Best Budget Anvil? Just Landed Today!

[@neverfalter6702]

I’m glad you’re calling out the people who say you can buy a used anvil for cheap. You can find a couple for cheap but they need to be melted down because they are in such bad shape. Anybody with a good anvil ain’t never letting it go! I’ve been looking at every used site for years. That Doyle looks like the best option in years.

[@skunked42]

been looking for 15yrs. The fact that I just bought the Doyle tells you what I found. 30ish years ago? Maybe you could find one.

[@censusgary]

Probably 40-50 years ago you could find a good used anvil for a bargain price pretty easily. That was before everybody and his dog set up a backyard forge. Your grandma is making horseshoes before her bridge party now. Everybody’s scouring the earth for old anvils now.

[@andrewstetsonii1870]

a month ago I took a piece rail from the track to build my own. A little town called East Palestine they will never miss it

[@Davidhillborn]

lol

[@jnb756]

ooooh....does it glow in the dark?

[@mf9309]

Now that’s funny right there. I don’t care who you are. Lord, I apologize for that there, and please be with the pygmies in New Guinea. Amen!

[@EDCIndiana]

Does it glow in the dark?

[@tumbleweed1976]

To soon 😮

[@Gary_OwenC126]

I missed out on getting my great grandpa's anvil, who knows what weight it is. He came from Norway in 1906 and was THE blacksmith in the town in Wisconsin he settled in. The anvil sat behind the garage of the residence of my grandma secured to a chunk of wood. I am the only one of my generation in the family to take up metalwork (machinist), just wish I had grabbed it when I had the chance!

[@leeprice2849]

New ones are the way to go. Hopefully more options become available.

[@user-ii8dz4vu7n]

I have one of the VEVOR acciaio 66lb anvils. They're okay. Personally, if I was in the market again for a cheap anvil, I would pick the Doyle. More sensible placement of stuff, and I really like a fully round horn.

[@robertwebb8511]

I have a vevor 88lb. Very reasonable when I bought it 5 years ago. It had some cosmetic issues like pitting, casting marks. The table is 52-54 Rockwell while the horn is soft (below 40). I have really wailed on the anvil using a 12 lb sledge making some Hardy tools, trying to break it or damage it. I also have it on a stand that I made out of 4x4’s, bolted together, that weighs around 90lbs. I’m sure this makes a difference. My students enjoy working on it and learning the craft. And because it’s reasonably priced, they can afford it as a starter. Looking forward to trying out the Doyle and making a comparison. Enjoy watching your videos. Keep up the good work

[@Jason-fg4jr]

You're spot on there fella anyone that says other wise hasn't tried to buy an anvil in over 20 years ... they simply don't make them as well as they use to and if you find a new at the similar build quality of back in the day you'll be paying for it... stay safe frosty and free

[@kousakasan7882]

I would like to see the Amazon delivery guys face when he sees "Anvil" on his delivery sheet...

[@thezfunk]

I just got a pair of 55lbs dumbbells off Woot. I figured that should be interesting to see delivered. They each came in a box just big enough which was DESTROYED. UPS guy carried each one to the door separately.

[@aubreyleonae4108]

He probably would feel a bit like Willey coyote, wondering if the damn thing was going to wind up falling on his head somehow.

[@Sylvan_dB]

I'm nearly certain that sometimes my amazon driver will just decide not to deliver some bigger things. Wife was expecting a small package today, and I was expecting a large and somewhat heavy one. Tracking matched on both up through "1 stop away!" Her box was delivered and mine was not. Mine is still listed as "by 10pm" but I'm skeptical. Hope it arrives tomorrow at least. I don't believe it will be replaceable as it had been out of stock and when it appeared I grabbed it and it has been out of stock since.

[@stillnessbetween5103]

Great info on the amount of force used when working on anvils! Harbor Freight should call this one a "forming" anvil. That is what we called it in farrier school.

[@Wheely_King]

It would be awesome if they would make a larger size in 120 or 150 lbs anvil of the same material. But yes that is a perfect strong looking and great priced anvil. Thank you Mr. Bear

[@MoabYoda]

You are correct, also gove it a 1" hardy and price it 200-250 and they will sell like crazy.

