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It's great to hear that you're intrigued by the DOYLE™ 65 lb. Cast Steel Anvil, especially after seeing positive reviews like the one from Christ Centered Iron Works. High-quality, affordable tools can indeed make a big difference for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

Thanks for the response, I got it! The design of the anvil, particularly the depth of the rebound area and the way the shape flexes, can significantly impact the ball bearing's bounce height.

Frosty's description highlights inertia's importance. The anvil's mass absorbs the hammer blow's energy, allowing for efficient energy transfer to the workpiece. Hardness plays a role, but not the most crucial one. A ball bearing (being very light) wouldn't show much difference in bounce height between the anvil's sweet spot and the tail. Both would likely rebound similarly due to the minimal energy transfer.

LG hammers are a safer bet due to easier parts availability and smoother operation according to some users. They're the industry standard for a reason. Champion hammers could be a good option if the price is significantly lower and you're comfortable potentially dealing with finding parts in the future.