Instagram / oldhickoryforge Support the channel here www.patreon.com/user?u=16387344 Purchase some of my work here www.etsy.com/shop/OldHickoryF... Videography by Dan Bailey Dan.bailey84@yahoo.com
bit.ly/3V7j941 VVSHARE to save 5$ off VVPRO to save 5% Check out Christ centered ironworks destruction test on this anvil here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_jha9PnryA4.html It looks like joey van Der steeg has actually removed a lot of his content. But the technique I talk about in the video can be seen here in this video of his ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-diKnyvRuogE.html
I'll go look... I'm needing a new anvil because I broke my old one. 🤣would you be willing to check out the video on my page if you have any time and let me know if I can fix it?
@@OldHickoryForge I don't know Anything about it, it was given to me and it already had the plate welded on it. But it's all good, I'm going right now to buy this vevor anvil... thanks for the info my man!
What's crazy is you set out to make an anvil review, but somehow this has turned into one of the best intro to forging how to videos I have every seen! Thank you for that, and thank you for the quality content you put out!
Who knew I would sit through an Anvil video, I'm not even interested in Blacksmithing. I only watched out of curiosity. I must say by all appearances this is a very well instructed video for beginners who are interested in Blacksmithing/hand-forging metals.
You hammered the heck out of that anvil and it held up pretty darn good. That would hold for a lifetime for most folks having one in their shop for an occasional straightening of something bent or other lite use. Thanks for putting it through an abuse test and showing it outright. Fred.
John, You and I both started off in this craft around the same time frame. I would like to say that you have created possibily the best all around video for anyone getting started in this craft. Thank you.
Downright the best video for a beginner or someone wanting to get into it such as myself. Both my doubts about the anvil and and indecision about the weight + getting such needed tutorials all in one place is amazing! Will definitely be coming back to this video once the anvil is ordered and arrived and will keep coming back to build those tools, I can’t thank you enough!
I just ordered an 88 pound Vevor anvil. I am a total beginner and have never done any blacksmithing whatsoever. This video is incredibly helpful! Thanks for the great information. Can’t wait to set up my blacksmith shop!
If you're buying a used anvil, keep in mind that you can get a BRAND NEW Nimba anvil for about $8/lb and you can get a few other brands of anvil also NEW for around $7/lb. Don't let someone sell you a used anvil for a price that you could just be getting a brand new anvil that will be perfectly heat treated. Also, don't underestimate what the quality of hand-forged tools can be. I made a center punch entirely by hand and then ground a point on it by eye, and I've been using it to mark holes for my 2x72 belt grinder build and it works just as well as any other store-bought center punch that I've ever owned (I heat treated mine though).
Dude, I just stumbled across your channel and mad props! Straight forward plain words easy explanations, not "gate-keeping" knowledge. Keep up the good work!
I'm just starting out; my great-grandfather was a blacksmith in the late 1800s. This video is WONDERFUL! Thank you for all the information- and there is a ton.
What a very informative video. I’ve been interested in trying out blacksmithing for a while now and I finally took my first step. I ordered this anvil for just under $70 delivered to my house free. I can’t wait to see how it performs.
I really, really want to thank you for this review/ howto video. I have not done any blacksmithing but always wanted to learn and get started. My research did tell me that this level was probably the best starter Anvil for the money, but I wasn't certain. I've seen many people review it and talk about it, but not really explain how to use it. Your video not only review the Anvil but also explain how to get started by using it, I learned what dressing meant and how to make this Anvil more usable. I understood the importance of dressing it, and just a lot. Basically what worried me was the cost, I knew I could afford an anvil but I knew that all these other tools and equipment were all going to leave brazing the cost of this little hobby I wanted to get into. But I did not realize for a moment that I could actually make my own tools. I got to say this is the most incredible video I've scene about beginning blacksmithing. And I've been looking at numerous blacksmithing videos for more than 5 years all over RU-vid. You should be available dealer for these anvils, because you do such a great job of explaining these things for them. I now feel comfortable enough to plan I'm getting this exact anvil. That is once I decide on what kind of Forge to get. Do you have any videos on making or buying forges for beginners? I'm told coal forges are probably the easiest and best to start off using, but others tell me that it's too difficult to figure out because of the unpredictable heating of it.
Great video. I received both this anvil and the two burner Mr. Volcano for Christmas. I am just starting out in the craft. You provided a very balanced review of this anvil. I greatly enjoyed the tutorial on building basic blacksmith tools. Thanks so much. Your moving the large anvil and swinging the 30 lb sledge was very impressive. Remind me not to cross you!
