Saturday, October 3, 2015

Convertible field anvil




© Slovenský ľudový umelecký kolektív

A short anvil can be converted to a field anvil by mounting it into an easily-carried wooden base having a point that's driven into the ground. This type of field anvil was traditionally used in Slovakia, as shown in the above photograph (with a wide anvil) and the drawing below (with a narrow anvil).

© Slovenský ľudový umelecký kolektív

A metal band reinforces the top to keep the wood from splitting. When it's time to use the field anvil, it can be driven into the ground using the peening hammer without causing any damage to the hammer or anvil, as long as it's done while a piece of hardwood is held in place as a cushion between the hammer and anvil. (The hardwood "cushion" can be small enough to easily fit into a pocket.)

Alexander Vido made a modern version of this Slovakian field anvil, using hardwood with a short length of copper pipe to reinforce the top portion. Before the bottom portion was shaped into a point, it was drilled to install a lag screw, and then the head of the lag screw was cut and filed (or ground) to a point. The wooden point was then shaped to fit into a large washer that acts as a base in contact with the ground.









Sources:

Centrum pre tradičnú ľudovú kultúru, SĽUK -- Slovenský ľudový umelecký kolektív (The Centre for traditional folk culture, SĽUK -- Slovak Folk Art Ensemble), http://www.ludovakultura.sk/index.php?id=140

Photo P. Slavkovský, 1972. Archives of the Institute of Ethnology negatives.

Archive drawings SNM Martin.

Two photos by Alexander Vido.