anvil horn ''left or right''

[ApprenticeMan]

Originally Posted by Thomas Dean

Horn to the left. But I stand mostly at the tail of the anvil. Was taught that by Tsur Sadan at Tom Clark's school. Am comfortable that way for most of my forging and have learned to do most scrolling off the edge of the anvil and not the horn, (saves steps). Guess this (horn direction) is like belly buttons, everybody has one (preference) but they are different and for various reasons. Main thing is BE COMFORTABLE.

I do alot of scrolling over the side of the anvil too.

[the_sandy_creek_forge]

I have a somewhat peculiar situation here. As I turn from the forge the horn faces to the right at about a 2 or 2:30 o'clock angle. When I am forging I step behind the heel and a little to the left so the horn is pointing the same direction that I am facing. When I am bending or working over the horn the horn is always at 3 o'clock (to the right). If I am swinging a sledge over the anvil (usually if I can get my dad or my brother to hold for me) I am at the opposite side away from the forge and the horn is pointing left. So, in effect I am running in circles around my anvil Not sure how many people stand behind the heel for general forging, but it works for me.
-Aaron @ the SCF

[HWooldridge]

I am right handed and have the horn to the right. I started that way early on based on an old man's comment that horseshoers normally had the horn opposite the hammer hand side but ornamental smiths had it on the strong side. I once almost cut off my little finger on the hammer hand on a hardy so that was another benefit.

I knew no different so now it's a habit. Not sure either way is "right".

[fat pete]

I have a double horn also...I have a Nimba Centurian..260# One horn is round ...(on the right) the other horn is square and thats on the right... I am right handed...

[yesteryearforge]

Im usually in the house on the computer at IFORGEIRON so it really doesnt matter which way the anvil is facing,
Maybe ill go clean the cobwebs off and check.

Mike

[Mike Turner]

It depends on which side of the anvil I am on as to which way the horn points . I would say 90% of the time it is left, as Bruce pointed out the for shoe making the tong hand needs to be near the horn. I am ambidextrous but I prefer right handed hence the 90%.

[Pault17]

I have a tendancy to "dance" around all sides of the anvil, depending on what I am working on.