BDolle

Oh, I can be fairly patient, was just curious if there were any reason not to look at buying new for an anvil vs. hunting one down. TPAAT already starting working for me before I even knew the term! One of my wife's coworkers told her the other day that her dad has an unused anvil just sitting out in the barn. I'm waiting to hear for more info on that, so that's already a good start, and I've found loads of good advice here on putting together a forge that will work in my location.

Just getting into this myself. I've wanted to learn how to smith since I saw a recreation blacksmith set-up back in 8th grade. I'm 37. I held off for so long because I thought it would require finding a master to apprentice myself too, and having the time to dedicate to it without wasting said master's time. My wife got me a day of lessons with a local smith for our anniversary, and I loved it. I didn't realize it was something you could just start doing. I've spent my time since those lessons picking up some books and reading them, and I got myself a decent hammer and have been just hammering nails and working on hammer control. I just joined my local guild, and I'm planning to attend my first meeting this weekend.

I'm currently looking to get myself set up with a work area, so I'm eyeing anvils and forges and such. Nothing promising on craigslist, but I've found a few possible leads online. I'm in the Richmond, VA area, I know there are some good smiths here I plan to get to know, but does anyone know a good place or good quality to pick up a starter anvil? I've seen lost of encouraging posts about some great vintage anvil finds here, and I've got feelers in those directions as well, but is there any brand of new anvil that might be recommended to start with?

Thanks for any help, I'm looking forward to learning and becoming proficient, and I'm well aware and ready for it to be a long road ahead.