Anvil

metalworking · blacksmith · tools · history

Heavy metal block. An anvil is a large, solid piece of metal with a flat top surface that sits still while a blacksmith hammers on it. The weight and hardness of the anvil help shape whatever metal is being worked on top.

Blacksmith's best friend. Blacksmiths use anvils to transform hot, glowing metal into horseshoes, nails, knives, and all kinds of tools. They heat the metal until it's soft and red-hot, then repeatedly strike it against the anvil to bend and shape it.

Thousands of years old. Anvils have been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient times when humans first learned to work with metal. Early anvils were made from stone, then bronze, and finally iron and steel.

Flat, sturdy surface. The top of an anvil is perfectly flat and extremely hard so it doesn't get damaged by constant hammering. This flat surface is what makes it such an important tool for precise metalworking.

More than just metal. While most anvils are made of iron or steel, some have special shapes with horns and holes for different metalworking jobs. These features help blacksmiths create all sorts of different shapes and designs.