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Modifying my anvil for pocket knife work

I've seen pictures of an anvil with a thin side for sliding into the handle of a pocket knife so you can peen pins on scales. This was about a year or two ago when I was thinking about learning to work on traditional pocket knives. My interest is peaked again. I bought an anvil and want to cut the thin side. My question is how far should I cut? How far into the handle does it need to go? I don't want to cut it too far. Does the thin section need to be 1/4" long? 3/8" long? I don't want to cut too much. I don't want the section to become weak. And, the anvil is hard so it's taking some time but it's doable. Can anyone help me with this? I bought a stockman kit on usaknifemakers.com and want to start working on it but I'd like to get this anvil modified first. Also, how often do you need the thin part to go into the handle? Is it a section of an anvil you use often or just once in a while?

Pictures of the anvil and then what I've accomplished so far.

I'm cutting the length right now. When I get it cut deep enough I'll cut from the bottom to complete it. I need to know when to stop cutting what I'm working on now. Does this make sense?

Any help with this is appreciated.

Jack

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on January 19, 2015 at 20:55

Jack,

I think what you are describing is called a steady.

Hope this helps

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on January 20, 2015 at 9:33

That's the picture I remember. Thanks. I also remember not being able to find one for sale. Seems some people had made their own or something like I'm trying. This picture gives me the measurements I needs so it's exactly what I need. Thank you very much.

Jack

Also, I think I'll try to contact a machine shop. lol I can't come close to that picture with what I have. Thanks again.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on January 20, 2015 at 12:16

Let us know how it comes out and at least maybe a ballpark cost?

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on January 20, 2015 at 13:42

I will. I called a guy this morning and explained what I wanted. The guy I talked to said it would probably cost more than what I'd want to spend because they do larger orders usually. For resale or whatever I think. I sent him the picture Jan posted and when he replies I'll post what he says.

I also talked to another guy who was very friendly and we talked knives for a few minutes. He suggested I go to a junk yard to find some rail road trussell steel because of how hard it is. If I find some I could bring it to him. Personally, I don't think an anvil for working on pocket knives needs to be as hard as the larger ones you beat on with a sledge hammer. lol I think he was more of a one-man operation with a couple of employees maybe. He sounds like someone who could do what I'm wanting at a more favorable price. I'll let you know what I find out.

Jack

Steve Hanner said:

Let us know how it comes out and at least maybe a ballpark cost?

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on January 20, 2015 at 18:51

Yes Jack, please do. Also if I hear of a steady coming available I will let you know. Many knife makers today use them to crink blades to fit and slide past each other when multiple blades are being installed

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on January 20, 2015 at 22:14

I guess there's not enough demand to make it profitable for a manufacturer to make them in quantity. The one guy at the machine shop said the amount of time and work that goes into planning something like that (he hadn't seen the picture when he said this) makes some items too expensive for the guy who only wants one. I suppose if they could make a whole gob of them the initial time and work costs are spread over the sales and profit of many single items. This makes sense I think but it's only assumption on my part.

I wonder how many people would buy one tomorrow if they were $30-$50 each? I paid $20 for the little anvil I got and twice that would be ok I think if it were specialized for what I wanted it for. Actually, I got it for peening the pins on straight razors I'm playing with. But pocket knives are a whole lot more complex than a straight razor with two pins and one blade.

Jack

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on January 21, 2015 at 14:15

Ballpark estimate is $1000.00. How many do you guys want? lol

Jack

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on January 21, 2015 at 14:26

Sorry, picking myself off the floor....

Jack Haskins, Jr. said:

Ballpark estimate is $1000.00. How many do you guys want? lol

Jack

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on January 21, 2015 at 14:34

I wonder how much the steady is worth to someone who works on pocket knives all the time. Maybe even for a living. It's amazing what some of the specialty tools cost for various skills. $100 for that thing wouldn't surprise me at all. I don't want one for that price but if I was doing that (hobby or job) a whole lot it might be worth it.

Jack

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on January 21, 2015 at 15:03

absolutely, maybe if it was full time and its whatbyou did and this speciality tool would help you and save hours or maybe mke your work better. You bet, But for casual use, maybe you could make a jig?

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on January 21, 2015 at 17:44