keykeeper

Thanks Thomas. Fits mine to a T. Nice rebound, nice ring. Can't wait to heat the iron!!

RegChaos: I am in the process of designing and building a forge, there's just so many different ways to do it. I would like to build one for coal and then later a propane forge. Glenn: The 70# is marked simply "Vanadium Steel 70". The face is good except for a few chisel dings here and there, good edges, horn could use a little grinding as theres a ding right on the end of it. 7/8" hardy hole, 3/8" pritchel hole. Ken Scharabok advises me that it was probably made in the 1930's-40's era by Vanadium Steel Tool Co. and marketed by several retailers as their in house brand. I am delighted with it, and Ken advised they are reportedly very good anvils. It was painted when I bought it, and took several hours of work with my angle grinder and wire brush to remove the paint and inspect is closer.

I'm on the Western border of WV in a little town called Ripley. I plan on attending the ABA conference at Cedar Lakes this October. I can't wait, hopefully I can meet our site admin. there and learn a few tricks!

I realize that after spending countless hours reading all the great reference books and site content available, that blacksmiths never stop gathering for the future projects. I meant that I was in the phase of assembling all the basics needed to start. A forge is just around the corner, or so the wind tells me! Do you think a 70 pound cast steel anvil is too small to begin with, as I acquired one several months ago. Amazing, that after reading one book, a fire and desire to smith was born!:wink:

I have to say this site is AWESOME! It has been a real help, and an excellent resource for a newbie such as myself. I am just in the "gathering" phase of this hobby, but so far have been lucky picking up tools. Soon I hope to start smithing on a small scale, but I lack a forge at this time. Until a forge is acquired, I'll bide my time reading and researching. Thanks again for an awesome community and site!