I have both a 22-pound and 88-pound version of the anvil you just tested. Both are even cleaner than your 66-pounder was, I stripped them both before dressing them. The 88's Hardie hole was about a sixteenth oversize, and the 22's is about a sixteenth undersize. But I love them both and am very pleased with them. I was cringing when you used the 30-pound hammer when upsetting the Hardie, because I wasn't sure it would survive, but wow, impressive. I don't think I need to worry anymore about using my biggest 4-pounder anymore. Thanks for giving me that peace of mind. All in all, I enjoyed your review of this little 66-pounder, a job well done, Thank You
👍Thank you very much for giving us the C45 / 1045 steel specification that you use for making your hammers at 3:28 - I was trying to work out the best steel to use for my hammers to get the right balance between being tough enough for work but soft enough that if I make a mistake it'll damage the hammer (easy to repair) instead of the anvil (extremely difficult to repair). Thank you also for emphasising the advances in metallurgy over the last 200 years - I definitely agree with you - since the development of the Bessemer process and modern refractory engineering our ability to make large amounts of high quality steel has changed radically - modern steel making technology can achieve things that would've been impossible just 50 years ago.
I’ve had good luck with mine. I use it for smaller projects at my home shop. Small knives, straight razors etc! I have a large anvil at my large shop, but found I like working at my house sometimes, so it’s a great compromise. Great video!
Thanks so much for making this video! I've been wanting to start up blacksmithing as a hobby for a long time but as you mentioned certain things like anvils aren't always easy to find, especially when i have no clue what to look for. I searched for a Vevor anvil review to see if it was good enough to get into smithing with and this video gave me that plus so much more. Thanks again, I'm subscribed and can't wait to watch more of your videos!
From review to an introduction to smithing I gotta say I'm impressed. You earned my sub . In my opinion you should have a lot more subs than you have atm but I hope your channel gets discovered and blows up into the big leagues. Cheers from wisconsin.
To be honest I don't watch many videos where blacksmiths talk and talk fast, I usually turn the sound off or turn the video off. But this video, tho' I didn't get everything I found magical. Tool making was brilliant! Thankyou for a great run through on anvils and basic tool making.
Thank you for this extensive and awesome review plus the begginer lesson in forging. After trying out forging in a workshop with 14 or something, now 10 years later I am making the commitment and buying this anvil, hope it's gonna be a good cast and heat treat. Greetings from Germany.
Always sensible and honest. I don't have to care because I have a 200 plus Brook's from England. Got it brand new, but Brook's went broke and they were bought by Vaughan of England. My little one is a real "Acme" 100 pound anvil, I cannot find deceased roadrunner residue.
John, great video...I always thought an anvil was a chunk of metal and the only difference was how heavy. Learned that it is a specific tool designed on usage and job requirements.. Very thorough and educational...thanks
I love what you do brother, I could hang around there all day watching your craft. Your delivery is perfect, no unnecessary pomp or agenda to anything, just a good guy giving you the facts, not the business. Thanks for always sharing quality content, always look forward to your new videos when I see one up. I'd say keep up the great work but, for you there's really nothin' to it.
I started seeing these come up and noticed they were cast steel as opposed to the cast iron HF ones I'm used to seeing in this price range. After your review as well as a few others, I decided to get the biggest one I could justify and just as I was contemplating that the 50KG (110lbs) dropped in price to $189.99 so of course I snagged it. It seems to be well built and needed dressing/paint removal corners broken, all that good stuff, but otherwise, a very good and serviceable anvil for about $1.73/lb. I'm finishing up the forge and will be building some tools here in the coming weeks. I bought a cross peen hammer and a pair of wolf jaw tongs to get started. The hardy hole and pritchel hole are both 7/8" At first glance I thought they were 1" on the money, but after getting proper calipers and really looking at them, it's 7/8". Which seems a bit large for where it's located. I may make a "pritchel tool" to make that more serviceable and get the step up so at the very least it's on the same plane as the face of the anvil in addition to being a bit more usable.
I didn't get one from Vevor. At the time I got the non Vevor stamped Acciao. I got the #66. Had it for 3 years now and I have yet to complain about it. It's truly a good anvil.
WoW! You did a great job! Held my attention all the time. Thanks for all the info and honesty and professional oppinion. And thank you for taking the time to explain everything. I enjoyed watching you make the tools too. Could you do a beginers video list all the basic tools needed by a beginer like me and then do a video demonstrating all the different techniques of black smithing? Also what beginers' forge options are out there? I think all you viewers would enjoy those videos too. Thank You so Much. New Subscriber.
Fantastic real life review of this anvil, you did well! Much appreciated. You seem like a guy I'd be best friends with! Thanks for the video and God bless you 🙏✝️
I had the 110 lbs one. Only got rid of it to upgrade equipment. It was a Beauty for the price!!! And still being a beginner it doesn’t hurt so bad when you make the idiot marks on. It!!! Lol. Great stuff brother.
I recently purchased a Vevor 132 lb anvil. It seems to have good rebound with a big rusty ball bearing. I have to finish surfacing a White Oak log section to mount it on, and I need to make/purchase a forge. I may use the firebox of my syrup arch during the season to heat some steel and start smithing. It's just a farm forge thing. I want to make a few tools and things. Your tool making on that anvil is an inspiration. Thank you for the review and lessons.
I got a 168 pounder about a year ago no complaints but for that useless hole and the soft horn. By the way, great job on the tongs and info on the anvil. I enjoy your videos greatly.A lot of info . Keep up the good work.
