Tools for knife enthusiasts

A place to discuss tools specifically relevant to knife making and restoration. But since Boys (and girls) like toys, we'll likely end up talking about tools in general anyway!


In Memoriam

SMALL Benchtop Anvil

I'd REALLY like a "stiddy" ..but.. 'taint happenin'. Yet .. I've a definite need for a small anvil.

SO0o

I picked up the smallest anvil Harbor Freight offers.

  • Material … Cast Iron
  • Work Surface … 8.5” x 3” (21.59 cm X 7.62 cm)

  • Milled face

  • Hardy hole for accessories, punching and bending

  • Product Height … 3.75” (9.53 cm)

  • Product length … 9.75” (24.77 cm)

  • Product width … 3” (7.62 cm)

  • Product weight … 15 lbs. (6.8 Kilogram)

  • Price (after std 20% off coupon) … $ 15.19

  • NOTE: This is NOT an anvil one would forge on. This is a SMALL anvil intended to be used for lite hobbyist work .. making jewelry, peening pins, things of that nature.

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As most know .. Harbor Freight is NOT the place to purchase tools one intends to make a living using. The product they offer is .. well, CHEAP. It's meant for the homeowner on a budget ..or.. the hobbyist, again, on a budget.

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I did some initial shopping online ..... craigslist , local hardware stores , etc.

!!! .. Anvils are NOT inexpensive .. !!!

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SO0o .. I checked Harbor Freight .. I'm lucky enough to have a brick & mortar version close by.

Their smallest is this one .. a 15 lbs. anvil listing for $18.99. NOTE: I'm on their mail list & as such, get their flyers which contain their std 20% off coupon. AND .. they return the coupon to you after each purchase such that one can use it multiple times ..just.. only once per visit. Rather nice of them. The final price was $15.19 .. 'bout a dollar a lbs.

I read the on-line reviews. Most were positive. The negative ones .. I got the strong impression those folks expected a $300.oo anvil for their $18.99 ..so.. took it in stride. i.e. I'm not purchasing this for forging .. I'm purchasing it so I'll have a SMALL anvil to peen pins on & the like.

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It did NOT come with mounting holes present on the bottom side. As such .. I milled 2 - centered - 0.50" wide X 0.75" long (1.27 cm X 1.91 cm)slots on either end of the btm. I'm writing this while taking a short break from doing just that. I then intend to mount it on an 11" X 15" X 1.5" (27.94 cm X 38.10 cm X 3.81 cm) "breadboard" I picked up @ the local Salvation Army.

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Anyway .. It's something that I'm sure I'll find useful. I'll post some pics of the final mounted version down in the comments & add further information as I proceed to use it.

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Enjoy

D ale

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  • up

    KnifeMaker

    Carl Rechsteiner

    It ought to do just fine for what you have in mind. Definitely not a "forging" anvil. Think I add a pritchel hole to the tail end as well. A simple bent spring hold down comes in mighty handy on a bench anvil.

    Yeah FIF has really made finding good used anvils more difficult and a lot of crappy ones are bringing way too high a dollar. Glad I already have a good selection in hand. Not to worry once the "fever" dies down and these wannabes find out just how hard it is to make fire, hammer and anvil do what they are supposed to do, there will be plenty of anvils out there for sale. Hopefully the prices will drop some, but doubt we will ever see them get below $3/# again.

    Minor correction though: Not the smallest anvil HF sells (or sold, haven't seen any in a while). Check out this one, also cast iron from India. Just under 3" long x 3/4" wide. I use it and another one as paperweights/attractors on my show tables. Wish I'd bought the whole pallet of them - could have sold every one of them at a handsome profit. Making a hammer to match the anvil was interesting. That one is sitting on a 350# Fisher.

  • up

    In Memoriam

    D ale

    !!! .. Cute .. !!!

    I'll bet it does attract some attn on the show table.

    I'd also bet making the hammer was some fun too. Looks too well done not to have had some fun doing it.

    ..and..

    a miniature knife to boot.

    :)



    Carl Rechsteiner said:

  • up

    KnifeMaker

    Carl Rechsteiner

    Thanks.

    Although the mini's are tedious for the obvious reasons, I really do enjoy making the mini-knives. The hammer was pretty simple, worst part was fitting and shaping the handle to look right.