mrmagoolew Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Hi, folks, I'm new to this type of stuff. I was wondering if anyone could guide me in the right direction as far as brand names of some really good anvils and what type they should be to make some knives. I'd like a very good quality anvil, but don't know anything about them. I figure that is the first major thing that I should purchase. I have looked at some plans for a homemade forge to heat the metal and I'm beginning to gather the material for that. I have several good hammers and some tongs already, so I guess the next step is the anvil. I'm not going to do this professionally, but I'd still like a good anvil. Thanks, Lew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Top quality used anvils are Hay Budden, Trenton, Arm and Hammer (not Vulcan), Peter Wright, Mouse Hole, and any Swedish brand. There are many others, but these are the most common. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 of course C-1 is assuming you are in the USA and not one of the 100+ other countries that participate here where other brands may be MUCH more common. If you are in the USA look at some of the top grades of modern anvils like the NIMBA or the ones cast, (in H13 IIRC), by Jymm Hoffman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 New, or used? Used I would say Fisher because they are quiet. New, a bladesmith friend of mine borrowed my 125# JHM Journeyman, and mentioned that he liked it. There are quite a few new anvils that would fit the bill. You would just have to determine your budget, and what features are important to you. A simple block of steel will work for blades, it doesn't have to be a London pattern anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kozzy Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 C-1 mentioned "Arm & Hammer". Just a side note that Vulcan and Arm & Hammer have an almost identical logo. Vulcan's are cast iron and the logo generally protrudes from the surface and was done in casting where Arm & Hammer logos are incised/stamped *into* the surface. By knowing that, you can tell the difference immediately even if most of the logo is missing. Vulcan's were cheap---and because of that are quite common to see. I'd guess that (at least in this area) probably 80% of anvils that schools and farmers bought were Vulcan due to the lower cost and easy availability. They are usable but not a great anvil. Sellers often want great-anvil prices for them and sometimes don't understand the difference. Some sellers list them wrongly as "Arm & Hammer" simply because that's what the logo looks like. Just a head's-up on that issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 4 hours ago, ThomasPowers said: of course C-1 is assuming you are in the USA and not one of the 100+ other countries that participate here where other brands may be MUCH more common. Good catch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 A lot of sellers don't know anything about anvils and are quite willing to sell you a corvair anvil for a BMW price. (And will often get quite irate if you try to point out to them that they are offering lowest tier of "real" anvils at top tier prices. I've had them tell me that they don't need to know anything about what they are selling and misrepresenting their offerings is NOT their problem. If I ever win the lottery I might fund a law school group to help enforce the truth in advertising laws...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatfudd Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 I don't think your question was completely answered. C-1 did point out the best of the anvils made from the past. There are some new anvils that worthy of looking at and they range from the ductil anvils like JHM to old world anvils that are imported, the American anvils; Rathole, Rhino, Nimbas to the really high end Refflinghaus. Alny of those will work for making knives just depends on your money situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmagoolew Posted February 20, 2017 Author Share Posted February 20, 2017 Hi, folks. Thanks for all the replies. Just say that I want to spend $350 to $400 on an anvil. What could I get for that? New or a very good used one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Were those Australian dollars? What kind of an anvil do you need? For good answers you need to provide DETAILS! Here in the USA I have been able to buy great anvils, my 515# Fisher in mint condition was US$350; but that was because I went out and FOUND them and so got great deals on them rather than paying a lot more buying them from people trying to make a profit from selling them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatfudd Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 To be honest, I'd get a big chunk of steel or a piece of rail and use that to begin with. Then use the TPAAAT to find a decent anvil or save your money for a really good anvil if you're serious about getting into this arena. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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