Anvil with Worn face

[Alex P]

Recently acquired (first!!) anvil, 106lbs. I'm thinking its from maybe 1780-1830s. The swayback in the face is ~1/5 inch; I know some is common especially with older anvils but is this depth something to worry about?

[Daswulf]

Photos look highly compressed. Did you change one aspect without doing both? 

Either way it still looks like a usable anvil. It will have some quarks but you can get used to it. 

[swedefiddle]

Good Morning Alex,

The sway won't be a hinderance at all. When you are forging, the material actually springs down and bounces back. It is much easier to straighten something on an Anvil like that, than a flat Anvil. I know, the logic isn't there, but the reality does make sense.

Use it, don't grind it. Using it will tell you how to get the most out of it!!

Neil

[Alex P]

Thank you swedefiddle! I did hear that it helps with the spring back of the material but I wasn't sure if that stopped being at some degree of swayback.

Daswulf, photos aren't compressed. There's a difference of lighting and angle but that's it.

[George N. M.]

Alex, that looks like it might be a solid wrought iron anvil rather than one with a tool steel face.  The folks who know more than I about early anvils will be able to comment with more authority.  I agree with Swede, it is a perfectly usable anvil as is.

"By hammer and hand all arts do stand."