The quality of the Paul Long is an absolute benchmark in content and production quality.
$40 USD is pricey especially considering out Canadian exchange, but if I had to learn it on my own, surely I'd waste hundreds of dollars of leather.
When I came here, I read each and every single post in shop talk and the archive. then I consumed as many of the books and movies that were mentioned I could get.
Youtube is free, but look at the problems, the guy built a forge (nfg) posted a how to video, then came here to find out how it's done.
that's bass ackwards. You have no idea who they are and how skilled they are.
At least the ABS videos you have some idea of their qualifications.
Try asking at the libary, or a forging group, like tha ABANA or Local model engineering society
https://sites.google.com/site/tsmeweb/test-1
All the DVDs from Chris Crawford's line are like that, the production quality just gets better and better. I can't say enough good things about them when it comes to the folder, or leather videos. Unfortunately, the forged/fixed blade ones are the weak link IMO, I assume production quality is just as good, it's the choice of maker that lacks appeal for me. Although if you're getting started with pretty basic equipment, it may be informative.
The Allen Elishewitz videos for example are hugely educational, even if you're not interested in frame lock/tactical style folders simply because of the caliber of equipment and advanced processes that Allen has continually developed. It's all well and good to have videos showing how to make salvaged equipment work on a non-existent budget, but eventually you get to the point where that has very little to offer you. It's nice even for me, to see the sort of gear and tricks another maker that's refining equipment and process, and I picked up ideas just from looking at stuff in the camera frame that wasn't even the focus of the video. I can't say enough good things about this series.
Chris' own videos have gotten perpetually better, even though he's somewhat in between equipment and process wise. He utilizes some smaller, but decent quality equipment, with clearly well researched processes and has a very good ability to explain what and how he's doing something, even if he hasn't refined or mastered it completely. I buy all of them I can, just to support the production of more. Even if it's a subject I think I'm already more advanced at, you never know what little trick you can pickup.
I personally have no issue with the price, and I honestly think it's a good thing to have some of the best information available have a barrier to entry, that affirms your commitment to the craft. Easy come easy go, put your money where your mouth is, and you're much likely to respect and value it.
Youtube may be the single most accessible source of information out there, but it's also, the single biggest source of perpetuating misinformation, and an absolutist attitude regarding those misconceptions, which discourages correction. The affirmation system (likes), exacerbates this problem, when someone get enough attention, it reinforces the idea that they're correct, and snowballs against critical personal (the video maker) assessment. i.e. I've got a million likes, therefor, I must know what I'm talking about. There are exceptions to this of course, I've got a few channels on youtube I absolutely adore, but I'm at least remotely qualified (and extremely critical) enough to make an assessment on the subjects I'm interested in.
Anybody intersted in home shop machining, checkout "This Old Tony", it's great, in a fun format, well researched, without a presumptive attitude, and plenty of self deprecation. A maker that knows his limits, but is clearly smart enough to help others learn with them.
Brent Bailey Forge is also great, if you want to follow one of the best *real* tool making traditional blacksmiths still practicing.
