Anthony San Miguel Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 About 2 months ago I went to a local auction to try to win a JEB Austrian anvil that came in a lot from the Czech Republic. I had a $500 limit but it sold for $600. I was absolutely heartbroken when I didn't win it and was pretty sure I would never get a shot at one that size again and for less than $1000.Well, I signed up to receive email from them and in another lot from the Czech Republic was another one very similar to the first. I went to bid on it tonight and I won it for $300.00!!I can't even describe how ecstatic I am to have this anvil in my garage! It weighs 246 lbs, rebound is good, and it has a pretty large sweet spot! The first one had a dished face, as many Austrian anvils do, but not this one!Here are some pics of the first one that I didn't win and mine.These first two pics are of the one I didn't win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted July 1, 2015 Author Share Posted July 1, 2015 The sequence got switched for some reason but mine is the one with bigger "church windows"Its new temporary spot in my garage until I can find a suitable stump or stand for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 She looks good from here Anthony, congratulations. I can see a few generations of good work being done on that fine lady. My favorite picture is the one showing such a beautiful smile on the sweety. Beautiful girl.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gergely Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Hi Anthony,You had real good luck with missing the other and buying this one. JEB is the second most common anvil around here, so I have seen a few. They all look like the one you haven't got. But the other with those wide church windows.... It's surely a rarity and as far as I know way more older design. (I have no proof on this argument but some tendencies show in that way.)If I may suggest don't "repair" her, just some oiling and use will do her fine, and that way you can conserve its original state.Congratulations and happy hammering!Gergely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted July 1, 2015 Author Share Posted July 1, 2015 She looks good from here Anthony, congratulations. I can see a few generations of good work being done on that fine lady. My favorite picture is the one showing such a beautiful smile on the sweety. Beautiful girl.Frosty The Lucky.Thank you Frosty. I can't wait to start forging on it. That is also my favorite picture. She's daddy's princess. Daddy (me) is blessed so much as to have 4 princesses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted July 1, 2015 Author Share Posted July 1, 2015 Hi Anthony,You had real good luck with missing the other and buying this one. JEB is the second most common anvil around here, so I have seen a few. They all look like the one you haven't got. But the other with those wide church windows.... It's surely a rarity and as far as I know way more older design. (I have no proof on this argument but some tendencies show in that way.)If I may suggest don't "repair" her, just some oiling and use will do her fine, and that way you can conserve its original state.Congratulations and happy hammering!GergelyThanks Gergely. I was thinking about that same thing, about my luck with missing the other one and winning this one. If I had won the other one I probably wouldn't even have been looking for this one, which I like more and sold for half the price of the other one!The only thing I want to do with her is hammer hot steel on her, I have no intention of "repairing" her. I had to sneek a small ball peen hammer into the auction house to test the rebound before I bid on her, because I was afraid that if I asked they would tell me I couldn't tap on the face and then I would have no idea about the rebound until after I bought it. I got about 12 taps over the entire face without anybody paying attention and was very happy that it passed. Now I need to get to hammering on her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Gorgeous anvil! I've been wanting one in that style for ages, but never have the money. There's something about those lines that just make it look like an anvil should look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matei campan Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 JEB also made other different pattern anvils, I think your's rather a German pattern than Austrian (Styrian?). I also saw several southern-german pattern ones. so I don't think yours is forcefully older, just another pattern in their range.here's another JEB anvil, a monster of about 350kg (?) that I know from a long time that's for sale. when I wanted to buy it, they asked a price that I didn't afford and meanwhile I changed my tastes - I prefer double horned anvils Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted July 1, 2015 Author Share Posted July 1, 2015 Gorgeous anvil! I've been wanting one in that style for ages, but never have the money. There's something about those lines that just make it look like an anvil should look.Thanks. When I saw the first one I fell in love with the style. I never imagined that I'd get another shot at one at a good price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Anthony,What are these auctions where you are buying Czech Republic anvils? Something online or local?Thanks, Hollis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 You must be living right Anthony. 4 daughters to give you grey hair when they get into their teens and the luck to miss one anvil and win the second. We call what happened on your anvil hunt "Serendipity," it's when unintended consequences turn out good. A little wire brushing and some oil or wax won't do her any harm, glad we don't have to tell you no grinding. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 JEB also made other different pattern anvils, I think your's rather a German pattern than Austrian (Styrian?). I also saw several southern-german pattern ones. so I don't think yours is forcefully older, just another pattern in their range.here's another JEB anvil, a monster of about 350kg (?) that I know from a long time that's for sale. when I wanted to buy it, they asked a price that I didn't afford and meanwhile I changed my tastes - I prefer double horned anvilsHello Matei. That anvil looks fantastic and if it was for sale and accessible to me I would probably be doing everything I could to make it mine!I'm not trying to disagree with you at all, because I don't know for sure and it seems like there are more JEB anvils where you are at, but I thought stepped feet and church windows were a characteristic of Austrian design.Either way, I love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 You must be living right Anthony. 