fishingnathan

Wow...thank you all for the replies and information. Frosty, I really need to upgrade my forge. I want to build or purchase a 2 burner propane forge, which is why I am contemplating selling the swage block. I could get a better forge with what I get for the swage block. But based on everyone's comments I am going to really consider keeping it. Starbits: The anvil was listed for $250 on Craigslist. I replied once I saw it, but when I hadn't heard back after almost 24 hours I decided to up the ante and sent another email offering $450. Based on the sized I figured it would be worth it. They took my offer. When I was there I asked if they had any other blacksmith equipment. They pulled out the swage block...I asked how much...they said how about $20. LOL So $470 for both...I think I did good.

Thanks for the quick reply! I never considered the "waist' size or hardy hole location...just jumped on a good deal. The thickness of the anvil at the hardy hole is 2 1/2"....hopefully that will be sufficient when I get to using it. And I added my location...thanks for the advice!

I just picked up an anvil and swage block on Craigslist and have a few questions (I'm fairly new to forging). I'm fairly certain the anvil is a Hay Budden as I can see part of the insignia with "manufacturing" and "Brooklyn NY". We threw it on a commercial scale and it weighs 284 lbs with the stand, so I'm guessing it's a 250 lb anvil. It's 33 12/" long, horn is 15" and the face is 4" x 18 1/2". The swage block is 14" x 20" x 4" and weighs 169 lbs. I can't find any identifying marks on it. I'm wondering what the value of each of these is? I'm just getting into knife making and don't know if I'd ever use the swage block. I honestly didn't know what a swage block was before today. I'd like to sell it to help pay for the anvil, but don't know if I'd find uses for it later and regret I sold it. Also, I wouldn't know where to sell it if I wanted to. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.