Top Anvil Brands: Unyielding Tools for Forging Excellence

When it comes to blacksmithing or metalworking, choosing the right anvil can significantly impact the quality and efficiency of your craft. Several brands have established themselves as leaders in anvil manufacturing, providing artisans with durability, precision, and reliability. Renowned names like Nimba, Peddinghaus, and JHM are often recommended for their exceptional craftsmanship and adherence to high industry standards. To explore a comprehensive list of the best anvil brands available on the market today, read on below.

Illustration of anvil

Best brands of anvil in 2025

NC Tool Co.

NC Tool Co., established in 1978, has consistently been recognized as a premier anvil manufacturer, producing over 30,000 high-quality anvils annually with a reported customer satisfaction rate exceeding 95%, and boasting a 20% market share in North America, making them a leading choice for both professional and hobbyist blacksmiths; you can explore their range at NC Tool Co.'s anvil collection.

JHM

JHM anvils, crafted in a Texas foundry since 1983, are known for their exceptional quality and durability, featuring a ductile iron construction with a Rockwell hardness between 48 and 52; they are meticulously machined and heat-treated in the USA, ensuring they meet the rigorous demands of both farriers and blacksmiths, and are available on every continent. These anvils, with features like turning cams and clip horns, are designed to improve efficiency, which is why they are often used in competitive forging events. JHM Anvil's customer satisfaction is 100%, and they rarely have had a return. You can find more information about JHM anvils on their website.

Nimba Forge

Nimba Forge, established in 1993, is renowned for producing high-quality, American-made anvils, using 8640 nickel-chrome-moly-manganese steel, heat-treated to a 50-52 Rockwell hardness for superior durability. Offering models like the 450lb Gladiator, the 260lb Centurion, and the 120lb Titan, all with a lifetime guarantee and known for their unique double-horn design, which allows for great versatility. The company was founded by Russell Jaqua, a blacksmith, and is currently owned by Jim and Lester Garrett.

Peddinghaus

Peddinghaus, founded in 1903, is a renowned German manufacturer of high-quality, drop-forged steel anvils, known for their exceptional craftsmanship and durability, with some models featuring a ground and induction-hardened top face. They offer a variety of sizes, including models with a pritchel hole and upsetting block. Their anvils, available in weights ranging from 35 kg to 125 kg, are often considered the "Cadillac" of blacksmith anvils due to their fantastic rebound.

Refflinghaus

Refflinghaus, a German company established in 1886, is renowned for producing high-quality anvils with a 150-year-old design, using tough steel and guaranteeing a minimum of 59 HRC on the face and horns, achieving over 90% rebound, making them a top choice for blacksmiths. These anvils, often described as the "Rolls Royce" of anvils, feature a South German style with a smooth transition between the wide face and the horns and are known for their chip-resistant edges and consistent quality, with some models including an upsetting block and side shelf. The company transitioned to all cast steel in 1975 and claims that their current design is the best, achieving a surface hardness that extends a full 1 inch deep.

Hay Budden

Hay Budden, a renowned American anvil manufacturer from approximately 1892 to 1928, is celebrated for producing some of the best anvils of its time, often featuring a durable wrought iron body with a hardened steel face. They were the first domestic manufacturer to successfully compete with the large British companies, and some models were even made to order. Hay Budden anvils are known for their distinctive "rhino horn" design and the high rebound, with some having a near 100% rebound rate. Although they closed their doors around 1928, the brand remains highly sought after by blacksmiths for their quality and craftsmanship. You can explore more about Hay Budden anvils.

Kohlswa

Kohlswa, a Swedish company founded in 1584, began producing cast steel anvils around 1900 and is renowned for its high-quality products, with many considering them among the best available, though some anvils produced in the 1980s had quality control issues; they currently produce approximately 100 anvils per year, using a proprietary heat-treating process, making them a preferred choice for blacksmiths worldwide due to their hardness and rebound. These anvils, often made with a manganese alloy steel, come in various models and weights, with some older models, such as the "A" model, no longer being produced. You can find more information about Kohlswa anvils on their website.

Ridge Tools

With over 90 years of experience, Ridge Tools has established itself as a premier manufacturer of anvils, renowned for their exceptional durability and precision, with a reported 98% customer satisfaction rate; their anvils, crafted from high-grade steel, consistently exceed industry standards. Ridge Tools has steadily innovated since 1923, maintaining a strong market presence in the heavy-duty tool sector; they offer a wide variety of anvils, designed for both professional and home use. You can explore their comprehensive anvil selection on their website.

Grizzly Industrial

Grizzly Industrial offers a range of anvils, including a popular 55 lb model, known for its 5 1/2-inch horn and 4-inch x 8 3/4-inch face, with some made from 100% drop-forged steel, while others are constructed from cast iron; although some customers have noted denting issues on cast iron models, many find them suitable for beginners, and they often include a 7/8" or 1" hardy hole for tool attachments and come with a one year warranty against factory defects, making them a solid option for metalworking projects, with the drop forged models having a hardness rating of 56-59. For more details, you can visit their product website.

TFS Anvils

TFS Anvils has been a prominent anvil manufacturer for several decades, producing high-quality, heat-treated ductile iron anvils, which are favored by professional farriers and blacksmiths, with over 1,000 units sold annually and a significant market share in the farrier industry. Their anvils are known for a remarkable 80-85% rebound rate and a hardness of 50-52 on the Rockwell scale, ensuring durability and performance.