Denis Frechette

New Spruce Forge Manual of Locksmithing

The New Spruce Forge Manual of Locksmithing: A Blacksmith’s Guide to Simple Lock Mechanisms (Revised and Expanded) is the definitive modern handbook on traditional locksmithing for blacksmiths, restorers, and historical craft enthusiasts. Completely rewritten and more than twice the size of the original 1999 edition, this 304-page hardcover features over 800 full-color photographs and drawings, making it one of the most detailed and visually engaging manuals ever published on the subject. The book is divided into two main sections. “Technical Information” functions as a blacksmithing reference in its own right, introducing the tools, techniques, and metalworking procedures necessary for creating lock components. Topics include forging, cold working, filing, chiseling, riveting, broaching, pattern creation, and other essential low-tech processes achievable with a basic hand-tool setup. The second section, The Locks: Patterns & Instructions, presents 14 fully dimensioned lock projects, each illustrated with clear step-by-step photographs and written guidance. The authors’ practical, low-technology approach demonstrates how intricate and precise mechanisms can be built without modern machinery, relying instead on skill, patience, and a deep understanding of metal. Praised by blacksmithing guilds across North America and Europe, this award-winning manual has been described as “a goldmine of information” and “a must-have book for anyone interested in basic locks.” It not only revives the nearly lost art of hand-forged lock making but also enriches the knowledge of any craftsman working in blacksmithing, furniture restoration, period hardware fabrication, or architectural conservation. With its clarity, breadth, and historical insight, The New Spruce Forge Manual of Locksmithing is both a technical guide and a celebration of craftsmanship, an essential volume for every forge and workshop library.