DavidP2211 Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 (edited) I apologize for this post but my search fu is poor as I am certain this info is on here someplace. Just getting into smithing and will start off with very small projects to start so I don't need a larger anvil. A local guy (as in 1/2 mile away) is posting two anvils on Craigslist. A 105 pound Trenton at $425 and an 80 pound Fisher at $475. Both in very good condition with no repairs. Both are lighter than what I think I need but it is easy for me to get them. However, the prices look to be pretty steep based on what I found in other posts. My question is: which of the two (if either) do I want?Appreciate any advice. Edited March 19, 2015 by DavidP2211 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Frog Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 (edited) Both are very pricey, and I'd find something more reasonably priced......But if you have to choose between those two and assuming they are both in the same shape and both have good rebound, the Trenton has 31% more weight for $50 less cash.... That's just a numbers view without seeing pictures or looking at them in person. Edited March 19, 2015 by Black Frog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 way too overpriced unless you are in someplace that is extremely anvil poor.Do you need an absolutely quiet anvil then FisherDo you want to do ornamental work then TrentonFor those prices I'd look into buying new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidP2211 Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 (edited) Photos of both. I will be making small hinges, nails and other iron work necessary for primitive log cabins/barns. I was pretty sure the prices were obscene and figure that anywhere from maybe $200 to $300 is fair based on pricing from other posts on here. I am in Western PA and know there are a lot of anvils around. The Trenton is the bottom photo. Edited March 19, 2015 by DavidP2211 clarify which anvil is which Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Trenton if they were the same price per pound, the cheaper if one was US$100+ cheaper... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidP2211 Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 Just curious why. The extra 25 pounds or that the face is in better shape? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Just curious why. The extra 25 pounds or that the face is in better shape? Yes. If they were the exact same otherwise, the Fisher would be preferable (IMHO). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JME1149 Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 David,I'm in the same area and saw those ads too. They are way over my budget but anvil prices have been rising rapidly. My guess is there are too many collectors and not enough users so the prices reflect that of an antique rather than a tool. I just watched a 150 LB Hay Budden go for $500. My suggestion is to get connected with a local smithing group (PAABA in your case), go to a meeting and ask around if anyone has an anvil for sale. Those you see on CL will go quickly if they are a good bargain. The other method is to ask everyone you know if they know of any blacksmithing equipment for sale. Good luck with the search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidP2211 Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 (edited) JME - appreciate the advice. I found a few local groups and will be wandering through them over the next few months. A few years ago - I routinely went to equipment auctions and would see good quality ones go for about 50 cents to the pound. My uncle is an auctioneer in a pretty rural part of western/central PA and he said they come up a few times year and rarely go for more than about $1.50 a pound. If I didn't need to get a project started, I would hold off till I got one from him. ThomasPowers/arftist - thanks again for the help! Forums like this really help "uneducated consumers" like me from making stupid decisions. Edited March 20, 2015 by DavidP2211 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidP2211 Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Well - guess who is the happy owner of a new (to me) Trenton. Ended up paying $300 which looks to be a fair price. He was willing to sell the Fisher for $225 which seemed to be a very fair price as well. I also totally understand what everyone means when they say a Fisher is quit. The Trenton was in very good shape with just a bit of edge damage so I am good with the deal. I suspect that the Fisher was the better deal at the price but I really liked the bigger face size of the Trenton as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 I would pay 225 for the Fisher any day. It looks to be in decent shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidP2211 Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Well - I did. But, not for me. A friend who is a farrier had me pick it up for him. Anyone have info on these: the Trenton is marked at 1 0 5 and 179003. The Fisher is simply marked Fisher IIII and 1922.thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frozenforge Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 The Trenton s/n would date it at 1921. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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