[@melgross]

@@MoabYoda likely, if they did have one, it would also, like this one is, priced the same as the Vevor, at around $250-$285, depending on which model Vevor they’re going after, the higher priced black, or the blue.

[@skunked42]

Yep, I think the light under 100lb anvils were/are intended for farriers. 150ish lbs and you start talking about blacksmithing anvils. BUT 130 for a cast steel anvil I can walk into a store and walk out with? Just got one.

[@rickershomesteadahobbyfarm3291]

That would be nice.

[@MoabYoda]

Those Vevor and Accio anvils are actually pretty good. But this HF one does look to be a bit better and they relocated the pritchel hole that is a good improvement.

[@stringsalive20]

I live on the eastern shore of MD. Haven’t seen 2 day since the pandemic at my house. It’s usually a week here. But, if I ship it to my job - which is 6 miles away - it usually gets there 2-3 days. If I ship to my family in NJ, it’s usually a day - even sundays.

[@GCrocker662]

Here’s what you do to get a cheap anvil,follow any coyote you see chasing roadrunners. No

[@toadman506]

They're already out there. I've seen a couple of reviews already, and they seem like a Really solid little anvil, far better than the Cast Iron ones. You're 100% correct about the Myth of the "Cheap Used Anvils" When you could get a brand New NC farriers Anvil for around $350 (I just looked they've jumped way up). Why is anyone going to pay $800+ for some swaybacked POS that's best used as an Anchor? I saw one once, a Hay Budden, Legit Antique, but they wanted something like $1800 STARTING Bid, 3'4 of the top plate was missing, and the sides looked like someone had been at it with an Oxy/Acetylene... Apparently any chunk of crap is worth more when you say it's "Vintage". As for Rail, yeah, that can be Sticky. The Warehouse I work at used to be located in a former Shipyard. Atone time they were doign a lot of improvements, one of which was pulling up a lot of the Assorted rails that were on the property, bith train rail, as well as Large Steam Crane Rail. Most of it ended up getting chunked up, and put into the ground as Bollards to protect Fire Hydrants and other infrastructure, the Maintenance guys did give me about a 4' section of the Crane Rail though, which worked pretty well, and no legality issue since it came off of private Property and not Railroad Property.

[@Rorschach1024]

What is the carbon content of the cast steel? What is the surface hardness?

[@merrittderr9708]

A little discussion of the hardness of the flat surface might be good. I've been told that a good test of the flat surface is to drop a large (1 inch diameter or a bit more) bearing ball on it. If it is a good working surface, the ball should bounce back to very near the height it was dropped from. I've tried this on a couple of real blacksmith anvils and found that it works just that way.

[@POOKIE5592]

Merritt Derr Where can you get a 1" ball bearing?

[@merrittderr9708]

@@POOKIE5592 Not sure now. l used to work for a bearing manufacturer and was able to get one there. Maybe McMaster-Carr but I'm not sure.

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

I’m really interested in seeing this one in person, looks great for the casual blacksmith

[@wingman8447]

They’re handy but I really haven’t found the need to have one in the shop. The small anvil on my vise works for me when I want to form something or just beat the heck out of something. Good vid. Thank you.

[@luvmy40]

Good to see what may turn out to be a decent beginner lever anvil at a reasonable price. The best bang for the buck in a new anvil is probably NC Tool Co. line up. I have their Knife Maker anvil and, while not cheap by any definition, it's a great value for someone who wants to step up their game.

[@chucks4328]

My dad bought a surplus anvil from the railroad that's mounted on a horse drawn cart. It's not a piece of track but an actual anvil. I've had several people look at it and posted pictures of it and no has ever seen a cart like this one.

[@citylockapolytechnikeyllcc7936]

Horse included?

[@rickbray7100]

I bought a Peter Wright 128 lbs for $525 Canadian. The edges look close to new. I think it was probably bought by a farmer and never used in a full on black smith shop. I found it when I bought a welder and noticed it in a dusty corner. I feel I got the deal of the century.

[@tuberstitious]

Bought a Vevor topside creeper... saved my bad back changing HP fuel filter on my powerstroke... will help more on other things with my disabilities. Wife bought a magnetic vibrating table. Both good values for our uses.

