Local Source For An Anvil

dsgibbs1

dsgibbs1

Joined
Nov 1, 2005
Messages
325
I live in the southern part of New Jersey. I was wondering if someone here knows of a local source for a beginners anvil. I would appreciate any help.
 
Have you tried sending a letter to the 18th Century?

Just kidding. Sounds like a tough one. Good luck.
 
Let’s see if we can find the right forum …
attachment.php
 
Gibbs - place an ad in your local paper. Within a day you'll get all sorts of phone calls from guys willing to sell you old anvils. Grandpa's anvil out in the garage, that old heavy hunk of steel in the back of the autobody shop, etc...
 
Gibbs - place an ad in your local paper. Within a day you'll get all sorts of phone calls from guys willing to sell you old anvils. Grandpa's anvil out in the garage, that old heavy hunk of steel in the back of the autobody shop, etc...
Click to expand...

I wish it was that easy out here! I've asked, looked, begged, called, stolen, and killed (ok, maybe not the last two) trying to find an anvil, and to no luck. Not many older ones out here other than light farriers' anvils. Some bigger farms have one sitting out in the barn, but no one that I've spoken with has or will depart with one. That's the cost of having no significant history of blacksmithing in the area.

In New England, it's definately easier to come by. In addition to the paper add, check around the phone books for local blacksmith or metal work shops. Make some calls and see if anyone has an old anvil they don't use or have upgraded from and see if they are willing to sell. Also, check out craigslist.

--nathan
 
If you are truly looking for a "beginner" anvil, then I recommend Harbor Freight. There are 5 locations in NJ and they have a 55 pound cheapo Chinese cast anvil that will be good enough to learn something on while you figure out if you want to continue, and while you look for a bigger, much more expensive anvil. They are on sale for $30 right now. Ask me how I know, I just couldn't drive past there without buying one today. Who doesn't need an "extra" anvil laying around, right?
 
I don't have an answer to your question but i'll offer the opinion that shipping on anvils is relatively low compared to the weight. Do not limit your choice to your local area. E-Bay is a great source for anvils or you could go with the best @ http://www.peddinghausanvils.com/
 
Be a little obsessive about checking craigslist,ebay and local papers or pennysavers.Word of mouth gets around quickly too.Also educate yourself a little before buying one,people will charge alot more than things are worth lately :jerkit:
 
I went through the same thing several years ago. I looked for over two years and saw few junkers that were obviously used by either George Washington or Robert E Lee from the price, but not anything else. Tons of farms in the area with no anvils. I think they were all sold for scrap years ago. Or either they just sunk into the ground over the years because people quit using them and the people that are living now don't know where the anvil was. I ended up breaking down and getting a new anvil form Centaur Forge. I finally realized I was spending my time and efforts looking for an anvil and I could be making knives. I got a 140lb Vaughn. I think that it is a good anvil. It is light enough that I can carry it to hammer-ins with no problem and it has a great rebound. It rings like a bell, but about ten feet of chain fixes that. I don't think that I would have any trouble at all selling it if I decided to get out of the blade smithing business. Getting it is no problem since it is under the weight requirements of UPS. They just drove up to the shop, shoved it out the back of the van and drove off.
 
Buying an anvil is one of most flustrating/rewarding things you can do. You need to study the types of anvils that exist, mainly the difference between cast anvils and anvils with a hardened steel face.
What are you using the anvil for? If just forging knives, I find the "horn" of the anvil can be in the way, so don't get hung up on shape.
Wayne Goddard has used a piece of railroad track to forge knives. These can be hardened and will give a decent result. You will work yourself to death quick with a cast anvil as there is little "rebound" from your hammer, and the metal does not move as good as when forging with a good hard face anvil.
The "cheap Chinese anvil" is cast, as are many other anvils. There are tests you can do on a anvil to see how hard the face is.
I got lucky, and found a vintatge Peter Wright in a barn...
 
You could attend a Blacksmithing event like this one in Maryland May 17th - 18th. There will be tailgating (stuff for sale). It will give you a chance to look over anvils in person. Keep in mind that blacksmiths know the value of anvils, so don't expect a real steal. I paid $430 for a 169 lb Trenton last year and figure it was a fair price. You can get a feel for the market by looking at closed auctions on eBay. -Doug
 
Keep watching craigslist and ebay. I had given up and ordered an ASO from Northern Tool. That same day I found a really nice 170 lb. Paragon on ebay that was only an hour away from me. I got it for under $250. Be paitent and something will turn up.
 
Log onto Ebay, and click advanced search, type in anvil then scroll down to locations. Enter your zip code and check the box. The search will find all the anvils in 200 miles of you. I did it for Patterson,NJ and came up with dozens for sale.
Stacy
 
Harbor freight sells them...3 locations in NJ. They have it on sale for $30 in the flyer I received today.
Paul
 
A $30 anvil at Harbor Freight is not an anvil. It is an "Almost Anvil-Shaped Object" that is made out of god knows what. You would be better off finding a piece of large shafting at a recycling yard. Reference post above concerning mild steel bladesmith anvil that has become work hardened. This is a good route to go.

Also, on the post about cast anvils. There are hardened cast STEEL anvils, and then there are cast IRON anvils. Cast Steel Anvil = Good, Cast Iron Anvil = Crap.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top