Only an experienced blacksmith with genuine care for his craft and the livelihood of all blacksmiths could produce such a wonderful guide. Holmstrom provides not just practical instruction for all manner of small-scale blacksmith work, but intersperses his guidance with more general life lessons for blacksmiths, such as not falling prey to ?habits of intemperance.? More than a snapshot of a bygone era, the style and the content of Traditional Blacksmithing will appeal to readers of today, thanks to Holmstrom's generous and patient approach. Topics covered include: setting up shop, building your own machinery, repairing horse hooves, fixing your tools, and even building a strong reputation in the community.

J. G. Holmstrom was a successful practicing blacksmith in the early twentieth century. While he worked during the day, he took notes on his tools and techniques, and over time organized his notes into a book each night at home. Traditional Blacksmithing was originally published in 1904 under the name Modern Blacksmithing, and was the first blacksmithing book written by a working blacksmith.