Brett Collett

Xaraph, I'm the guy that bought the Vaughn on Whidbey Island. I was checking out some other options before that. There is a farrier shop outside Portland that will order them in and save you shipping... and sales tax, Its called Valley Farrier. I was looking at a TFS Blacksmith London Pattern either 150 or 200 lbs. I was scared of the size of the Vaughn also but two of us were able to work it up a ramp into my pickup without major incident. It isn't hard to move, it's really hard to lift, especially above waist height. I'll keep my eye out for something in our area. You could also check the NWBA spring conference for tailgate sales. Brett Collett

Well I pulled the trigger, it has obviously been ground but the face is still hard with good rebound. The sway is significant, but there is plenty of flat workspace on the anvil left. Unless i start doing some heavy sledge work, I think this anvil will barely notice my use. I ended up paying asking for a couple of reasons: I was planning on buying a new 200lb TFS for about $1200 (money left for other tools), the guy was a NWBA(Northwest Blacksmith Associan) member, and he needed the money for an emergency truck repair. Like Vaughn T said, I can't really brag about the smokin deal I got, but I feel like I got a fine used anvil at a fair price. I am glad that my anvil fever has passed. Thanks for the input, it was very helpful. The anvil is stamped "Vaughn Brooks England" 3 0 6 (342lb nominal weight). The previous owner bought it from an antique dealer who brought it over from Singapore. He thinks it may have been a ship's anvil because it has some greenish corrosion (maybe paint) on it. Brett Collett

Thanks for the advice, I'm heading up to take a look at it today. BTW I am from Tacoma, Washington. Brett

I am exchanging emails with a guy about this anvil. I am a beginner and it is larger than I was thinking of starting with, but I am considering it. He says it is a 325 lb Vaughan Brooks. I have a couple of concerns. 1. I have asked for more pics but haven't gotten any yet, I will probably make the 2 hour trip to look at it and give it the rebound tests I've read about. 2. The face swayback and the droop in the heel. It seems like the face is in good shape and the corners are intact, but this makes me suspect that it has been ground by hand. I am thinking that kind of wear should be accompanied by more face and edge wear. Also the drop from the face to the table seems short, which makes me suspicious of grinding again. 3. He's asking $900. On the BS forums this seems high, but not totally out of line. 4. I am also tentative about its size, I thought I would be starting with something smaller. Thanks!