Anvils

An anvil is a solid metalworking surface used as a firm base for forging hot metal. It absorbs hammer blows and supports shaping operations such as flattening, thinning, and forming curves.

Most anvils have a flat top surface called the face. The front end is the horn, used for bending and drawing out curves. Adjacent to the face are holes for tools: a hardy hole for hardy tools and a smaller pritchel hole for punches and drift tools. The face is typically hardened steel, while the body may be cast iron or steel and is designed to absorb impact and resist deformation. Anvils are often mounted on a sturdy base or stump to remain stable during use.

Common types include blacksmith’s anvils, which are large and heavy and designed for general smithing; farrier’s anvils, used for horseshoeing and tending to shoeing work; machinist’s anvils, which emphasize a very flat and precise surface for metalworking and layout tasks. There are also specialized forms such as jeweler’s anvils for delicate work, stake anvils for portable use, and railroad or truck anvils for heavy duty jobs. Weights vary widely, from small jewelry anvils weighing only a few pounds to large shop anvils weighing hundreds of pounds.

History and development: anvils have ancient origins, with early versions made from stone, wood, or wrought iron. The move to steel-faced anvils occurred in the medieval period and evolved through modern manufacturing. The basic design—flat face, horn, and tooling holes—remains standard, though materials and production methods have improved for durability and consistency.