A blacksmithing anvil is unique, specifically used for almost all aspects of forging.
An anvil is a metalworking tool made of metal, typically cast steel. Some anvils are made of cast iron and other low quality steel, but those anvils are typically considered unsuitable for serious use and they are prone to deformation. Cast anvils are also typically less expensive than forged anvils.
The type of anvil you pick will depend on your needs. There are forging, shoeing (farrier’s), sheet metal, bench, and jewelers anvils. Once you know the type of anvil you need, you want to then determine weight, style, common features, and quality of the anvil.
COMPARISON CHART
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
 |
NC Big Face with Slot
|
CHECK PRICE ▼ |
|
PH PandaHall
|
CHECK PRICE ▼ |
|
Olympia Tools 100-Pound Cast Iron Anvil
|
CHECK PRICE ▼ |
|
PMC Supplies
|
CHECK PRICE ▼ |
|
Tandy Leather 2 lb. Mini Anvil
|
CHECK PRICE ▼ |
Features
- ¼” punch slot milled across face
- Pritchel hole in heel
- 1” hardie hole in heel
- 1-1/4” chamfered round turning hole in heel
- ductile steel
WHAT WE LIKE
This anvil is made of ductile cast steel, weighing 68.4 pounds. The anvil is 10.63 x 20.47 x 10.4 inches.
There is a Pritchel hole in the heel with ¼” punch slot milled across the face.
Steel is often a strong metal in anvils, typically meaning a steeper price tag. However, the strong metal is often deemed worth it. This product offers strength that typical cast iron does not have.
Based on the construction of quality, cast steel is ranked third best, slow forged steep and steel plate wrought body.
It would be a great choice for heavier duty jobs, and it is a great choice for the price range as it is cast not forged.
This anvil will be great for heavy-duty jobs without crushing the bank.
PROS
- Made of ductile cast steel
- Good for forging knives
- Cast with a Rockwell hardness of 48
CONS
- More expensive
- Cast not forged
2. PH PandaHall
Features
- 1.6 pounds
- cast iron
- single horn base
- approx. 5.8” in length
- 2.4” in width
- 2.2” in thickness
- wear-resistant
- anti-rust
WHAT WE LIKE
The PH PandaHall offers great benefits for welders on a budget.
This anvil is 3.21 pounds of cast iron with a single horn base. It is approximately 5.8 inches in length, 2.4 inches in width, 2.2 inches in thickness. Cast iron is typically significantly less expenses then forged or cast steel, adding benefit to welders on a budget
The anvil is to be wear-resistant and anti-rust. These features are great for welders, especially if they are on a budget.
The PH PandaHall anvil is used for a variety of reasons. It does not have one specific purpose. It can be used for riveting, flattening, forging and forming metal. The manufacturer did a great job at developing a wear-resistant anvil.
PROS
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight
- Easy to repair
CONS
- Cast iron
- Softer than steel anvil
Features
- Cast iron
- solid and durable
- polished area 13” x 4.25”
WHAT WE LIKE
This product is also cast iron with a polished surface and log-shaped horn. It is said to be solid and durable with security holes on all four sides. It can be mounted firmly to your workspace for proper and safe use.
This anvil is 99.2 pounds, and the polished area is 13 x 4.25 inches. The entire product dimensions are 7.48 x 10.04 x 19.69 inches. So, this product is definitely the heaviest of all the products listed.
Because of its weight, it could be better for heavier duty jobs. However, the weight does also add to the price tag, so this is the most expensive option.
The tool is long-lasting, but it is on the steeper price tag, especially considering it is made of cast iron. Typically, anvils made of cast iron are not the best quality.
PROS
- Solid and durable
- Easily repair
CONS
- Cast iron
- Expensive
- Softer than steel anvil
4. PMC Supplies
Features
- Cast iron
- 8-1/2” wide
- x 3-13/16 high
WHAT WE LIKE
This anvil is also made of cast iron that works great for flattening, forming, and repair jewelry.
The work surface is 9/16 inches with a hardy hole for tools. It is a total of 15 pounds with a dimension 11 x 4 x 4 inches.
This choice is also on the less expensive side. Again, cast iron tends to be a weaker metal for anvils, but it helps the price tag significantly.
PROS
- Hardy hole to secure tools
- Good for repairing jewelry
- Inexpensive
CONS
- Cast iron
- Softer than steel anvil
Features
- Tandy leather
- 3 pounds
- 5.3 x 2.8 x 2.2 inches
WHAT WE LIKE
This product is a mini anvil, and it is made of cast iron.
The anvil is two to three pounds, and its dimensions are 5-1/4 inches long, 2-1/2 inches high, and 1-7/8 inches wide. The hammer surface 1-7/8 inches x 3-1/4 inches.
Overall, this anvil is significantly smaller than the other ones. It may not be able to allow for heavy duty jobs, but it is the cheapest of all the offers.
However, this product could be ideal for smaller jobs and less heavy duty ones.
PROS
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight
CONS
- Cast iron
- Not for heavy duty jobs
- Softer than steel anvil
CONCLUSION
The NC Big Face with Slot anvil is the best anvil for welders on a budget.
It is durable and made completely of cast steel. By construction, cast steel ranks third in the best anvil quality. Cast iron is ranked below steel, insinuating a lesser quality.
Cast iron is known for being more brittle and weak than its steel counterpart. Cast iron is not typically best for extended use, so you may end up spending more money on cheap cast iron anvils over time than investing in a good quality cast steel anvil.
This anvil is also great for forging, and it is perfect for welders on a budget.
