The new price standard for anvils

[ThomasPowers]

You already OWN an anvil so the " I guess I will never own an anvil." is bogus.  Now you don't own a London Pattern anvil but all blacksmiths for over 2000 years haven't owned London Pattern anvils either and folks all over the world are smithing without one right now.

I've gotten anvils FREE using the TPAAAT; it might not be fast but if you invest the time and effort it's pretty sure...You can start saving so you have cash in hand when you do find a reasonably priced one.

There were a lot more London Pattern anvils made in the USA, (not to mentioned imported), than there were Edsels; so they are a lot more common than some things!

[Rojo Pedro]

I have absolutely no regrets buying a new anvil. Used anvils are rare around here and command big bucks and are frequently in poor shape. 
 

I paid $6.30 per pound and could not be happier. Good used ones go for around 4 bucks per pound or more, sometimes alot more. I got the shape and material I wanted and in new condition for only a few hundred more

[jlpservicesinc]

Rojo Pedro,  well said.

I'm a huge fan of buying new. 

The only thing that I miss with a new anvil is seeing how the anvil has stood the test of time.

I've seen anvils beat up from normal use be it from any brand or make.

I've also seen a brand or make with extreme wear on parts of the anvil but the face and horn are perfect. 

This just shows how the anvils have stood the test of time and really varies across the board .  

 

Seeing certain brands stand up better then others over the long haul is interesting to me for sure.  

[HondoWalker]

Been looking for an anvil for a couple years now. Finally found one for sale. Unfortunately the owner seemed quite insane and would not even begin to consider my offer. It was an old beat up 42 pound anvil. I offered 50 or 75 dollars for it. He would not budge from the absolutely insane price of $500.  He kept going on about his price being reasonable since anvils are so rare. If I spend $500 on an anvil I won't be able to carry it out one handed. Guess I'll spend another year on my two inch thick six inch wide "anvil". 

[Frosty]

Did you point out how much a brand NEW, American made anvil costs? Maybe print out a little info from American anvil makers to take around next time you bargain over one.

In the mean time keep your eyes open for a more effective improvised anvil. 1" thick on the flat is better than nothing but you can do a lot better for not much. Remember, truck and heavy machinery repair shops scrap improvised anvil candidates all the time. Bull dozers are made of anvils. 

Frosty The Lucky.

[ThomasPowers]

I'd go new and larger!

[FlatLiner]

Using the tpaaat method I have been able to buy three used anvils for a grand total of $700. One is a 45 lb trunkated columbian, another is a 130 lb columbian, and a 125 lb soderfors anvil.

[TWISTEDWILLOW]

The prices I’ve bought  in eastern Oklahoma so far are $300 for a 170# Trenton, $100 for a 105# William foster, $200 for a 124# Peter Wright, $200 for a 94# Peter Wright and $100 for a 76# that I haven’t been able to identify yet. 

[seldom (dick renker)]

Searching for anvils can be fun. Start using Thomas's method. While your using that one, visit antique stores, flea markets, auctions, craigs list, market place. I watched an anvil for a year at an antique store before I made an offer, they didnt take my offer but I didn't pay what they were asking and it went home with me. Takes some patience.

[KMADDOX]

On 6/29/2021 at 6:52 PM, TWISTEDWILLOW said:

The prices I’ve bought  in eastern Oklahoma so far are

I need to start looking more your direction. A states south drive isnt to bad, and i could visit family!

[TWISTEDWILLOW]

Longbow hunter, we’re your people is down here? 

[Frosty]

1 hour ago, TWISTEDWILLOW said:

Longbow hunter, we’re your people is down here? 

Twistedwillow: Where do you live really? I don't recognize the dialect of English. I've known lots of Okies and that doesn't ring a bell.

Frosty The Lucky.

[TWISTEDWILLOW]

Lol that’s not the local dialect Frosty that’s just me being me 

I live in peavine which isn’t actually a town there’s nothing here but a little country school and my junky repair shop,

the closest small town is Stilwell Oklahoma to my south a few miles, 

[KMADDOX]

Twistedwillow most of my family is just east of OKC near Harrah. 

[KMADDOX]

Twistedwillow being out where your at you don't happen to know a Gentleman named Mac White do you?

[TWISTEDWILLOW]

There’s a few guys around here with the last name of white but I can’t think of anyone that goes by Mac,

is he in the Stilwell area? 

[KMADDOX]

Stilwells a bit east of him still but it seems everyone and their dog out east knows him! One of those guys, last i knew he was around Vian. 

[TWISTEDWILLOW]

Vian is about an hour to the south west of me I never really get down there but if I happen to be buzzing around one day and find way there I’ll ask around about him, 

he doesn’t owe you money does he? Lol 

[KMADDOX]

Haha, no hes a long time family friend. We use to go to deer camp every year at his place, one of the places that made me love easyern OK so much. Now im in wide open KS, lol. He was a cop and deputy for years in Vian and Gore. Last i heard he was a tribal cop now, but heck he may have since retired. 

[TWISTEDWILLOW]

Well I’ll definitely keep an ear an a eye out for him an I’ll let you know if I hear anything, 

what part of Kansas are you in? 

[KMADDOX]

Eskridge which is SW of Topeka about 30 miles. The good ol Flint Hills. 

[Cavpilot2k]

A few months ago I was looking at a house I was considering buying and found an old anvil on the front step that was basically just being used as decor (it was an old house). 

I didn't buy the house, but did buy the anvil. It's a 132 lb Samson for $300 (February-ish 2022). Pics in the "show me your anvil" thread. 

My main working anvil, a 173 lb Fisher, I paid $500 for about 5 years ago at a scrap yard. 

My first, which I sold to pay for the Fisher above, was a 230 lb mousehole, which I got along with a post vise, hand-crank drill press, and huge coal table-forge for $500 from a retiring old-timer. 

Deals are out there, to be sure. 

[Cavpilot2k]

That said, I feel like $5/lb is a fair market value for good condition. 

Look at other tools - a beverly shear used runs $500+ (a new B3 is $1450). I was lucky enough to find a used B3 for $300 and was immediately offered $600 to resell. I declined. I love my B3 - it's a beast!

A good brand sheet metal bench punch (Roper Whitney Model 16) is $400+ (new over $700). 

A smith uses an anvil much more than any of those, so...

[George N. M.]

I think I approximately agree with you.  For comparison purposes I check the per pound price of new anvils at Blacksmith Depot.  They were all in the 165-310 pounds range and the prices varied from $6.93/lb. to $11.69/pound.  So, in comparison, a used anvil in good shape for $5/lb. is a decent price.

That said, prices will vary a LOT depending on the demand and availability in a particular area.  I think that Billy (Twisted Willow) has been finding decent anvils in Oklahoma at $2-3.50/lb..  I've seen auctions drive up prices to near or above new prices.

At the end of the day the Fair Market Value of anything is the amount the buyer is willing to give and the amount the seller is willing to take.  Hopefully, those two amounts coincide and everyone leaves the transaction happy.

GNM

(late of 1/C/1/12 Cav, 1 Cav Div (Airmobile), RVN, 1970-71)

[JHCC]

Good observations, George, especially regarding demand and availability in a particular area. Both of those do change over time, though, so yesterday's fair deal can end up tomorrow's absolute steal.