[@mysterysniper910]

they have been some reviews of the vevor/acciaio steel avil it is a decent anvil the face is a little soft Best way to go would be to go with vevor or the doyle and get dome impact rated hardfacing and then grind or machine the top and you will have a top notch anvil. Also the vevor does offer a 200+ lb anvil

[@steveRBForge]

I bought a Vevor 66 pound anvil it arrived the same day as your video. The HF says 80% rebound. The Vevor has only about 40. Hoping the Doyle lives up to the 80%.

[@SpryGuy289]

Just got a hold of one of these at my local HF this morning. Gonna unbox tomorrow, I feel pretty happy with what I've read and seen so far.

[@nathanbarry9534]

This isn’t a pro grade anvil. But- it’s significantly better (on paper, haven’t gone hands on with one, need to check rebound) than anything else at this price point. It’s the Pittsburgh pro wrench to a Pedinghaus SnapOn, or the Bauer to a top of line Dewalt/Makita. It’s a good size for small shops, beginner blacksmith classes, maker spaces, and backyard smiths. Heck, I’ve seen videos of Kamis making Khukris using an old sledge in the dirt as an anvil, so it’ll probably work, and it’s cheap enough to buy it and find out.

[@consultmjp]

BFF (Before Forged in Fire) you could get a used anvil for about $1 per pound. Those don't exist anymore. This might be a good solution but I'd want to see it in person and give it the old ball-bearing test.

[@MrRangiku01]

Christ centered Ironworks just released a light review with a ball bearing test on their channel. It is very informative and is what made me decide that this Doyle anvil is well worth its weight as a shaping/knife anvil. Just in case you want to check it out.

[@melgross]

Used anvils started going up in price over 20 years ago when blacksmithing began to become more popular. The show started after that.

[@marko11kram]

I wonder if Wile-E-Coyote knows "The Anvil Has Landed"?

[@looselycollected7505]

As a trained blacksmith, they don't look bad. But that sharp edge at the face of the anvil isn't what you want. At least not the whole length of the face. I'd end up dressing part of one of those sharp edges to round so I could use it to draw metal.

[@rrich8371]

Agree with you and Mr. Kelley. You just cannot find any used anvils, vices or double bit axe heads for ANY reasonable price. I've been watching for a older Collins double bit axe head.... brand new axes are much cheaper... and much lower quality. Last one at auction went for more than I could afford... Collins Red Seal.

[@jamesduncan578]

I actually saw this today at HF, not bad looking compared to the others that were there. But the lack of mounting holes in the base was kind of a turn off cause the lip was narrow enough that I wouldn't want to put anything bigger than maybe 3/8 holes/bolts in it. Other wise you are clamping it to a stand or table(?).

[@douglascamus8207]

I just bought one of these anvils! Just waiting on the forge to go on sale! I have a 3lb hammer and a 32oz hammer. I want to get a 2.2lb French pattern hammer next.

[@jayhuyssoon9486]

There is nothing cheap about getting blacksmith tools, swege blocks, I saw one in Quartzite, Arizona, about 500 pounds, with about any shape you could think of for $3500. While I wanted, it was way out of my price range, I am interested in trying some blacksmith hobbyist. I do have an 100 kg anvil, mounted in a solid mount which totals about 700 pounds. I have 15” steel round that is 5” thick, that was the top of a steel pile for many years that I am going to make as the base anvil of a treadle hammer or power hammer, that will be on a 600 pound base. It took me over ten years to acquire these items. Like you said nothing is readily available or cheap. Most sellers think that what they have challenges platinum (not really, I have an anvil, I don’t have platinum anything) in value. I enjoy your videos. Respectfully submitted

[@censusgary]

I may wait until it goes on sale, but this Doyle anvil definitely has my attention. For $140, nobody’s accusing this thing of being a great anvil. But it looks like it might be an OK anvil.

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

There are no cheap anvils on the used market, around here used trash edge anvils go for almost $5 a pound

[@trailblazer632]

So if i start filing as a trans black helicopter will i get more tax "returns"?

[@totallyjonesin]

The railroads sell scrap rail and ties (some that are new) all the time..

[@robertpearson2735]

Funny a couple years ago you couldn't give one away now they are made of solid gold. Any chance HF is coming out with accessories for this. That fit the holes??

[@Immolate62]

Or find a blacksmith.

