lot of illistrations. They gave vareous technequies and the author gave a lot of his ideas. If your interested in bladesmithing or swordsmithing then you should read this book. Wheather your just starting or have been doing it a while this book will teach you new things.
Rating:
Summary: If you're serious about forging knives, this is a must!
Review: Jim Hrisoulas has let out information some knifemakers refuse to share, and he is big enough to handle the criticism. He not only knows how to create beautiful knives and swords, he also knows how to write, so the novice to experienced knifemaker can comprehend the content. He also provides excellent diagrams of the subject matter he is addressing at the time. From the steels, tools, and techniques, to some trade secrets, it is all here. For the novice to experienced knifemaker, there is something for you to discover. The forging basics are spelled out in a clear and concise format. Most anything that has to do with the forging of blades is covered thoroughly in this volume. This book is a must for the wannna-be knifemaker. Jim also has two other books in print, "The Master Bladesmith", (Advanced Studies in Steel); and, "The Pattern Welded Blade", (Artistry in Iron). I have all three volumes, and most other knifemaking books in print, the other books being superfluous in contrast. All three volumes are a must for the serious forger of the steel blade, and should be required reading. What an addition to a starving subject matter, not to mention an attractive classic collection of works in the field. These books are really upscale in content in comparison. Why did I give the book a 9 rating if it is so good? You really need all three to have the best, a 10+. Warning: These books are not for the knifemakers that use the stock-removal method for knifemaking, although there is information that any knifemaker would like to read and use, it just may not pay to buy them. I have no personal bias here, as I do both methods. I would be happy to give my opinion of content regarding the other two books. Did someone say light the forge? Nels Nelson - nelsk@azstarnet.co
Rating:
Summary: Complete is definitely the word.
Review: Jim Hrisoulas has put together a wonderful compilation of techniques and step by step instructions on bladesmithing. Now I just have to set up a forge. . .
Rating:
Summary: A good solid book
Review: The book is simple, easy to follow. The book gets straight to the point and lets you in on all the basics without adding too much techno-jargon. I love the forgework involved and have made two knives already. The appendix is useful, as are the list of steels. It has a great list of chemical names and formula for fluxs etc. This book has given me enough information to follow my own style of knifemaking without feeling I have to stick to the 'rules'.
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