For forging that V bit tong jaw step, I found if you want a little better than eyeball accuracy, chiseling a line down the middle of the inside of the jaw first lets it engage on the corner of the anvil a bit and makes that step a little easier.
Used one in a shared shop(two Marines) for years. It's still serviceable despite all the errant blows(beer) and both learning bladesmithing so had no idea how to strike.
I bought the same anvil 3 years ago when I started making knives. All I did was dress it up and put 2-3” magnets on it. 1 on the side and 1 under the horn. It stopped the ringing. It’s really been a good anvil overall. I have a large Peter Wright anvil but don’t want to spend the money to have it dressed up and re surfaced. Thumbs up on the video and a new subscriber. Great work brother.
Wow, I just found your channel today! Excellent review AND great instruction. I think I’ll buy one of these, now. I was hesitant, but honestly, for the price it’s worth a gamble if it being crap 😆
I bought this anvil after you reviewed it the first time. Your first video was pretty spot on. Mine is decent enough, with the only complaints is the horn is awful soft compared to the face, the pritchel hole is in a dumb place, and the horn is sort of a weird shape on mine, (its more like the toe of a boot, sort of to wide for its length.) I *could* grind the horn down to a more useful shape, but my love of the angle grinder only goes so far. All considered, it beats the heck out of the broken cornered old lump I had before.
@@FeatherHorseforge The more I look at mine, the more I think it might have had a casting defect on the tip of the horn that got ground off and called good enough. It is definitely steel, not cast iron.
I started with a rail anvil like most, and after 6 years I was traded a 160 pound anvil with significant deformation and chipping which took a number of angle grinder discs to improve. After a year and a half, the person who had given me the anvil took it back for some reason after I had already compensated them previously. After a single use of the old rail one, I didn't forge for a few months, until I came across a 12X9X3.5 bar of steel, which I then surface ground the top and welded on a piece of surface ground AR500 steel plate. 100% better than any other anvil I've used in terms of rebound and not denting, as a direct blow from the edge of a 10 pound sledgehammer with barely do anything, even though the plate is only in the HRC 45 area. Sure beats the hell out of something that would probably cost $500+ to be close to the rebound and dent level of mine.
I was reading the comments, & I think that you said something about the height of your anvil being to short, the anvil stand isn’t to short but you’re to tall. Good video. Thank you Sir
Just bought the 50kg anvil, and it arrived yesterday! Better than the railroad track I've trying to turn into an anvil shaped object for about 9 months now. 170$ can't be beat, really
very nice and very help full video. very nice review. thank you so much for this. keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work. Forge On. Fab On. Weld On. Keep making. god bless.
John you do come across as truthful and want to help BlackSmiths so I holding your explanation on quality and not just salesman . Thanks John I'm very likely to buy this product and did remember your video previously but several anvils. I'm understanding casting steel do vary and this information coming from you does carry heavy weight. Special Thanks John. Bet I'll get one and bet as a BlackSmith Hobbyist its going serve me well. As Boss on the job some goes by numbers 👌
Loved the video, just got mine in yesterday. Out of curiosity where did you find your brush I like that it has a built in handle and would want to get one for myself
Really good review. It seems like vivor has been raising their quality control somewhat. Seems like it is a decent anvil for the price. How does the rebound and quality rate against your bigger old world anvil?
My wife wants to get into making knives so this anvil is what I picked up for her for Christmas. This video was great for info. Between you and christ centered Ironworks I believe I have everything I need to dress it out nice for her to get started. And side note you have a wire grommet that has come loose on your power hammer box. Might want to fix that so it doesn't rub a whole through the wire. Keep on keeping on man.
I have had at least 6 anvils in my 40+ years. Mostly Hay Buddens. Currently my 3 are * 2pc. 98# Hay Budden, * 92# Arm Hammer and .... * 334# Euro which is the destination. I'm glad to see these are worthwhile as both my kids (17 & 26) are needing their own and i was hesitant about these. My being in Michigan, the Holland anvils would be #1 but the $ and availability push me towards other options.
Holland is top tier stuff and the owner is a great dude. I've met him at blade show a couple of times. But yeah for someone to get their foot in the door. The value on this guy can't be beat. It could easily churn out enough good work to sell to buy a higher end anvil without breaking a sweat
I got a 145lb arm and hammer. I love it. Pretty much exactly the same as a Trenton anvil. They where made by the same factory in Ohio (I think that was the location).
I had this anvil to start after figuring out train track sucked. It worked well for a year and a half. It started getting divots and I saw a better one so I moved on. Mine had no filler. If you're concerned about the quality purchase on Amazon or Ebay, they have return policies.
I have seen many reviews on the Vevor 66 anvil. I ordered one and it had a big dead spot in the center, at best the rebound was about 40%. Harbor freight has a new Doyle anvil they claim 80% rebound so I’m going to give it a try.
Not into destroyed old anvils, but i used and was impressed by that anvil. Rebound was fairly good. Never heard that story about Sherman but "Bottle-necks" are something one looks for in all-out war. Avails are that bottle neck.
