The horn of your anvil should be smooth and tapered, not flattened or distorted in any way. If it doesn’t bounce back very well, that means you’ll be using a lot more force and muscle to shape your work. When it bounces, you should be able to catch it. Drop the ball bearing from about a foot and a half above the anvil’s face. When you go to take a look at the anvil, bring a ball bearing along in your pocket to test it.

If there are only a few you can work around them, but it decreases your convenience and therefore the value of the anvil. Every time you hit your work over these spots, it will stamp those marks into your metal. You want to look out for deep grooves or cracks in the anvil’s face.

The same goes for the face or the top surface of the anvil. Remember, some anvils are 100 years old so a little wear and tear is okay.įace. You’ll still be able to work with an anvil that’s got chipped edges, but it reduces its value and means you should be able to haggle the price down a bit. When you go to buy your anvil, inspect the edges for chips. How can I tell if I’m getting my money’s worth?īut what makes a good anvil, and what factors should you consider when looking at the price? Here are some factors that will affect anvil cost.Įdges. If you find a quality anvil for $1 or $2 per pound still, that’s a bargain.īuying a brand new anvil will cost slightly more, usually $7 to $9 per pound.

What does a good anvil cost? If you can get an anvil for $3 to $6 per pound, you’re getting a fair deal. 5 Related Questions How Much Should I Pay For An Anvil?

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