Mark Wargo New2bs

Brian,

Thanks for the post. I'm planning work on an arbor, and that helps me visualize some of the process I need to take. Great looking work.

Mark

Nice looking hammer.

Mark

Clay Spencer brought a small section similar to this to the last forge council meeting in Mississippi in July. It indeed looks spectacular. Punched through.

Mark

Wow, that is great contrast and workmanship. Thanks for sharing.

Mark

I have to agree Thomas. That anvil is much nicer than the anvil I stepped up to after the railroad track beginnings.

Mark

As a free market capitalist, I'm not going to disparage anyone's attempt to make an honest liviing. I own a hofi hammer and a blacksmith depot czech hammer and there is no comparison. I would discourage you from buying the czech hammer due to sub-optimal manufacture and finish both on the hammer face and handle. Elsewhere on this site is a discussion regarding the dubious manner in which some of these imitation hammers were created. My personal opinion is that you would be better off buying a short handled hammer, dressing the face and practicing the hofi method. I also own a Brian Brazeal style hammer that I made in one of his classes. Brian is being very modest. He will tell you that forging is simple: Heat, Hold, and Hit. I use the Brian style hammer more than any other. I can promise you wouldn't be disappointed with one of his hammers. I can say that you might be disappointed if you pay him to make you one rather than working with him to make your own.

If you are going to learn to do something, emulating someone who is great at it is the best route to success. If you use the tools they use, you will have more success in emulating them and therefore you will be more successful.

(all of this opinion has been provided by a rookie heheh)

Mark

I really like the look of that dagger. As the above poster stated, it just all seems to fit together well.

Mark

Great looking hammer, Sam.

Mark

Ed that looks great. Love the iron work and wood work.

Mark

Thank you very much for the information and your quick reply. I intend to use it lightly for small work and finishing. I do want to try to keep it near it's current conditon.

Mark

Well, daily searches of cragilook paid off a couple of weeks ago. I've been looking for a nice Fisher anvil and I saw a post about 2 weeks ago about an hour after it was posted. I called the guy and he sent me a picture, I immediately let him know I was interested. He was kind enough to hold it for two weeks for me since I was traveling to Nashville, TN for two of my students to test for Black Belt in Taekwondo. After about 10 hours in the car, we pulled into his driveway. We spent a good bit of time talking and he had a nice post vice that I brought home too. He had restored a 25lb little giant and I told him I was building a small power hammer and he threw in a 3/4 HP motor for free. I let him know about Iforgeiron.com and hope to see him on here. Super nice fellow.

The anvil is in great shape. The date is not cast into the body as I would have expected and I don't see the name or Fisher eagle cast into it either, but about 50% of the factory sticker is still present and the paint looks original. Teh only mark cast on it is a "7" on the front leg and she weighs about 73 lbs. As far as I can tell, no one has ever struck the face. There are some chisel marks on the horn, and it is obvious that it has tipped over on the point of the horn at some point. Otherwise, it looks to be in perfect condition. Rebound with a ball bearing is between 85 and 90%.

NJanvilman, if you could shed some light on this particular anvil's place in history I'd be much appreciative.

Thanks,

Mark

I'd go with Off-center v-bit tongs myself. Identify the size stock you would most work with and get them around that size.

Mark

Thanks for the walk-through on the process LDW.

Mark

that looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing the pics.

Mark

What do folks think of the Emerson Traditional anvils made of 4140 steel? They are made down in Louisiana. Thanks.

Mark

wow, that is fantastic. Thanks for sharing that Brian.

Mark

there is another post in this area on that same anvil. They are saying cast iron in that thread. Might want to check it out.

Mark

Great haul indeed since someone paid you to take it lol.

Mark

Nice indeed! Thanks for sharing.

Mark

There is a piece of heat treated 4150 over at Speedy Metals that works out to $1.60 per pound including shipping. about 110 anvil for $177. Just a thought.

Mark

Thanks for the food for thought guys. I was able to get back in touch with the owner and he was not able answer any of my questions. I'm not willing to buy something that isn't a known quantity. Appreciate the help.

Mark

I really like that blade and the woodwork as well.

Mark

Well, he is down to the mid $400s on E-bay now.

Mark

Thanks Phil. I will have to keep that in mind. The current owner says he bought it from a state surplus sale from one of the old State Hospitals, which had a blacksmith shop. If that is true, I would think it would have to be older than that. Being freshly painted like that concerns me right off the top, but I'm willing to take a look at it. I might be able to get my brother-in-law to swing over and take some good pictures of it to send me if I'm lucky.

Mark

Any thoughts on the maker of this anvil? It is 3.5 hours away and the owner isn't sure. This is the only picture I have at the moment. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Mark