4 daughters to give you grey hair when they get into their teens and the luck to miss one anvil and win the second. We call what happened on your anvil hunt "Serendipity," it's when unintended consequences turn out good. A little wire brushing and some oil or wax won't do her any harm, glad we don't have to tell you no grinding. Frosty The Lucky.Yes sir. Four princesses. The oldest is 20 and the one in the picture is my second oldest. She's 8. No grinding, that's for sure! I know there is a certain wax that you recommend. What is it called, please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 Anthony,What are these auctions where you are buying Czech Republic anvils? Something online or local?Thanks, HollisMr. Wooldridge, I sent a message to you on Facebook but if I go again to bid on an anvil and I lose the bid to you I'm going to be pretty upset! Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Hi Anthony,I responded to you on FB and no worries about bidding against me - I like my current anvil and always looking for a deal if it comes along but I'll check with you first.Hollis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 (edited) Hi Anthony,I responded to you on FB and no worries about bidding against me - I like my current anvil and always looking for a deal if it comes along but I'll check with you first.HollisI was kidding, Mr Wooldridge. I would just be a little upset, not pretty upset. LolI'm like you in that I also like my current anvils for there own special uniqueness and purpose. I now have 3. An 82 lb Hay Budden, a 125 lb Mousehole forge and this one. Probably all that I'll ever need. But that isn't going to prevent me from keeping my eye open for a good deal. Edited July 2, 2015 by Anthony San Miguel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Yes sir. Four princesses. The oldest is 20 and the one in the picture is my second oldest. She's 8. No grinding, that's for sure! I know there is a certain wax that you recommend. What is it called, please? I like furniture or floor paste Carnuba wax. I have a can of "Trewax" but there are other brands, Bowling Ally wax is one I believe. Plain old Johnson's paste wax furniture polish is a good quality and durable finish for all kinds of iron work.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the iron dwarf Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 I bought many years ago an anvil of this style, much smaller and in very poor condition, one day I will try to make it usable again.it is about 50kg / 112lb, it has been broken and badly welded and has lost most of the hard surface on the horn and table.it has terraced feet, the angled shelf on one side but no church windows.will look for a pic and post it later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 I like furniture or floor paste Carnuba wax. I have a can of "Trewax" but there are other brands, Bowling Ally wax is one I believe. Plain old Johnson's paste wax furniture polish is a good quality and durable finish for all kinds of iron work.Frosty The Lucky.Thanks. I'll pick up one of those products tonight at Home Depot when I go buy something to make a stand.Now, if I built a stand that consisted of a wooden frame with a reinforced wooden top would I reduce rebound from using a solid stand like a tree stump or a bunch of 4x6s glued and screwed together. The metal stands aren't solid and I know they are popular but would wood work the same? I don't want to lose out on any rebound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 I bought many years ago an anvil of this style, much smaller and in very poor condition, one day I will try to make it usable again.it is about 50kg / 112lb, it has been broken and badly welded and has lost most of the hard surface on the horn and table.it has terraced feet, the angled shelf on one side but no church windows.will look for a pic and post it later I would like to see it. There is something about these anvils that I find majestic looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the iron dwarf Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 here they are, an anvil horror story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Yes a wooden stand that is mostly air has less rigidity than a solid stand of wood oriented vertically Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 here they are, an anvil horror storyI wonder who would do something like that to an anvil like this. Definitely a candidate for restoration. Do you know what that piece with the holes that's welded to the side is for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Mending plate. Why they were trying to get it working with little knowledge or skills. Think of it as a "Mad Max Fix" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matei campan Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 @ Anthony San Miguel - about that huge anvil - about 10 years ago when I first saw it, I was crazy about that anvil, I was dreaming it day and night, but didn't have the money. at the time I had just only one little JEB anvil (classic austrian one). now, after growing addicted to the double horned anvils, that anvil has more a "have to have that" appeal to me than working potential. for the money they are asking I could buy an absolutely gorgeous French double horn anvil of a close weight, including shipping cost for 2000+km distance. for example I bought one for 150 euros, ~150kg, forged, "pig feet" pattern, good condition with a very nice squared oak stump. it has a "museum look" even that's a user. shipping was free (a friend brought it for me).anyway, the one you won has more appeal to me than the one you missed, and they are more rare even in EU, as I have seen. it looks like a sculpture. that one you missed is most common and and a bit boring to me . for US may look exotic as the London pattern looks around here.so congratulations and enjoy yourself using it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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