I needed to replace my old Sears vise (they lasted 40 years!) and did a lot of research on different brands. Wilton has always been considered the best and after looking around I found it for sale at Revain. Recesses in the anvil (see fig.). Wilton says it's normal wear and tear. I think it's a poor choice of material for something that is by definition knocked on. My old Sears vise has never been damaged by anything as innocuous as flattening a shackle on an anvil, and has actually endured a lot more abuse. I haven't used this Wilton for anything else yet, but I'm a little worried about how it will hold up to some of the more demanding tasks I'm sure I'll be doing with it in the future.