That old timer at the Ozark fair told me my anvil was set too low

I'd been forging for about 8 years with my anvil at 28 inches because that's what some book said, but this guy with busted knuckles watched me for 2 minutes and said you're killing your back and your hammer strikes by not matching it to your own knuckle height. I shifted it up 4 inches and felt the difference in my shoulder instantly. Has anyone else had a basic setup habit they stuck with for years before someone called them out on it?

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1 Comment

west.claire5d ago

Different horses for different courses. I've been at this for 15 years and my anvil sits at 28 inches. My old mentor taught me to set it where your thumb lines up with your hip bone when your arm hangs loose. If I go any higher I lose all my hammer purchase on heavy stock.