Jewelry makers rely upon the mini-horn anvil to provide a surface for working with metal, as well as a means to bend, forge, and form metal into various shapes. Each mini-horn anvil is made from durable forged steel or case-hardened metal that will withstand repeated use, (hammer strikes) and maintain a sharp, precise finish. The design of each mini horn anvil is intended to be small in size so that it may be placed on a bench top. Therefore jewelry makers have the ability to make fine adjustments while performing tasks such as resizing rings and straightening wire, and fabricating small items. The mini-horn anvil has two sides. One side is a curved (tapered) and circular section that functions as a mandrel. A mandrel is used to create perfectly rounded edges or circles, including bands. A curved edge will help prevent unwanted marks and flat spots. Mandrels are especially useful when working with valuable metals such as gold and silver; because they allow the artist to produce perfectly smooth, continuous surfaces. The second side of the mini-horn anvil is a flat working surface. It is possible to use this area to flatten, smooth out, and/or harden sheet metal and wire to give it greater tensile strength. In addition to the two working surfaces, many mini-horn anvils include a pre-drilled hole that can be used as a reference point to punch, stake, and detail-rivet components together. These features allow artists to consolidate their need for a variety of tools into a single product that is very portable and requires little storage space.
Unlike larger, stationary anvils that have large bases or are mounted to the floor of a studio, the mini-horn anvil does not have a large base. As a result, the mini-horn anvil is preferred by many artists due to its versatility and portability. Artists prefer the mini-horn anvil because it can be positioned wherever needed on the worktop or attached to a vice at any location on the worktop. Additionally, some artists prefer to attach the anvil to the top of their workbench via the pre-drilled holes provided. As long as the anvil has been properly secured, it can be positioned at almost any angle required. For example, an artist might need to position the anvil upside-down in order to sink a portion of a piece of metal into a dome shape or at an angle in order to create different textures on a metal component. All working surfaces on the mini-horn anvil are ground to a polish. The polish provides a smooth surface area for striking a hammer. This smooth surface allows the metal being formed to flow over the curvature of the horn instead of "sticking" or being crushed by the hammer blow as would occur if there were a rougher, cast iron surface.
In terms of functionality, the mini-horn anvil blends both strength and refinement. Although the foot print of the mini-horn anvil is relatively small compared to its performance capabilities, the mini-horn anvil has become an essential tool for all types of artists whether they be hobbyists or professionals who require a reliable surface for light forging and repairing. The anvil absorbs much of the energy generated by the hammer stroke thereby reducing the amount of distortion created by the metal springing back after being struck. The ability to minimize distortion results in less time spent on reworking or trying again. Regardless of whether you are working with intricate designs or simply need to straighten a bent band; this strong metal tool will provide the consistent resistance and precision geometry needed to improve both the overall quality and structure of your handmade jewelry.
In addition to its functional capabilities, a good quality mini-horn anvil will last for many years resulting in a life-time investment in your studio. While softer woods or plastics used in forming blocks tend to yield under pressure causing measurement inaccuracies from one strike to another; a high-quality mini-anvil is capable of providing consistent accuracy throughout countless uses. This level of reliability is exactly what professional jewelers expect in their equipment, where each millimeter can affect how well a piece fits or functions. By adding this tool to your work space you are gaining access to metal manipulation with the knowledge that your tool can handle the stress of your daily productions.
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