My ‘new’ 40 lb. block anvil
I scored a 40 pound block of steel at an estate sale for $2. It’s 8″ high x 9″ wide x 2″ thick. Shined up pretty nice. Will be thinking how I’ll design a stand for it and perhaps what kinds of grooves and things to make on some of the edges to make it like a swage block.

Made some nice smooth surfaces to pound on. The top face was the first surface I ground on and was more concerned about keeping it flat than to completely eliminate the cut markings. I was also still getting used to how aggressive my grinder worked and didn’t want to unduly gouge or scratch the steel.

You can see some round marks/marrs where I tested my hammer on the surface. I didn’t get much rebound using a ball bearing, so I thought I’d feel what it was like with my hammer. You can tell where the hammer hit, but it didn’t actually ‘dent’ the surface. So i think it will be a very good hardness to use. Hot iron will be softer than this, and it will be softer than my hammer in case I land an errant blow.

Made some nice smooth surfaces to pound on. The top face was the first surface I ground on and was more concerned about keeping it flat than to completely eliminate the cut markings. I was also still getting used to how aggressive my grinder worked and didn’t want to unduly gouge or scratch the steel.

You can find the hammer at Big Blu Hammer Right Hand Diagonal Peen . I bought mine at Pieh Tool Co in Camp Verde, AZ