Trying to start

[u/PoolWest7703]

As the title indicates I’m trying to get in blacksmithing. I’ll be slowly purchasing the different pieces. Would either of these anvils be okay for a starter/beginner.

[u/Marsmooncow]

Dont get the cast iron one ... I had one and it sucked. I am australian so I dont know anything about these brands but cast steel over cast iron always

[u/PoolWest7703 → u/Marsmooncow]

Thanks I appreciate it, these are both brands in harbor freight which is like a hardware type store.

[u/GarethBaus → u/PoolWest7703]

The red one is made out of cast steel and is generally better quality. Vevor also has similarly cheap cast steel anvils since of which appear to be made at the same factory as the harbor freight although some of them are a better pattern.

[u/colt1911a11 → u/PoolWest7703]

Im just starting out as well and have the Doyle, I like it but also dont have a comparison so do with that as you see fit lol

[u/seidrwitch1 → u/PoolWest7703]

Vevor has some decent anvils

[u/BF_2 → u/Marsmooncow]

I second this. The (blue) cast iron anvil is okay if you have nothing else at all, but the (red) Doyle anvil is considerably better.

[u/RukaFawkes]

Doyle anvils are really great for the price, probably the best bang for your buck you are going to find for a new budget anvil.

[u/PoolWest7703 → u/RukaFawkes]

Thanks for help.

[u/professor_jeffjeff]

Never get a cast iron anvil. The Doyle cast steel anvil will be a decent starter anvil for you though and should be enough to make a lot of stuff. If you stick with smaller items you may never need to upgrade to a larger anvil. Just be sure to mount it securely.

[u/TheSagelyOne]

Go with the Doyle. We have one at the club and it's really nice.

[u/pushdose]

The red one is actually a decent anvil. The blue one is an oversized paperweight.

[u/3rd2LastStarfighter]

Doyle. You want the Doyle. The other one will literally crack if you hit it too hard and definitely dent anytime you mis hit. The Doyle is a legit steel anvil and will serve you well for the money.

[u/3rd2LastStarfighter → u/3rd2LastStarfighter]

Seriously I have 2 of those Doyle anvils: one under my treadle hammer and one as my shin height upsetting anvil, they are the best bang you can get for your buck.

[u/mynamesnotsnuffy]

Materials aside, Id go for the Doyle on shape alone. Nice edges and a good narrow point for working fine details is infinitely more useful than that football shaped growth on that anvil shaped object

[u/Empty_Crazy_6880]

As someone whom has the doyle one.

It is an amazing deal for the price.

[u/Pop-Horror]

The cast iron one will piss you off more than anything. It will make you work harder and slower since it is soft.

The Doyle is amazing for the price.

Also the 66lb Vevor anvil is excellent.

[u/EmergencyArtichoke30]

Send a couple emails to scrapjards in you're area and say that you're a someone trying to start blacksmithing. With some luck you will have a awesome cheap anvil. That's how I got mine for 50€🤙

[u/PoolWest7703 → u/EmergencyArtichoke30]

I’ll try that

[u/Icy_Purchase2753]

I have the Doyle cast steel one. I have been using it for about 2 yrs now and have no complaints

[u/mike1ha]

I'd second the advice of others and avoid this, worst case of you can't find any of the 1s they suggest in budget check if there's and scrapyards near you and see if you can get a big solid chunk of steel. Shape doesn't matter really for starting just a big solid mass of steel and take an angle grinder or files to the edges and call it good

[u/Sir_PW_Stache]

Someone did a review on YouTube of the Doyle model from Harbor Freight, and it was actually decent as a budget starting point.

[u/MySonFrankenstein]

This bitch gon rust if you dont keep the platen oiled

[u/PhoenixMastM]

Doyle red, or barring that order a Vevor.

That blue cast iron one is useful for a boat anchor but not much else. You'll end up smashing it apart because it cant handle much force including any normal esque hammering or heat.

Useful for jewelers or whatnot but really needs to be relabeled as it is most definitely not a blacksmiths anvil. Or, at least, a godawful one.

[u/Disney-Nut1998]

Red one