[@oatesequineservice]

I picked one up today it's actually really nice for what it is

[@NinjasTower]

Thanks for this breakdown and insight. I think it would be good for the weekend warrior. Been looking for something like this for a while.

[@jakeoutdoors9600]

I have a few small anvils. Once you have one you will be surprised how often you use it. An anvil is worlds better than that tiny flat spot on the rear of your bench vice.

[@michaeljefferson6810]

Vevor had a couple of nice ones I really am happy with the 100lbs model

[@bhaktapeter3501]

I wanna see a 132lb double horn version with a devils face casted on the side… they would sell like friggin hotcakes…. I was even thinking of painting captain Ginyu on mine leaving the anvil horns as the horns coming outta his head

[@RossTFarnsworth]

is it a live or dead anvil, I have a small harbor freight dead cast iron anvil that is just fine for tensioning saw blades, but I would not want to do any real smithing on it, I have a 110lbs Fisher Norris Eagle anvil I picked up secondhand but it was a lucky find and there are not many of them left. My grandfather when he sold the farm let two very large anvils go down the road for cheap in the 70's along with a portable forge, many I wish he would have hung on to them. Most of the anvils were recycled for scrap, so the ones that are left are ridiculously priced, I best way to get one know is to inherit it.

[@denoftools]

By live vs dead I'm guessing you mean how much rebound it has? I don't know yet but as soon as I get my paws on one I'll do a video.

[@PaganWizard]

Years ago, I had one of HF's cast iron anvils. I don't remember how, but it got knocked off the bench, (not bolted down) landed on a concrete garage floor, and it broke into 3 pieces. I don't care what brand, what size, what options & features, or what price, I will never buy another cast iron anvil again. Would I consider buying a section of railroad track from anywhere other than a scrap yard?? Not very likely at all, unless one of my very closest friends or family members was selling it, and none of them have even the slightest trace of thought running through their skulls of ever having any to begin with. In fact, most of them don't even own any tools, other than the internet and their cellphone. If something breaks, they call someone else to fix it. Would I consider buying a section of RR track from a scrap yard to make my own anvil?? Possibly, KZbinr "Gavin Clark DIY" has a GREAT video showing how he made his. If I were to do it, I would use his video for guidance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXa0iaxnarite8U $140 for a 65 pound cast steel anvil is a pretty good price tag, but I would rather see a 125 to 150 pound anvil.

[@ronaldcuberoperez5192]

Hi, here is an idea, im in the third world, nothing but chinese cast iron anvils in the hardware stores, so i looked up in the junkyards, i got a 110 pounds chunk of inox steel and a 125 pounds 12"x13x2,5" steel block, the first one is perfect for a post anvil and the second one im making it a brazeal style dies anvil, is an option when you don't have traditional anvils around 🙂

[@thebubbacontinuum2645]

But the Doyle isn't cast iron.

[@PaganWizard]

@@thebubbacontinuum2645 I know, but, had you actually paid attention to the video, Jeff did show, and talk about, some other HF anvils that are cast iron.

[@urbanlumberjack]

That accaio anvil is actually great. I have it and it’s worth the price.

[@gbwillson]

There don't appear to be any holes or slots so it can be bolted to a bench or table.

[@joselozano0528]

I got a piece of railroad about 15in long, at least I got it for free, but it still needed work to be usable.

[@evildead1791]

Ive been waiting for this to come out, looks about perfect for me

[@timothyparrish9035]

Will Doyle come out with the big boy anvil?

[@motomuto3313]

I watched a track crew cut and thermite weld a section of track. I asked the foreman about the cut off piece. He said I could have it and tossed it towards me. It was a piece of defective rail so I have an anvil shape object I got legally now. All you have to do is ask. What's the worst they say, no?

[@TheBlueCollarConservative]

There are no cheap antique anvils, vices, swage blocks, tongs......all blacksmith tools anymore. You can blame Forged in Fire for the price increases.

[@xephael3485]

Do they have PSI ratings on the anvil? Really need facts like that...$2 lb is a fair price though if it's okay

[@kevinbryan4215]

I’m pissed I just got the 66 pound accio anvil two days ago. I didn’t know about this one till today

[@tombob671]

Jeff you are 💯 percent on the money right.

