Blacksmith forging on an a classic antique Church Windows blacksmith anvil

Josh Greenwood of greenwoodironworks.com demonstrates some of the qualities and uses of an ancient Armor makers swage block Anvil. First he rings the anvil with a hammer to check it's structural integrity. Next comes the preliminary forging of the point and shaft of a dagger blade. The old anvil supports the work efficiently and receives the blows without a flinch. Finally, the anvil is laid on it's back for use like a Swage Block. A hot piece of heavy sheet steel is rapidly sunk into one of the church windows. This is a major preliminary step in making a piece of finished armor, accompished here in a few blinks.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• blacksmithing
• blacksmith
• forging
• techniques
• metal
• hammer
• anvil
• armor
• iron
• ironwork
• artist
• craft
• craftsman
• Virginia

[christopher5361]

Very cool. Is that what people call a "Church Window" or "Sawyer's" anvil??

[greenwoodironworks]

@christopher5361 This is a clasic church windows anvil, made in Germany. It has heals and a hardie hole and is terrific for doing work . Sawyer's anvils are typically plain rectangular blocks. JG

[greenwoodironworks]

Thank you for your enthusiasm. My anvils are from 5 lbs to over 800 lbs (some videos have links to me at the end). The small ones are either artwork or precious antiques, so there is nothing good that’s cheap, although I may have some old chunks around. It sounds like you are doing a lot with very little and that is a talent I admire.

[greenwoodironworks]

Thanks again!

This little anvil is over 100 kilos, with no markings.The new owner treasures it.

At $6/pound anvils equal some junk food! Excessive hammer bouncing is trifling, unless you are like Bea Hensly, making music. Hard bouncing and using the edge as a hardie are irresponsible. I spent a year (12 hours/day) forging on a beat up anvil, until I could hit within 1/8 th inch and forge 2.5 nails in one heat, before I allowed myself to use a good anvil. I share your reverance for anvils.

[TheFugdabug]

sorry I am 58 years old, and not a female dog!  I got scars that say otherwise thus my comments. have fun... hope you have a lot of bandages...

[greenwoodironworks]

@TheFugdabug

Thank you for your response, and for your website, and videos on Youtube (electric car!). Its great to encounter someone else who realizes that many things should be better than they are, and who is trying to do something about it. Its better to be angry than submissive! After that it is better to be active and enthusiastic than angry. I will try to do a better job of demonstrating proper hammer technique, as I understand and normally practice it, on my next video. Josh

[kevintheblacksmith]

I love that anvil so much !!!!!!!!!!!!

[raulfloresa]

bonito yunque

[leurts]

i already said in a other video that i love youre work bur 1 question.

what is the thing you 'rub' (dont know the english word for it) youre dagger with in the end adn for what?

[bigaxe87]

so you say you have anvils for sale?i only have a piece of railroad rail about 35lbs,do you have any 100lbs or less for cheap?im new to blacksmithing and have only made tools,swords,and a armored helmet but i did it all with the rail lol,great vid i luv em and i subscribed

[richyearle007]

another intriguing anvil......thanks

[TheFugdabug]

I didn't mean to demean you or your work... I just have a thing about the anvil in general. It is the heart of the smithy. And I remember many a person speaking to the practice of 'ringing the anvil' or a 'rest stroke'. The anvil is a very expensive piece of equipment and more expensive than that your ability to work and your eyes. that is all I really am concerned about... By chance is that anvil a Peddinghaus or Refflinghaus? I think it is a real find!!! What is it for weight , 70 kilos?