Originally Posted by
will52100
There is a legend/story about captured anvils during the civil war where they would break the horn and heel off. Don't know if it was true or not, but such an anvil is just about ideal for a blade smith anvil.
You don't have to hit them in sub zero temps to break a good anvil, especially around the hardy or pritchel hole, just abuse it. A good anvil is made to have a soft piece of hot metal between it and the hammer, and really good ones are hard as glass. My Refflinghaus is 59-60 HRC.