Montana7

Anyone is welcome to collect whatever interests them, be it stamps, cars, airplanes, boats, guns, tattoos, military tanks, or even anvils. Those with more disposable income can collect more items, as well as those rare items in that subject field. As blacksmiths we collect scrap and put it in a pile, and whether it is in a pile or not it is still a collection, and at best, worthless scrap with a negative value to others or the neighbor.

If you want X amount of anvils, then open up the purse strings and buy them. If you want the big XXX pound anvil, then open up the purse strings and buy it. Can not find it on your own, then open up the purse strings and hire a headhunter or agent to find one for you. If you say it takes money then go out and earn the money.

Use what you have now to get to where you want to be.There are only a few blacksmith shops that were instantly unloaded off the truck and put into operation. All had to start somewhere, usually small, and one item was added at a time. As a business, each item or tool had to earn its keep in the shop. As a hobby, each item was added, one at a time, with disposable income gathered from not buying that pack of cigarettes, or packing your own lunch for work rather than eating out with the boys.

To fault someone for spending YEARS of their time and money to assemble a collection is short sighted. We should be happy that they have been able to enjoy the hunt for each item and display the results of their work. To call these folks names is beneath us. Everyone will have something we do not, and we will have something others do not. Do not cast shadows upon someone else's efforts Instead get up and get out and get to work to get that thing your desire. Such is life.

Great looking knife. I really like the shape of the guard. To me the top arc is unexpected, but flows nicely and adds interest to an already nice profile. I also like the peened texture on the blade that is echoed by the guard.

Robert

Tom Powers: What are you talking about?? To me, your post makes no sense. This is a Fisher anvil, made in Trenton, New Jersey between 1962 and 1979.

being able to use an item to me is tied up in it's identity. If you can't use it, is it really the item; or just a mock up of it? Sort of like the difference in a sword and a SLO...

Course when you get to discussing inanimate objects "identity" it's most likely time for a beer! Show up at Quad-State sometime I can get there too and I'll stand you to a round! (Just don't go waving your hands whilst we discuss such objects of you might prove me wrong about the "usability" and then we'd have to dispose of the evidence and clean the place up!)

Hi Thomas Powers glad you like .If i was going for the so called dada look i would have gone a lot further than what you see here i would have inlaying diamonds in the eyes and gems all over it but i think that would be a bit over dressed even for this lady but easy done tho .
thank you .
Chris

Very nicely done and very pretty indeed. However I personally do not like adding stuff that prevents the use of the item---I'd have put the brass around the eye area and left the blade alone save perhaps for some engraving. (unless you are going for the dada look!)

Yet another incredible piece. Indeed, keep it coming.......

Chris,

Amazing workmanship and attention to detail. Masterpiece quality of the highest order. You must have the patience of a saint. Thanks for sharing your work and inspiring us. Great job.

Peter

Very nice job!

It is all about priorities or perceived priorities at the time.

Bottom line: The past is gone, live for today and look to the future. There will be more "deals".

I guess we all have our ghosts. I have had several cars slip by me, always showed up when I had no money to spare. missed out on a `69 GT500 Shelby 428 4spd, with 33,000 miles...$5000.00 ,a very nice `72 DeTomaso Pantera with 9000 miles. ...$6000.00. the worst one ever, and it hurts to think of it. a good buddy sent his brother to me looking to sell a mint GT350H. he wanted $10,000 cash. that was high for that back in the day. its now worth $200k

