Well i been using a NC tools 70 lb anvil. and its ok but i just need something with a little bit more meat to it. i have narrowed it down to two different anvils either a future 1 or a future 3. Now they are both very similar but very different at the same time. Now my question is i know how to work a shoe on a round horn like the future 3 but how do you go about it on the future 1 horn. they said its designed for hind shoes. since its partially round and the other side is completly flat and slopes down. how would you go about shaping a front shoe and the future 1's horn. thanks. im sorry if the question is a little silly


Brad

Brad Beers wrote:brad i use the turning cams of my anvil and the half round sides of my horn i have never had a round horn to work with so i hope this was of some help bryan e

Brad Beers wrote:The bick, on the future -3 is not very round. If you put some heat on your shoes, you will appreciate a nice anvil, and learn to use the horn correctley.

shapeing hot shoes corectly on a round horn will make your life easyer (the life of your arms that is) and your shoes better shape and quality.

I've got a Future 1 and like it very much. It took me about a week to get use to the different horn, but after I found out how to work on it, life is much easier. I like you had an NC 70lb and found it wasn't enough.

You will find it is different strokes for different folks. That's the reason there are so many different anvils, horns and setups. If you can get the chance, try one out. That's what I did.

Brad,

I just got the Future 1 (Flat Horn) and previously used the Future 4 (Round Horn). It took some getting used to the flat horn of the Future 1, but I actually like it much better. I do like the larger face, and off-set horn of the Future 4, and the slightly heavier weight that it is, but for day to day use in my opinion, again, I like the Future 1.

I have been turning a lot of shoes out of Bar-Stock for practice, and have found that I can get the best of both worlds on the Future 1. It has enough roundness towards the tip of the horn to still shape the fronts easily and enough flat to flatten quarters and still turn a heel off the edge on hinds.

I don't use my turning cams on either for shaping shoes, but sometimes they come in handy for shaping something ornamental. I too used the NC 70# and don't think I could do nearly the things with it that I can do now.

Trevor

Brad,

Have you considered the 100# Scott anvil ? Nice big round horn and a wide face.

I'm curious why people feel the need for a flat horn to shape hind shoes. I straighten branches every day on the round horn with no trouble.

Derin

I currently have a 70 pound NC big face anvil in the truck and I really like it for cold shoeing but I would much rather have the 150 pound Emerson I used in school to shape shoes. I'm not a big fan of cold shoeing but when you have large dude herds to do or things of that sort it can be very handy. Anything other than large multiples of horses I like to hot shoe. I find that round horns work very very well for me, flat (farrier) horns took me a while to get used to, actually I don't think I'm quite used to it yet and will soon be looking for a round (blacksmith) anvil. Those are just the nicknames I've heard them called but I'm not sure. I've used a future 1 a few times and do like it. I'm looking into a future 4, not quite sure why but it looks really cool. lol Anyway this post is probably not helpful but I'm bored and wanted to put my 2 cents in. Stay safe tomorrow. God Bless.

Brad, sounds like your zeroing in on the hot shoeing.good choice.I believe you want an anvil with a ROUND horn.A Bowerman is a great truck anvil,a bit pricey but it only hurts for a little while.Making a bad choice hurts for a long time.Or if your looking for a shop anvil,a150lb or 200lb Emerson is what I'd get or if I couldn't afford the Bowerman,then a 100lb Emerson.Personally, my fun meter would not be up very high if I was using a flat horned anvil.Hope this helps:)

It helps very much thank you. Yea i am new at this and love posting. but im not sure if alot of people have the same problem when they first start but i some times have trouble shapping shoes. and im not looking for the easy way out if that was the case i would of found a desk job. but im looking for a anvil that is easy to use with shaping. and who sells bowermans and if someone has one could you post pictures so i can see what it looks like

Brad

Brad Yes,I believe it's High Country Horseshoes in Langley B.C.is where you get the Bowermen anvil.I got mine from The Horseshoe Barn in Sacramento,But this last catalog I got from them, I didn't see it in there.I think your doin it right with a round horn anvil.Also, I have seen some DVD's of Bob Marshall that would be a big help to you.He is very clear on how he is showing you things.Good luck.

If you're planning on hotshoeing much you should get an anvil w/ a round horn-the bigger the horn the better. Out of curiosity, I tried out an old flat horned anvil that I had laying in the barn from years ago and had an annoying time of shaping front shoes-this is just my opinion/experience though and to be fair, a few days worth of trial time probably wasn't enough to get used to it. I love hotshoeing/shaping but have also found turning cams to be too handy not to have for a final adjustment to a cold heel.
Bill Lawrence, how ya doin'--long time no see!! Its cool that you're here too!! I just found this website about a month ago and the pictures and corresponding advice from people infinitely more knowledgeable and experienced than myself has been extremely helpful--I find myself applying what I read and see on this site on more horses than not--wish I'd found it sooner!
Drew Stuart

You do not need a round horn to make or shape shoes. Around horn is just traditional ,that's all. In fact the flat top can be more beeficial for modifying keg shoes because you can widen a shoe or broaden a toe a LOT easier on the flat top (cold or hot) .
You only need to move your blows a LITTLE MORE toward the off side of the horn on the flat top type to use the curve the same way as you would use it on a round horn. A curve is a curve.
I have worked on somewhat flat topped horns all my life in my own practice, as well as on round topped because students show up with get all different kinds by the end of a class,and the college rig was equipped with both so I have to switch from one type to the other as I help them shape shoes.

calshoer wrote:
Agreed!!!! I still love ya!!!:cool:

Jeeze now i just need to decide what one to get. to bad farrier shops and car dealers where you can text use anvils!