TravisM Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 G'day looking at buying this anvil. Just wondering if anyone could help iD it and provide some information on it. I really have no idea if its worth what he's asking for it. Thanks very much. Travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George N. M. Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 Dear Travis, Welcome aboard. If you put your general location in your profile information we will be able to give you relevant information. Can't help you much on identification or age. However, it looks in decent shape and my impression is that it is older than some because of its more upright profile. BTW, age has little effect on the price of anvils unless they are more than 200-250 years old. Size and condition are the variables that count for something for an anvil that is going to be used. How heavy is this anvil and have you done a bounce or ring test on it? There are some anvils around that look good but have gone through a building fire and are basically useful as a boat anchor or doorstop. My suggestion is that you consider size and condition the heaviest when deciding whether to buy an anvil. Used anvils can run from $US 3-5/pound in the USA. Brand new anvils can run $US6-9/pound plus shipping or a road trip. "By hammer and hand all arts do stand." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravisM Posted December 11, 2021 Author Share Posted December 11, 2021 Thanks for the quick reply, I'm in NSW Australia. The seller says it is 80-100kg and asking $1200 Australian. No I haven't done a bounce test I'm going to view it tomorrow hopefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 Welcome from the Ozark mountains. We won't remember your location once leaving this post, hence the suggestion to edit your profile and add your location. Have you seen this thread yet? Great bunch of folks there. OZ roll call - Everything Else - I Forge Iron It is English made from what I can see and to me looks like a Peter Wright, no idea what anvils are going for in OZ but it's a good sized anvil 176-220 pounder. so in U.S. dollars at 176 pounds $860 US seems like a good price, if it passes the ring & rebound test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravisM Posted December 12, 2021 Author Share Posted December 12, 2021 I haven't seen that thread. Pretty new here ill have to check it out. Would it be safe to say its a forged steel anvil? Apart from a ball bearing test what else should I be looking for before parting with my cash? This will be my first real anvil. So any help is much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rojo Pedro Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 Looks like wrought iron with a steel face to me. Look for cracks or signs that the face plate is loose. Tap it lightly all over with a small hammer and listen to the sound. If it has a crack or if the face plate has some separation you may hear a muted ring or clunk. Should have a loud, long lasting ring even when tapping on the feet. Nice looking anvil from here. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravisM Posted December 12, 2021 Author Share Posted December 12, 2021 Great info, I'll be sure to do that. Thanks mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravisM Posted December 13, 2021 Author Share Posted December 13, 2021 Just bought this anvil. Put it on my bathroom scales and came in at 130kg, 286lb. The previous owner didn't have any history on it, and sounds like it was a talking piece in his shed and hadn't really used it. Good ring all over and a ball bearing was bouncing back 240mm to 260mm from a 300mm drop. Can't see any other markings on it really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 I see remnants of a weight stamp on the one side you show with the chisel marks. A good wire wheeling might reveal more including better rebound on the face. Sounds like a good ring and rebound test so enjoy using it regardless of maker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 Good Morning, It doesn't have the steps on the feet, so it probably is not a Peter Wright. It sure looks like a Brooks, heavy waist an all. It doesn't matter who it's 'Mother' is, give it a friendly home and give it a good name. It is in good shape and it will last longer than your lifetime. Feed it well and let it have potty breaks!! Sometimes it will have a tantrum and will want to sit still and Cool down. Enjoy the journey with your baby! Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravisM Posted December 13, 2021 Author Share Posted December 13, 2021 Thats good advice, seeing as though I have a 6 week old baby and a 20 month toddler. I'm wrapped I've got myself a decent anvil, it'll be well used and something I can pass on to my kids . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 Looks good! Don't worry about the maker; I'd had my own anvil for decades before I finally figured out who made it, and that knowledge didn't make a difference to the forging. Clean it up with a wire wheel, but don't do anything more than that besides using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 Back before Postman published AinA folks didn't make so much fuss about who made their anvil; there were good anvils, not so good anvils and terrible anvils! You tested them and made you own decision! It's definitely English made, wrought iron with a steel face, older---perhaps 150 years old;---notice you can tell that the feet were forge welded on! But not real old. My first though might be a Mousehole. (No PW ledge, No Wilkinson crossed hotdogs, If you can see a date stamp it might be a William Foster; but there are several hundred other English makers out there!) Try the flour trick to see if you can see any more letters. The CWT weight stamp looks to be 2 2 10 which would be 290 pounds, a weighed weight of 286 would be *spot* on for that! 80's% rebound, no cracks and about US$3 a pound; that's a great deal here and as I understand Australia's anvil market even a greater one there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravisM Posted December 31, 2021 Author Share Posted December 31, 2021 Thanks for all your replies, my new anvil has been put to use already. I love the history of a tool this old. Its a privilege to have it in my workshop knowing many before me have used it. Its a testiment to the workmanship and quality that the anvil that its lasted as long as it has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravisM Posted January 18, 2022 Author Share Posted January 18, 2022 A bloke selling a very similar anvil in Australia got some more information on the maker. Both our anvils had the ST stamp and looked fairly identical apart from size. I'm not sure who I'D it but I thought I'd share. Norrisez, Stourbridge England Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 John is a member here as well. Now quit posting about the anvil, and start posting pictures of what you are making on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravisM Posted January 22, 2022 Author Share Posted January 22, 2022 Well this is what I done this week. A 270mm meat slicer and a 190mm nakiri Both forged from train leaf spring material, new. I think I'll end up putting a full polish on the big slicer though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted January 22, 2022 Share Posted January 22, 2022 Those are some very good looking knives. I agree with the full polish on the slicer, it would really pop out at ya. You should start a thread in Knife making to show off any other knives you have made or are working on. As you probably heard we love pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hheneg Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 Agree probably a Norris. Dont be put off by it being a less expensive Peter Wright. Good solid anvil. Use care if you decide to build up edges with hard rod, preheat with a torch because you will be laying metal in on hardened steel and wrought (ish) iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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