I'm nostalgic for an age when anvils were so plentiful that your average cartoon character had to watch the skies for falling ones. Times have changed.

A guy I worked with 20yr's ago bought one at farm sale. When they got it home and were working on cleaning it up they found a wooden plug in the bottom, inside was over a $1000.00 in silver certificate's.

"there was an anvil sale and we missed it " haha gold. Keep up the good work

People don't collect anvils; anvils collect owners.

Recently called a craigslist listing for a beautiful little 42lb Hay Budden to get the price thinking I could have just found the perfect starting anvil. The guy told me $1400 and I said "No, how much for the anvil?" He then yelled at me that I knew nothing about antiques and should do some research. I should have told him I may be 23 years old, but I watch Essential Craftsman, you sir should do some research. I want to hit hot metal on it with a hammer not put it in a china cabinet.

My father in law and I were headed to a farm auction last year. I told him to keep an eye out for an anvil that I was wanting one. HE then says " I have an anvil at the house" . I have seen his piece of railroad track on a post tied down with a chain and did not think that much of it. About 2 weeks later I asked him to show me the anvil, He walked past the railroad track and pulled up a piece of rotted plywood. Under that plywood was a 345 lbs Peter Wright. He let me take it home to use. It has never really been used at his house. As you said about passing things down. I foresee that anvil going to either my grandchildren of some of my nephews children. Its an awesome thing to see.

I can vouch for this. 4 years ago when I was 18 years old , I got interested in blacksmithing. At the time, the rebirth of the art of smithing was just coming back due to that forged in fire show but it was still rare to see anvils for sale by me but knew i needed an anvil. I sent out a group chat to all my friends and family with a picture of an anvil and said “I’m looking for one of these if you see one please let me know”. A month later I’m at my cousins house (also 18 at the time) who lives about 30 miles away and he said to me “did I get you a birthday present this year? I can’t remember but I got you one anyway. Go look in the back of my truck” and laying there was a beautiful Trenton anvil that he saw in a horse stall of a barn he was delivering hay to less than 1 mile from my house!! He asked the owner if she would sell it and she asked him why I want it and he told her I’m going to make stuff with it and she said “if he will put it to use, it is his for free”. Moral of the story is that you need to network yourself. I would have never known that in my neighborhood there was a lady who would have been willing to give me a free anvil if it wasn’t for me telling others I was interested.

Thanks to your advice I got a 174 pound high quality anvil for $100 and I will never stop looking for more.

Anvil hidden during the war to escape being melted I imagine?

I clearly remember seeing an absolutely enormous anvil in my grandmother's work shed on her little farm. It obviously belonged to my grandfather who moved out of state after my grandparents divorce. Back then, I didn't know what a treasure it was and to this day I have no idea what ever happened to it. My grandmother doesn't remember there ever even being an anvil because she never step foot in that shed even once. I don't know if my grandfather came and took the anvil during one of his visits, or if one of my aunts sold it off. I sure wish now that I knew better back then.

My great great grandfather was born in 1898. He was a Comanche. He was a blacksmith in Texas. His shop burned down once. The whole town got together and rebuilt his shop. He was very well respected Army vet in a white town. Shows that merit and mutual respect can bridge any gap. If not you still have your blacksmith hammer.

I suspect anvils would have cost a _lot_ in earlier times, compared to average income and cost of living. I've heard stories of people who were leaving their business for an extended time - like for a war, possibly - who used to heavily grease their anvil to help prevent rust, wrap it up and bury it for safekeeping, until they could come home and reclaim it. Not really sure if it was a true story, but a surprising number seem to be found when digging post holes and suchlike.

Talk about hats for all I care, any wisdom Scott is willing to impart, I'll listen. I wish there were more men like you in my country, I'd be so grateful.

There was a sale on anvils... 80 years ago. We missed it.😂😂 great video!

I have much appreciation for blacksmithing yet it's one trade I haven't taken a huge interest in just yet. Your commentary and story telling however delights me unlike any other channel and that alone has made blacksmithing something I may be interested in. Your videos do bring me joy. Thank you Scott

You're right. I made a point of talking about anvils as much as I could, and in less than a year, I had a stunning 1926 Columbus Forge and Iron Co. anvil (marked Village Forge) for free. Thing is in great shape, and I am so blessed to have it.

