Sask Mark

I never said that. I am so green in the world of blacksmithing that it would be foolish for anyone to take my word for it.

I'm just saying that when Brian Brazeal talks, people listen because he has backed up his words by moving metal with hammers in a way that many people (including master bladesmiths) didn't know was possible. If you can provide evidence of a hammer that has more usable radii and striking surfaces than Brian's hammer, then all the power to you. Until then, I don't think it's right to use such strong words to discount what Brian claims. Brian showed his evidence, now you show yours.

Indeed, I had a member of this forum tell me that his hammer had more available surfaces than any other hammer, which is a bold or even arrogant statement in terms of the utility of all the hammers existing in the world that this person has not seen, and a false statement if taken literally, as any curved surface will have infinite available surfaces.

$2000 for the 3 blocks? $600 for the one you are considering sounded high to me but that $2K for all 3 doesn't sound too bad considering you are getting one of the coolest blocks I have ever seen.

Thanks! I'm amazed no one bought the swage block and vise before me for how much/little he was asking. I couldn't say no when he threw in the cone.

Very nice.

Question regarding the strapping. A lot of it that I see seems to be treated (like an anodizing or bluing) for rust prevention I presume. Do you remove this treatment before you use the strapping in your billets? Or does the flux take care of this?

John, I paid $150 for a block identical to that one and I was at an auction where another one identical to it went for $250. YMMV.

Btw, that back one in the picture looks incredible! Are these blocks in Quebec?

Yes, I really lucked out on these tools. I have been watching for a cone mandrel for a and larger swage block for years but I have never seen them come up for sale around where I live.

I was perusing Craigslist for a different city when the vise and swage block popped up in an ad. The ad stated he was firm on price and both tools must be purchased as a lot. I had bought a bunch of top tools from the same guy about 3 years earlier and knew he had a come mandrel. I called him up and he remembered me because we had some good chats the last time we dealt with each other. I asked if he still had the cone mandrel and he told me if I took the tools he would throw the cone mandrel in with the deal for no extra cost. I committed to buy them with the only detail remaining being shipping almost 1000 pounds of tools about 1000 miles.

My dad called me a couple of weeks ago and told me he has a customer who works for a moving company who was making a trip out to the same city and coming back with an empty truck. He bought the tools back for me and it cost me about 10% of what it would have ordinarily cost.

18"x18"x4" swage block with matching stand.

8.25" Peter Wright leg vise

49" tall cone mandrel

40 amp plasma cutter

Whatever you decide Larry, I sincerely hope for the best for you. I personally have a great respect for everything you post. For me, you have come as close to replacing Grant Sarver as is possible in posting on this board. Please consider that a compliment.

I hope you can get back to a happy place in your life.

No, that isn't a Peter Wright. It is cast as opposed to forged. If is is cast steel (rings when it is struck with a hammer) possible makes are the various Swedish makers (Soderfors, Kohlswa etc.) or it might have been made by a random foundry. Also, there were a few cast steel English makers as well.

I can't help you with the number 18. I have never seen a Swedish anvil with a number cast in the side like that.

Good score Bryce. Is that the one that's been on Craigslist in Mission for the last couple of months?

Cool beans!

Can you tell if that adjustment bolt was a factory feature or was it added after the fact? Of all the English swage block stands that I have seen on Ebay I have never seen one with an adjustment bolt.

So awesome...

Thanks Craig. When I ran into you at the gun shop, I really didn't know what to expect. I learned a lot for doing these.

If I recall correctly, K&L anvils were cast steel anvils from England. I believe they made some of the anvils for the Blacker power hammers. They have a reputation for being high quality anvils.

Larger anvils are sometimes few and far between. If you miss the opportunity for one, it might be a while before another one pops up.

Looks like a Trenton.

168# Hay-Budden Serial 172314

Hi all. this is my first post after reading every thing I could on this site the last couple of weeks. Love it. I bought my first anvil today, need some help with date. Hay Budden #128_23 or 138_23.Can"t hardly read it. Weighs about 130#. Any help? Thanks Randy.

I think he also had one or 2 other members doing everything in their power to help him achieve the low ratings. Someone got a chip on their shoulder with him and took every opportunity to show it. Too bad as he does some brilliant work.

Just picked up my Hay Budden, it's my first anvil :).

155# (so i'm told haven't weighed it) Serial no. 75324

Anyone know what date that would put it?

How about car collectors? Cars can be useful. I would love to own an old wedge powered mopar. So would a lot of other people, so I guess I can't own one. I'm not mad at them for driving the price out of my range. That's their prerogative.

If you are a potential buyer I'm sure any questions can be answered with a message to the seller. If you're not a potential buyer then it's a moot point.

People only dislike collectors when it affects THEM. I'm sure that a vast majority of members on this board don't have a bad thing to say about collectors who collect salt and pepper shakers...

Looks like a Lakeside by Hay Budden.