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The Newbies Arena Are you new to knife making? Here is all the help you will need. |
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#1
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Anvil Question
I was wondering if there is anyone here has bought or used an NC tool anvil? Since they are so close to me I was thinking about picking one up. I have been to their store and they also sell them as seconds which have cosmetic issues only. Here is the one I have been looking at. I just wanted to get some experienced opinions. I can get this one as a second for about $100 less than the price quoted on the website.
http://www.nctoolco.com/Cavalry_Anvil.html Thanks, Mike |
#2
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Mike,
I haven't used one so I have no first hand experience but from the design & size it appears to be smaller than what I would want for bladesmithing. This is a ferrier's type anvil and doesn't have a very large face. Were it me, I would try to find a blacksmith type anvil of 140 lbs or larger. In the long run you'll be glad that you did. In any case ALWAYS check the ring & rebound of any before purchasing. Gary __________________ Gary ABS,CKCA, ABKA,KGA |
#3
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Thanks for the reply Gary. The problem I have is finding a used anvil for a good price. Everyone around here wants $4-$8 a pound for them. I will keep looking.
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#4
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I agree with Gary, hold out for a blacksmith's pattern anvil. That one might get you by but only just barely. The rule of thumb for anvil weight is 40 times the weight of your heaviest hammer as a minimum so at 110 pounds that one is very marginal. Too much horn, not enough face as you might like, and too many gee gaws you don't need ...
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#5
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Don't be convinced that you need an English pattern anvil. My favorite anvil is a 8X7X4" block of steel that I go from a distributor on Ebay. I had to keep looking for a while but one finally came up. Most of it's mass is under the work and even though it only weighs around 87 lbs it can really move steel.
Doug __________________ If you're not making mistakes then you're not trying hard enough |
#6
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Thanks for all the advice guys!
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#7
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Mike,
Unfortunately the word is out on what a good used anvil is worth. Keep an eye out on Craig's list. Also, notify your local auctioneers that you are in the market for one and they will be glad to notify you if they have one come up for sale. Gary __________________ Gary ABS,CKCA, ABKA,KGA |
#8
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I got to try one of the NC's a short while back at Trackrock and as mentioned above, a bit "skinny" and very loud. Mass under the hammer is important to a bladesmith. Block anvils are great. If you plan to do a lot of reduction work like 1" or thicker stock, you are going to need the greater mass. That size/style anvil will work you to death and waste a lot of energy in the process. If you are just doing smaller blades like bird/trout and small hunter/utilities it would probably work ok for you.
Just keep looking and never fail to mention that you are looking for an anvil in your conversations. The good used ones travel undercover on the darkest nights and in small groups. Sometimes you just look around and you'll be standing in the middle of one of a flock then have to decide real quick before they move on, so always keep some anvil money in your shoe. The deals are still out there if you are diligent, I've seen several good ones for less than $4/#. I have 8 right now (NFS) and only one cost me over $3/#.....no, I don't hunt anvils for others. I work for my deals like anyone else. It does take some effort. Try you state farm publications on farm equipment sales and auctions. You might be surprised what you can find and what kind of responses you get if you post in the WTB sections. Bottom line use what's available until a good one pops up. Be patient. Learn to test a used anvil with a small hammer for quality and keep that hammer with you. You might also avail yourself (if you haven't) of the resource of the NC Knifemakers' Guild. They have a sub forum here on KNF. Good organization and good folks. __________________ Carl Rechsteiner, Bladesmith Georgia Custom Knifemakers Guild, Charter Member Knifemakers Guild, voting member Registered Master Artist - GA Council for the Arts C Rex Custom Knives Blade Show Table 6-H Last edited by Crex; 10-29-2013 at 06:48 AM. |
#9
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I'll just throw in my 2 cents since I've used a couple anvils from them before.
In terms of steel and construction, they're solid and well built. They're perfect for their purpose. However, they are garbage for normal blacksmith and knife work, all those extra gee-gaws and doo-dads just get in the way. The face is also too small to do much work with. Shoot me a PM with your particulars and I'll see if I can rustle up an anvil for you. I've got a couple folks in mind that might have a spare. |
#10
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I've got one of those cheap cast boat anchors. It was like trying to use a pillow for an anvil. I developed a bad case of tennis elbow, took a couple of years to get over it. Built a RR track anvil and used it for 4 years until I found my Fisher. I still used it until I built a post anvil out of fork lift forks, at 300 lbs it wasn't going anywhere so the 150lb rr track anvil has gotten left out. Still use it for demo's but it really needs a new home, it's just sitting out in my yard.
On a side note, I've still got that cast ASO. I got the wild hair to resurface it with 309SS. Seemed to have worked, but I lost interest in the project and never finished it. |
#11
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Once again thanks again for all the input. This is the most friendlist site I have ever been on. I guess I will keep using my RR anvil that I made. It weighs over 100lbs and will work until I find the "one".
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Tags |
advice, anvil, back, bee, blacksmith, block, demo, design, for sale, forge, forging, hammer, hand, horn, hunter, knife, made, pattern, post, problem, steel, store, throw, what kind |
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