What is an anvil? The anvil is a heavy metal block with a hard surface on which work is done. It has several different parts, each with its unique function. In this blog post, we will discuss the different parts of the anvil and what they are used for. We’ll also go over how to use the hammer on various parts of the anvil to shape hot iron. Let’s get started!
What are the parts of the anvil?
An anvil has three main parts: the face, the horn, and the heel.
Horn
The horn of the anvil is conical in shape and is an extension of the anvil’s face.
The horn of an anvil is used to shape iron by using a hammer to form long stretches of metal into curves.
Step
The step of the anvil is between the horn and the face. Steps are common on most anvils and they’re used to hold iron or steel in place while hammering it into shape
Face
The face of the anvil is flat and is where you strike the metal to shape it.
Heel
The heel of an anvil is an extension of the anvil’s face. It has a hardy and pritchel hole typically.
Shoulder
The shoulder of an anvil is the edge that connects the face to the horn.
Hardy Hole
The hardy hole is square in the anvil that’s used to hold hardy tools.
Pritchel Hole
The pritchel hole is round in the anvil that’s used to hold pritchel tools.
Feet
The feet of an anvil is typically made of cast iron and they’re used to provide stability to the anvil.
Upsetting Blocks / Bending Forks
Some anvils have other parts, such as a bending fork or an upsetting block. The bending fork is used for making sharp bends in the metal, while the upsetting block is used for increasing the thickness of the metal.
Now that you know a little about anvils parts, let’s take a look at how to use them.
What each part of the anvil is used for
An anvil can be used for drawing out; bending; upsetting; cutting; punching; forging eyelets and more.
The horn on the anvil is most commonly used as a forming surface when hammering round objects. The heel is the back part of an anvil and it is usually used for striking hardy tools and for sharp bends.
The step along an anvil is usually used as a place to hammer on when you don’t want to damage the anvil’s face. It is also handy for holding pieces in place.
The face is the main working surface of an anvil and it’s where most of the work is done. It should be a flat, hard surface that has been hardened and tempered to withstand blows from the hammer. Most of your work should take place on the face of the anvil above the mass (center).
The heel is used less often, it’s still an important part of the anvil. The heel is great for striking hardy tools and doing some cutting work. It’s also used as a support when forging an eyelet.
An anvil is an essential tool for blacksmiths, who use it to shape hot metal. It has three main parts: the face, horn, and heel. The anvil can be used in a variety of ways including drawing out; bending; upsetting; cutting; punching or forging eyelets. To hammer on an anvil you must strike it with a hammer at its center above the mass (center). There are many different types of hammers that work well on an anvil-like ball-peen hammer, which is designed for shaping curved surfaces without indenting them too much. An invaluable part of any blacksmith’s tool kit includes one or two pairs of tongs- these allow you to grip objects securely while still allowing some movement