You're an absolute gem of a man.Love your videos,love the great example you're setting,the wisdom,the intelligence.All the best to you and your family from mine here in Bulgaria !

I can confirm this works. About 2 weeks after watching this video (2 weeks of telling everybody I wanted an anvil). Word got to my old motorcycle mechanic who had 2. He called me up asked what I'd pay. I said the most I could afford was 2$ per pound. They are my anvils now! Seriously 2 weeks!

Really enjoying these videos. As a guy who got sick of office work, and jumped ship and became a masonry apprentice at 34 and 4 years later am now running my own concrete and masonry business, I find not only a lot of useful tips in your videos bit encouragement and solace.

My father has a wilderness camp in an old ghost town from the early1900's that I was exploring a while back, where I found a 98 lb Henry Wright Anvil. It's extra neat because I'm pretty sure it was never used. I haven't fully cleaned it up, but there aren't any obvious wear marks and I found it near the site of the old hardware store. I got another 150 lb Soderfors anvil from my uncle. It was his father in law's and hadn't been touched in decades because he had no idea it was worth more than scrap. It may be hard, but you'll always find anvils if you keep looking.

Thanks for the encouragement! I will keep looking

Not only love the subject matter, my Grandfather was a blacksmith on some days as he worked as a maintenance man on a ranch. Also, love that music you ended the vid with, sweet... Blessings friend

"You make it important enough to include in your day to day list of obsessions". Love that turn of phrase. Well said.

Thank you so much for your videos. I've learned so much and just bought my first anvil. I'm forever greatful. A rail rd pad has gotten me a long way. Along with a homemade forge that I adore. Bc of you I got my 1st welder and made my set up. I love what I do thank u

That's a beautiful message packed in a wholesome video, Mister, thank you for brightening my ambitions with such a great positive energy Bless you, great master, may your anvil never go quiet

Many anvils lost to world war 2 scrap drives

I am just happy that so many people are interested in blacksmithing and metal work.

You give hope, and that is a very important gift.

I did it. I did exactly what you said and it paid off tremendously. I have an anvil and it was the best price ever. Free. It was left in a guys yard. I was looking for railroad track asking some guys who had some. This guy says I have an anvil you can have. He wouldn't take any money for it, so I told him when I become proficient in making knives he will have one of them. It was your advice that led me to this find. Thank you. I love the channel and all your videos.

I could listen to you talk about tools forever my friend I absolutely love your passion for this!

I just spent 5 hours forging a rebar throwing knife on a train track anvil. It was my first to forging, probably my new favorite hobby yet.

Scott! I'm beginning to like You very much. You're a real inspiration. Thank's a lot.

I got a NC farriers anvil from Centaur Forge around this time last year. $300, plus about $60 shipping. Great purchase.

My dad tripped on an anvil point sticking out of the ground. He cleaned it up, and it has worked great ever since

Thanks for the encouragement!

Great discussion Scott, thanks for posting it.

Hi Scott, thank you for the excellent advice . From asking everyone that I see "where do you keep your anvil ?" I now own 5 anvils.

That "First Anvil" that you showed was BEAUTIFUL! I don't know, but to me, it looked like someone took a hunk out of a rail road rail, did some rounding on it, and "Poof!" instant anvil. Functional elegance at its finest!

In 1998 I found my first anvil , a 175# peter wright, rough but repairable. It was under 60 years of trash in the corner of a shop I was working at. When I ask the owner if I could buy it he said no. I use it all the time he said. His son over heard us and when his father left he helped me load it in my van. What do you want for it ,I fearfully asked. Just use it he said and when your done give it to someone else. 2 years ago I let it go to an eager young smith , 20 ish, the look on his face was payment enough.

The rediculous used anvil prices in this country are a result of the antiquers thinking everything old is gold, and online bidding sales. No matter the commodity, as soon as people think there will be a shortage. they go on a buying frenzy. Look at ammo as an example. As to new anvils.. that's a different story. The current market is mostly fair. You are getting a new, high quality, high tech, cast steel, machined piece of tooling. It is sad that more often than not, that used anvils prices are approaching the price of new ones, even the junk Thanks for the video...

