General Considerations for Any Anvil
Weight
o Heavier anvils (150-300 lbs. / 70-135 kg) provide more mass under the hammer, improving efficiency and rebound.
o Lighter anvils (50-150 lbs. / 22-70 kg) are easier to transport, which is essential for farriers who travel.
o Rule of thumb: The heavier the anvil, the more energy is returned to your hammer blows.
Material
o Forged Steel or Cast Steel anvils are ideal-tough, durable, and provide good rebound.
o Cast Iron anvils are cheaper but too soft; they absorb impact energy and wear quickly.
o Cast Ductile Iron anvils generally have greater corrosion resistance and does not break easily when met with impact.
Rebound and Ring
o Good anvils have high rebound (bounce a hammer or ball bearing back 70-90%).
o A loud ring can indicate hardness, but it should be dampened with magnets or chains for hearing protection.
Face (Work Surface)
o Should be flat and smooth, with slightly rounded edges to prevent damaging your workpiece. o Made of hardened steel (around 50-60 Rockwell C).
Horn
o Used for bending and shaping curves.
o Round horn = general shaping; square horn (on some anvils) = bending flats and squares.
Hardy and Pritchel Holes
o Hardy hole (square) for tooling (cutters, swages, etc.).
o 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.
Typical Examples:
- Brands: Kanca, Atlas, Emerson, JHM and Scott
- Common weights: 100-250 lbs. for shop use.
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).
