Alternative anvil

Justin Schmidt

Justin Schmidt

Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Messages
2,209
Does anyone use one? Was just talking to Stacy about the 4x4x4 stake anvil from old world anvils and other cubes of steel. Was wondering if anyone here uses/used an alternative to the London pattern we have grown accustomed to. I'm trying to decide for the regular 4x4x4 anvil for 100 bucks or he has a 5x5x5 for 190. (Stacy if I can't talk about prices I will gladly edit it)
I'm currently using a 3in diam rod of 4140 and it's just not big enough.
 
I used a rr track anvil and a 6.25" cylinder for a couple years, they did just fine. I think you might want to ask yourself if YOU will be satisfied with an alternative anvil for a couple years or more, if needed. They will both do the job, but more weight and real estate can be beneficial.
If you were asking about boats, I'd ask if you had the type of personality that leaned toward the "two foot-itis" syndrome. If you are prone to that, you may not be satisfied with the 4x4. ;)
 
Good points. Not sure about the 2 foot-itus though. The problem I'm having with the round stock I'm using is I just can't seem to keep the metal on it. There's not a whole lot if surface area. I'm thinking about buying the bullet and getting the 5x5x5
 
I don't think you will regret going bigger, but if your luck is like mine, you'd get the 5x5 and then see a used anvil for sale the next day.
Wish you were closer, I'd gift you my 6.25x6 cylinder as I don't need any longer.
 
I appreciate the offers gentleman. How do you like a cylinder shaped anvil compared to a more squared face? I'm thinking the square face could be more useful if you radius the edges.
 
I really like the square/rectangle over the cylinder. That being said, if the cylinder were a sufficient diameter you could still radius the edge. And if it's a cube, you have extra faces. But, I've had an anvil less than a year so someone with more experience will hopefully chime in.
 
Well princess auto has a 110lb anvil for 329. It has great reviews. It's a Chinese cast steel. The 22lb one has like 85% rebound from a video I found on YouTube. Anyway I'm pretty sure the same manufacturers make a 66lb one. I've heard mixed things about Chinese "steel " anvils but if its the same manufacturers I think it would be great starter. They're even sold through Wal-Mart online
https://www.walmart.com/ip/VEVOR-66...r-Welding-Blacksmith-for-Metal-Shop/849374316
So if its not what I need I can just return it.
Am I getting too impatient or should I take a $170 risk? I know a guy that just ordered one so I'm waiting to see how he likes it and if its actual steel.
 
I think you get the biggest hunk of steel you can with the money you have . You will work your way up . I have been wanting to grab the 4X4 just for to have a sacrificial anvil . Half the fun is working your way up the ladder .
 
valknut said:
Well princess auto has a 110lb anvil for 329. It has great reviews. It's a Chinese cast steel. The 22lb one has like 85% rebound from a video I found on YouTube. Anyway I'm pretty sure the same manufacturers make a 66lb one. I've heard mixed things about Chinese "steel " anvils but if its the same manufacturers I think it would be great starter. They're even sold through Wal-Mart online
https://www.walmart.com/ip/VEVOR-66...r-Welding-Blacksmith-for-Metal-Shop/849374316
So if its not what I need I can just return it.
Am I getting too impatient or should I take a $170 risk? I know a guy that just ordered one so I'm waiting to see how he likes it and if its actual steel.
Click to expand...

I’m very interested to hear how this turns out for your friend, please keep us informed
 
I have the 4x4 stake anvil and for blade work I love it. Will it make horse shoes? No but beveling and straightening and flattening it does wonderful. Make sure you find a good heavy stump and make the hole slightly smaller then use a 2x4 over the flat of the anvil and a good sledge and seat it.

I want a gladiator anvil at some point but the 4x4 for the price is tough to beat. Excellent rebound and very flat
 
Tin.Man said:
I have the 4x4 stake anvil and for blade work I love it. Will it make horse shoes? No but beveling and straightening and flattening it does wonderful. Make sure you find a good heavy stump and make the hole slightly smaller then use a 2x4 over the flat of the anvil and a good sledge and seat it.

I want a gladiator anvil at some point but the 4x4 for the price is tough to beat. Excellent rebound and very flat
Click to expand...
Good to hear. I am just a hobby knife maker, about 10 under my belt now with stock removal. . But I now have a decent grinder (Oregon) and Santa just brought me an atlas forge, so im wanting to learn how to forge a blade soon. I also just bought a 2 hp dust vac from harbor freight, my garage is my shop so got real dusty! I don’t want to spend a fortune on an anvil now, so a cost effective first starter is what I’m looking for
 
Tin.Man said:
I have the 4x4 stake anvil and for blade work I love it. Will it make horse shoes? No but beveling and straightening and flattening it does wonderful. Make sure you find a good heavy stump and make the hole slightly smaller then use a 2x4 over the flat of the anvil and a good sledge and seat it.

I want a gladiator anvil at some point but the 4x4 for the price is tough to beat. Excellent rebound and very flat
Click to expand...

Thanks man. I already have a stump for the 4140 rod I'm using. Anyway you can post a picture of it with a knife sitting on top so I can judge the size?
Yeah I'd be happy with the titan. Those nimbas are sweeeeeet
 
I think the weight of an anvil gets overstated and a lot of beginners(myself included) think they need bigger to forge with. A lot of the beasts were needed for a lot of other blacksmithing processes but bladesmithing is a finer sub division of the craft. I think provided you have a heavy stump under the stake anvil it works great.

Take a look at this guys setup(hope it’s ok to link Instagram post)

Only uses stake anvils and sits on the ground and his stuff is amazing.

https://instagram.com/p/Bdd9LJggry3/

Since photo bucket died not sure, I’ll try and take a picture of my little guy with a blade on top.

Another maker who recommended the stake originally made a good point, you can only heat so much of the blade at a time to work it.
 
That's really true. I think I'm gonna get the stake one. Unless the Chinese anvil turns out to be a steal of a buy. Although I don't see where we will need a horn as knife makers.
 
Use the rod as a makeshift horn or just another base? If I do it as a base wouldn't the weld cause a gap and kill rebound?
 
valknut said:
Use the rod as a makeshift horn or just another base? If I do it as a base wouldn't the weld cause a gap and kill rebound?
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Welding of course not optimal, better than superglue but It wont really ”kill” rebound. There wont be much mass rebounding anyway. Comparing small makeshift anvils to a real anvil is fools errand.
 
Lieblad said:
Welding of course not optimal, better than superglue but It wont really ”kill” rebound. There wont be much mass rebounding anyway. Comparing small makeshift anvils to a real anvil is fools errand.
Click to expand...
From what I hear they have great rebound for their size. It's hardened 4140 to rc 52 I believe
 
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