Dont forget that "the best (can be) is the enemy of the good" ~ Voltaire.. meaning "the anvil you have is better than the perfect one you dont have" ~ Me. Find something to hit metal on.. a piece of railroad track, a big chunk of something that used to be something else.. anything, literally.. to lay a piece of hot metal on to hit it with a hammer and negotiate with it until it looks like something you need. Everything else is gravy.. better anvils will present when least expected so be ready to upgrade and pass your current one one to to a friend or newer smith. You dont learn by waiting but by using what you have, by solving problems and by forging. You can put a piece of axle, end up in the ground and forge 1/4" to 3/8" stock.. a piece of pipe across two blocks of wood or concrete blocks to bend over or around. Any hammer or even a piece of axle or pipe used as a hammer.. no tongs, try holding the.. wait for it.. the COLD end of the metal youre forging.. Ive done all these things.. learned the value of flaws in imperfect anvils to measure with and to form particular curves ad bends.. it isnt the the tool, but the will and the ingenuity and cleverness of the smith that is important. Dont under estimate yourself.. and.. start forging something.
