The anvil is an essential item for every farrier or metal worker as it acts as a base for the forging and shaping of metal, both cold and hot.

An anvil is made of wrought iron and/or steel and has a typical form, with a flat surface (face) and a beck (or horn) which is a conical structure extending to one side. The side of the face opposite the beck is called the heel, this may be squared or tapered depending on the type of anvil. On the face, there are two holes (the hardy and the pritchel hole).

The anvil rests on an anvil base.