

Note that you should never directly strike the face with tools made of hardened steel as that can damage it. A hard face reduces the amount of force lost in each strike.

The harder the face is, the more efficient hammering is. If it is not, any mark on the surface can easily cause damage to the working metal. This is because mainly, it is made of hardened steel. The face of the anvil is usually the toughest and also the toughest part of the anvil. In most cases, rounded corners are recommended primarily because they can easily cut into the metal. Depending on personal needs, edges can be either rounded or sharp. It is located on top where most of the hammering takes place. The main components of the anvil are:Īnvil’s face is the most crucial part of the anvil. Although there are many different types of an anvil, most of them have the same main parts. What Are the Main Parts of the Anvil?Įach part of the anvil has an essential purpose in blacksmithing work. In the end, you can see that anvil made some considerable development over time. I would say this is primarily because the anvil was an absolute necessity compared to today. In most cases, anvils made back in the 20th century are considered superior to those made later on. Today, you cant find a lot of new high-quality anvils, mainly because of mechanized production. Anvils made of wrought iron were considered the best then and remain so today. In the early 20th century, wrought iron was produced, which completely changed the anvil-making process. Iron anvils have a hard face that stops them from deforming from the continuous hammering. Iron is much harder and tougher than bronze, so eventually, iron completely replaced bronze over time. After the cooling, the process was heated again and hardened.Īfter bronze, iron is finally discovered in Asia around 1700 B.C. The molten bronze was filled into a mold made of stone and covered with clay. Then, somewhere between 1,200 and 800 B.C., bronze was the primary material for anvil making.Īt that time, forging was mostly drawing of edges and decoration work. They primarily consist of iron and other trace elements. Meteorites were the ideal anvil due to their high hardness. The early smiths used meteorites and stones to hammer materials like copper and lead. The first anvil dates back to 6000 years ago in the area of what is now Turkey and Iran. And now, let’s learn how the anvil has evolved over the years.

Remember, poor knowledge is one of the biggest dangers in blacksmithing. Understanding all anvils concepts will make your work safer, more comfortable, and of better quality. When it comes to blacksmithing tools, start slowly.Īnvil is the center of all action in the workshop, so good knowledge about this tool is critical. You don’t need the best tools and equipment right off the bat. If you don’t have a London or German-style anvil, don’t worry, there are many great alternatives that we discuss later in the article. To start blacksmithing, you need at least some type of anvil. For example, today’s London-style anvils emerged from colonial anvils, which were very stumpy and squarish. Even if two of them are of the same size, their shape can be completely different. For example, the drawing technique is mostly done on the face of the anvil, whereas bending is mostly done on the anvil’s horn.Īnvils come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Keep in mind that an anvil has a lot of parts and each has its purpose. Techniques like drawing, upsetting, punching and cutting are all done on the anvil. When you are just getting started, it is essential to know the purpose and primary uses of the anvil. When someone uses the word anvil, most of the time, it refers to a London or German-style anvil, which is very similar. Its weight can vary from 20 to 500 pounds, depending on the type of work being done. The function of the anvil is to provide a tough working surface against which metal is later forged. Anvil is a massive piece of metal that serves as a work table for blacksmiths. The Easiest Way to Determine Your Ideal Height of the Anvilīesides the hammer, the anvil is the most recognized tool in blacksmithing.Where Should You Place the Anvil In the Shop?.
