WTB Old Anvil

Byron wrote in article ... You, and a few thousand others...
They usually don't last a half-day at the used tool place I frequent, and go for $200-plus.
Same with swage blocks that are going for $250 or more.
Bob Paulin - R.A.C.E. Race Car Chassis Analysis & Setup Services

Harbor Freight had a 110lb cast steel Russian anvil, item no. 46707, for $79.99 but they have discontinued it from their Web site. However, they have *not* been discontinued from local retail (according to the manager of the Tacoma, WA HF store) so call your local HF retail outlet (find it: and check stock before you drive down there. These are real steel and work well. I know three guys who have them and they all like 'em. This is an excellent bargain.
Grant Erwin Kirkland, Washington
Byr> Looking for an old anvil around 100-150 lbs in good clean shape.

I have one of these, and concur.
I've heard a few hard core Blacksmith types don't like the way the horn is shaped and finished... but it can be cleaned up if necessary. They even recommend them as good Blacksmithing starter anvils. YMMV.
Erik

There are at least two styles of anvil horns. One is tapered, like that on a London pattern anvil. The other has a constant radius on the top. That's what the Russian anvils have. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you've ever forged a curve on a tapered horn you know it will want to curve to the right because of the taper, unless you are aware of this tendency and are skilled enough to deal with it. The constant radius horn is easier to forge a curve over--unless, that is, you need to do a real tight curve. So there are trade-offs. I haven't seen one of these anvils yet that doesn't have some casting imperfections visible on the top of the horn. I've taken a flap wheel and cleaned one of these anvils up and really, they aren't too bad. Especially when you compare the price to -- well, anything else! - GWE

Grant,
I checked out the Russian anvil on display in the Tacoma store. As a test I wacked the top of it with a fairly light blow using one of the smaller display anvils because I couldn't find anything else to hit it with.
It put a nice dent in the top surface of the Russian anvil. Based on the number of dents in the top surface it's fair to assume other potential buyers had performed the same test with the same results.
Maybe the display model was a reject? My intention was to buy one, but not the way that one dented with such a light blow. Do you suppose that's why they've discontinued it?
BTW, I had also heard good things about these anvils.

Shoot, I don't know. That's the first negative I've heard reported. You can try one from the Everett store.. :-) - GWE

The counterweight on my 10K hyster forklift makes a great anvil, many different curves and flat areas come in handy. Come to think of it, a few holes in it would be nice. Gotta work on that.
Shawn