Subject: Re:Anvils...

From: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 4 Jan 1996 16:48:54 -0800 (PST)

At 12:05 PM 1/4/96 EST, you wrote:
>  
>  
>  
>Subject: Anvils, Brands and Patterns
>  
>I have been scouring Texas for an anvil, 150 to 250 lbs. No luck so
>far except the $1000++ variety. I was about to bite the bullet and
>order the Mankel in Centaur's fine catalog, when a discussion with a
>local farrier gave me cause to reconsider. He and others are not to
>pleased with Mr. Mankel's anvils. He did go on and on about an
>anvil, pronounced "cole slaw", I don't know the proper spelling.
>Short on time, I didn't find out if this is a brand or a pattern.
>  
>What is a "cole slaw"?
>  
>He also mentioned a Louisiana farrier that is trying to resurrect
>this type of anvil, which lead me to believe it might be a pattern.
>  
>Vance
>  
Well, Vance, I may be wrong, but it sounds like he's referring to
"Kolswa"...a Swedish anvil manufacturer.  I picked up a small one (70 lbs.)
a few years ago used, and have been very satisfied with it.  The horn's a
bit gouged up (never ley a farrier near your horn!), but the face and hardy
hole have held up very well.  Rings nice, too  <g>.  If you can find one for
something reasonable...go for it.
Later.
George Watts
Chula Vista CA.
[email-masked]
George Watts
[email-masked]

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 4 Jan 1996 21:39:37 -0500 (EST)

The Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster MD has a 300+ lb Kolswa 
anvil in the blacksmith shop.  It was donated by a local welding supply 
company which could not find any buyers at its retail price.

This anvil has stood up very well to a constant stream of
volunteer-demonstrators and the inital hammerings of a large 
number of beginners and "wannabees".

Our anvil does not ring hardly at all.  Especially compared to the 
Mouse-hole anvil we have in the corner. We use the Kolswa as an 
example for beginners who are starting their quest for an anvil, to
dispel the idea that an anvil MUST ring to be a good anvil. 

On the other hand, even though it does not ring, it gives the hammer
a great rebound.   

The only complaint we have (and this is a real minor one) is that 
the hardy hole is 1 1/4" (it is probably actually a metric size, but
measures out at 1 1/4" when you put an English ruler against it).  Few
of our Guild members have that size hardy hole at home, so it is hard
to borrow hardy tools that fit. 

Albin Drzewianowski
Editor, Blacksmith Guild of Centrl MD

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From: Steve Smith <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 96 12:12:21 MST

A ringing anvil can be pretty hard on your hearing...

If you tie them down tightly to a stump or what have you, the ring will
usually die out. This might be why two folks wrote in, one with a
ringing Kolswa and one without a ring.

--
Steve Smith
[email-masked]