Thread: anvil ?

How heavy should an anvil be for forging straight razors

The bigger the better, you can not have too much anvil. That being said I have made plenty of razors on my 70 pound anvil. Now days I use my 30 pound chunk of 4140 post anvil nearly exclusively.

Use what you got.

Charlie

I was just using this little railroad track anvil last night, and while it does the job, I have to agree with Charlie.
Bigger would definitely be better.
Grant

Yep, bigger is better but the support for the anvil is also important, the lighter the anvil the more important to have some sturdy support.
Depending om your anvil and how / where you have your work place you might want to use sand in your support, it kills all bouncing around.
Some leather straps wrapped around the horns of the anvil will dampen the high ringing sound.

Funny you say that, I'm looking for one myself. Everything I have read says don't waste your time trying to find a good old anvil, just buy a new one...it's cheaper. Best deal I have found on a 112# NC Cavalry is from Centaur Forge for $440 with free shipping. That's from weeks of research. I've found the same one cheaper at Farrier Supplies - Anvils, Horseshoes, Tools, and More | Anvil Brand Shoe Co., but then you have to pay for shipping. I'm using a chunk of railroad iron at the time myself...the other thing I need is a "good" forge. Plan to have those two by the end of the year though...

"...but then you have to pay for shipping." Sounds scary when we're talking anvils!

Exactly my friend!

Thank you guys for all the feedback. I'm really excited to get started. I'm sure i'll have a ton of ? in the months to come

Originally Posted by spazola

you can not have too much anvil.

+1.

Bigger is always better, with as much mass under the face. An armorers anvil is better for what we do than a farriers anvil.
Now, a light anvil will work, but I'd say 100 lbs is a good minimum weight.

A solid base is also very important as well. Some use a solid stump. My plan (since I can get the ties) is to use four railroad ties bound together upright and buried into the ground & cemented. The weight and solidness is an extension of the anvil.