Didn't get my first anvil till at least 4 yr(closer to five) after I started forging. Started off with a square anchor plate (used to hold train rail to the crossties). Think that it's still propped up against a fat lighter stump near the hen house. Brings back memories. Will now probably look 4 it in the morning and wire brush it and just play around with it just for the the nostalgic heck of it! 🔥😎⚒

Love the way you delivered your encouraging words God bless you and yours!!! Thanks!

Just got my first anvil 70lbs for $100 at a yard sale a block away from my house. I have been searching for 6 years. Can't wait to start learning 🙌

I could listen to the stories you tell all day long! Thanks for the video/

Feeling lucky after watching this.. big fan btw .. I just recently acquired a 200 pound anvil .. It was sitting in a barn indoors for 60+ yrs .. Local farmer who I've helped out here and there from time to time gave it to me as a sign of appreciation for my help . That be said over the years I never took any money for my time.. I helped because I wanted to not because I wanted something in return But when I was offered the anvil I said sure ..

I love the video and the info talking about how anvils have always been high. I did not know that. I have a bit of RR track and a real oddball - both from estate sales where they didn't know what they had. I am a hobbyist so don't need pro gear. I do find many hammers and other assorted BS gear at great prices from yard - state sales, but no real classic style anvil yet. Improvise, adapt and overcome until one appears. I had assumed that the recent smithing shows such as Forged in Fire, which I absolutely love, plus antique dealers had made prices skyrocket recently. Thank you for correcting my lack of knowledge on that.

You make an excellent point. Patience is a virtue.

Your opening statement brought back a great memory...my brothers and me using a sledge-hammer and ball-peen hammer to make arrow-heads out of 16-penny nails and installing on the ends of our home-made arrows we made out of, believe it or not, a weed called "arrow weed" because it's stalk was straight as an arrow and the perfect size for an arrow. We used larger arrow weeds for our bows. Two of those brothers are gone now, four of us left.

You don't need a $1,200 anvil to start blacksmithing. Go to your local metal recycler or fab shop and see about getting a piece of 2" plate or a cutoff from a 6" solid round stock. Either will get you started and will work just fine for most jobs. If you have a stick welder and a little skill, do a search here on KZfaq for people who have BUILT anvils from solid metal stock. Trent over at Purgatory Iron Works did an entire video on anvils and perfectly acceptable substitutes for the beginner.

I still use a RailRoad track about 8' long i got it from my dad and he got it as a young man wile fixing track out by Pollock South Dakota in 1958 still havent managed to scratch it

I have an 1890’s 250 lbs Haybudden and a pre 1820 Mouse Hole 131 lbs anvil in my smithy. Both fell in my lap. Both are in workable shape. I am blessed to have them . It is amazing to think of all the men who earned their living over those blocks of iron.

Good inspiration advice . I bought my first Peter Wright 1 /1/ 13 ? . 41 yrs ago , still use it . Finally bought another Peter Wright 2/2/16 . A year ago . My wife inherited her Uncle's 1/ 0/2 London pattern anvil . No brand . And she can use it also , to shoe her horses and making her sculptures etc . I like that thought , We are only the care takers of these instruments for the moment. I used the little anvil doing demonstrations in a period museum for a couple of years (1850s-1930 the gold mine operated) ( no electrical equipment was used in my demos )

My favorite channel on KZfaq.

Nice one, Scott! Did you ever think about doing a video on anvil manufacturing? Would be awesome if you did (and maybe a little trip that you'd enjoy doing)

Love listening to you tell stories.

Time for me to start digging fence post holes..... Love your videos!

I heard a story of a railroad round house that had a anvil for each pit, (5). Sadly only one of them went home to be cared for. The others were pushed into the pit and covered over with the demolished round house. The lone surviver was 346 pounds and nearly 3 feet from heal to horn tip.

My son is getting into blacksmithing (wanting to) I can't believe the prices the anvils are bringing. I bought a 123 y/o anvil, 138 lbs at an auction for him for less than $500 and still can't believe what they sell for. The anvil was in great shape and worthy to live on. I thank the Essential Craftsman for keeping the skill alive and mentoring this next generation.

