Newbie looking for advice on forging

[wall e]

I hope I am not posting something that has been answered. Am wanting to start forging blades but, like many am on a shoe strand budget. What is a inexpensive substitute for proper anvil? The cheapest anvil Ive found near me is 400 bucks. Thats a weeks pay I dont have to spare. So am seeking suggestions for a sound substitute. Thanks in advance

 

[Rudy Joly]

Many of us feel your pain Wall e.
So do something about it......before I accumilated all the goodies, I used a 4"x4"x 8" drop that was given to me. Soon after I picked up a 40# die from a scrap/recycling yard. Only after 3 years did I stumble on a 150# Peter Wright anvil (for free). You wouldn't beleive the work I've seen done on a skimpy little stump anvil with a 3" face. Point is....use your imagination and yes bigger is better, but technique has a lot going for it too. Depends on how bad you want it. Some of those Asian guys are still using a flat rock. Good luck in your quest.

I forgot about the king pin from a school bus, it worked too.

Rudy

 

[Wayne Coe]

Since you are in Oregon, check in with John Emmerling in Gearhart. He is a great guy and you can tell him that I said to call him. You may get an invitation to come over for a visit.

 

[wall e]

Thanks wayne I will am headed up that way in a few months so will detour to Gearhart and look him up. Rudy thanks my biggest issue is complicating things by over thinking them. The engineering side of me. Lol Will do some scavaging tomorrow for a improvised anvil or a piece of iron I beam.

 

[wall e]

This is the look i was after
This is what the stock permitted