Nailsmith

Template:NPC

"Within his forge the Nailsmith is searching, on an endless quest to create a flawless nail.  

Past failures pile outside his door, exposed to the rains and left to rust. He spares no thought for imperfect things. Nor does he pause to take notice of the countless beings that take their pick of his refuse."

A beetle blacksmith who appears to have forged all of the Nails in Hallownest. He offers to upgrade The Knight's Nail for a price.

Found in the City of Tears at the far left of the map from the bottom. The Nailsmith is indicated by a Nail-shaped sign pointing to his house near the elevator at the west end of the City.

He'll provide the first Nail refinement for a small amount of Geo, after which he will require both Pale Ore and Geo to upgrade further. _{See Nail for more information.}

After forging the Pure Nail, the Nailsmith will step outside and asks the Knight to strike him. Obliging him sends him plummeting down into the waters below. This will award the 'Purity' achievement.

If the player leaves without attacking, he can be found later with Nailmaster Sheo, unlocking the 'Happy Couple' achievement after talking to him.

 Dialogue

First encounter	Have you brought me another nail to be honed? Leave it on the ground and return later, if you're still breathing. Hmm? Oh. I thought you were someone else. After a Nailsmith are you? Well you've found one. I'm not much for talk, but if its a nail that needs repair then you've come to the right bug. Your own nail is in quite a sorry state. It's obviously not one of mine. Still, anything can be refined with enough effort and skill, even that broken blade.
Pale Ore in inventory	I see you have some Pale Ore. A rare, fine metal, that. Give me the ore and some Geo for my efforts, and I'll reforge your nail to make it stronger.
Offering service	If you'd like, I can reforge your nail. It'll make the blade far more deadly.
Declining service	You're not interested, then? Suit yourself.
Not enough Geo	Ah, you don't have the Geo? Come and see me when you do.
Talking again	Hmm? You're still here. Is there something else you want?
Greeting	Hmm? Oh, you've returned.
Accepting service	As you wish. I'll get to work then.
Sharpened Nail complete	There we go. The reforging is complete. I've honed your nail's edge. You'll find it much stronger than it used to be. Head out there and test its strength against your foes. If you bring me a piece of Pale Ore, I can forge it into your nail and make it stronger still.
Channelled Nail complete	There we go. The reforging is complete. I've added a channel to your nail. It should cut much more efficiently. You'll find it stronger than it used to be. Head out there and test its blade against your foes. If you bring me two pieces of Pale Ore, I can forge it into your nail and make it stronger still.
Coiled Nail complete	Here we are. The reforging is complete. I've modified the nail to spiral form. A very tricky task it was. You'll find it stronger than ever before. Off you go now. Cut your way forward. If you bring me three pieces of Pale Ore, I can forge it into your nail and make it stronger still.
Pure Nail complete	It's done. The reforging is done. Your nail is much stronger than it used to be. As strong as it could ever be. In only your weapon have I seen such potential. Finally, I behold the majesty of a Pure Nail. To think this moment has come upon me so soon... ...I... I must step outside a moment...
Dream Nail	...To forge the perfect Nail...
Talking outside	With a Pure Nail forged, my work in this lifetime comes to an end. My only remaining desire is to see and feel the nail strike true! I beg you, cut me down. As my final moment in life, I want to taste the blade's exquisite edge. After all this time, all this toil... haven't I earned it? Do not hesitate. I beg you. Cut me down! I want to taste that blade's exquisite edge.
Dream Nail (outside)	My life's work achieved... What more is left...?
Meeting at Sheo's	Hmm? Oh, hello traveller. How strange that we should meet again in a world as vast as this. I must thank you for not killing me when I asked you to. I was irritated at first, but I had some time to think up there and I soon saw the wisdom in your decision. The world is made of more than metal and weapons. I set out exploring, and soon found my way here. Sheo is a master of many arts, and has promised to teach me what he can. I think I'll be quite happy here.
Being painted	I'm afraid I can't speak at length. If I move too much, Sheo's masterwork will be ruined and I'd hate to see him upset. Though he may seem imposing, in truth he's a delicate sort. In all the dark of Hallownest, who'd have thought I'd meet such an inspiring soul.
Modelling	We're building a full suite of the Kingdom's Knights. In their time, I barely ever paid them attention, but Sheo keenly remembers each. It's so refreshing. Nothing like the crude practice of Nailwork. I just love all the intricate details. This is fabulous. I'd never have believed my claws capable of such deft construction.
Dream Nail (at Sheo's)	....An age spent toiling alone... this is much nicer...

 Trivia

• The Nailsmith's quest to forge the perfect nail was a Kickstarter stretch goals at $44,000 was the addition of four new quests to the game:

A Nailsmith's Obsession When his job is done; when the perfect blade is forged; what meaning remains for the Nailsmith? Is there something more the Hollow Knight can provide?

• The Nailmaster was revealed in a Kickstarter update in which he was implied to be in Crystal Peak or Forgotten Crossroads, in the Nailmaster's Forge:

  "Follow a twisting path from the outskirts of the drowning city. Cross a broken bridge and you'll hear it close, the ring of metal and the roar of flame. A craftsman obsessed.

  Within his forge the Nailsmith is searching, on an endless quest to create a flawless nail.

  Past failures pile outside his door, exposed to the rains and left to rust. He spares no thought for imperfect things. Nor does he pause to take notice of the countless beings that take their pick of his refuse.

  But his neglect has impact. His discarded nails have spread wide through Hallownest, clutched tight in the hands of creatures possessed.

  Only in the Hollow Knight's broken nail does he at last see true potential. Distant and difficult to achieve, but it is in there, waiting - a blade to be honed beyond all others, to be forged into a form so brilliant it transcends its metal and becomes myth."

• It's possible to kill the Nailsmith with any attack when he asks, including Spells. Whether this is intentional or not is unknown.