horn

In carpentry and metalworking, a horn is the tapered, curved projection that extends from one end of an anvil. It serves as a working surface for shaping metal around its contours, allowing a smith or metalworker to bend, curve, and form stock by striking it against the horn while supporting it with hand tools. The horn's rounded shape makes it ideal for creating semicircular bends, collars, rings, and other curved details that cannot be easily formed on the flat face of the anvil.

The horn tapers to a blunt point and may be either conical or slightly flattened, depending on the anvil's design and intended use. Carpenter's anvils and bench anvils sometimes feature a smaller horn than those used in blacksmithing. The size and curvature of the horn directly affect what work can be performed: larger, more pronounced horns allow for bigger stock and wider curves, while smaller horns suit delicate or fine work. Some specialized anvils have replaceable or interchangeable horn inserts to adapt the tool to different tasks.

The horn receives significant impact and abrasion during use and is prone to developing chips, cracks, and flattening of its surface over time. Deep pitting or spalling reduces its effectiveness for curved work because the worker loses contact with a smooth, predictable surface. A damaged horn can be dressed by an experienced toolsmith, though the process requires careful heating and hammer work to avoid compromising the anvil's hardened surface.

The term 'horn' appears in older carpentry and metalworking texts and reflects the shape's resemblance to an animal horn. It remains standard terminology in both trades, though some workers may casually call it the 'point' or 'beak' of the anvil. The horn is distinct from the 'hardy hole' (a square opening in the anvil's face for inserting specialized tools) and the 'pritchel hole' (a round opening used for supporting certain workpieces).