The Nailsmith is one of the most vital NPCs in the sprawling, melancholic world of Hallownest. Tucked away in a rain-drenched corner of the City of Tears, he provides the only means of increasing the raw damage output of the Knight’s primary weapon: the Nail. For players navigating the treacherous depths of Deepnest or facing the high-speed duels in the Colosseum of Fools, understanding the Nailsmith’s mechanics, the scarcity of Pale Ore, and the heavy moral weight of his final request is essential for both survival and completionism.

Finding the Nailsmith in the City of Tears

Locating the Nailsmith is a milestone for every new traveler in Hallownest. He resides in a secluded hut on the westernmost edge of the City of Tears. To reach him, one must first gain access to the city, typically via the City Crest obtained from the False Knight in the Forgotten Crossroads.

Once inside the city, players must descend through the elevator shafts and navigate past the Great Husk Sentries. The path to the Nailsmith involves heading to the far left of the lower city levels. His workshop is situated above a platform overlooking the dark, liquid-filled abyss that borders the city. The rhythmic sound of his hammer striking cold metal serves as an audio cue, guiding the player through the constant patter of the city’s eternal rain.

Upon entering his hut, you will find him consumed by his craft, surrounded by discarded blades and the glowing embers of his forge. Initially, he is dismissive, assuming you are just another bug seeking a simple repair, but he quickly recognizes the potential in your worn, "Old Nail."

The Path to Perfection: Nail Upgrades and Costs

The progression of your weapon is divided into five distinct stages. Each upgrade significantly increases the base damage of your strikes, which is calculated as a flat value per hit. This damage scaling is crucial because many enemies in the late-game have health pools specifically designed to be "damage sponges" if you are wielding an under-leveled weapon.

The Five Stages of the Nail

  1. Old Nail: The starting weapon. It is blunt, weathered, and deals a base damage of 5. While sufficient for the Crossroads, it quickly becomes inadequate in the Fungal Wastes.
  2. Sharpened Nail: The first refinement. It increases damage to 9. The cost is a mere 250 Geo, with no additional materials required. This is an essential early-game boost that allows you to dispatch basic husks in fewer hits.
  3. Channelled Nail: The third stage, increasing damage to 13. This requires 800 Geo and 1 Pale Ore. At this level, the Knight begins to feel formidable, as many mid-tier enemies can now be cleared with two or three slashes.
  4. Coiled Nail: The fourth stage, pushing damage to 17. The cost rises to 2000 Geo and 2 Pale Ore. This is often the stage players reach before tackling the major late-game bosses like Hornet (Second Encounter) or the Watcher Knights.
  5. Pure Nail: The ultimate weapon, refined to its absolute peak. It deals 21 damage. Achieving this requires 4000 Geo and 3 Pale Ore. The Pure Nail is a masterpiece, glowing with a white light that reflects the Nailsmith’s lifelong ambition.

Summary Table of Costs and Damage

Nail Name Damage Geo Cost Pale Ore Required Total Pale Ore Used
Old Nail 5 - - 0
Sharpened Nail 9 250 0 0
Channelled Nail 13 800 1 1
Coiled Nail 17 2000 2 3
Pure Nail 21 4000 3 6

Where to Find Pale Ore: The Scarcest Resource

To reach the level of a Pure Nail, the Knight must scour Hallownest for six pieces of Pale Ore. These are not sold by merchants (with one minor exception involving a quest reward) and are hidden in some of the most dangerous or secret locations in the kingdom.

1. The Ancient Basin

Deep within the Ancient Basin, guarded by Lesser Mawleks, lies a piece of Pale Ore. It is located to the west of the tram station. Players must navigate a series of spikes and hazardous terrain to claim it.

2. Crystal Peak

At the very top of the world, in the Crown of Hallownest, a piece of Pale Ore is embedded in the statue of the Radiance. Reaching this requires the Monarch Wings (double jump) or very skillful "pogoing" off environmental objects. The view from this height is breathtaking, offering a rare moment of peace before the climb back down.

3. Deepnest (The Nosk Boss)

This is perhaps the most unsettling piece to acquire. Players must follow a mimic of themselves into a hidden lair behind a breakable wall in the western part of Deepnest. Defeating the terrifying, shapeshifting boss Nosk rewards the player with a Pale Ore.

4. The Colosseum of Fools

In the Kingdom's Edge, the Knight can participate in the "Trial of the Conqueror" (the second trial). Surviving the waves of gladiators and hazards in this arena will grant one Pale Ore as a victory prize, along with a significant amount of Geo.

5. The Grubfather's Reward

Rescuing the captured Grubs scattered throughout Hallownest is a core side quest. Once you have returned 31 Grubs to their home in the Forgotten Crossroads, the Grubfather will toss down a piece of Pale Ore as a token of his immense gratitude.

6. The Seer's Gift

The Seer, the last of the Moth Tribe, resides in the Resting Grounds. She rewards the Knight for gathering Essence with the Dream Nail. Upon reaching 300 Essence, she will provide a piece of Pale Ore. Essence can be gathered from Whispering Roots or by defeating Dream Warriors.

The Climax of the Nailsmith's Quest

Once you provide the final three Pale Ores and the 4000 Geo, the Nailsmith works with a fervor never seen before. The result is the Pure Nail. He is momentarily stunned by the beauty of his own creation. He has achieved his life's purpose: to forge a weapon without flaw.

However, this achievement brings him to a dark realization. In the utilitarian society of Hallownest, a smith who has created the "perfect" object has no further reason to exist. He steps out of his workshop and onto the precipice overlooking the city's waters. He turns to the Knight and makes a heartbreaking request: he wishes to feel the "exquisite edge" of his masterpiece by being struck down by it.

