I spent $80 on a used anvil from a farm auction and it either saved my setup or wasted my time

The face has a few chips and a soft spot near the edge, but for the price compared to a new one at $500 plus, some folks say old steel is better while others swear you need a pristine surface for good work - what's your take on buying beat up anvils?

3 comments

3 Comments

victorb1729d ago

I read somewhere that a lot of the old anvils were forged from better quality steel than what you get in a lot of budget new ones today. Like, they had higher carbon content or something that made them harder and more durable. So even with a few chips, that old steel might outlast a brand new $500 anvil that's basically cast iron with a thin steel plate welded on top. I'd say you got a solid deal, just grind down any sharp edges from the chips and you're good to go for any normal forging.

blake_bell292mo ago

Honestly, people act like anvils are made of gold or something. You got a functional piece of steel for way less than what new ones cost, so who cares if it's got a few scars? Unless you're forging surgical tools for a living, a couple chips on the face ain't gonna ruin your day.

ruby_patel272mo ago

Man, surgical tools? That one caught me off guard. Who's out here using an anvil for their scalpels and forceps? That's a whole other level of craft I never even considered. Most of us are just trying to keep a railroad spike from flying across the garage, not performing open-heart surgery on a block of steel.