What size anvil do you use the most ? 

We are talking anvils that you use with a hand hammer.

 

Comments as to why you chose or use that weight are welcome.

 

 

I just picked up a Fisher that's in the 300-350 range and it's become my go-to anvil.   While I don't need an anvil this big, having learned on and worked with anvils far lighter, I really appreciate how the extra mass helps move the hot metal.  And being a quiet anvil is truly a blessing.  Now, I'm spoiled!

Mines 120 Fisher, never had the need for bigger..

110 pound Vulcan, I would like a 200ish pound sawyers anvil with sharp edges.

I had a 500lb'er for 30 some years and my 165 for nearly as long....One day it dawned on me that I'd been walking around the 500 to get to the 165 98% of the time all those years and decided to sell the 5, or maybe it was just downsizing..... ^_^

110 pound Vulcan, I would like a 200ish pound sawyers anvil with sharp edges.

Ya I would like a 150-200 with good edges ..

75# JHM, it's a lot easy to load and unload from the doing rig.
150# JMH lives in the shop, along with a 34" section of 140# rail (the 150# is a wasp waisted farriers anvil) and a track anvil mounted on a 2" solid rod and a receiver drawbar for my horse hauling kit.

I have my 300# Fisher and 150# Fisher next to each other. I'd sell the 150# Fisher and save the space if the 300#r wasn't missing 4" of the horn.
Well. Maybe not actually sell my other anvil. :)
As it is, I mounted the 150# 2-1/2" higher. I use it for the slower, gentler shaping heats.

I have a 504lbs 4.5cwt as my main anvil but a very close second that sits adjacent to it is a 112 lb (1cwt), that has nice crisp edges. I use the edges on the smaller one,  but I like having a large face to work on for my main one especially when I am working on larger sculptural shapes, (big leaves etc) I also like having the two sizes of horn to work from. Why do I have those sizes? Because when I was looking to buy an anvil, the 4.5cwt was the first one that I went to see, and a while after that the farmer where my workshop was offered the smaller one to me at a price I couldn't refuse! :)

1st 137# trenton   2nd 300# trenton  3rd  176# trenton   4th 100# arm and hammer  5th 100# hay budden     got more than one shop

My 150# Fisher, don't need ear plugs with it over my 125# Trenton.

I've got 3 now. It was 2 but I stumbled across a big chain makers / wheel wrights anvil for an absolute bargain price so had to get it.

My main user has been a 138lb'er for the last 5 years or so. It was simple the first anvil I found that I could afford at the time!

Then I decided to get a larger one which is a 262lb PW. which is sadly sat at the folks place not getting used.

The newest and largest one has no marks on it what so ever but I can lift the Peter wright (just) but I can't lift this new beast so it must be heavier.... Right?

The smallest one is being sold to make space. A decision I'm sure I will live to regret.

Andy

My 105lb-ish Trenton is my only anvil right now, gets the job done quite well..

 

One of these days when I can afford a true home shop I'd like to get a hold of a 200# with nice edges.

I use my 75# er cuz it's what I got ... :P

I use my 800lb anvilfor most of my forging. All the ohers get a lightly used by comparison.

Mostly my PW 179,  then the HB 103 for detail stuff. Both are chained to a stump with a scrap of rubber pond liner between anvil and stump. Really knocks out the ringgg.

 

Steve

Wow, lots of really big anvils here.  Mine is an Incandescent Ironworks 242 lb Papa Rhino Anvil.  They are made in the US now but mine is one of the ones made in China.  Which is fine by me.  It gets the job done.  At the time it was the best solution for me for a good sized anvil.  I am very happy with it.

75# lakeside, the best one I have. I would use my 135# mousehole more but it is broke through the hardy hole.

I sure enjoy my 191 lb PW!

130 lb Lakeside and a 385lb Peter Wright is a close second.

147# HB here at home.  115# HB in the trailer shop ( along with an 88 # likely Mousehole colonial ).  137# Arm and Hammer at Threshers shop. 

195 lb. dont know what make

Hay-Budden 128#

 

I used to use a 168# home made anvil because I could not afford a "real" anvil.  The HB came available from an old Blacksmith friend and the price was well below market.  I was lucky, and I am very happy with it, niccs, wear, and it is all set for a right hander which I am not but I work around it and will not change it.

Peddinhaus #12, 275 lbs. It's the only one I have. I will be looking for a smaller one to haul on my small trailer for demos.

My main/favorite anvil is a 200# Fisher.  I also use a 225# Columbian, but i need to replace the stump, since it's sunken about 2 inches .  I'm also in the hunt for a 100# portable anvil, since the other 2 are too heavy to take to demos on any type of regular basis.

 

 - Jim