Bladesmiths,
I have been trying to set aside a little money for a new anvil. I am not quite there, but need to find out about how much to save up for and where to purchase from. My goal is to purchase an anvil over 200lbs as I was told by a few MS that I should buy as big of an anvil as I can afford. Any advice or correction of my short research would be appreciated:
I currently have a Vevor 134lbs anvil I got from the local Lowes. It works for now and it being shipped to the local store for free I couldn't beat the $250 price. Due to that knowledge it has been difficult for me to pay more money for a anvil smaller than that or even double or triple the price for anvil that is only 20-40lbs heavier. Now that being said I know there is always a lot I don't know and I am open to information. I am sure there is a lot to be said about shape of an anvil, cast vs forged, and cases against "ductile iron". But here are my findings ranking the anvils I have found that are made in the US, and after reputation I ranked them based on proximity to Montana.
- (Holland, MI) Holland Anvil - USA, cast H13 steel, 52-55 RC (NB: also makes swage blocks)
- 315lbs - $2300
- 220lbs - $1650
- Great Customer Service
- Best prices and options, and Quality
- (Estimated Shipping add between $350-500)
- (Spokane, WA) Rhino - USA, cast steel (proprietary alloy), 54 RC
- Cast anvils
- 240lbs $2025
- (Townsend, Washington) Nimba - USA, cast 8640 steel, 50-52 RC
- Oddly shaped
- 450lbs - $2500 - reasonably Priced
- No Prichet Hole
- (Ohio) Lyon Blade & Anvil - USA, cast S5 steel, 58-60 RC
- 220lbs - $1380
- No Prichet hole, just hardy hole
- (Ohio) [Jymm] Hoffman Anvils - USA, cast H13 steel, 52-54 RC
- Only 300lbs or larger size
- Looks like a good anvil
- (Illinois) JHM - USA
- Good price
- Bad - Ductile iron unknown Hardness
- (Multiple Distributors) Scott Anvils – USA
- Cast ductile iron, hardness unknown
- 250lbs - $1900)
- Louisiana (200lbs Avil $1800) Emerson - USA, cast 4140 steel, 48-50 RC
- (Texas) (250lbs - $1801) TFS - USA, cast ductile iron, hardness unknown
- Anvil width only 4” and 3k just for product) Big Blu - USA, cast steel, 54 RC, alloy unknown
- ANVILS That were cut from list:
- (TOO SMALL) Atlas Anvil - USA, cast 1050 steel, 60 RC
- (TOO SMALL, Small farriers anvils) Cliff Carrol - USA, cast steel(?), alloy and hardness unknown
- (TOO SMALL) Frontstep Forge - Canada, cast steel, 53-54 RC, alloy unknown
- (TOO SMALL) NC Tool - USA, cast ductile iron, hardness unknown
- (No longer making anvils) (only 120lbs) Mathewson Metals - USA, steel, alloy and hardness unknown (listed as "Fully hardened and heat treated tool steel face")
- (No longer in business) [Alec] Steele - USA, cast CM40 steel, 52 RC
- (Couldn’t find website) Fontanini Anvil - USA, cast 8640 steel, 50-56 RC
- (Near New York) Forged in Canada - Canada, cast 4140 steel, 58 58
- (Couldn’t find website) [William] Barnhart - USA, cast 50MN steel, 57 RC
Respectfully
Michael
I think some of what you're looking for will depend on what all you're looking to forge.
I work with a more traditional blacksmithing shop that does a lot of ABANA type stuff. So they are all about the different types of horns, how you need to adjust based on their curvature, the different sized hardy and pritchel holes, upset blocks, etc. etc.. Some of the anvils are big, some are smaller. Some are VERY worn, some still have a sharp corner or two to be found.
What I've found I like is a rounder horn without a flatter top to it, and a long flat length not interrupted by multiple holes in the middle. Makes it easier for me to judge flatness, straightness, and get a more consistent curve on what I'm doing. But some people are the opposite, not really a right or wrong way so long as it works.
So make sure you're looking at the details of the anvil and if that lines up with what you'll be using it for. Also, spending extra to figure out a really good and stable base can do a lot to overcome certain weight differences. We mostly use old tree cuts, and you can very quickly tell the difference between the ones with good even contact on the ground and have been made for that anvil vs the ones that just have an anvil tied/glued on them and walk around when being used.
For what it's worth, I like the Holland anvils the best. A lot of farriers I know would prefer the Emersons.
I like that advice, I currently have a Vevor 134lbs anvil from Home Depo, and I just don't use the horn so much that I justify getting a 2nd anvil with a horn, ( I can just use the old one). I think I have settled on saving to purchase one of the Church window style anvils. I think this model will cost me over 2k to ship, but nothing for sale around me is worth the drive for the condition it is in. There is almost a 600lbs anvil in good condition, but they want $3,500, and its a 11 hour drive for me. So its just tough to find anything in MT. unfortunately.
220lb Staircase Church Window
Respectfully
Michael
