|
General Considerations for Any Anvil
Weight
- Heavier anvils (150-300 lbs. / 70-135 kg) provide more mass under the hammer, improving efficiency and rebound.
- Lighter anvils (50-150 lbs. / 22-70 kg) are easier to transport, which is essential for farriers who travel.
- Rule of thumb: The heavier the anvil, the more energy is returned to your hammer blows.
Material
- Forged Steel anvils are the best for wear and rebound performance.
- Cast Steel anvils perform well and wear well.
- Cast Ductile Iron anvils generally have greater corrosion resistance and does not break easily when met with impact.
- Cast Iron anvils are cheaper but too soft; they absorb impact energy and wear quickly.
Rebound and Ring
- Good anvils have high rebound (bounce a hammer or ball bearing back 70-90%).
- A loud ring can indicate hardness, but it should be dampened with magnets or chains for hearing protection.
Face (Work Surface)
- Should be flat and smooth, with slightly rounded edges to prevent damaging your workpiece.
- Made of hardened steel (around 50-60 Rockwell C).
Horn
- Used for bending and shaping curves.
- Round horn = general shaping; square horn (on some anvils) = bending flats and squares.
Hardy and Pritchel Holes
- Hardy hole (square) for tooling (cutters, swages, etc.).
- Pritchel hole (round) for punching or drifting.
For Farrier Work
Farrier anvils are optimized for making and modifying horseshoes in the field.
Key Features:
- Lighter weight (70-150 lbs) - Portable enough to move from job to job.
- Rounded edges and horns - For shaping shoes smoothly.
- Longer, narrower heel - Easier to reach under the shoe when working on curves.
- Turning cams - Specialized notches for turning shoes.
- Clip Horn - for making or drawing clips efficiently.
- Steel or ductile iron construction - Durable but not overly heavy.
Typical Examples:
- Brands: NC Tool, Cliff Carroll, Scott, Emerson.
- Common weights: 70-125 lbs. for field work, up to 100-175 lbs. in a stationary setup.
For Blacksmith Work
Blacksmith anvils are designed for general forging-making tools, knives, hardware, or art.
Key Features:
- Heavier (100-300+ lbs.) - More mass for forging larger stock efficiently.
- Flat, broad face - Provides stability for varied work.
- Well-defined edges - One sharper edge for precision, one radiused for drawing.
- Thicker waist and heel - Better energy transfer for hammering.
- Versatile horn and hardy setup - For different shaping and tooling options.
Centaur Forge offers the broadest variety of Anvils in the USA with over 30 different styles from 7 differnt top name manufacturers. Weighing from 35 lbs. up to 280 lbs.
Summary Comparison
| Feature |
Farrier Anvil |
Blacksmith Anvil |
| Weight |
70-150 lbs. (portable) |
100-300+ lbs. (stationary) |
| Shape |
Narrow face, long heel |
Broad face, thick heel |
| Edges |
More rounded |
One sharp, one radiused |
| Horns |
Longer and slimmer |
Shorter and more robust |
| Extra Features |
Turning cams, clip horn |
Available with single horn, double horn or no horn |
| Use Case |
Shoeing and shaping horseshoes |
Forging tools, knives, or ornamental work |
Quick Tips for Choosing
- If you're a mobile farrier: choose a light, specialized farrier anvil with turning cams.
- If you're a shop-based blacksmith: choose a heavy, traditional anvil with mass and a solid rebound.
- If you plan to do both: consider a mid-weight (~100 lbs.) anvil with a general-purpose design (like a Scott, Emerson or JHM).
| 