Anvil choice.

N

Nuttman

Joined
Sep 19, 2006
Messages
7
I was wondering could some of you more knowledgeable pards out there tell
a novice like me the name or names of a good anvil. I have been boning up on the web and it seems that a steel drop forged is highly recommended.
I checked some sights and a German one Peddinghaus seems to be a good one but I can't find one in the size I wanted 100 to 130 lbs. If I am going to invest in one I had just as soon go ahead and get a good one that will last me. If ya'll have some suggestions I would surely appreciate it. I have been wanting to get into forging some blades for the last 30 years, and now that I am looking at retirement I think I may jump in. Thanks.
Gene
 
Grizzly has some nice anvils I use to have a 100lbs one and liked it alot now my Dad has it and he loves it. It is about $125 for the 100lbs one
 
I think it's on iforgeiron.com there is a thread on characteristics for a good anvil.

Also the ABANA site has information and links.

ron
 
I live in Southern California where most people might recognize an anvil, but have NO IDEA what it's used for. There isn't much available second hand around here so I had to buy one new. I got a 150 pound Mankel about 10 years ago and it had been just fine despite a little abuse.
 
Grizzly does not sell anvils. They sell Anvil shapped objects, there's a very large difference. An anvil is not just a piece of metal, it's a tool, and like all tools there are good ones and bad ones.

http://www.beautifuliron.com/gs_anvils.htm is a decent summary of what to look for in an anvil.

Anvilfire also has a very good guide on anvils. Be sure to read everything there.

http://www.anvilfire.com/FAQs/select_faq_index.htm

Now for blades, you can more or less ignore the "get as heavy as you can afford" advice unless you plan on doing other blacksmithing work in addition. 100 to 125lbs is sufficient size for the size stock that would be being used for blades.

A good anvil is a substantial investment. Good anvils cost a good amount of money. Used anvils are typically more afordable than new ones, and there are a lot of good used anvils out there. Of the used anvils the fisher and vulcan anvils (cast body, tool steel face) are probably the least expensive. Peter wright, haybudden, mousehole, and others are more costly but higher quality. I'd still not get anything lighter than 75lbs.
 
its not an "anvil", but i picked up a 6"dia piece of steel X28" long--fought it into a 5 gal pail and poured in concrete--there it sits (figured the shaft at about 240# and 60# of concrete) got it all on the cheap too, so i got to stash a little xtra in the "grinder" fund. mike
 
I did not want to mess with used anvils and purchased a #135 Mankel many years ago. It is a Farrier model and has worked perfectly for me. Although larger anvils are nice, in my small shop where things are constantly moving, the Mankel is easily relocated.

Mankel
 
I just picked up a 200# Peter Wright in basically new condition on craigslist and only paid about a buck a pound....you can find deals!

When you pick it up, make sure you examine for cracks and make sure it will rebound a hammer right back up at your rather than a 'dead" feeling that an untempered anvil will give you. It should ring like a bell and rebound the hammer almost back to where it started.

I looked for a long time before i found one in good condition!
 
If you specifically want a new anvil, you can't go wrong with the Euroanvils. John @ Blacksmith Supply in Chester, VA is the US distributor and a heck of a nice guy to boot. I have a 335lb Euroanvil and love it. My blacksmith guild has a bunch of the 175lb ones and they are equally good and would be just fine for any bladesmithing use.

-d
 
About the minimum quality new anvils are some of the cast steel ones from www.oldworldanvils.com

These arent a peddinghaus or nimba or koshwala by any measure, and the price reflects it, however they will, with a good amount of dressing, get the job done much much better than most of the ASOs sold as 'new anvils' out there.
 
TikTock said:
I just picked up a 200# Peter Wright in basically new condition on craigslist and only paid about a buck a pound....you can find deals!

When you pick it up, make sure you examine for cracks and make sure it will rebound a hammer right back up at your rather than a 'dead" feeling that an untempered anvil will give you. It should ring like a bell and rebound the hammer almost back to where it started.

I looked for a long time before i found one in good condition!
Click to expand...

Holy Crap!:eek: I'd say that's a good deal. And another tip for when you pick it up.....

...use your legs :D
 
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