Finally ponied up for a decent anvil after years of using a railroad track

Been shoeing horses for 8 years on a chunk of railroad rail I found behind a barn. Last month I dropped $450 on a 150lb Peter Wright anvil off Facebook Marketplace. First time I hammered a hot shoe on it I could feel the difference in rebound. Anyone else make a cheap anvil work for too long before upgrading?

2 comments

2 Comments

rivera.jesse5d ago

That 150lb Peter Wright for $450 is a steal. I feel you on the railroad track, I used a piece of scrap rail for five years before I broke down and bought a proper anvil. The difference in rebound is huge, like the hammer just wants to come back up at you instead of killing your arm. I ended up with a 200lb Fisher from a guy who was cleaning out his grandfather's barn, paid $300 and drove three hours to get it.

ward.mason5d ago

That hammer just wants to come back up at you" is exactly right. I used a piece of rail for like 4 years and thought I was saving money, but man my elbow was toast. Switched to a beat up 175lb Hay Budden I found at a garage sale for $200 and the difference was night and day. The rebound on real wrought iron is something else. Your Fisher at that price is a killer deal, those are built like tanks.