Yes, there is a Santa for Anvils

TK Steingass

TK Steingass

Troglodyte Knifemaker
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 16, 2010
Messages
5,787
Hi fellas:

Awhile ago I asked you all for some quidance on anvils - I received a lot of positive feedback. A few of you indicated that they can be expensive but there are deals out there if I'm willing to remain patient. So, I put an article in Craigslist.org up here in Maine stating that I'm looking for an anvil - said I was looking for a deal and would pay $1.00/lb. I got the flesh stripped off me by a local - said I was paying 1950's prices. (more on this later)

Anyway, I went 300 miles south this past weekend to attend my great niece's wedding. I told my nephew, a master plumber, that I was looking for an anvil. He told me his hunting buddy had one and said he'd been offered $600 for it but passed on the offer because he wanted it to go to someone that would use it. For the trade of one of my knives, I just picked up a pristine 200 lb (I weighed it) Fisher with the stump. No cracks, sharp edges on the tool steel top, no rust, no painted lady, quiet with good rebound. It's the cast model with the tool steel face - called the City Anvil because it's so quiet. I figure it's worth $1,000

BTW - I sent an email to the local saying I got a 200 lb Fisher on a trade - he told me that he considered Fishers scrap metal in the same class as Chinese anvils. Gee - do you think he had one to sell?!!:rolleyes:

You know, sometimes the Gods smile on us, don't they?








 
Definitely a crap anvil, but if you stick it on a pallet and ship it down here, ill melt it down for you and send you a knife in return :)
 
Great score, love those Fishers.
I've had guys come in my shop and try to remove the hold-downs, and the magnets and chains that I have to take some of the ring out of my Trentons, claiming that the anvil needs to be "free" in order to work right.
You guessed it, they weren't guys who actually use anvils on a daily basis.
Since I play music when I'm not pounding or grinding metal, I need my ears to work!
Wishing you years of happy smithing.
 
Good deal.

As for your local guy... I don't know what his problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce.
 
John: Great Avatar - love it :thumbup:
 
That's a fantastic anvil. My main anvil is a Fisher and there is just nothing like them for joyous working. To find one in pristine, as-new condition is almost unheard of.

Here's a link for your research if you want to learn more about your particular model. I can't keep track of the various stamps, but NJAnvil over on IFI runs the Fisher museum and is a wealth of knowledge on the things. http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/37409-fisher/

In anyone needs to kill the ring in an anvil, the best way to do it is to set it in a bed of silicone caulk. I wouldn't have believed it until I tried it, but I did and it did. A magnet placed on the horn and heel will take out 80% of the ring, but the silicone caulk does the same thing and doesn't collect scale. Single best idea someone's ever come up with!
 
VaughnT said:
In anyone needs to kill the ring in an anvil, the best way to do it is to set it in a bed of silicone caulk. I wouldn't have believed it until I tried it, but I did and it did. A magnet placed on the horn and heel will take out 80% of the ring, but the silicone caulk does the same thing and doesn't collect scale. Single best idea someone's ever come up with!
Click to expand...

Great tip- but then again a bed of caulk underneath won't hold your punch for you like a magnet will! :)
 
That is a GREAT anvil. I have a 250lb Fisher, rebound is over 90% plus NO RING. Love it. Plus it was my wife's grandfathers, that makes it all the more special. If I could find another Fisher I would probably pick it up just cause. That's why I don't really look. Now If I could find a 500lb for a trade like that.... Well I would have to make room in the shop.
 
Nice score on that fisher.. I was able to score one last year #180 in top condition as well. I had a smaller fisher before that. I would not call them scrap .
 
Here's a link for your research if you want to learn more about your particular model. I can't keep track of the various stamps, but NJAnvil over on IFI runs the Fisher museum and is a wealth of knowledge on the things. http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/37409-fisher/
Click to expand...

Vaughn: I took your advice and contacted NJAnvil at IFI and sent pictures - this was his response: "Nice anvil in terrific shape. I am guessing the anvil was made in the 1920's. Many of that style were made without a date then. There is no information why they did them this way.

You will have a lot of fellow smiths drooling over that anvil. Take care of it, keep "beaters" away, and it will last many more generations."
 
TK, glad the IFI link panned out for you. Josh (njanvilman) runs the Fisher museum in New Jersey and is always posting pictures of his latest Fisher find. The guy's a nut for Fisher anvils, but I can't blame him one bit. Great resource to have.

He's right to caution keeping the beaters away from that anvil. Just one missed swing that chips the face will drop the value considerably. In it's present state, you truly got it for bargain-basement prices.

I tell anybody that asks to not quibble over the cost of an old anvil because a new anvil will cost at least a grand, plus shipping. The closer to as-new condition the old anvil is, the closer to as-new prices you should be willing to pay. It's an anvil, fer crissakes! No belts, hoses, oil to wear out and ruin the piece, no moving parts. A hundred years old, or a week old, they are the same thing and do the same thing - the price only drops when the anvil gets worn down and banged up.

I would definitely put the value over $1000. You've got a pristine 100 year old anvil, with most of the original paint still intact. A similar weight anvil from Fontanini or Nimba would cost you $1800 plus shipping. Basically, you've got the same exact thing they are offering. Their lightest model is a bit heavier (around 250lb), but you've got the antique, ain't-made-no-more value to consider.

Treat her well and know that you'll always be able to get your money back if you decide to part with her. Keep my number handy! :D
 
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