What Is An Anvil and What Is It Used For?

Most of modern civilization's early steel products were born on the top of an anvil. There are many detailed writings, books, publications, and online videos detailing what an anvil is and what a quality anvil should look like. To cover the entire history would take volumes, but we will discuss the primary uses and how to find a high quality anvil.

What are the Different Types of Anvils

It is without question, the anvil has many unique forms applicable to the intended use for a particular anvil. Blacksmith anvils differ from Farrier anvils, and both differ from jewelers anvils. American anvils differ from European anvils, but they all perform the same basic task as a work station to form metal. Most anvils have a flat surface on top(face), and one or both ends have a rounded cone, the supporting bottom is called the base. The flat surface is used primarily for flattening the metal, and the rounded end is used to form a variety of shapes including horse shoes.

How Are Anvils Made

At one time the Europeans held claim to the best anvils in the world. Today, America is clearly the leader in the production of the highest quality anvils - being made of ductile steel which is then poured into molds. In times past, they were forged with hammers, and typically came in two pieces. These two pieces were called the top horn and face (flat surface), and the base. Upon completing the two sections, they were then forged together to form the complete assembly. Technology today allows us to measure the purity of the ductile steel so that the chemical composition is consistent throughout. Combined with the advances in heat treating, a through-hardened anvil, poured of ductile steel, is the highest quality you can buy.

One of the largest United States anvil manufacturers, JHM Anvils, still pours all of its anvils in a foundry in Texas. Every pour is measured for accuracy, and then they are sent to be machined. Upon completion of machining the base and top face, they are sent to a premier heat treat facility in Peoria, Illinois, to be through-hardened. They then return to the plant where they are ground, finished and painted. These are considered the highest quality anvils in the world for the farrier industry. Most of the anvils produced by JHM are focused on the farrier, otherwise known as a horseshoer.