A basic metalworking tool consisting of a heavy metal block (typically steel or iron) with a hard surface on which piece of metal is shaped, or hammered. Anvils are used by metalsmiths (such as blacksmiths) in smithing.
The most well known shape for an anvil is the "London Pattern," which has the key features of: a horn, a step, a face, a hardy hole, and a pritchel hole.
