MilitaryMisfit Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Hey all, I have a question. I'm taking off for a three month deployment, and when I return I'd like to pick-up a new anvil. Before I do i'd like to get everyone's input on what they think. Right now I'm looking at the 200 TFS Smithy, 275 Peddinghaus, Centurion Nimba, or a 101kgs double bick Vaughan. I'll still plan to do blades but would like to move into other areas as well. Right now I have a home made anvil made of 1/2" mild plates welded together vertically with a 1/2" plate weld horizontally on the top and hard faced. It works well for a free fabrictated anvil. Before I transfered here I had three to choose from, the smallest was 200+. The big one, twice the size of the little one. They were the machine shop's at the base I was stationed at. Anyway, This will be my first real anvil I've ever owned. I understand all four anvils are pricy but I have 3 months of E-6 pay that will be saved. And the military will ship it free to guam once it gets to California. Thanks for any input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dablacksmith Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 havnt worked useing any but the nimba but i really liked it ! it will be much nicer than what you are currently useing ...only thing i missed was the anvil dosnt have a step you can use a tool in the hearty hole to replace that tho.. be safe on your deployment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I haven't used any of the brands that you mentioned. my regular anvil is a Trenton 150#. But you will notice a big improvement over your current anvil, no matter which you choose. Be safe. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Since you are asking for opinions, my choice would be the peddinhaus, but I don't have any experience with any of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWHII Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I have a friend who has the Peddinhaus. It is a quality anvil. If I where able to get a new one it would be on the top of my list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlreif Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I have a 260 pound two horn classic. It's a very good anvil. It is similar to the paddinghouse but cheaper. The rebound is really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Hey there snipe , Can't give you any advice on the anvil choice but just wanted to say have a safe deployment. If you get a chance while underway or at a liberty port, check in and say hey. Take care. Boats<>< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Lack of a step can be taken care of with a simple "T" to drop in the hardy hole. I like the Nimba, but you'll probably be happy with any of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 I've been using a "Rathole" 250# anvil for about four years, and I like it. It is two horned and is holding up well to the work. http://www.fontaninianvilandtool.com. http://www.turleyforge.com Granddaddy of Blacksmith Schools Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinculo Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Anvils worksheet.xlsx.pdfI was looking at the same mostly the same anvils. I made this comparison sheet, it may help you. I chose the Fontanini 250 (formerly Rathole). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyshackleford Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 As a compliment to Trinculo's (Hi btw!, I'm up in Boone) doc, here is technical data about the anvils. While pricing is subject to change, this is a little more standard, and I wish it ws pinned to the forum since comparisons come up so much. Click the link and search (ctrl+f) for 'anvil' its the first result.my link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilitaryMisfit Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 First off, thanks for all the well wishes. The information and opinions everyone provided helped me quite a bit, and the two Adobe files were awesome. Thanks. I've narrowed it down to two Anvils now. The Ozark Pattern by Tom Clark, and the Nimba Centurion. I'm not sure how the added pritchel holes or the lack of a step will effect me or my future endevors, but we'll see. All I've ever done before were blades, two "Ed Roth" styled shift knobs, and a few basic handles. Like I said though, I plan to branch out and do a lot more. Anyone ever use an Ozark? Boats, I didnt know you were that close to E City. I have some good friends around your area. One who looks just like Kazoo from the flintstones. Mr. Sarver, I was leaning toward the Nimba originaly for the fact they're based in the Seattle area. I love it there. I spent many nights in a tent up around Mt. Rainier. I'll probably be back there in two years. Oh yeah, Ive condensed both of those forms and some other info into one chart if anyone needs it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip in china Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 First of all thank you for serving. We need people like you to keep the world safe. I have a vaughans. British made anvil and one of the best I have ever used. It is a 125Kg which is a lovely size. PM coming your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 I'd go for the best for what you are doing, if you branch out you may well pick up *another* anvil more suited for that! My main shop anvil is a large Fisher that I dearly love; but I do have another much smaller anvil right beside it to use when I need a thin heel to work off of or want to use smaller hardy tooling than the 1.5" one on the Fisher---It's kind of amusing to be able to drop a hardy tool from one of my small anvils *through* the hardy holes on the fisher... I've been jonesing for a Nimba for a long while though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZIG Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Thank you For your service. I know you've gotten some great info already. You Can't go wrong with any suggestions given. Be careful and come home to use whatever anvil you choose to get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesteryearforge Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I have both a TOM Clark and a Nimba gladiator Both are very good anvils My wife gave me the Tom Clark anvil for christmas one year ( you can get your name cast on it if you order new ) One other anvil that deserves a look if you are considering new is the Refflinghaus They can be found at ( shady grove blacksmith shop ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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