Flash your anvils

A caulking vise is a foot operated vise that is used by farriers to make the caulks (those turned down bits on the end of horseshoes) on hot horseshoes. It is great to have right next to the anvil. If a blade needs a little twist to straighten it out when it comes out of the quench (or when forging), I just stick it in the vise, step on the foot pedal and close the jaws, give it a tweak, and voilà, it is straight - all in a few seconds at a time when seconds count. It is also very useful for bending hot steel when making non-knife items.It originally belonged to Bill Moran.It weighs about 150-200# and has a pedestal base. Just tip it on its rim and roll it where you need it.
It is at a height that allows a piece of steel to be held across the anvil while doing an operation like fullering of some other task that takes three hands.
 
Is that a brand new Hofi hammer, Stacy? Looks nicer finished than the Clark hammers. What's the mass? Thx.

Nice setup.
 
The hammer is a Hofi,good eyes. The hammer has been sanded and polished by me. I may do scroll engraving on the sides, or engrave "Under the spreading chestnut tree....".Mass is 2 kilo., draws out edges like butter.My smaller hammer below is a 2# Clark,also polished.

Mace Vitale uses a 4-5# Hofi,I think. In his hand it looks like a toy hammer.
Stacy
 
Thanks Stacey, That seems much more effective than the spring type hold downs.Since I picked up 50$ knife shop I wanted to get an "anvill buddy" Now I know what to look for. (I dont suppose thay style vice is common??)
 
I will be honest, I almost never use any clamping/holding jigs. I have made "anvil Buddies" and other hold downs,and they are so-so at best.It is better to make hardy tools for these jobs. A guillotine fuller ,a large cut off ,spring fullers, etc. are all easy to make and easy to use ( you can see a couple of these beside the anvil). When you really need an extra pair of hands,use real hands. Invite a friend over to help.
If interested, I'll post a thread on making some helpful tools.
Stacy
 
bladsmth said:
I will be honest, I almost never use any clamping/holding jigs. I have made "anvil Buddies" and other hold downs,and they are so-so at best.It is better to make hardy tools for these jobs. A guillotine fuller ,a large cut off ,spring fullers, etc. are all easy to make and easy to use ( you can see a couple of these beside the anvil). When you really need an extra pair of hands,use real hands. Invite a friend over to help.
If interested, I'll post a thread on making some helpful tools.
Stacy
Click to expand...

Because I pay attention to almost 100% of what you post (that I catch), this thread on making helpful bladesmith tools that you talked about would be really helpful. It could be added to the unsticky sticky thread.:D
 
I just got an anvil. I really appreciate all your pictures. I got a hickory stump to sit it on last weekend. It cost me less than a 16' 2x12, so I was happy. Its big though ~2' dia. I'm going to stick a vice on it too. I got it 90% flatened last weekend with a chainsaw. Gotta use the belt sander to hog off the rest.
 
This is what I did to flatten a stump. I took two boards leveled with each other and screwed to the sides of the stump in parallel...one on the left, one on the right. I used those as guides or fences for a router jig that would span the 2 boards. Run that dude around on the top of the stump to there ain't no mo stuff to chew and you end up with a dead flat surface. Turn the stump over on a level floor and do the same thing on the other side and you have a dead LEVEL stump for your anvil.

Where's that easy button! :)
 
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