January 29, 200719 yr Hi All, I am in the process of trying to purchase my first anvil. Can anyone help me out with what the differences might be between between the 'economy' ones and 'premium' ones?? Also how much difference does it make?? Thanks Louise :)
January 29, 200719 yr What you want in an anvil: Hardened Face mandatory! Nicely shaped horn Usefull hardy hole Mass of anvil below the face lack of ring---user's choice If you have a properly hardened face with enough mass under it you have an anvil even without a horn or hardy hole. Too soft and without the mass under the face you don't have an anvil no matter how prettily it is shaped. Look at Nimba anvils for a good example of a non-london pattern anvil that is *well* designed. Look at harbour freight for examples that are poorly designed. The difference is like riding in a rolls royce and riding ina yugo. They will both get you there but one is an enjoyable ride... Thomas
January 30, 200719 yr If you're on a tight budget, any hunk of steel with a relatively flat face will do. If you have, and are willing to spend, the money buy a more expensive anvil. It is all up to you. My anvil is the 100$ special, it's 110 pounds and it serves me quite nicely. I've worked on nicer anvils and there is a large difference. But I'm going to drive this one into the ground. I get enjoyment out of forging no matter what I am beating on! Another thing, what kind of use will it be getting? I mean will this be your first time at the forge, or are you well versed in the ways of the hammer and just wish to have some other people's oppinions?
January 30, 200719 yr Author Cheers, some useful stuff to think about. I have done a uni course doing blacksmithing a few years ago, so not familiar with actually buying my own equipment. This is my first workshop. So just trying to work out what actually accounts for the difference in price. :confused: I am leaning towards getting a decent one, maybe around 200 pounds. Ones i am looking at vary from €770 to €1354 (in $ around $965-$1697 ish!) The cheapest 100 pound anvil i've found is around €400 ($500).How does that compare to USA prices?? The most expensive one above is a London pattern, (shipped from UK, I can't find one in France) single bick 'professional grade' and is 280 pounds and is hardened to a minimum of 60 on the Rockwell scale. (Although for the other anvils i am looking at i don't have this info to compare to!)
January 30, 200719 yr when it comes to anvils if you are buying a new one always get the best you can afford . its the old saying you get what you pay for, and you dont get anything free ,unless you are fortunate to stumble apon a good second hand anvil. but that,s is just plain luck.
January 31, 200719 yr I think there is a big difference between buying a new anvil and buying a used anvil. I'm not saying that one is better then the other, just that its a different experience. If you want to buy a new one, I'd recommend 150+ lbs and the best quality you can afford. Get a good pattern from a good distributer. On the other hand, I think it's fun to look for used anvils, though time consuming. But there is more variation, more style, more life, and more history to be had..
January 31, 200719 yr In your search for an anvil have you checked for auctions that are liquidating a farmstead? Where I live, eastern Ontario in Canada, auctions liquidating a farmstead are few and far between. However, they do come up and do list blacksmithing tools and anvils. probably about 2-3 per year in eastern Ontario. Try a search for auction listings in your area or even a little further away. You never know. Brian Ottawa
February 1, 200719 yr Author Cheers all Yep i think i will go for a good quality one. Now to persuade other half it's a good idea!!! (Even though i am still not quite sure what makes up the quality part, is it all down to materials and hardening??) Thanks again Louise
February 4, 200719 yr Look up the website angele.de An aquaintance of mine used to deal with them when he lived in Europe and speaks highly of them. They deal only in new equipment, though their pricing may provide more insight.
February 6, 200719 yr an older anvil will generally have a work hardened face that's harder than the face on a new anvil. bigger is better, the more there is down there the more it hits back. peddinghaus is made in either germany or france and they are top notch, forged construction, you cannot go wrong with these and they should be cheaper over there than here.
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