Yeah, bad example to get my point across. Should have said maybe we're paying too much for London patterns when we can get good anvils for cents a pound at the scrap yard.
However, I believe good anvils with good rebound help most people. When you've been doing this as long as some, maybe rebound is not so important. If you can swing your hammer with enough force and accuracy, you could forge on a piece of wood.
I, on the other hand, need all the help I can get.