Blacksmith is an exploration into the life and practices of the modern smith, the history, mythology and folklore of this ancient craft. Blacksmith guides the uninitiated through the journey from apprentice to master, from drawing down and forging to a brief history of nails, through interviews with key figures and an overview of the life on the forge. Alex Pole is a leading teacher and spokesperson of the new generation of blacksmiths, and runs sell-out workshops from his Dorset home. This essential book is a stylishly designed love letter to this timeless craft and hobby, which is making a comeback as people turn to slow hobbies as a way of reconnecting with the world around them and long for an escape from a consumerist, wasteful modern lifestyle.