[TheForge] anvil pointing

Fri Jul 25 15:38:22 2003

Between myself and a friend down the road we own about 3 dozen anvils of
various sizes and makers. Following this thread I thought I could use =
all
those anvils to do a very scientific double blind research project =
(cause I
can hardly see out of either eye) to determine the preferences of the =
old
area smiths and farriers. We lined them all up and examined them for =
wear on
the edges. The greatest majority had obviously been used with horn to =
the
right. The old Hay Budden I use, which came out of the old smithy on the
square here in town, I keep with the horn to the left. This suits me, =
but
the old wear is all on the other side. Therefore I conclude that the old
guys, at least around these parts, liked the horn to the right.

Donn

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] =
[mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf Of A. Vida
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2003 12:59 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [TheForge] anvil pointing

	On a few occasions I have been told I had my anvil oriented for
	a left hander.  Never paid it any mind.  For me, the horn to my
	right works better for curves.  One thing I greatly respect in
	Peter Ross, beyond his high art, is that he always emphasizes
	that one size doesn't fit all in terms of how to perform any
	given operation.  If you like your horn to the right, then place
	it that way.  I don't think there are any rights or wrongs=20
	where things such as this are concerned.  If it works for you
	and you're not injuring anyone, then that is the way you do it.

	Several years ago at Gichner's, one of the demonstrators went
	on and on about how there was only one right way to address
	the anvil (i.e. stand next to it), and any other way is simply=20
	WRONG.  While I agree that such absolutes exist, they are few=20
	and far between, comparatively speaking.  I would further
	suggest that anyone instructing another in this art should take
	care in urging folks to never deviate from a technique, that there
	is only ONE right way.  I think some folks have to tailor a=20
	technique to their own best use.

Jerry Frost wrote:
>=20
> Being almost entirely self taught, at least till I was introduced to=20
> theforge and Artmetal lists nobody told me which way to point my=20
> anvil. So I positioned it entirely depending on how well it worked for =

> what I was doing at the time.
>=20
> If I have a good solid floor I'll turn it to suit during heats. Right=20
> now it's sitting on gravel so turning it tends to make it rock or tip=20
> so I positioned it far enough away from anything I can work all round=20
> it as suits.
>=20
> Reading George's description of the which/whys of pointing the horn I=20
> realized it's for the same reasons I turn mine.
>=20
> So I find myself pointing the horn to the right for turning the=20
> decorative stuff and to the left for the more industrial type work.
>=20
> Frosty
_______________________________________________
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
theforge mail list group photo site is http://www.photoaccess.com
Login:  [email protected]
password:  anvil
___________