Just had a close call with a cracked anvil at the Midwest Blacksmiths meet last month

I was working on a heavy draw at the event in Springfield, and my hammer hit a spot that just sounded wrong, like a dull thud. I looked close and saw a hairline crack running from the hardy hole. The guy next to me, an older smith named Carl, said he saw one split completely once and it sent pieces flying. I stopped right there and now I tap my anvil with a light hammer before every big project to listen for that sound. Has anyone else found a good way to check an anvil base for hidden cracks?

3 comments

3 Comments

susan_wright342d agoMost Upvoted

My old anvil had a crack I found with a wire brush, not chalk. I felt pretty dumb for missing it right under the horn. Guess I need better eyes or a smarter buddy.

alexk602d ago

Ever hear of the chalk trick? My buddy's anvil had a crack you couldn't see. He rubbed chalk all over the base, then wiped it off. The crack held the chalk dust and showed up clear as day. Found a nasty one near the heel he'd missed for years.

the_elizabeth1d ago

That chalk trick is a blacksmith classic for a reason. I used white sidewalk chalk on my old Fisher anvil last year and found three hairline cracks Susan_Wright34 would have missed too. It's way more reliable than just looking for visual flaws.