Subject: How Good/Bad Is My New Anvil?

From: [email-masked] (John P. Hagemann)
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 96 14:43:30 GMT

I recently purchased an anvil from a farmer out in the boonies.  I cleaned the 
years of caked on grease and grime off of it and I found the following 
writing...

Sweden          Paragon
          167 Lbs.

There is a small picture of what appears to be a straight razor above the word 
"Sweden."  The anvil is in very nice shape.  The face and horn have only minor 
scratches and there is very little, if any, hollowing of the face.  It doesn't 
look as though it's ever been refaced.  There are some nicks on the sides of 
the face, but I believe they can either be avoided or ground out.  When 
struck, it gives a nice, sharp ring.  The hammer bounces nicely from it.

It came with a nice hot cut hardy tool, also.  I paid $75.00 for it.  Anybody 
know if this is a good anvil?  How can I tell if it's forged or cast?  Any 
info would be greatly appreciated.

John P. Hagemann     [email-masked]

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 00:23:39 GMT

>John P. Hagemann     [email-masked]

Sounds like you made quite a buy there, John!    I am jealous!

Does he have any more?  Can I be nosy and ask in what state you bought this?
Here in Central Ohio, ( Amish country ) anvils easily bring $2. pound, generally
more.

Is yours a farriers anvil or a blacksmiths anvil?  From its weight, it could be
a farriers, and if so, it is even a bigger bargain.  The used hardies in good
shape sell for $20. or so, around here, also.

I did find a 380 pound forged blacksmiths anvil for $175 last summer, and have
been putting my iron jewel to good use!

Have fun with yours!

Brian

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From: Carl Hoffmeyer <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 1996 13:51:51 -0700

John,

Sounds like you have a very nice anvil - and at a good price too!

Many anvils these days have been going for over $2 / lb.
If you look in the Centaur Forge catalogue, you will find very fine
German anvils (Refflinghaus) for over $5 / lb. 

Your anvil is forged.  The sweet, sharp ring, and bounce of the hammer
when struck, is characteristic of a forged rather than cast piece.
(Cast anvils return a rather dull sound and do not "bounce" well.)

Treat it well and it will serve you all your life.
Good Luck,
Carl Hoffmeyer