Thread: 2/3 of an Anvil

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.

Interesting legend/story.

I have been looking at and learning about different styles of anvils. Many things are convenient to perform a certain task but not Necessary from what I am seeing.

The skill of the blacksmith would be more important than the tools that he worked with.

Therefore it would be more efficient and easier to break off the neck of the blacksmith than the horn or heel of his anvil...............

I'm sitting here wondering if 'By Chance' this is how the anvil became only (2/3ds)

Major score!

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I'm sitting here wondering if 'By Chance' this is how the anvil became only (2/3ds)

Blowed that up real good!

easier to break off the neck of the blacksmith than the horn or heel of his anvil...............

If they could find him, though that's one of the reasons I think the story is likely false, along with the troops would likely take it with them if possible. I could see someone just breaking it to be a jerk though.

Originally Posted by AlanQ

Who in their right mind working with a hammer hitting things in -15 temperatures (F or C) I mean seriously at those temperatures you risky your forearm breaking off in a shattering of frozen bone and flesh. Anyting below 0C is too cold to be working with your hands and even then ONLY if absolutely necessary

Whoa there... you're ruining a perfectly good myth about us north of the border and our ability to withstand cold!

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.

I've heard really good things about Refflinghaus anvils, and if I ever needed to buy a new one, they would certainly be amongst the ones I considered.

A lot of anvils (particularly *I think* older ones) had softer bodies with a hardened face forge welded on for the striking surface. Apart from only needing a fraction of hardenable steel for manufacture, seeing an anvil busted like this makes me think they were on to something. I'd be curious to know whether this one was hardened right through/deeply, or whether it used a brittle material for the body.

Either way, that's a sweet score!!

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Whoa there... you're ruining a perfectly good myth about us north of the border and our ability to withstand cold!

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

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Lol the first couple are pretty accurate. It was pretty cold and snowy this winter and the kidsand I were outside regularly in -20.
Lol and we all know the leafs will never win the cup even when hell does freeze over.

Originally Posted by 32t

After reading this I had to double check your location.

I would imagine someone living in a place like Belize writing this.

when its -15 you play hockey or ski you dont swing a hammer