This is an awesome anvil....with a very long face and horn...perfect for blacksmithing. The heat treating is superb, providing excellent hammer return. The position of the pritchel hole and hardy leaves more room at the heel! It and the even larger Competitor are the biggest JHM anvils, designed to serve both blacksmiths and farriers. Both anvils have round horns - the Shaper has a longer, narrower horn, the 260-lb. Competitor has a shorter, fuller horn. Those who compete prefer the bigger Competitor because the face is wider, 5-inches, which works better for bigger, harder shoes.
JHM Anvils are made in the U.S.A. Since 1983, JHM anvils have been cast from the highest quality metals in Peaster, Texas foundry and are carefully machined by hand.
When JHM started making anvils, American-made anvils had a flat, round horn. The sides were rounded and the top was flat. But it's pretty hard to make a round shoe on a flat surface.
Hind shoes are usually made on the heel of the anvil, front shoes are usually made on the horn.
Today, each of the six JHM models is specifically designed to help professional farriers and blacksmiths face the various challenges of shoeing large as well as small hoof horses, whether in competition, at a customer's location or in the shop.
Key features include the four-inch face, three-inch dovetail, turning cams, drop side and square clip horn. Even with so many unique features, JHM anvils are not more expensive than other brands.
