Product Description

A guide to the basic tools, materials, and techniques of the silversmith includes discussions of the procedures for creating bowls, trays, flatware, and other items.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #163130 in Books
• Published on: 1982-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 480 pages

Customer Reviews

Definitive Book on Working up Metal
There is little that can be added to what the other reviewers have already said in terms of the quality of the information and material in this very good book. The high point for me is the large amount of black and white photos, all of perfect lighting and quality, that accompany the text. If, like me, you are a novice but are learning the hard way without someone to personally guide you then these will be a god send compared with the other high quality books out there that lack them.
As to the book itself the authors have broken it into six main sections:
1. Introduction to Silversmithing
2. Basic Treatments
3. Basic Tools and their uses
4. General Procedures
5. Special Procedures
6. Projects
From my own point of view the Projects section is the best because we get to see these very able men firstly "Sink a Bowl" then they "Sink a Plate and Tray". Next they "Raise a Bowl without crimping" and then one with crimping. They then raise a "Creamer with Self-Spout". "Construct a Box", "Forge some Flatware", "Forge a Punchbowl Ladle" and finish with "Stretching a Gravy Boat". The accompanying photos show the tools for each item and we get almost a complete set of photos showing the stages from start to finish.
The items they manufacture have little decoration which is not required due to their design. So whilst there is a section on Chasing and Repoussé work it is not as extensive as in some of the other books out there. However it gives the basics to start from. If someone is looking for a more exhaustive treatment of that subject then they would be better to consult "Metal Techniques for Craftsmen" by Oppi Untracht. Anyway that is really a side issue and does not detract from what is a brilliantly clear exposition of a skill and art form which is disappearing in the age of mass production. Indeed they state their desire in the preface to the book to pass on to an interested new generation that which is fast being forgotten. Luckily for us they have helped us by doing such an outstanding job.
Finegold and Seitz round the book out with some conversion charts and add some charts relating to gauges, weights and tempering temperatures.
I highly recommend as others have that you do not go without a copy.