About the Author

Author Mike Cardiff and illustrator Pat Cardiff are identical twins. Mike developed his early blacksmithing technique working with Harry Evans and Dave Wooters at the Tidewater Foundry in Easton, Maryland. He then studied under Ken Schwarz, whom he credits with truly starting him on his career in blacksmithing. Mike later worked for several years in Colonial Williamsburg as a production smith. Working within the Society for Creative Anachronism, Mike found an ideal environment for expanding his skills while providing an appreciative audience with accurate reproductions of medieval period tools, weapons, and utensils. His Damascus steel swords and knives are especially sought after by discerning blade collectors and edged weapon enthusiasts. When he's not painting landscapes or providing cover paintings and illustrations for books, artist Pat is usually designing, carving, and throwing boomerangs. Pat's boomerangs are crafted to resemble a wide variety of subject matter, with a strong emphasis on accurately portrayed wildlife. His boomerangs have been featured in galleries across the nation and are used in competition by throwers in the United States and abroad.