A Guide to Knife Making Anvils

When it comes to making sure you have all the tools you need in your knife making workshop, don’t forget about an anvil! Anvils are a great piece of equipment for helping you perfect your knife making skills and are widely used across many metalwork practices. In this guide, we unpick who needs an anvil, what practices require an anvil and what size knife making anvil we recommend.

What is an Anvil?

Ananvil is a large, heavy block of metal, typically with a hardened steel face, used as a sturdy base upon which an object, in this case a piece of steel, can be forged or shaped to create a knife blade. An anvil is an essential piece of equipment in any knife making workshop as it is specifically designed to absorb the force of hammer blows, allowing the metal being worked to be shaped efficiently. 

Do I Need an Anvil for Knife Making? 

Deciding whether you need an anvil or not depends on the method you are using during knife making. Typically, there are two common methods;

Forging method: If you plan to make a knife by forging, where you heat the steel and hammer it to shape, then an anvil is essential. It provides the heavy, rebound surface necessary to efficiently shape the hot metal.

Stock removal method: If you plan to use the stock removal method, which involves cutting and grinding a pre-made bar of steel to the final knife shape, an anvil is not always necessary. This method relies more on tools like belt grinders, files, and saws. However, a solid, flat piece of steel or a heavy block can still be useful as a striking surface for minor adjustments, so this comes down to preference. 

What Size Anvil is Needed for Knife Making?

For hobbyists or light-duty work, a smaller anvil between 75 and 100 pounds is often adequate. In some instances, you can get away with a lighter anvil - 30 - 60 pounds - as long as it is secured in place to stop any movement. The most important factor when choosing an anvil is that the anvil has enough mass to absorb the energy of your hammer blows without shifting excessively.

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