How Much Does An Anvil Cost?

For the work of the forge, but not only, there are two tools that are of main importance: the hammer and the anvil. The anvil’s quality will strongly affect your productivity and efficiency. By investing in a quality anvil, you will save countless hours of frustration and possible handling errors over the long term.

How much does an anvil cost?

The cost of an anvil ranges from $70 to $4,000, while the price of a collection anvil can go up to $7,900, but depending on your budget and needs the average blacksmith anvil cost stands between $100 and $1,000.

The cost that you pay for an anvil depends mainly on the type of material it is made of and its weight. So, a new anvil can cost between $7 to $10 per pound, while a used one can cost you from $2 to $5 per pound, with an average cost of $3 to $6 per pound.

Now, depending on the material it is made of, you can expect to pay about $2-$3 per pound for a cast iron anvil and about $4-$6 per pound for a stainless-steel or mid-range steel anvil. Remember that there is also the possibility to buy a quality anvil for just $1-$2 per pound.

According to AntiquesKnowHow, the price of an antique anvil also depends on its type, serial number, year, shape color, and brand. For example:

• A 1700s anvil can cost about $2,000-$2,500 if it is made of stone, and up to $1,500 if it is wrought iron.
• An 1800s anvil can cost around $1,000.
• 1900s anvils can cost $100 to $600.

Note, that most deformed or rusty anvils have a lower price by about 15–20%.

Factors that affect the blacksmith anvil cost

The cost of an anvil varies greatly, so when you buy an anvil, it is very important to do your research in matters of features and size according to your needs, to be sure you do not overspend. The prices for an anvil will depend on the type, size, producer, weight, material, and so on. Here are the factors that will affect the cost of an anvil:

Purpose of the anvil – an entry-level anvil for hobbyists and beginners will be cheaper than one for experienced professionals;

Size and weight – as we mentioned earlier, the cost of an anvil is often determined by its weight, including size; a heavier anvil means a bigger one, and it will always be more expensive than a smaller and lighter one;

Type of anvil – a jeweler anvil is less expensive than a forge anvil, as it is smaller and lighter;

Shipping – anvils are heavy chunks of metal, so shipping them will raise their cost; the heavier the anvil, the more expensive the shipping will be. Some sellers may include the shipping cost in the anvil price, while some may not.

You might also like our articles on the cost of a jackhammer, saw cutting concrete, or postconstruction clean-up.

Material type – anvils are made from raw expensive materials like steel.

Used vs new – in this category, we cannot say which type is cheaper or more expensive. When buying a used or rare anvil one should know what to look for, as in the case of old anvils there may be some unseen damage that will not justify its price.

Production capabilities of the manufacturer – mass-produced anvils with heavy machinery are definitely cheaper than craftsmanship anvils in a small production facility.

Demand – there are not so many companies that produce anvils, nor the demand is, so there aren’t a lot of anvils for sale, which raises their cost.

What is a blacksmith anvil?

An anvil is a tool used in blacksmithing to forge metals, and it has characteristics that vary according to its type. In the case of the blacksmith anvil, it is a steel mass with a flat surface called a table, which is most often cemented and weighs several hundred kilograms.

It is usually placed on a wooden plane called a log or sculpin, which allows the reduction of vibrations due to shocks, by absorbing them. Previously, the construction of an anvil was done using the knowledge of the elders passed from one generation to another. Technological evolution has now made it possible to create high-quality anvils and to work with different types of metal.

How many types of anvils are there?

The anvil allows working on metal parts and making them take a certain form. This is most often done at high temperatures, which allows the metal to stretch, flatten, and bend more easily. An anvil can be provided with a round hole and a square hole. These holes have been created to plug in and hold some accessories.

There are five basic types of anvils according to the materials used for processing:

1. Forging anvils, also known as blacksmith anvils;
2. Farrier anvils
3. Stake anvils – used to work the sheet metal
4. Bench anvils
5. Jewelers anvils

These types are different both in size and style. As with most tools, there is a lot of overlap in applications.

Types of anvils by weight

Is it possible to DIY an anvil?

If you are a blacksmith, there is a strong possibility that you love to create objects with your own hands. You can build your own anvil. For this, you only need a tree stump leveled on its upper and lower part that you will have to strap, preferably oak.

Features

An anvil is essentially composed of:

• a rectangular surface both smooth and flat; it is mainly on the latter that the object to be forged will be placed;
• one or two beak-irons, which are the triangular or square edges of the anvil; they are the continuity of the rectangular shape and it’s the surface a metal can be worked on;
• two holes – namely the Hardie hole, which is square, and the Pritchel hole, which is round and used in particular to make plugs;
• wheelbases on the corners to stabilize the anvil and secure it to its support.

Conclusion

We hope we’ve given you all the information you needed to properly choose the anvil you need according to your budget. With the right tool, your work will be easier and you can carry out your projects without any frustration.