Found Anvil for sale, need opinions...

R

razorhunter

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
470
Guys,
I have found an anvil for sale in a local paper.
The ad states "200lb Anvil, 6" heavy duty post vise, cast iron forge, cooking grade wash pot #20" for sale.
Was wondering if you guys might know if this sounds like good stuff?
I realize you might be guessing, but I don't know if the cooking wash pot has anything to do with it, or if it might shed light on what kind of forge this is?
What is a post vise?

Another ad states " 1901 cranked forge blower- $100, 15gal cast wash pot - $125".
What's the deal with all the "cast wash pots"?

Thought you guys could help here.

I'm looking for a nice anvil for my shop, and for a good forge to heat treat knives.

I have left messages with both of these parties, but wanted to ask you guys what you think before they call back...
Thanks so much fellas.
 
Would the guy with the anvil have his add in the Farmers paper??

If so he sells anvils all the time. A knife maker friend said he looked at one and it was't much. But I haven't looked at any he had for sale. I did talk to him once but his description left a lot to be desired.
 
Yeah,
It's in the Market bulletin Farmers paper.
You know, something told me someone from GA would respond to this!
I am waiting to hear back from the guy now. Will let you know what he says...
 
Did he state a name for the anvil? The forge sounds like one that uses coal. The post vice is what was used in old blacksmith shops. It will fasten to a bench and has a leg that goes down to the floor. Only thing I can think of with the wash pot is maybe it could be used as a quench container or to keep your goldfish in....
 
Fellas,
I finally spoke with this guy today. He said he'd been out of town, but the other day, his wife said he'd "call me right back". Who knows. Maybe he was out of town.
His name is Ben.

I wish I knew what all questions to ask, but don't. Here is a bunch of info he gave me, on his own, without me even asking. First, let me say that he said he used to collect anvils, and is selling off his collection. He said all his anvils are in EXCELLENT shape, and used the term "perfect shape" many times throughout our conversation.

He has a 100lb "mousehole"? anvil. It is about 155yrs old. Asking $275 Excellent Shape.

He has another 100lb "Haybutton"? Was made in Brooklyn NY. Asking $325 Excellent shape.

300lb "Fisher"? Asking $695!!

$300lb "Peterwright"? This is the ONLY anvil he said has something wrong with it. He said that "General Shermans men, during the war, broke off about 3 inches, off the back of the anvil." He said something to the effect of "you could get a "Hardy" hole put in it"?? I assume this means some type of repair.

He then said he also has Fords, Lowers?, Hardy's, etc.

To be honest, I did NOT get the feeling this guy was a "Good Ol Boy" if you know what I mean. Not trying to be judgemental here, but you guys know when you talk to someone, and SOMETIMES you just get a GOOD, HONEST feeling about them?
Well, let's just say I didn't really get that feeling. But then again, I DON'T know the guy. He could be legit.

pyrguy,
Is this by chance the anvils you inquired about?
 
you would possibly be better posting this on www.anvilfire.com/gurusden and askign. I know Mousehole, Haybutton and Peterwright are brand names of anvils. not sure about fisher, but thats also probably a brand, not a style.

The Guru and co can tell you ALL about anvils :P
 
Hey RH,

>>>100lb "Haybutton"? Was made in Brooklyn NY. Asking $325 Excellent shape.

This is a very good price, or so I've observed on Ebay, Haybutton's are pretty expensive, depending on condition.
 
Paul, those guys that sell alot of anvils Know what they have. Be cautious.
As far as knowing what questions to ask, it's part of growing up and paying the dues...Most of us have been there.
 
Mousehole, Hay Budden, Fisher, and Peter Wright are all very good anvils IMHO. But like Kit said, the boys that sell them usually know what they got. So at best you will get a fair deal. The best deal out of the lot sounds like the 300# Fisher or the 300# Peter Wright. The hardy hole is a sqaure hole in the tail of the anvil used for inserting various tools (or is it the pritchel hole?).

In my limited experience, I have never used the hardy or the pritchell, so I would jump all over a good deal on a 300 pounder as long as the face, pad, edges, and horn are in good shape. I think anything above 150# to 200# is hard to find in nice shape. 100 pounders are kinda small, but will work well until you out grow it.

I have a 152 pound hay Budden made in 1913 and love it, but mostly because I "stole" it for $75. The face is in good shape with only about 1/16 sway and nice clean edges. I just happened to find a guy who had no clue to what it was worth. It looks great sitting in the shop next to my power hammer, but I rarely use it except for straightening blades or setting initial forge welds. Most of my forging to shape is done on my 25# L.G. Power Hammer.

IMHO, for knife making, you can go pretty far with just a 6 x 6 inch hardened steel "post anvil" unless you plan on doing some hard core forging where a "real" anvil would be better for you.

Just my $0.02, hope it helps.
 
Yeah fellas,
I'm really looking for a deal, expecially since I'm knifemaking, not forging.
I've just always thought old anvils were cool as all hell, and I have had many occasions where I really needed SOME type of anvil around the shop.
I would really just like to own a cool piece of history, and still be able to use it today. That's what's important to me. I love old antiques.
Sounds like I need to find someone else. I too, am looking for someone who just wants to get rid of their old anvil, because it's "in the way". Hehe.
Thanks for all the info guys. I do love hearing about these old pieces of history.
 
Sounds like the same guy. He almost always has an add in that paper. Never made the trip to see them but had a litle trouble talking to him a couple of years ago.
 
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