Finally a voice of reason from Tim Miller. I'm pretty new to this site & do a lot of reading of various threads to learn a bit about blacksmithing. I'm retired now & thought I might like to move some metal around. Nothing major, as I've never had any aspirations of being a blacksmith, farrier, whatever. I'd just like to pound some metal a bit & see where it leads me. Which may be nowhere after after the first try. A few months ago I found a mousehole anvil & plan on getting together with a guy out my way who makes (hand forges) knives. I met him at a gun show where he had a table set up & after talking with him awhile, it got me thinking about looking for a anvil.
Which brings me to this post after reading these negative comments about collectors, which is pretty pervasive with some members on a lot of threads. Which begs the ? Where does this sense of entitlement/snobbery come from, that only blacksmiths should own anvils? I mean, it's not like they're a rare item & only so many are out there. If that were the case, I could see the point of guys getting upset about someone buying one just to have & not use. But let's face it, that isn't the case. I see guys here brag about getting them on the cheap from sellers before they're put on auction. Or guys going to auctions or constantly searching craigs list & having success that way. (he, haw) So because you're a blacksmith, you're the only one entitled to do this? Really? Kind of seems that's the attitude from where I'm sitting & reading.
No, I don't collect anvils & have no desire to do so. But I do collect other things, among them vintage firearms. And any forums I go to, I don't see this same sense of entitlement or putting down collectors that exists on this forum. There's plenty of guys who don't shoot their vintage firearms, but I don't see others putting them down because they choose to do so. I see guys who collect expensive custom made knives that never get used, yet they don't get the attitude that's shown to collectors here. Would any of you guys who make custom knives put someone down because he chose not to use it? Would you choose not to sell to someone if he said it was going in his collection & not used? I'm sure you'd like to see a knife that you made being used, but I'm willing to bet the majority of you wouldn't say no to a collector who wanted to buy it & showed you the cash. Let's be honest, would you?
All you guys who condemn collectors, have you ever collected anything yourselves? Like guns, watches, stamps, coins, knives, train sets or anything at all? Because if you have, doesn't that make you a hypocrite for someone that wants a anvil in his collection?
Bottom line guys (& gals), there's plenty of anvils out there that can be had for a reasonable price if you are patient & know where to look. Heck, since I bought the mousehole a few months ago, I could have bought 3 more since at a reasonable price.
Lighten up guys, what you do is a noble profession & good, honest hard work. But let's face it, blacksmiths aren't finding cures for diseases nor are they the center of the universe. Uh, far from it. Despite what you think, being a blacksmith really doesn't give you entitlement to all the anvils out there.
I'm not looking to change the attitude I speak of, because I'm pretty certain it will always exist with some of you. It's just an observation that I thought was a good time to throw out there.

No other markings. I forgot to mention that it has a Hardie Hole and a Pritchel hole. The table at the base of the horn is 3in x 4 in and the edges don't extend past the with of the horn.


I'm from New york State - Near Elmira NY - I wish I could get a photo but cameras are not allowed where I work. The anvil was part of an old trades shop that they recently did away with.

Nice job Ranger.

I don't think it'll work. Actions a little loose on the worn one. I had a buddy offer me a 94 Ranger edition with saddle scabbard and shells

I recently saw an anchor on a smaller Fisher anvil. I was wondering myself why that was there.

I'd also pass on that Winchester. Far better ones can be found in shops or internet auctions, if condition means anything to you.
I've been very happy with my online purchases. Just be sure to ask a lot of ?s, get plenty of clear, close-up pictures & make sure the seller has a return policy if it has to go back. Also, look at the sellers feedback from buyers on previous sales. That's important.

I like it. It looks sort of rustic. You have the over all shape down. Nice job.


Mitch

Nice job, especially being your first.

That's a great looking knife that just needs a nice sheath to compliment it. If I saw it for sale, I'd be hard pressed not to buy it.

Nice one Mike. I've heard good things about Placid. I paddle a Bell Magic I picked up used (great shape) about 7 years ago....love it.

Debate probably wasn't the right word. Just a discussion with differing opinions. Boat works for me.

gotta be a kayak, see the porthole resting on top?

I build this a while ago. Somehow it doesn't look as good when skinned. Sorry, no blacksmithing involved.

That should be a good 3 day trip Mike. Might as well get to work on that holder....nice addition to your boat.