so i looked at some used anvils today, and now i have more questions. i looked at 1 peter wright anvil weight of 153 pounds the edges were rounded from use but appered no welding or discoloration. i took 1 inch ballbearing and dropped it in few places on face. in the dead center i got 80 % or better rebound. and inch in from all edges i was only get maybe 30-40 % rebound and at base there was a crack about 3/4 around about 1 inch up. for $300.00 dollars i passed on it. so i make good decision? also anything else i need to be looking at? i dropped BB from approx 16 inches and tested probably 12 spots
went anvil shopping
- Thread starter Dakota 11
- Start date
That doesn't sound like a terrible anvil to me. I passed up a 353lb Hay Budden at an auction during the summer. About a week later bids went over $1,500 on ebay without the reserve being met.
Good, old anvils seem to bring a hefty sum these days. Matchlessantiques on ebay seems to sell nice ones. That is the seller who somehow had the one from the auction here in PA. He is in MI. The only problem is that you can't test the rebound or hear it ring. If you happen to come across any European anvil, take a closer look and think about buying it for the price. My uncle has an old 150lb Swedish anvil and boy is it nice! They usually aren't to wallet-friendly but if you find one that seems to be a good deal, definitely consider it. Currently, I have a 150lb Fisher anvil from 1908 that is kind of a mess (I got it for free). Unfortunately, the back is broken off from the hardie hole on. The anvil has terrible rebound and doesnt ring at all. It is cast iron I believe so stick with cast steel anvils.
Have fun!
Good, old anvils seem to bring a hefty sum these days. Matchlessantiques on ebay seems to sell nice ones. That is the seller who somehow had the one from the auction here in PA. He is in MI. The only problem is that you can't test the rebound or hear it ring. If you happen to come across any European anvil, take a closer look and think about buying it for the price. My uncle has an old 150lb Swedish anvil and boy is it nice! They usually aren't to wallet-friendly but if you find one that seems to be a good deal, definitely consider it. Currently, I have a 150lb Fisher anvil from 1908 that is kind of a mess (I got it for free). Unfortunately, the back is broken off from the hardie hole on. The anvil has terrible rebound and doesnt ring at all. It is cast iron I believe so stick with cast steel anvils.
Have fun!
I would say that the crack should be fine. Unless you would have the anvil on a really hard surface I don't think the crack will grow. Odds are it has been there for quite some time.
I edited my previous post so if you haven't already, you should reread it.
P.S. Take my posts with a grain of salt since I am only 17 and I'm going off of my memory and what I read about anvils and purchasing them.
I edited my previous post so if you haven't already, you should reread it.
P.S. Take my posts with a grain of salt since I am only 17 and I'm going off of my memory and what I read about anvils and purchasing them.
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- Jun 17, 2001
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Think I saw the same anvil on ebay today for $2100.00. They didn't mention that it had a gold base.
Wow, I'm not sure if thats the same one as I saw or not. Did it have a corner cut off of it? Think you could link it?
I really want to smack myself now! I didn't bother staying to see what it went for but I'm sure it was under $500. I just didn't have the cash in my wallet and I had already scored some awesome stuff there.
Oh well...
Edit: I found that $2,100 anvil. That isn't the same one. I bet it wont get any bids haha.
Now that I think of it Dakota, I would go for that Peter Wright. It sounds like a decent deal. Odds are it would bring more on ebay than you would pay for it.
I really want to smack myself now! I didn't bother staying to see what it went for but I'm sure it was under $500. I just didn't have the cash in my wallet and I had already scored some awesome stuff there.
Oh well...
Edit: I found that $2,100 anvil. That isn't the same one. I bet it wont get any bids haha.
Now that I think of it Dakota, I would go for that Peter Wright. It sounds like a decent deal. Odds are it would bring more on ebay than you would pay for it.
I am a part-time blacksmith. From my research (prior to purchasing my own anvil), if you can find a decent Peter Wright for under $3 per lb you should buy it quickly. Actually any of the following: Hay Budden, Trenton, Peddinghous or Kolswa are good anvils. Some of the early Fisher-Norris anvils are still good. Most old anvils in reasonable condition (some rounding of edges, no broken horn and no cracks) are going to bring from $3 on up.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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- Jun 13, 2004
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- 164
I agree on the $3 a pound guideline. I recently picked up a Peter Wright in excellent condition for $1.50 a pound, I almost hurt myself grabbing for my wallet! I stored it with a friend, and hes had about 5 or 6 guys try to buy it. I also bought another Swedish anvil for under $2 a pound and sold it the same week for what I paid, I figured someone could use it and I was right. They are getting scarce and it seems a lot of people are looking for them.
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- Oct 16, 2001
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I agree on what you should expect to pay, but will add two things:
1. Don't give up! Keep looking/asking and you may get a good deal.
2. If you are doing mostly bladesmithing, get a big square piece of 1045, 4140, etc. and flame harden the face. Check out Tai Goo and Tim Lively's videos for good ideas on cheap bladesmithing anvils.
John
1. Don't give up! Keep looking/asking and you may get a good deal.
2. If you are doing mostly bladesmithing, get a big square piece of 1045, 4140, etc. and flame harden the face. Check out Tai Goo and Tim Lively's videos for good ideas on cheap bladesmithing anvils.
John
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- May 3, 2004
- Messages
- 979
Dakota,
I had to pay $3 a pound for my peter wright and I have never regretted it. I wouldn't have passed on it.
Del
I had to pay $3 a pound for my peter wright and I have never regretted it. I wouldn't have passed on it.
Del
There's always a new anvil as well. The EuroAnvils are very nice even if they need a little grinding to smooth out the surface of the horn. I've got the 335lb one and haven't regretted it one bit. I also personally like the european anvil shape over the standard English pattern.
John at Blacksmith's Supply (who imports these) is a great guy to work with and gets some really good truck freight rates to ship these around.
RitzBlitz: What part of PA are you in?
-d
John at Blacksmith's Supply (who imports these) is a great guy to work with and gets some really good truck freight rates to ship these around.
RitzBlitz: What part of PA are you in?
-d
I'm about an hour north of Philadelphia. About 3 hours ish from Hanover. I dont really know because I only go out that way for a family picnic each summer. Actually, I don't even know if the family picnic is in Hanover haha. Anyway, its good to know that theres somebody around here.