Posted a while back about a 40# Fisher anvil I picked up at a garage sale for five bucks. A 30#er sold on the 'bay recently for around $225.00, shipped.
I got info back from the gentleman that runs the Fisher Anvil Museum that this size of anvil and vintage ( 1895 ) had a 1/4" hardened plate for the flat working surface, and to try to sand it as I saw fit. The surface was pretty uneven, and I happen to know a well ( tool ) equipped, retired machinist.
He lightly milled the feet flat so the anvil would sit flat in the surface grinder, and he proceeded to surface grind 0.015" off the top.
I took a wire brush and WD40 to the rest to retain the patina. The ground surface looks a lot out of place at this point; it will patinate over time. After all, rust never sleeps.
The sweet thing; I bought a couple straight razors at the Flea today ( my son uses them ), the scales were a bit loose on one so I took a small ball pein to the rivet on the anvil - perfect! The solid feedback was just what I expected / wanted.
All I can say: Lucky to find such a treasure, and happy it turned out well.
My advice, get an anvil, something no Neander should be without.