Perfectly good used anvils can be found online or even in estate sales or junkyards. Buying a brand new anvil is the most expensive route you can go to. That being said, the most expensive anvil is not necessarily the best one for your needs. It is one of the most crucial blacksmithing tools, and, other than the portability issue, it is impossible to have too much quality in your anvil. Going cheap on an anvil will only come back to bite you later. The general rule of thumb is to buy the best possible anvil you can. There are endless blacksmithing blogs online that will offer suggestions and reviews of different anvils based on personal experience. Once you have determined the weight and quality you will need in your anvil, the anvil cost should become apparent. If you get a good bounce, that means the anvil will rebound the energy back into your project, keeping you from becoming fatigued with larger projects. How Do I Know If An Anvil Is Of Good Quality?Īside from doing your research into the pros and cons of anvil materials and different manufacturers, the easiest way to check an anvil’s quality is to do a “bounce test.”ĭrop a ball bearing or gently tap a hammer to the face of the anvil. Hardcore blacksmiths choose anvils with drop forged faces that cost more but have the best quality and longest life-span. Most anvil faces are either made from drop forged metal or made from cast-iron or cast steel.Ī cast-iron or cast steel anvil typically costs less than a steel forged one, and it is good for smaller projects only because it will not stand up to sustained, heavy pounding. The most important component of the anvil is the face where you will be hammering. However, if you are someone who rotates projects often and will need to move the anvil from time to time, you should choose a size that is heavy enough to be effective but still relatively light enough if you want to move it around in your shop. If you are looking to permanently place an anvil in your shop and have it stay there forever, then the heavier, the better. This size anvil will be able to handle most projects that the beginning blacksmith will undertake.īlacksmith anvils vary from 75 pounds to over 500 pounds, and while an anvil can technically never be too heavy for a project, there are other considerations that need to be addressed regarding weight. Anvil WeightĪ good size for a starter anvil is around 100 pounds. Typically, general use anvils have rounder horns to allow for the shaping of rings and a flatter face with defined edges to allow for a wider surface to hammer. There are multi-use blacksmith anvils that offer excellent features no matter what type of project you are making. Some anvils, like farrier and jeweler’s anvils, are designed mostly for a specific use and do not make a good choice for a blacksmith. Well, luckily there are general rules of thumb for buying an anvil even if you aren’t positive where this hobby will take you. If you are still in the beginning stages of blacksmithing, your answer to some or all of these questions may be… “I have no idea”. How do I know if an anvil is of good quality?. From what material should the anvil be made?.Do you want to have an anvil that is portable and can be moved around your shop, or will it remain in one place?.For what types of projects will your anvil be used?.There are a few basic questions you will need to ask yourself before you spend money on an anvil. Trying to figure out which anvil will give you the most bang for your buck, so to speak, can be mind-boggling. It is always amazing to find how many variations on a product there can be when you really get into the nitty-gritty of a new hobby.Ī blacksmith’s anvil is no exception. Because of the costliness of an anvil and the difference that the right (or wrong!) anvil will make in the quality of your workmanship, choosing the right anvil for your money requires a little research. The average cost of a used anvil is $2-$5 per pound.Īnvils can be made of cast iron or steel, and the size and shape vary greatly. For a typical blacksmith anvil, the cost to buy one new is $7-$10 per pound. For someone just starting in blacksmithing, it is important to research what you exactly need to ensure you don’t overspend for features or size that won’t be necessary with the projects you are planning.įor anvils, the price can be estimated by the weight. The cost of a blacksmith anvil varies depending on the size, shape, weight, and the material from which it is made.
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