RobS Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 So here's the story. Years ago, my stepfather told me his father had an old anvil in a shed in a back field. He would tell people if they could lift the anvil into their truck they could have it. Fast foward to a couple years ago. My step father did some dozer work cleaning up that field. My stepgrandfather was a milk hauler/pig farmer, I can only assume he got the anvil at an auction or trading something with someone. He does not blacksmith, most likely dropped the anvil in the shed as soon as he got it and never gave it a second look. I asked my step father a couple days ago, "what ever happened to that old anvil of your dad's?" He said, "it's out in the shop now." So, yesterday I wandered out to the shop to see what it was. I think it is a cutler's anvil? I did not measure it yet so I dont have any weight yet. "Estimating" roughly 20x6x12 inches should put this around 400lbs. I will try to get some measurements later. Also, it is very weathered. If there is any marking on it, it will need some cleaning to find. I have Postman's anvil book and there is only a couple mentions of cutler anvils. I google searched and found no info either. I am very curious to how these type of anvils were used. The slots and dimples for tooling, swaging, or what? How are they made? Who used these anvils? Knife makers, file makers, tool makers? I'm not finding any real solid info on the history. Thanks, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Could be an Industrial anvil as other industries used them besides the Cutlers. But it sure is a nice one and if you start forging knives with it then it's a cutler's anvil by definition! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Different tooling was created to fit into the slots/dovetails/hardy holes, etc. depending on the job to be done. It is probably technically a Cutler's anvil, but it could be used in other trades, depending on the tooling used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobS Posted April 25, 2017 Author Share Posted April 25, 2017 Ok, I can see it as a production anvil. Found a video on youtube of a man using one with different tooling in the slots. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=zpeyhC-UIFg&app=desktop So just like making tools for hardy holes, you could make tools for the slots. That is pretty cool stuff. The flat face on the rear is about 6x6 that seams like plenty of area to work with. Were these type anvils generally hardened like other anvils? If someone tries to straighten a cold piece of rebar with a 6lbs sledge, how bad are they gonna screw this up? I ask, because my stepdad has alot of people come and go as employees and alot of them don't know/don't care how to handle other people's tools. Do I need to tell him to make it off limits to his guys? Thanks, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Depends on how big this "cold piece of rebar" is. Take a ball bearing and test the rebound. If, you get 75%+ bounce back, than it is hardened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kozzy Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Wow on that video. Expected to do 288 blades a day minimum. Assuming a 10 hour work day not including any breaks, that's 2 minutes and 5 seconds per blade from raw bar through tempering. I know some people are able to go into robotic-concentration mode but my limited attention span would certainly have me wandering off task in short order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Nice score on the anvil, now all you need do is learn how to make dovetails so you can start making tooling for it. Oh yes put it OFF LIMITS! I'd lock it behind a fence or some schmuck will run a torch on it. I've seen that video linked here a number of times but keep losing the link. Stupid software upgrades think they know what I should have bookmarked! Sorry, end rant. Besides how the smith has his anvil set up did you watch how he controlled the steel under the hammer? I have NOT seen a better instructional video, he NEVER lets the belly curve get away from him drawing the edge bevel. Also, knowing he's forging high carbon steel, note the colors he works it. (or a blue temper would be too soft to hold an edge especially in commercial use) Note how often he forges the steel when it's well below red heat, you can hear it cool by the sound and it's clinking under the hammer. The anvil and tooling is wicked KEWEL but watching him work is the real value to having this in your library and studying. His techniques are not just for bladesmithing, we all have to control the stock's curling when working one side or edge, it's basic blacksmithing. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobS Posted April 25, 2017 Author Share Posted April 25, 2017 Ok got home from work and went to the ol' man's shop. I did some wire wheeling and measuring. After measuring and figuring the volume and 0.283 lbs per cubic inch. Anvil should weigh right close to 370lbs. Measurements were 17.25" x 7" base. 17.25" x 5.5" top. 11.75" tall. 4"x4" x (2" taper to 5") hardy holder. Has a 1" hardy hole. The hardy holder looks like it may be welded on to the anvil. It has 2 dovetailed and bow-tie shaped slots. Also has 4 unknown divots in the face. The front 5" x 5" face looks like a plate as a seam can be seen on one side of the body. The middle and rear face show no visible seam. There is also handling holes on the front, rear and underside. I could not make out a name. But there is something there. It is wrote in a circular shape that I can only see partial of the bottom words. Can only make out "OO??YN?" I think it says Brooklyn. Here are some more pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 The markings are "BROOKLYN NY" which, means......drum roll........It's a Hay Budden!! This anvil just got 10 times cooler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Your second pic, of the face, in this post answers the "what is it" question perfectly. It's an Emoticon anvil! Now THAT'S a cool anvil! Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobS Posted April 26, 2017 Author Share Posted April 26, 2017 Well if I get the anvil from my step dad, anything I make will have to get a touchmark. " " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Fantastic find. Use it in good health! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1forgeur Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 So, could you pick it up? Did he give it to you?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobS Posted April 26, 2017 Author Share Posted April 26, 2017 ten years ago definately could have picked it up. I'm getting older smarter now, not sure if I would want to try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewayforge Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 You could google old Hay Budden ads to see if you can figure out what it was marketed as. Cool find! Are you going to use it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Frog Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 I'd be scrubbing around looking for a serial number. A good coat of WD-40 and a cup wire wheel can reveal more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WNC Goater Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 That video blows my mind. Two gross of blades per day just is literally, mind boggling. I worked two years with a master jeweler from Izmir Turkey. He was phenomenal in that, every move was calculated, never a wasted motion, never a need to go back and "fix" a boo-boo. The gentleman in the video reminded me of that, no wasted motion. Perfection that can only come from a God-given gift and decades of mastering the craft. 33 years as a bench jeweler, even having acquired a "master" status and yet I know, I'm not there yet. Amazing and a thing of beauty to watch a true craftsman work. Art and technique beautifully blended together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 It's craftsman like that, who keep me wanting to be a better smith.. Great video.. And WoW, what a find on that anvil.. Treasure it.. It would be the only HB cutler anvils I have ever seen.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 3 hours ago, Black Frog said: I'd be scrubbing around looking for a serial number. A good coat of WD-40 and a cup wire wheel can reveal more. Black Frog, is this the first anvil in this pattern you have seen that is known to be a Hay Budden? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Frog Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 I believe so, but I have not been to THE collection of HB's to see all the oddities and unique ones there. I can't say for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 41 minutes ago, Black Frog said: I believe so, but I have not been to THE collection of HB's to see all the oddities and unique ones there. I can't say for sure. Where's the collection? Open to public? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatfudd Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 I have seen Fred's collection and there is no cutler's anvil in his HB's. As well I have never seen one in any other place. It is undoubtedly very rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-1ToolSteel Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Rob, Please get your step dad to GIVE YOU THE ANVIL!!! Don't worry about how heavy it is. When there's a will, there's a way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobS Posted April 27, 2017 Author Share Posted April 27, 2017 Yeah I will definitely try to get it from him, or at the very least try to get him stash it away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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