Jerid,

I see you're not getting any comments. I myself am not familiar with the brand. It may be so new that there are no reviews on it. From the pictures, it looks cast because the marks are outward instead of in. By looks, it's pattern would work fine, but I see no specs on it that tells if it's cast steel or cast iron. I'm sure you can ask the manufacturers, which I recommend. From the price, I would say it's cast steel and that is usually a fine anvil. I have an Emmerson from Shrieveport, La. It's cast steel and a good one. I recommend satying away from cast iron.

Thanks for the reply Lin. The anvil is definitely cast.. They state it is "ductile iron".. not quite sure what that means.. I'll contact the manufacturer and get more details. I'm also curious about the hardness of the face.

Jerid,

I have bought a few drifts and anvil tools made from ductile iron. It's a little too "ductile" for my taste. Mushrooms bad and, over all, just not suited for smithing as much as 4140 steel. In fact, here is a quote from wikipedia about ductile iron.

quote:Ductile iron is specifically useful in many automotive components, where strength needs to surpass that of aluminum but do not necessarily require steel. :unquote

That correlates with my experience with ductile iron. I would not have a major tool, like an anvil, made from it. That is my view and worth just that much. If I had 500 plus dollars to spend on an anvil, I know where I would look. One of the suppliers that carry cast steel anvils, like Uncle Al. In this case, a sure nuff good anvil dont cost much, if any, more than that one.

I have used many anvils over the years. I come from a Ferrier back ground. I currently use a120 lbs. JHM I purchased 20 years ago. I have made several knives on it and it works fine however it is not designed as a black smith's anvil. The horn is very large and sweeps up to facilitate turning (making) horse shoes. The more traditional Blacksmith anvils have a smaller cone shaped horn, I prefer that shape as it lends itself for better handle shaping. This may not make much difference if you make hidden tang. I make 90% full tang and like any tool I have learned to use the anvil I have.

JHM features- solid steel, turning cams in the heel (you won't need these unless you shoe horses), Clip horn (small square edge, again for horse shoe use)

The face is plenty wide but the edges are way to sharp and will need to be radiused. They are hard enough but will mark or dent if you strike them with the corner of your hammer. Not a problem but you will need to keep it dressed...or just don't miss you blade steel!

If I were to buy a new one I would get a more traditional shaped Blacksmith anvil. I would probably buy new as many old anvils have been abused (not all). I would buy the largest anvil I could afford but just as important put it on a very solid stand and latch it tight. That will make a smaller anvil work bigger.

My 2 cents, hope it helps

Steve Watkins

I should have looked at your link first. That anvil is a little different shape than mine, a little more traditional shape.

My anvil is closer to http://www.anvilbrand.com/p-679-jhm-journeyman-2-125-lbs.aspx

I ended up finding a super clean faced 130lb. Peter Wright..

Jerid,

I'm sure you're happy with your new to you anvil. I have a 159 lb. Peter Wright that is also very clean. I love this anvil for flattening, use of the horn for bends, and working with tooling. I have a Sea Robin style anvil that is pretty close to perfect for working on the blade and drawing out a stick tang.

Happy Hammering,

Mike

Just for the record.. I got the following response from the manufacturer:

Regarding Ductile: Graphite and Magnesium are added to the steel at the foundry, heated, mixed and examined under a microscope on "every pour"! The process is one of the coolest things I have seen. The key to OUR anvils is our "through heat treating" process in Peoria, Illinois. JHM Anvils are 48-52 on the Rockwell C Hardness analysis.

I'm looking forward to banging out some blades on my new old peter wright <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//biggrin.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />