second anvil sample - not as bad as I feared

[Atlas Knife Company]

Early beta testing tells me that the face is good at HRC 43, and my tester was pleased with it. more info to come, but I'm placing the order for 50 next week.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I gave the anvil a good workout yesterday. Forged on it for a couple hours, then worked the surface around the framing hammer marks with a 1.5 kilo hammer for about 100 blows. Photos of how I made the laminated base from a 10' 2X10 and two pieces of 2X4.
Photos of using a short chain with a hook on the end to lift and cary the anvil.
Shots of the 11" suminagashi with shirogami core billet on the anvil, after drawing out to 16" and rough shaping, after cleanup and HT, after post HT cleanup.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Shots of the face after the workout. Closeup of spine and edge showing core centered after forging out the blade. The five big dents are what was done by Charles' framing hammer.

 

[DanF]

That looks very promising.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

I had no idea framing hammers were that hard

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I never tested one, but I bet they are Rc50 range. Also, the head design and handle length give increased power to the blow.

IIRC, they are water hardened and tempered. I know a framing hammer should NEVER strike any hardened steel, stone, or concrete because shards will go flying.

 

[Big Chris]

I am very interested in one now as well.
Been following this thread and looking forward to the release.

 

[M.McAlevy]

Design looks very nice. Only doing stock removal now but want to get a small forge and anvil to play around with. Might be a one stop shop! Nice work.

 

[Will52100]

I love the design, but while it'll work, and work well, I'd want it to be a little harder. I make all my forging hammers around 50Rc, but then my anvil is 60Rc.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

I've already talked with the foundry and will be switching to C50 instead of C45 steel. It will be $5.21 increased cost, but the face will be 50-55 HRC. I believe it would be worth it to produce the better product.

 

[DanF]

Excellent news! I think this will be a game changer for many

 

[Will52100]

Outstanding, that would really make it a wonderful blade smith anvil.

 

[Maelstrom78]

Very nice!!

 

[Wyo Coyote]

I'm looking forward to when they will be ready.

 

[Salem Straub]

Yes, 50-55 would be good!

 

[Metalhead0483]

I've already talked with the foundry and will be switching to C50 instead of C45 steel. It will be $5.21 increased cost, but the face will be 50-55 HRC. I believe it would be worth it to produce the better product.

Okay NOW I'm excited! Can't wait to hear more about these.

 

[Justin Schmidt]

Any updates on this?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Any updates on this?
Well, I shipped the prototype back. That won't help you guys waiting for the new batch, though .

I really like this design. It will fill a badly vacant area in affordable and reliable forging equipment. An Atlas mini forge and an Atlas anvil plus a hammer and pair of tongs will get a new smith going strong. Both will last him as long as he wants. Bigger equipment isn't needed unless you go into making damascus.

 

[Justin Schmidt]

Awesome, very excited for this. Hopefully Charles can start cranking them out soon!

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

The go ahead was given a couple months ago to proceed with the first batch after Stacy's testing. The final molds will be pour-tested this week, the main batch should be poured next week, with heat treating the week after(hopefully). I expect to have them in mid April.
Stacy, could you give the height dimensions for the 2x12 you used for the stand, and what thickness plywood at the bottom? I'll probably go with a 2x12 for the base so I will make the dimension adjustments on my end.

Charles