I use a small section of railroad rail as an anvil. I found it at the scrap yard and cut a small 6 inch section off with a torch. I use that as an anvil and for small projects, it works pretty well. Even a little 6 inch section might weigh about 12 pounds which makes it somewhat portable.

Ha - a piece of track! I recognised it as soon as it came in view. I have two close neighbours who are both blacksmiths. One wanted to run courses and needed several small anvils for the attendees, and he mentioned track. I happened to find a five foot length for him. By the way, you should put your name on that anvil for posterity, maybe on the underneath.

Just start chasing roadrunners, you will have an anvil in no time just wear a hardhat

Good advice! The more I bring up blacksmithing or anvils the more anvils I hear about! Hey Scott I found a blacksmith hoarder in NJ when I picked up my Hay Budden on Sunday. Get this, he had two 400 pounders in excellent shape, one Hay Budden and another a Trenton think. Wanted a small fortune for them

Just read a similar story about a (not mine) neighbor clearing a brush line for a new fence, called a friend, “hey, what have I found”. Anyway, it really does seem like some anvil prices are exorbitant, , but they couldn’t be if there weren’t a market. However, like you, I started hammering on something less and many people starting out may not realize that a $2000 dollar anvil will not create $2000 dollar work. Like you I started banging on a piece of RR rail and it was fine, at that time I did some fabricating but wasn’t enthralled yet with smithing. I bought my first, starter anvil from Harbor Freight (75lbs ish) for about $60, I hammered a lot of stuff on that anvil and it encouraged me to expand my entire blacksmith experience. My father recently gave me his old (50lb) Vulcan farrier anvil that he bought for 88cents at auction around the time I was born, as kids we abused this anvil but I’ve cleaned it up a bit and still hammer smaller stuff on it and use the smaller horn. My main anvil, a Peddinghaus/Ridgid 125k was given to me by a friend that worked on one of those DIY Home Improvement shows, they had gotten it along with all manner of other toolage from manufacturers wanting exposure on this TV program. After a year or so of lugging it around and not doing anything with it except dropping it on some hardhats and such, he asked me if I would like it, knowing that I did some blacksmithing. YES, there are anvils out there,,, but seriously if you are starting out, go to a scrapyard, go to Harbor Freight, get a hunk of anvil shaped steel to hammer on while you put together the plethora of other equipment, tools and space that you’ll need to completely embrace this activity. The $2000 dollar anvil should not be the first step, you might not be any good, might not really have the time, might just not have the interest that you initially thought you would. Then again maybe money isn’t an issue for you.

I am not much into blacksmithing, but your channel got me to buy a little 40 lb new advil for my shop for some basic metal work. Nothing fancy but its nice to have for some tasks!

Great video. I had an experience with anvils that made me reach a conclusion. The concept applies to more than anvils but my wish for one created the experience. In the fall of 1994 I took a Blacksmithing class at Tillers International in Kalamazoo, MI. I had worked as a welder, machinist, fabricator, and toolmaker before becoming a Manufacturing Supervisor. I took the class as a distraction from my workload. I covered 5 states and two countries for work. 7 Days A Week. I learned to forge weld in the class. I wanted to keep doing it at home. A 50 lb cast iron anvil and a brake drum forge let me stumble forward. In my travels I always looked in the area for flea markets, yard sales, and antique shops. I began asking if they had an anvil. That winter I hit 20 stores, 10 flea markets, and talked to people in all five states. No luck. Business changed in January and I was anchored until about June. I stopped at a tiny store In Allen, MI. I asked and the owners husband said "Yeah". He took me out by his shed where a well used Trenton 116 lb anvil sat on a stump. I paid $200.00 for it. It was the only one I had found. The rest of that year, every shop I went to had an anvil. Most were junk, all were high priced, because there was a big call for them. Every store had someone ask about an anvil. I don't have documentation but I would bet it was me that created the call. Not world wide but in my area. Now there are internet groups sending the message that there is a call. I also think I am a Leading Edge Boomer. We all tend to go through phases. Hippy, Rock and Roll, motorcycles, family, Yuppie, Tennis, Blacksmithing. 😆 Demand sets the need, availability sets the price. I learned from the experience. When I wanted a forge and a treadle grinder I didn't ask, I just looked. 😈

Never thought you could make an interesting video on 'anvils' of all things! Well done!

