Anvil Temptation

[grant]

Steve Fontanini has anvils in. I am on the list for a 250 lber. That's $1475.

For $505, a total of $1980, I can get the 460 lber.

After using Ed's big anvil and then using my tiny anvil, I'm convinced of the value of a big anvil with sharp corners and a solid base.

I'm so on the fence.

Going for the big one means putting off buying an angle grinder and buying parts for a good grinder. Those seem to be the two biggest hindrances to my knifemaking at the moment.

A couple of guys on knife chat said to go for it. Any other thoughts?

[ARCustomKnives]

If I already had a workable anvil but no grinder, I think I'd put the 2k towards the grinder.

Make a few knives with it, sell them, and THEN buy an upgrade to your anvil.

[Ed Caffrey]

That's a tough call Grant! I hesitate to say which way I would go.

[grant]

Reason has trumped desire. The monkey brain has been suppressed in favor of making better knives easier (sooner, too).

Second time this week reason has won out. The Bob Ward's outdoor store in Helena has a couple of Steve Kelly's knives. Very nice. Was going to buy one of them, until I converted the price into knifemaking tools and supplies.

Silly priorities.

[Doug Adams]

how much does your tiny anvil weigh?

Doug
Jn.3:16

[grant]

Originally Posted by Doug Adams

how much does your tiny anvil weigh?

Doug
Jn.3:16

~130 lbs.

[Ed Tipton]

Grant...I think I agree with Mr. Riley on this one. Already having a 130 anvil, I think you would be better advised to put the money towards a quality grinder. For knifemaking, a 130 pound anvil is totally adequate, but you cannot "finish a knife on an anvil. A quality grinder is expensive, and in my opinion a necessary tool. Sure, I'd like to have a 460 pound anvil in my shop, but I'd rather have the KMG than the anvil.

[cdent]

Hey Grant,

An angle grinder and parts for the grinder are much easier to come by and probably won't mushroom in price like an anvil will. Most anvils in that ballpark are mystery steel imports and that $500 is a relative bargain for over 200 lbs. more anvil.

Down the road, you might be on grinder number three, but you may never be any closer than now to that type of anvil again. I vote, figure out how to unload the big guy at home and start buying the parts for the grinder just a little at a time. Get it on a dense heavy base and cinch it down tight even though it seems to stay put.

Besides, a griz ain't half bad and it gives you time to stumble onto a bargain motor and maybe cheap scrap steel for the grinder build. It's quick to bolt the 'stuff' on, but you can start on the fab part of the grinder which can take a while. How's that for a few scoops of nonsense.

Get an early start, is the road trip this weekend?, Craig

[cappaletti]

Originally Posted by ARCustomKnives

If I already had a workable anvil but no grinder, I think I'd put the 2k towards the grinder.

Make a few knives with it, sell them, and THEN buy an upgrade to your anvil.

+1 ! gotta go with Andrew on this...