Anvils: post, London, double horn?

Justin Schmidt

Justin Schmidt

Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Messages
2,209
So Its time for me to graduate to a real anvil. This will be just for knife making. Maybe some smaller projects like keychains but that's about it.
So what would be the best bang for your buck?
I know a guy that sells hardened 1055 4x6x6.5 45lb block for $185
Tracey from USAKNIFEMAKER is doing a "black robin" anvil that's based off the sea Robin for $495 (85 lbs)
An nc tool 112lber is about $490
Kanca 110 double horn for $660
Rigid peddinghaus 77lb for $660

Thoughts?
 
If you stick with knives & trinkets, the block anvil is fine. But that example is too light for me.
Were you to graduate to variety smithing, a typical horned anvil will be better useful.
 
Well I just saw that the one from Usaknifemaker is 93 lbs and is 5x5x12 so I guess I'm really asking is should I go block anvil for 460 or kanca 110 for 660
 
$460 is insane for a block of steel. Oldworldanvils can get you that for probably half the price. I’m using a setup like Rick Marchand designed and LOVE IT!!
I did use my Fisher Norris to make a set of knife tongs the other day, so there are certainly limitations for just a big block of steel and it doesn’t replace the London pattern. If you’re just starting out or want to start forging ASAP I’d make a post anvil and save up money for a traditional anvil.

Another benefit of the post anvil in a 6” pipe is that you have all of the mass under the hammer and you can fill the pipe with steel bar under the anvil inside the pipe adding to the weight.
 
Last edited:
Josh Rider said:
$460 is insane for a block of steel. Oldworldanvils can get you that for probably half the price. I’m using a setup like Rick Marchand designed and LOVE IT!!
I did use my Fisher Norris to make a set of knife tongs the other day, so there are certainly limitations for just a big block of steel and it doesn’t replace the London pattern. If you’re just starting out or want to start forging ASAP I’d make a post anvil and save up money for a traditional anvil.

Another benefit of the post anvil in a 6” pipe is that you have all of the mass under the hammer and you can fill the pipe with steel bar under the anvil inside the pipe adding to the weight.
Click to expand...

I'll call them and see what they have tomorrow. I've been using a Chinese anvil and it just doesn't move steel very well.
The one from usaknifemaker is 93lbs not 85 and is heat treated pretty well. Theres a bearing rebound video and man that thing is impressive. Its 5x5x12. If OWA has something that size for cheaper I'll definitely take the better deal
 
When I was in your situation I took a chunk of money and tucked it away for an anvil. I looked on Craigslist every day within a 100 mile radius. I also put a “wanting to buy” listing up on Craigslist in the tool section and antique section in my city and neighboring cities. It took less than a month for me to find a nice 155lb Peter Wright about an hour away. I talked the guy down to $125 iirc.

The only way I’d buy a new anvil would be if I was going to drop around $1000-$1500 and get a new 200+ pounder. I would never pay around $500 for a sub 100lb piece of steel. I’d get a 5x5x12 slab of 4140 like you mentioned before I did that. I’d probably try and harden it myself or leave it soft.
 
JG Custom Metal Works said:
When I was in your situation I took a chunk of money and tucked it away for an anvil. I looked on Craigslist every day within a 100 mile radius. I also put a “wanting to buy” listing up on Craigslist in the tool section and antique section in my city and neighboring cities. It took less than a month for me to find a nice 155lb Peter Wright about an hour away. I talked the guy down to $125 iirc.

The only way I’d buy a new anvil would be if I was going to drop around $1000-$1500 and get a new 200+ pounder. I would never pay around $500 for a sub 100lb piece of steel. I’d get a 5x5x12 slab of 4140 like you mentioned before I did that. I’d probably try and harden it myself or leave it soft.
Click to expand...
I've thought about that but the cost of a used anvil is about as much as a new one these days. I talked to the guy that has a 45lb piece of hardened 1055 and he can get a 5x5x12 for 350 or he has a 69lb 4x5x8 for 250. So either way it's a pretty good deal
 
valknut said:
I've thought about that but the cost of a used anvil is about as much as a new one these days. I talked to the guy that has a 45lb piece of hardened 1055 and he can get a 5x5x12 for 350 or he has a 69lb 4x5x8 for 250. So either way it's a pretty good deal
Click to expand...


I’d honestly probably get one of these
https://www.oldworldanvils.com/4-x-4-stake-anvil

I’d actually probably just get their 4x4 hardened block and weld my own spike on the bottom for the $40.

I’d just use that until I found a decent anvil for cheap, but I’m a stubborn son of a bitch. If I was going to resign myself to buying new, I’d get a big one. 200+ pounds. Because if I’m gonna get screwed, I prefer to only be screwed once and have the only anvil I need for the rest of my life.
 
Lol yeah I'm trying not to buy twice. I already have a "just for now" anvil I want something I'll use the rest of my career
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top