There is a product called Kroil that really gets into the spaces between rust / metal and might do the trick for you, it has worked for me in the past.

As for the magnet I use a large one under the horn of my old Mousehole anvil and it does help to deaden the ring. You know that a ring isn't necessary for a good anvil. Many anvils were made NOT to ring and are sometimes called "city anvils". When there were a shop ful of guys beating on an anvil the noise was really something so I have read.

For anyone looking for anvils, be careful when buying cheap anvils that are usually newer and imported. Almost all old anvils had a hardened plate forge welded or cast onto them for the work surface. Many of the newer imported anvils are simply cast iron and can shatter. One of my friends didn't listen to this advice and could have had a very bad accident when it shattered.

You did good on that Peter Wright. I would just use it until I learned what you need to do to the edges and then proceed on. One of my true blacksmith friends has changed and ground on the edge of his onvil over the years to help him do what he is currently doing alot of.

Will N.