Jeff Lodge Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 I am going to look at an anvil this afternoon and the guy say's it has Wilkinson imprinted on the side and it weights about 100 lbs. Has anyone heard of these anvil's and if so are they cast iron? I don't have any pictures at this time, but it sounds like I can get some today and post them later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Shears Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 Wilkinson Anvil's are of British manufacture. From "Anvils in America" Richard Postman notes that there were up to four (4) different Wilkinson companys/shops in the Dudley/Birmingham area making anvils. And at least two of these companies were exporting to the U.S. I have a 225 lb'er stamped with 'Wilkinson' composed of a forged wrought iron body and horn, and a face of about 3/8 inch tool steel. Lines of the body are similar to a Peter Wright, with the horn being slimmer for its length. Don Shears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBower Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 Ditto. Mine weighs about 130 pounds. I don't know which of the Wilkison companies made mine, but Don's sounds like its big brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 If it's an old english wilkinson it will be WI body, Steel face. In general anvils with the markings stamped in are not cast iron and anvils with the marking cast proud of the surface are cast iron. There are a few cast steel anvils that may be an exception to this rule but the Swedish ones and the American Columbian have their markings stamped in or recessed and not standing proud of the surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Lodge Posted September 14, 2010 Author Share Posted September 14, 2010 If it's an old english wilkinson it will be WI body, Steel face. In general anvils with the markings stamped in are not cast iron and anvils with the marking cast proud of the surface are cast iron. There are a few cast steel anvils that may be an exception to this rule but the Swedish ones and the American Columbian have their markings stamped in or recessed and not standing proud of the surface. Are there certain things I should be looking for to determine if the face is in good condition other than the dings, dents, cracks, or a way to see if the face has been repaired? I spoke to him this morning and he said the face looked to be in decent condition. He's looking to get 200$ for this anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 Take a small ball pein hammer and check the rebound-bounce back- of the anvil. If the anvil acts like it is 'thowing' the hammer back at you then I would definitly purchase it, especially at that price! If the anvil has a thunk instead of a ring than you may want to pass on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Lodge Posted September 14, 2010 Author Share Posted September 14, 2010 Thanks for the information. I'll see how it looks and reacts today after work and hopefully I'll have an anvil to start working on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zampilot Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 For sentimental reasons I'd love to find a Wilkinson 'round here. My first razor blades were Wilkinson's, bought for me by my Dad, a while ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Lodge Posted September 15, 2010 Author Share Posted September 15, 2010 Well it's not perfect, but there are still some decent spots on the face a few chips up near the horn and it still has a good ring and rebound. He's going to take 150 for it... was going to have some pics but my camera batteries died so I hope to have some up Thursday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 Well it's not perfect, but there are still some decent spots on the face a few chips up near the horn and it still has a good ring and rebound. He's going to take 150 for it... was going to have some pics but my camera batteries died so I hope to have some up Thursday WHAT!?!?!?! You didn't bring it home with you!?!?!? $150.00 sounds like a deal. Charge up your phone for pics! Good for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Lodge Posted September 15, 2010 Author Share Posted September 15, 2010 No he is holding it for me until Thursday. I get paid today and told him I would be back tonight to grab it. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainely,Bob Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 Hope you at least left a cash deposit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 And got a receipt saying that you had bought it, paid so much down and would pick it up upon final payment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Lodge Posted September 15, 2010 Author Share Posted September 15, 2010 I didn't get any of that... Let's see how a man's word stands in these days and times. However, he did tell me he has two other anvils at his families farm that he can't lift, so I might have to go help him out and see what he has there. I think the use of my time and truck might be able to land me another deal on one of the two left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 If he up and dies tomorrow how will his family know about the deal? I prefer things in writing rather than relying on the memory of two people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Lodge Posted September 16, 2010 Author Share Posted September 16, 2010 True, I am kind of leary on this anvil. I guess I am having second thoughts about purchasing it really. There are a few chips in the face about the size of a quarter near the horn, but there seems to be a lot of good spots left. The edges are a bit used up and there wasn't much of a sharp edge left. I guess Hardy tools can be used to fix that issue, but this being my first anvil I am not sure if I am getting a good deal or not I guess worse case scenario is I buy it and fix it up at a later date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 The old blacksmithing books say that the first thing you need to do when buying a new anvil is to round off the edges as sharp edges can cause trouble---not only are they more prone to chipping they also are more prone to leaving cold shuts in your work. What the heck do *you* need a sharp edge for? I forged for over a decade before I had an anvil with sharper edges than that one and never missed them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Lodge Posted September 17, 2010 Author Share Posted September 17, 2010 Well, it turns out the anvil weights in at 180lbs and sold for 150$ so 83 cents/pound. It should wourk out fine for what I need to start with. I'll try and get some pics up tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcrucible Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Well, it turns out the anvil weights in at 180lbs and sold for 150$ so 83 cents/pound. It should wourk out fine for what I need to start with. I'll try and get some pics up tomorrow.I am going to look at an anvil this afternoon and the guy say's it has Wilkinson imprinted on the side and it weights about 100 lbs hey, he was only off by 80%. What a deal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Lodge Posted September 17, 2010 Author Share Posted September 17, 2010 Well here are the photos I was able to get tonight once I got it out of my truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 It has seen a lot of use and some abuse but for what you paid I think you did OK. Take a flapper wheel and sand any sharp corners on any of the ships. There is still at least a couple centuries of work left in her. I have seen worse used by a very talented smith here in Texas and what he produces off his anvil would astound you, especially if you saw his anvil! Clean her up and do the light sanding I mentioned and GET TO HAVING FUN!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Lodge Posted September 17, 2010 Author Share Posted September 17, 2010 Yeah, that is why I was a bit leery of buying it, but I figured well for the price its not all that bad and if I want in the future I can spend the time to restore the anvil by hard-facing it, but I imagine since this is really a starter anvil for me that it will suit me fine until I progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2011dooms Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 I just bought a Wilkinson’s queens Dudley and it’s about 250 kg it’s very hard to find much information on them as everyone is obsessed with Peter Wright anvils where is the best website for info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 As mentioned in another thread: The best website is a book: "Anvils in America". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 What more do you need to know, that's not posted in this thread? You are on the "best" website. A quick search as outlined in the link I gave in your other thread turned up this. https://www.google.com/search?q=wilkinson+anvil+"iforgeiron"+site:www.iforgeiron.com&client=firefox-b-1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirkornnffdAhVdIDQIHbISBaEQrQIoBDAAegQICBAN&biw=1138&bih=511 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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