Anvil Advice...

klammer

klammer

Joined
Jan 30, 2009
Messages
580
Hello Folks - I am starting to look at anvils to begin swining a hammer and the biggest question I have run into is what Anvil? Old vs. New? How Big?

the most consistant thing I have read is "bigger is better"....but how big? How much better? 250# is better than 150#....but is 350-400# overkill?


Use would be for bladesmithing up to large size choppers / small sowrd.

I would prefer to buy once rather then twice.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers,
Klammer
 
350-400# would not really be overkill.....but would likely
be fairly expensive.
 
350-400 would be overkill. most bladesmiths don't forge near enough to notice the difference between a 350-400 and a 200-250 unless you are hand forging for 8 hours a day 5 days a week. I'd look for a nice 200 pounder or thereabouts Kris.

Bigger is better, but then if you go 400 why not go 600? Mr Langdon has a couple of those as you know :D
 
I like my 250#. I have worked on 100-500# anvils. The bigger ones do a lot of work. It is amazing how much the larger anvils work for you. The rebound through the work makes every swing much more efficient. Now I think the average bladesmith does not "NEED" a 450# anvil. But if I could afford one I would have it. I do have a 100lb power hammer and a 50ton press so the larger anvil is really not required in my shop. I would say for large work a 250# would be a minimum, though it could be done with smaller anvils. It also depends on if you are planning to do any moving. I have done seminars and took my anvil. It is a bit too large to be moving and would like a 150# for this purpose.

If you have a chance to work on a good anvil or two, you will be able to tell what would work for you. Also the quality rather than the weight is more important. Make sure it has a good rebound.
 
That's what I love about my Chuck Robinson anvil, 200 pounds but all the effectiveness of a anvil twice it's size because all the mass is right under the face and the heat treat is excellent! But sadly He does not make them anymore.
 
I've got two anvils. A 150 and a 120. As of yet I have never wished for a larger anvil and I've been at it for a few years now.
 
For a bladesmith a london pattern anvil over 150# is probably more than they need..You are forging blades afterall, not regular blacksmith work and there is a difference..Bigger is better. Bigger works more but if your only forging on a blade your arnt going to really tell the difference..It dosnt take hours to forge a blade to shape, unless your wlding damascus on it by hand..
Now a dedicated blacksmiths anvil........Forge tenons, structural pieces or heavy tools on a 100 pound anvil all day and then go to a 200 pound anvil and you wont believe the difference..
 
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