Well, I love my Nimba Centurion.
http://www.nimbaanvils.com/
Its about 260lbs- but it has plenty of mass unless you are routinely working with a striker on material above 1 1/2" diameter or so.
The Nimbas are based on an Italian anvil that Steve Bondi brought back from Italy, when he was working with the Bennetons in the early 70's. It is a classic design, tried and tested for a few hundred years, that was then cleaned up and perfected by Russell Jacque. Russell was a consummate craftsman, an incredibly good blacksmith, and somebody who had worked on a lot of anvils. In other words, he knew what he was doing. (he was also a great guy, a friend of mine, and sorely missed now that he is no longer with us).
So the Nimbas are a modern reinterpretation of a classic.
They are made in the USA, of the finest materials, heat treated, and individually dressed by another extraordinary blacksmith, Jim Garrett, who bought the company from Russells widow.
Yep, they are expensive, and worth every penny of it. They will always be desirable, and are instantly attractive to any blacksmith, whether he knows the history or not.
I have mine right next to my 130 lb Arm and Hammer- an excellent wrought iron/steel plate London Pattern anvil, often considered to be one of the best american made anvils.
And virtually every time, unless I need the step, I use the Nimba.
The mass distribution of the Nimba makes for less work. The massive horn is just right for most of my curving needs, with true radiuses rather than strange oblongs, and it, too, is heavy and useful.
Contrast that with the Czech anvils sold by New World and Euroanvils- these are also a series of classic european designs, but they are mass market products made in a big factory. They are well made, and good anvils. But they dont have the spirit or personality of the Nimba- its like a Jaguar versus a Ford Taurus. Both will get you there, but one will make you smile every time you use it.
Well, I love my Nimba
Well, I love my Nimba Centurion.
http://www.nimbaanvils.com/
Its about 260lbs- but it has plenty of mass unless you are routinely working with a striker on material above 1 1/2" diameter or so.
The Nimbas are based on an Italian anvil that Steve Bondi brought back from Italy, when he was working with the Bennetons in the early 70's. It is a classic design, tried and tested for a few hundred years, that was then cleaned up and perfected by Russell Jacque. Russell was a consummate craftsman, an incredibly good blacksmith, and somebody who had worked on a lot of anvils. In other words, he knew what he was doing. (he was also a great guy, a friend of mine, and sorely missed now that he is no longer with us).
So the Nimbas are a modern reinterpretation of a classic.
They are made in the USA, of the finest materials, heat treated, and individually dressed by another extraordinary blacksmith, Jim Garrett, who bought the company from Russells widow.
Yep, they are expensive, and worth every penny of it. They will always be desirable, and are instantly attractive to any blacksmith, whether he knows the history or not.
I have mine right next to my 130 lb Arm and Hammer- an excellent wrought iron/steel plate London Pattern anvil, often considered to be one of the best american made anvils.
And virtually every time, unless I need the step, I use the Nimba.
The mass distribution of the Nimba makes for less work. The massive horn is just right for most of my curving needs, with true radiuses rather than strange oblongs, and it, too, is heavy and useful.
Contrast that with the Czech anvils sold by New World and Euroanvils- these are also a series of classic european designs, but they are mass market products made in a big factory. They are well made, and good anvils. But they dont have the spirit or personality of the Nimba- its like a Jaguar versus a Ford Taurus. Both will get you there, but one will make you smile every time you use it.