Swamphunter Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 Hi everyone. I’m new to anvils but have been making knives for a couple years now. I wanted to start forging and I recently picked up this Norrisez 119lb anvil. I was wondering what help you all could provide in determining an appropriate age. There are no other markings on it other the the Norrisez 107. It does not have England stamped on it anywhere, nor any other stamps. It appears to be forged legs, horn and surface top. Thank you in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 An appropriate age for an anvil is brand new to several centuries old. I've found dates on a couple of my anvils but don't remember them as the date has very little to do with their usability! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 (edited) I agree with you, but the curiosity of knowing the history of what you have, is part of the excitement. Edited January 6, 2021 by Mod30 Remove excessive quote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 So do you rate higher a newer anvil in better condition or an older anvil in bad condition? I look at an anvil as being a tool and so usability and quality rate above age. One of my youngest anvils was made for me and is based on a Roman anvil in a museum to really confuse things...Only ones younger I have I made myself with the help of my friends/minions. My oldest dated anvil is an 1828 William Foster in abysmal condition, 90% of the face missing, heel missing, etc. I got it as a base for a traditional anvil repair experiment and for the last bit of 1828 dated steel for a Fur Trade blade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 I think you’re misunderstanding me. I love my anvil. I will be using it. It’s not a trophy or a mantel piece. It’s simple... I’m trying to learn some history of it, as you seem to know the history of your anvils to a certain extent. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 Have you contacted Richard Postman, author of "Anvils in America" and one of the foremost authorities on them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 No, I wasn’t sure how to, but I ordered his book. Waiting on its arrival. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 IIRC he's not on the net; but some folks have corresponded with him. I used to hall anvils I had questions about to Quad-State and talk with him in person. I believe he has found over 200 English Anvil makers now, a lot of them not in AinA. I hope for an update to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 If you do a search using your favorite search engine and add iforgeiron to the search string, you will see other threads about your anvil. I used Google and came up with at least 5 threads on them. Also knowing your general location may help with answers. The presence of a pritchel hole indicates it was made sometime after 1830-40 or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.