Roman military blacksmith

[M. Demetrius]

For rounds, the "beak" or "bick" was often just a right angled bent round rod with a tapering "horn" for working things like spear sockets, etc. The horned anvil is considerably later than the Roman era. This beak had one end sharp, and was simply driven into the top of another stump.

An anvil like the ancients used would be reasonably difficult to make, because it's such a big block of metal. The beak is pretty easy, and you can even start with a piece of round rod an inch or more in diameter, draw out the ends into the taper you like, draw the other end into a point, then bend near the middle. Be sure to leave at least three or four inches under the horizontal so you have room to work. It can be used then for all sorts of rings, sockets, or other shapes.

I'm making a square/pyramid one to use for reforming square steel tube into pilum collets. I have a piece of square stock that's a little small, but it can be upset to be the right size.