Should I buy?

[ZekeTheGameFreak]

I have a bead on a 80 pound vulcan anvil, it has some surface rust, but the edges are fairly sharp looking. It's $350 though, so should I buy or pass?

 

[ZekeTheGameFreak]

I also found a 205 pound anvil for $390. Same appearance as the last but not a vulcan.

 

[HSC ///]

seems small for $350
that's all I can say

 

[Don Hanson III]

Get the larger one if it's a quality brand.

 

[ZekeTheGameFreak]

I can't tell the brand and neither can the seller.

 

[GrenfellsBrutalForge]

Looks like there's a bit of swayback in the face. If your wanting to use it, you might want something in better condition

 

[Don Hanson III]

Looks like a Mouse Hole brand & very old. The swayback wouldn't bother me much.

 

[mitch4ging]

Agree with the larger one. That sway, if there is much, can come in handy straightening minor warps in the blade. Start using it, the rust will come right off. The larger size means you can use a larger hammer if you need to. The smaller one, maybe only a 3# hammer. Post whichever one you get!

 

[weo]

Go bigger if you can. Relatively new to knives, but been forging for years and IMO bigger is almost always better, as long as the face is not pitted, you'll learn to deal with the sway. I started with an 80# anvil, then got a 150#, and am now waiting for delivery of my 250# centurion. As I said, for anvils, anyway, bigger IS better.

 

[ZekeTheGameFreak]

I spoke to the seller of the bigger one, someone may be picking it up Monday. I hope they don't. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[mitch4ging]

If you can, take something like a 1" ball bearing to check the rebound of the top. Hold the bearing 10" above the face and drop it. That will tell you what kind of life it has, meaning you should have it bounce back at least 6"ish on up. You can also use a small ball pein hammer and lightly strike the top, ( loosely holding the hammer, it should bounce back. The higher the better. Hope it works out for you.

 

[Drew Riley]

I agree with HSC: $350 seems steep for only 80 lbs. I would, however, pay that for the larger one.

 

[Kentucky]

Vulcans can be a crap shoot. Ive seen some that are decent anvils then Ive worked on some that had the rebound of a bamboo cutting board:grumpy: Generally unless you test it firsthand Id stay away from Vulcan if possible.