Anvil advice needed

[hammerandtongs]

Hi guys im in the process of looking to buy a cast iron Farriers type Blacksmiths Anvil. I have not actually looked at the said item yet but have attached two photos which the seller has sent me. I have a couple of questions regarding this anvil and its suitability for the type of work I intend to do with it (should I decide to purchase it).
You will see its 102kgs and made by JB ENGLAND.

I would like your opinions on what you can see as the condition of it and what do you guess its worth. Mainly I am a hobbiest knife maker and forge blades from 5160 steel. in the main I use a 3lbs blacksmiths hammer and forge down to about between 5mm to 4mm before final finishing on the belt grinder.
Of interest I have read in some quarters that farriers type anvils are not a good bet for general type blacksmithing-blade forging work. Dont know how true this is. The other thing that is also slightly bugging me it that a lot of opinion seems to be saying steer well clear of cast anvils as they are very inferior to forged anvils. Unfortunately my budget only allows me to look at secondhand cast ones at present.
Checking the anvil:
I have been told also to look out for parrallel cracks running 3-4mm from the stricking surface which my indicate poor depth heat treatment after surface hardening of the anvils striking surface?.

Please have a look at the photos and let me know what you think
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...nvil2_save.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...nvil1_save.jpg
Any advice about how to check out the anvil and its suitability will be very greatfully recieved.
Regards to all Hammer and tongs.

[clark-kentski]

your looking at a london pattern anvil,about 210 pounds.I personaly dont think youll be happy with it very long.If you just have to have it, offer 75 bucks,that only if you dont have to travel far.With that 3 pound hammer you need a good quality anvil at least 150 pounds.

[Mills]

Don't confuse cast steel with cast iron. Jymm Hoffman has a GREAT cast steel anvil well worth the money. For cast iron peruse harbor freight or Grizzly and you should see the differences after some study. There are other good to top quality cast steel anvils and 1 good cast iron made by Fisher if you can find one.

With all of that I have no I dea what kind of quality that one may be. Can you give it a try and see what it does for you? That would at least remove some of the rust for the current owner.

[forger]

To me that looks like a Brooks anvil made in England, Centaur Forge used to carry them once Kowlswa anvils became unavailable in the early 1980's. A very good anvil if it is. I would check cast steel vs iron by checking the rebound of a hammer on the face. If good rebound it should be steel and it will have a nice ringing sound to it.
Hope this helps
Mike

[Rich Hale]

I forge a blade now and then and have two anvils that I use. One is 105 pounds and the other is 177 pounds. Both are similiar is shape to the one you show in the pics. If that anvil suits you and the price is right get it and enjoy.

[hammerandtongs]

Hi Guys
Clarke-kenski-its not that cheap the guy wants equivalent of $2oo for it and its 120 miles away .Why do you say that I will not be happy with it-some experience you have had?
Im beginning to have doubts but im being told at this end that these go for between $200 and $300 in england. These things seem to fetch silly money. However that said the seller is going to send me more photos of the striking surface then I guess its decision time. Shame its 3 hours or so drive away. Thanks for the advice any way guys the jurys out on this one I think.
Thanks H&TONGS

[clark-kentski]

Not personaly but i was watching This Old House a few years back when Bob gave away all the cast iron heating radiators in the house.Well they followed the guy to the scrap yard where they proceeded to pile up the radiators and some cast iron bath tubs, then with a crane and an electromagnet they lifted a huge sheet of STEEL and repeatedly dropped it until they had nothing but bits and pieces of cast iron.So hitting a big chunk of it shaped like an anvil with a STEEL hammer doesnt seem right to me. Some guys usem and are happy though My every day anvil is a 350 pound kohlswa that is cast steel ,which if its the last anvil i ever buy id be happy(my wife would be too!)

[Bear]

Yes but this one seems to have a cast steel plate on top as most older anvils do i know there were some that were cast Iron. My 200lb fisher has a 1 inch thick plate on top. But the fact is most new steel anvils are a little pricey for when you are starting out. You can get a forge , older cast iron with steel plate anvil, and many tools for the price of a single new cast steel anvil.

Sean

[Bear]

Hammerandtongs,
$200 is not bad for an older anvil in good condition. Some people are very lucky and find free or very low cost anvils and some arent( like me). My 200lb fisher anvil (from 1940) cost me $450 and i am happy with it. You may want to find a junkyard/ scrap yard(i dont know what they are called on the other side of the pond) as you may be lucky and find an anvil sitting there


Sean

[nmgross]

I cant imagine that this anvil is made of cast iron , maybe cast steel?
it seems to be in good condition!