Post Anvil finds! We'll sort of haha...

J

jakeotter

Joined
Aug 29, 2014
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Hi all just wanted to see what you all thought of my recent finds. Can't find an anvil for sale anywhere, so just went to the scrap yard. I have a local one that lets me scavenge around and cuts anything I need. Since I only bladesmith I've decided to just make a post anvil and worry about a traditional anvil down the road. One pic is a piece of fork lift tine, other is oil pumpjack counter weight. Got both for 10 bucks. Fork tine has good rebound already, the counterweight surprisingly isn't bad either, I didn't expect much. Any idea what the steels might be? Figured fork tine was 4140, no clue about counter weight....
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No idea, the counter weight I'd guess is soft scrap re-run steel, no telling but wouldn't think it'd be hard as it doesn't need to be for a counter weight. The fork tine would make an excellent post anvil, both will be useful for sure though. For 10$ you can't go wrong, wish I could find scrap like that around here for that price!

Anyway, you will enjoy a post anvil. For bladesmithing you don't need the horn or heel or anything like that, they mostly just get in the way of forging bevels.
 
That counterweight has a tab welded onto it, so you know it's at least mild steel and not cast iron. Considering the quality of anvils used to make swords back in the day when swords were actually used regularly, I'd say it will do a dandy job if you do your part. And, it looks really interesting. If you ever do public demos, having a unique anvil can set you apart from the crowd.... in a good way.

Forklift tines are good stuff, for sure, but I'd be more inclined to use the counterweight. just stand it up on the two legs already provided by the design, and you'll have a sweet little anvil.
 
Well I heat treated the counterweight. Made a pit forge and buried top half in coals, got to non magnetic and tossed in huge cast iron kettle full of ice water. Can't believe how well it turned out! I figured it was just junk steel, but I actually might have better rebound than the fork lift tine. Tested with ball bearing and jumped like a bouncy ball lol. Very happy with it since it was five bucks. I'll be welding feet and mounting to large round of oak very soon. Here's some pics of it and the fork tine buried in concrete filled heavy wall square tubing. She's heavy now haha
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