What an encouraging video. I’ve been looking for an anvil for over a year to get in to small scale black smithing, not extensive. I found one at an estate sale posted online. I showed up to the sale, first in line. When they open the doors I made a B-line to the shed out back but the problem was, there were 3 sheds so I had to guess which one it was in. I made the wrong turn into the wrong shed and a gentleman had already gotten the anvil in a different shed! Turns out, he had his wife go one direction and he went the other. They conquered and divided, smart! Fast forward to a year, I found another anvil at an estate sale. The sale was an hour away from me. I got there early enough to be the first in line. I B-lined to the basement and found the anvil. Maybe 5 seconds after I found it a lady yelled, “Oh I was looking for that! Sorry honey he beat me to it”. Her husband ran in and offered me $100 on the spot. I politely declined. It was a satisfying moment and the best part the anvil was only $60 for the old 120 pound anvil. It was old and not the best but at last I found my anvil! Keep looking and don’t give up! It’s out there.

I appreciate any video from EC, but I won't lie I can't wait to get an update on the spec house!

I just go to some railway tracks and flatten anything which needs to be flatten or hammered!! There is always joy in taking your whole team of smith working outside near some tracks..

I actually did the same thing you recommend for a stationery set recently. I have been talking people that I want to buy stationery but want sure where to buy it, and yesterday a friend gave me a set she has had since she was young that she didn't want and had never used.

How is it that every time someone makes a great video full of great information. So many people give it a thumbs down. Can’t even just take it for what it is. I appreciate everything that this man shares with all of us each and every time. He’s full of useful knowledge that you can’t find just anywhere. A thumbs down is a slap in the face. Anyways thanks for another wonderful video!

My current "anvil" is an 11 gauge piece of structural grade square steel tube strapped to a large log. It does me for now and when it wears out I'll have some more scrap steel to work with.

I bought a striking anvil and bought a cone hardy. Costed me about $300 to have something that works just fine. Plus I can sledgehammer on my anvil and not have to worry about it chipping because it's made from really thick mild steel. I just grind it flat when I ding it

Very cool! What an honorable craft!

It's funny, stumbled on this today. Just last week I brought a brand new 45kg beginner anvil for 500 bucks. Seems they are starting to be made again, lemme tell you it was a dream come true to find that manufacturer. Could barely sleep that night as I was too excited wondering if it was a bargain or junk. Turns out it's suiting me fine!

Imagine the cost of labor to hand forge a wrought anvil today. It took lots of training and skill to weld them up and extra skill to weld the faces on. Now add raw materials, tools, equipment and building cost. I estimate that a quality 100 Lb hand forged anvil would retail for about $2,410. High quality cast ones run about$1,200. Cast ductile iron ones can cost over $600. You won't see cheap anvils past along for generations and used professionally. Fun video. I hope you make more soon.

I don't have an anvil and I really don't have a need for one. However, ever so often I need something heavy and sturdy to beat on so I managed to scrounge a one ft piece of railroad track and it served me well. Sometimes I beat on it and sometimes I use it as a weight when I am gluing boards together and they want to cup. I put it on the top of the boards and they cry uncle and straighten right out.

As purgertoryironworks says, Aso anvil shaped object. I just got a 4x6 x 1 foot block of steel. It will work, till I get something else.

Hell yeah!!! More anvil stufff🎉🎉, when Will you do another anvil envy video?!

I live in a small town in South Africa. I have bought all four my anvils at the local scrap yard at scrap prices. Not all of them are in great condition, but it was cheap. Just wait and watch and keep your money ready and when it comes around you can pounce.

This was a great video, thank you for posting

Me and my dad were walking/exploring along the Chattahoochee and spotted an anvil cone buried in the bank with other debris behind some old factories. We dug it up, made a raft and floated down stream to where his truck could drag it up to the house.

