I'm not a Blacksmith. I'm a DIY guy. It is Cast Steel, not Iron - a big plus This is the size I wanted, and the HRC hardness should be OK for most DIY tasks. For what my expected uses It's perfect. For use as a forging anvil / Blacksmithing anvil It won't last long. For my use, It'll last me the rest of my life, as long as I recognize it's limitations Quite happy with the purchase, and it was well protected from punching through the caedboard with wood inside the cardboard