cold cold steel

this looks like a good deal in california on craigslist My link

there appears to be a public auction in michigan with two big hay buddens for sale this saturday My link

knife forgings should be annealed, then hardened and tempered, especially steels with a lot of carbon

another "beauty" for the gallery My link

In the chatroom, last night, you expressed "reluctance" to pound on an "antique". These anvils, mostly manufactured in the 19th century, were made with the express purpose of banging hot metal atop them with a hammer. They accomplish, with few exceptions, their appointed task. If used properly(no pounding on it when the metal is cold", these anvils will last a thousand years, if used in the right manner. Your respect for these tools is a good thing; you will certainly not abuse your 150 pound antique "treasure"!

the answer to your question is contingent on two things, your budget and your desires

sweet looking hay budden on sacramento craigslist My link

this anvil deserves "dishonorable mention" My link

I remember seeing his work in a Gun Digest book on knifemaking 33 years ago, very sad to hear of his passing............

check out the movie "kingdom of heaven".............excellent

there is a guy on allentown pennsylvania craigslist selling a 200 pound rough looking peter wright for 225 dollars. At that price,it is worth repairing