[TheForge] 700 lb Hay Budden

[Ries Niemi]

10 grand?
The text said the big anvil was not swaybacked, but the photo showed 
otherwise. It was not a particularly nicely proportioned anvil, and I 
just cant see how it was worth anything near that price. I have seen 
bigger, and better looking anvils. They arent common, but they are out 
there, and for that price you could pay for a trip to europe to find 
one.
Or you could have a new one made from scratch- I am sure Russel Jacque 
at Nimba would make a 750lb anvil if you asked, and paid. And that one 
would be really pretty.
The czechs probably make big ones as well. I wouldnt be surprised if 
peddinghaus and kolshwa both still have the patterns to make one that 
big, special order.
So if you wanted an anvil to work with, you have other choices.
That particular anvil didnt even have a "provenance" as they say in the 
auction biz- that is to say, its past was not well documented, nor very 
interesting. It wasnt like it belonged to elvis or anything.
So if you were a knowledgeable collector, it wouldnt seem that 
desirable. Unless there is someone who MUST collect every Hay Budden or 
some silly Beany Baby collector mindset like that.
I would be interested to hear from the purchaser why they thought it 
was worth that much.
Somebody ought to track em down, flatter em, and tell them how many 
blacksmiths want to hear their story.
Which, even if it is just to snort in derision, is quite a few.

ries