[@steveRBForge]

Sometimes you find a unicorn. In my case it took 2 years, I bought a Peter Wright 188 lb anvil for 100 but it took two years of searching.

[@joshuasagers]

I found plenty of used ones. None of them are cheap. 😆 there’s an antique shop that has about 7 of them. Nothing under $1000.

[@richardkelley8153]

I'm a knifemaker myself..not a big time, but I do sell them from time to time...your right Bear...there are no cheap 2nd hand anvils... I took a piece of 1/2 steel on a 8×8 stud...had offers of $200 plus. I'm looking forward to seeing this...thankyou

[@Shamustodd1]

LOL Same here in michigan free 2 day is more like a week

[@robertwilliams2623]

You can find junk anvil for be low 400 buck but do you want junk. I seen one on Facebook make place with the horn broke off and was wanting 450 for it jest crazy

[@KITDFOHS]

I want to see how it performs. Because every cheap anvil I have seen was an utter piece of crap.

[@jozsefizsak]

I really enjoy your sense of humor!

[@MarkH10]

I have been haunting CL>TOOLS> Las Vegas with Jeff for YEARSzz, and the only one today is typical. HAY BUDDIN NYNY, 86 lbs., 125-150 years. Avg. to above avg wear, $700.

[@MackenzieForge]

I've heard a lot of good things about this anvil.

[@jbw7346]

I hope its not the same steel that was used on the DOYLE vice “anvil”… Great vice tho, but now i need a beating plate of some sort. Wait! Is that why this came out now????

[@citylockapolytechnikeyllcc7936]

This video was preceded by a adult depends ad. Are HF tools good? Depends! I do no blacksmithing, but do a lot of locksmithing... for a stamping plate, I have what looks like something chopped off the bed of an old mill, inverted.

[@JohnSmith-yl6dn]

Is the new one from HF made in Taiwan?

[@AzraelsTear]

Cheap anvils are like dinosaurs, they went extinct and if you find a good deal its from a fossil. I have a railroad anvil, its ancient, old iron picked up by my dad many years ago. Really want the Doyle, love the price, going to go check it out soon.

[@chucks4328]

I have an anvil my dad bought from the railroad as well. Does yours have a horse drawn cart as well? I've had people look at it and posted pictures of it and no one seems to know anything about the cart.

[@tunafish3216]

It doesn’t look like it has holes to bolt it down.

[@jameskennedy673]

Another great informative video. I don’t have a need for one, but if I did I’d get this one. When I see on my notifications what video you have, if I like it I’ll watch it & always Smack the like button. Keep’m coming

[@ericlee8231]

I inherited a 150some lbs Hay Budden it's supper nice. Way move than I'll ever need but it look awesome in the shop

[@FakeJeep]

I question the quality honestly. When we got our "budget anvil" the best buy was a Rigid 77lb Model 5. We got it for 400 dollars at the time off amazon. 7:40 To my knowledge this is correct, and while you'll likely never get pinned for buying one... selling them made from owned materials is... sketch. That aside those rebound like crazy because of the material.

[@melgross]

It’s a nice little anvil. The Prichel hole is in a good spot. I’ve been seeing reviews of this. Some are good, and some are bad. It appears that that the quality is very variable. This design is a bit odd. The Vevor anvils are an European design. The horn is typical of European designs, with a flatter top and more sharply rounded sides. Some American anvils have the rounder horn. Neither is better. It’s a choice. The rounder horn is better for horseshoes, if you’re doing that. Putting the Vevor anvil down is pointless. It’s a very good anvil. I have the black 132 lb model which is a bit harder. The Prichel hole is in a bad place, true, but easy to get around. Don’t bother with railroad track anvils. Most are made from track that’s soft steel. They’re not a bargain. Old anvils are way overpriced. Many have the welded on striking face with cracks and broken edges. If you’re going to spend $7 to $10 a pound for a pro quality anvil, but a new one made here in the USA. There are a number of makers. If you do this one, check it out carefully as soon as you get it in the lot. It may have big defects on the face that were welded closed. It’s fairly easy to tell, just look at different anvils. If you see that, return it immediately. By the way, a 3 lb hammer is heavy, 2 lb is more normal for most people. I’ve seen, here on KZbin that this goes for $149.95 in the store.

[@jeffhaddox2239]

I thought you could get Anvils free in the southwest on top of dead coyotes?

