Howdy all,

I know we all complain about anvil prices, but my mind gets muddled after reading so many threads. Quite often I see a 100 to 150 pound anvils on Facebook marketplace near me, for about $400-500. They are usually in good condition. I know how to tell whether or not an anvil is good, but I’d like to know if y’all think that’s okay price for something like a hay budden, or Trenton, or if y’all think thats too expensive. I currently use a little harbor freight anvil, which works fine, but something like the ones I’m seeing would be a life long anvil.

My head really does get muddled after reading so many posts, and seeing the FBM listings got me thinking if $400 for a 100lb Hay Budden is too much.

Cheers,

Asa

 

It's all subjective and depends on each individual's variables.  

1.  What can you afford?  If you are just starting out and have a limited income from your day job you are going to be restricted to improvised anvils (and some of them can be pretty good) or Harbor Freight or Temu POSs.

2. How much are you willing to invest into the craft?  Are you pretty serious that this is going to be a serious commitment of time and money for the foreseeable future.  If you are just trying the craft out and there is a possibility that you will lose interest in a year or two then there is no reason to spend for top of the line tools unless you have money to burn.  There are a lot of hobbies that take a lot more money to get started in than blacksmithing.  For example, 4-wheeling, snowmobiling, boating (I have heard a boat defined as a hole in the water into which you throw money), travelling in a motor home, etc., etc..

3.  If you expect blacksmithing to be a life long skill and enjoyment amatorizing the cost of top end tools over 40 or 50 years comes out to very little cost per year.  My first anvil, a 100 pound Arm and Hammer, is still in my shop and occasionally gets used.  I paid $25 for it in 1978.  That come out to 52 cents per year, pretty small potatoes.  And compared to other hobbies what you put into the craft you (or your heirs) will probably be able to get back out when it comes time.  On the other hand a snow machine, motor cycle, or motor home will depreciate pretty fast.

4.  What kind of anvil do you really need.  IMO a single person shop will do just fine with a 100-200 pound anvil.

5.  What is the anvil market like in your local area?  In the eastern US and the Midwest there are more anvils available because of a higher population and longer history.  Here in the Rocky Mountains there are fewer anvils and they tend to go for more per pound.  Check eBay, Craig's List, Facebook Marketplace, etc. to get a sense of what fair market value is in your area.

6.  I would consider a 100-125 pound Hay-Budden for $400 in good shape (decent edges, good rebound) to be a decent price, not cheap, not too expensive, probably near fair market value.

 

"By hammer and hand all arts do stand."

Thank you George, that’s good advice. I plan to always have at least a small shop when I’m older. If it all went my way, I’d have a large shop, and make sure my tools get passed down. You best believe I’ll be rolling in my grave if my future kids send my stuff to the scrap yard! I think if I got a 100-150lber, it would be my life long anvil, excluding the possibility of finding some massive one for a killer deal. I would love to start selling small things at craft fairs and farmers markets. Would a bigger, nicer anvil make my forging cleaner and faster, thus making me more money, I’m not sure! I have never forged on something that my Harbor Freight ASO, or my original steel block. Do you think a larger “more traditional” anvil would improve my efficiency/quality?

Cheers!

Good Morning ASA,

That would work until............and then you would have 3 (or more). 

I have given up counting..... one and another one, and another one...   That is only One (at a Thyme. LOL). That is like someone asking "Have you ever done this before?". The proper answer is 'Not Once' (many more than once, for sure) LOL

Neil