I was lucky enough to find an old 220lbs Trenton in my grandfather's barn and he gave it to me. I asked him where he got it and apparently there was a shop was selling it off for some reason. his dad bought it and took it home to use it and even my grandfather used it when he was a kid. now I have it and I'll be using it when I can get the rest of my supplies in check.

Great thoughts and great advice! Thank you for the great video God bless you

My frustration has never been with the prices per se, but with availability in my area. Thanks for the encouraging video!

For this reason I'm looking to buy a brand new anvil today at a farrier shop 💪. Used anvil prices are insane!

anvils have actually come down in price since the 60's .... when you account for inflation. however, being that we have access to scrap bigger than anvils now, for pennies on the dollar, one can have a block of steel for far less than a 150 year old, beat up, inconsistently manufactured anvil. i use a mild steel anvil with a stainless steel face (for weatherproofing!) and i can tell you this with absolute certainty - _you do not need a hardened face unless you plan to use your anvil for striking daily for 50+ years._ in fact, short of being in a factory, this is moreso a hindrance as your anvil will chip before it dents. some of these chips are deadly; for example, if you end up with a .22 sized chunk of tool steel lodged into your gut at 4,000 fps. remember the rule about striking hammer faces together? still applies here. and evidence of this is hundreds of years of "soft" steel or wrought iron anvils. it really wasn't until the turn of the century when manufacturers began using cast iron bodies that the necessity of steel faces even became an issue, from what i understand. and so i bought a chunk of mild steel, welded a horn and a heel onto it, welded a base onto it .... and now i have something like a *120lb* anvil (never weighed it, actually, but it is close to the limit of what i can carry myself) and i only spent about *_$40_* that's a whopping thirty cents per pound - scrap price!

I am a new subscriber and am really enjoying your channel. Unfortunately age and arthritis have limited my ability to enjoy the use of an anvil. I gave my grandson my grandfathers anvil so he could pursue his dream of making knives. Anvils used to sell for 2 to 5 dollars at farm sales around here as late as 20 years ago. I had a friend who has passed on now who collected anvil's and power hammers. The back lot behind his shop looked like an anvil farm. A sad thing but better than being sold for scrap, as so many were.

Discovered your channel a week ago and I already love it :)

I am happy to the new owner of a Buffalo forge company anvil 100#. It's rough as heck but it is my first one.

I have my great uncles anvil that he made out of a piece of railroad track and it’s perfect for what I need and it looks just a manufactured one.

You really hammered the point home Really beat it into the viewer

There is truly something amazing and mythical in that anvil shape. Its just is.

Still digging the content. Never touched an anvil myself, but, you never know. Keep it coming boss!

Speaking of digging and finding anvils. A local fabrication shop has a few anvils that i was told about, my current employer at the time mentioned that he would take me to the owners business to see his small collection. One in particular was very interesting as it measured almost 40 inches log, stood nearly 14 inches tall, the face was 6"x6", (small for such a large anvil) with a 17" long 4 sided horn on one end and a 17" long conical horn on the other. As far as a the base, the best way to describe it would be if you were to take an common base, cut it right up the middle and spread it out in a uniform fashion leaving a big gap in the center and the feet on each end. How did this person come across this anvil????!!! 30 plus years ago, working at a salvage yard he explained that one of his workers tripped over something small protruding from the ground. They then started to dig with an excavator and out came this huge anvil.

I love the black raven stickers!

Great story!

An anvil is important to any shop! Great video!

Your previous advice about watching Craigslist like a hawk paid off big-time. I checked CL and OfferUp religiously and picked up a 109 lb. peter wright for $300 and a 211 lb. hay budden for $550, both 9/10 rebound and over great condition. I saw them within a couple hours of being posted and was the first to respond. I also had a friend on the lookout as well. He tipped me off to an estate sale which turned out to have six nice anvils. Two is enough for now but it was a nice find. Thank you, Sir.

Thank you. I feel like this video was made for me. I think I’m just going to pony up. I’ve waited too long thinking I was going to find a Peter Wright or Hay Budden on CL at a reasonable price. I could have been hammering on hot steel for a long time had I not been waiting for a decent price.