Mokume Gane - A Comprehensive Study

I wrote my first book, Mokume Gane In The Small Shop, to provide individual metalsmiths, students, and jewelers with a means of creating top-quality mokume with limited equipment and resources. This book is different in several important ways. It still covers the "low tech" method, which I have been using and teaching others to use for the past decade, and all of this information has been updated to give the reader a complete understanding of my process. In addition, I am very pleased to have contributions to this book written by some of the most revered mokume artists in the world, presenting their own different approaches to the technique. James Binnion has contributed some fabulous information born of years of experience with kiln fired mokume, while Robert Coogan relates his technique of gas, forge firing mokume and working it from the perspective of a knife maker. You may notice in this book, that some of the information is seemingly contradictory. One artist may suggest a certain part of the process that another shuns, and yet both have success with their techniques. My advice to you, is to take what you can from all of the contributors in this book and use what seems most appropriate, based on your own experiences with metal and the tools you have available to you. Scattered throughout the book are photos of work and quotes from some of the finest metalsmiths and designers working with this technique today. So whether you're a jewelry student, designer, manufacturer, bladesmith, or a collector of this unique style of metalwork, this book has something for you. Enjoy!