[@dancramer8533]

I just bought one

[@michaelhallas6450]

People were complaining about the anchoring down of the Doyle Anvil ? Anything is possible.

[@denoftools]

I know larger anvils are chained down but not sure how that would work with something this size. you could drill holes I guess. Funny though because so many people love the vevor anvil that has the same style feet and I don't hear them complain about that one.

[@michaelhallas6450]

Can also make brackets at end to be screwed down to a small stomp. Thanks

[@pico67ss]

If I wasn't crazy and need a made in usa or europe on everything I would that being said my mobile tools are mixed

[@dundeemt]

I miss the bear avatar.

[@denoftools]

He is in the details of the week Video every Monday!

[@dundeemt]

@@denoftools - Awesome. Hey, you are a heck of a nice guy and I am thankful for your channel, but there is just something about the bear that makes me laugh while I am watching!

[@jonathangomez-vv2dh]

@Jeff Hinrichs specially when we has a cigar in this mouth

[@pico67ss]

The cheap anvils are coming back there is a big sell off going on at least near me

[@rsf29gunn79]

Cheap anvils!!?? LMAOOO? You're correct, used ones are crazy priced! I've seen some in horrible condition, $750 and up! No thanks! I wish the Doyle came in larger sizes like the Vevor.

[@MoabYoda]

Now Harbor freight needs to make a 150 lbs version of that thing for around the $200 - $250 range and the new Smith's of the world will be beating down their door. Are you listening HF?

[@MoabYoda]

I forgot to mention they should also give it a 1" hardy hole.

[@DogsaladSalad]

Bears the where.. ?

[@1080-v4v]

Not sure if this guys knows what he's talking about. In some places (India for example ) blacksmiths use sledgehammer heads to make gorgeous kukri knives. Railroad tracks with their high magnesium content can make excellent anvils after some slight modifications. In Malaysia smiths make outstanding anvils out of round-bar, 4"-5" diameter. There is NO SUCH THING as an ANVIL SHAPED OBJECT! If you can pound steel on it then its an anvil.

[@denoftools]

Look! Well actually Man is here to correct us all. We're saved! 😆

[@ACoustaDC]

I don't need an anvil my mom said I could screw up an anvil.

[@richjohn11]

There is an English blacksmith based in the states who has commissioned his own style of anvil...can't say anything about them as one, I have never seen one and secondly, the chap is not in the UK. His name is Alec Steele

[@denoftools]

Yeah, his shop is about a half hour from my house in MT.

[@CrummyVCR]

Just buy a used one online.

[@paulclancy2404]

Yes 150lbs man now I know why my neighbor was mad when someone took his . 👋

[@paulclancy2404]

I'd like get a mini one for ball pean maybe 40lbs for hobby bench

[@brandonpeterman9964]

All this horn talk makes a guy wonder 😅

[@Testing-123]

My friend and I cleaned out his great-uncle's garage after he passed away. We loaded up all the toolboxes and tools for my friend and his brothers to share. When it came to the anvil in the back corner (which we should have just left sit), his dad told us to "Just throw it in the pond." So, we did.

[@autonco808]

probably chinese rails: us dont own it. 😂

[@davekiernan1]

Im sorry, but to much aout anvils at this time of night. Cheers from Didcot.

[@davekiernan1]

Anyway, did u know. CK tools was started by a German pow who fell in love with a girl from Wales.

[@Displacement-destroyer]

You said you're not a blacksmith and throughout this video you have made so many mistakes it wasn't worth watching you don't know about anvils so you shouldn't talk about them there's nothing wrong with having flash surface rust on high carbon steel wipe it off with a wire brush and start blacksmithing

[@denoftools]

From the video "Covered in surface rust, not to say you can't easily get rid of it". WOW, I wish I had said that... Oh wait, I did. The comment was more about people asking top dollar and not even bothering to clean up the item before taking pics. Usually from what I have found is that people who don't care enough when they are selling it didn't care for the item when they had it.

[@GOOSEMON2007]

Any chance someone get the talking Bear? Who’s this old guy talking?

[@jonathangomez-vv2dh]

My wife tells me you are watching the bear again. Me: hell yes!

[@G34RH34D]

I saved a big pine stump for the day I get a anvil.