on the anvil the beak part which way do you point it when you are working at the anvil the beak to the right or left if you are right handed?

I'm right handed, horn points left.

Don

waianvil,
I don't know the answer to your question, but let me guess just for fun. I think a lot of blacksmith's are very particilar about this. I believe you put the horn to your left so that you can hold a steel bar in your left hand and (1) lay it across the horn (on your left) for drawing it out, or (2) lay it across a hardy tool (on your right).

Don't hammer like me, I just walk around the anvil.

I'm right handed and last time I checked I had 2 anvils with the horn on the right, 2 with the horn on the left and one that pointed straight toward me.

Why should there be *1* position; you should use what works best for what you are working on! Shoot I;ve turned anvils on the sides or even upside down when it could provide a shape I needed to work against.

I will say this: if you are right handed and the anvil horn is to the left with the hardy hole to the right--- keep the hardy out of the hardy hole when not in use! You don't want to be hammering away and catching your hand or arm on the hardy accidently. Reverse for lefties and just take care if, like me, your anvil has a hardy hole at both ends...

The Poll: Which way does the horn of your anvil face?

I hammer with my right hand, and i have my horn facing right as well, this for me is the most natural. It is, however, oposite from what the 'norm' dictates. Basically... do whatever works best for you, it's your tool and you'll be using it the most.

I'm right handed and mine usually points to my left though I point it wherever I find it easier to get what I want.

One thing I do with my students is get them used to working the anvil from any direction. It follows from having them standing across from me when I demo something and just handing them the hammer without moving. They lose the notion of right or wrong direction no later than mid second session.

It's a form follows function issue. Do what works best for you.

Frosty

I often circle the anvil while working (it's mounted on a post with 3ft of clearance in all directions) but I guess my starting position is with the horn facing me.

I am right handed and my horn points right, but that is just the way it is when I turn from the forge to anvil, you will work on all sides of it depending on what the project needs.
Basically position it which ever is most comfortable for you, your the one that is working at it.
Good luck

welder19

I move around the anvil as I work and having three anvils at different orientations only a few steps away from the forge makes it real easy to find a comfortable position to work.

I have a double horned anvil, so it points both ways. I never remember what way the rounded horn is "supposed" to go, so I just use it as needed. I wouldn't mind finding a nice steel block anvil at some point for heavier work, but I'd be lost at which way to point it. :confused:

Right handed with horn to the right. I found early on(horn to the left)as I was making s hooks across the horn that they would get a twist and I would have to flatten them on the face. With the horn to the right the taper on the horn works for me. It also keeps the hardy hole by my tong hand.

left handed, I put it to the right.. or I put it in the center of a room and walk to either side I actually want.. works well for me.

I'm ambidextrous. I can't do anything well with either hand. But, when it comes to which way the horn is pointed, I put it on the side I need it. That's "." as in period. ;)

I point it such that the cut-off hardie will be placed away from my hammering hand (in my case, hardie to my left). My anvil has two horns.

I am right handed and point the horn to the left but I also circle the anvil as needed

thanks to all the suggestions.I myself have the beak to the left don,t have the room to work on both side of the anvil

Now that you have turned the pointy end of the anvil in the proper direction:
BP0446 Using Your Anvil

Magnetic North works quite well

I float mine on a pool of mercury so it points to Magnetic North automatically. That way I always know which way to face when I pray five times a day to either Haphaesus or Inari, depending on what I'm making that day.

Doc.

THAT explains why you aren't worried about walking into the horn, it's easily visible flickering with reflected northern lights!

Frosty