This presents the player with the most significant moral choice in the game.

Option 1: Granting the Request (The "Purity" Achievement)

If the player chooses to strike the Nailsmith with the newly forged Pure Nail, the Knight performs a single, lethal slash. The Nailsmith falls into the dark waters below, finally at peace, having experienced the perfection he spent his life chasing.

  • Reward: The "Purity" Achievement.
  • Consequence: The Nailsmith is gone forever. Much later in the game, if you visit the Junk Pit (the entrance to the Godhome DLC content), you can find his lifeless body washed up among the trash. It is a somber end to a character who defined himself solely by his labor.

Option 2: Sparing the Nailsmith (The "Happy Couple" Achievement)

If the player simply walks away and leaves the Nailsmith standing on the ledge, a different path unfolds. The game does not explicitly tell you what happens next, but the Nailsmith does not jump. He eventually realizes that the world offers more than just the striking of iron.

  • Requirement: To see this quest to its true conclusion, the Knight must have already learned the Great Slash Nail Art from Nailmaster Sheo in Greenpath.
  • The Relocation: After being spared and the player leaving the area, the Nailsmith disappears from the City of Tears. He travels across the kingdom and eventually finds his way to Sheo’s hut in Greenpath.
  • A New Life: When you visit Sheo’s workshop, you will find the two of them together. The Nailsmith has abandoned his hammer for a paintbrush and a carving tool. He and Sheo are now partners, spending their days creating wooden figurines and painting.
  • Reward: The "Happy Couple" Achievement.
  • Dialogue: The Nailsmith will thank you for your wisdom, admitting that he was "irritated at first" but now sees that "the world is made of more than metal and weapons."

The Philosophical Significance of the Nailsmith

The Nailsmith’s arc is a poignant commentary on purpose and identity. Throughout the game, Hallownest is depicted as a kingdom that collapsed because its inhabitants were bound to singular, rigid roles—the King, the Knights, the Dreamers. The Nailsmith begins the game trapped in this same cycle. He believes his worth is tied entirely to the quality of the nails he produces.

By choosing to spare him, the player breaks this cycle of obsolescence. It is one of the few truly "happy" endings for any character in the game. It suggests that even in a dying world, individuals can reinvent themselves and find joy in companionship and art rather than destruction and duty. The relationship between the Nailsmith and Sheo—two masters of their respective crafts who found peace in each other—is a fan-favorite aspect of the lore that adds a layer of warmth to the otherwise cold atmosphere of Greenpath.

Combat Impact: Why the Pure Nail Matters

While the story is compelling, the mechanical benefits of the Pure Nail cannot be overstated. In Hollow Knight, enemy health does not scale with your level; it is fixed. This means that every upgrade significantly reduces the "Time to Kill" (TTK).

  • Standard Enemies: With the Pure Nail, most common enemies in the Crossroads or Greenpath become one-hit kills. This makes traversing the map significantly faster and safer.
  • Boss Battles: High-tier bosses like The Radiance, Nightmare King Grimm, and the bosses within the Pantheons have thousands of hit points. The difference between 5 damage and 21 damage is the difference between a 10-minute struggle and a 2-minute victory.
  • Charms Synergy: The Pure Nail’s effectiveness is further amplified by charms like Unbreakable Strength (increasing damage to approximately 32 per hit) and Quick Slash (allowing for faster attacks). When combined, the Knight becomes a whirlwind of destruction, capable of melting boss health bars in seconds.
  • Nail Arts: The damage of Nail Arts (Great Slash, Dash Slash, Cyclone Slash) is a multiplier of your current Nail damage. A Great Slash with a Pure Nail is one of the single most powerful moves in the game, often used to bypass difficult phases of boss fights.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about the Nailsmith

Where is the Nailsmith located?

He is in the far west of the City of Tears. From the main entrance of the city, stay low and move as far left as possible until you find a standalone hut near the edge of a large chasm.

Can I upgrade the Nail without Pale Ore?

Only the first upgrade (Sharpened Nail) can be done without Pale Ore. Every subsequent upgrade requires at least one piece of this rare metal, totaling six for the final Pure Nail.

Is it better to kill or spare the Nailsmith?

Mechanically, there is no difference; your weapon remains the Pure Nail regardless. However, sparing him is widely considered the "better" ending because it unlocks the "Happy Couple" achievement and allows you to see the Nailsmith find happiness in Greenpath. Killing him only provides the "Purity" achievement and a grim discovery in the Junk Pit.

Can I get both achievements in one playthrough?

No. The game autosaves once the choice is made. To get both achievements, you must play through the game twice or use a save-file backup strategy on PC.

Why won't the Nailsmith move to Greenpath?

For the Nailsmith to appear at Sheo’s hut, two conditions must be met: you must have spared him in the City of Tears, and you must have already visited Sheo and learned the Great Slash Nail Art. If he isn't there, try resting at a bench or using a Stag Station to reset the NPC locations.

Does the Pure Nail change how the Dream Nail works?

No. The Dream Nail is a separate magical tool and is not upgraded by the Nailsmith. Its progression is handled by the Seer in the Resting Grounds through the collection of Essence.

Summary of the Nailsmith's Journey

The journey to forge the Pure Nail is more than just a quest for power; it is a tour of Hallownest’s most iconic and dangerous locales. From the heights of Crystal Peak to the depths of Deepnest, the hunt for Pale Ore pushes the Knight to explore every corner of the world. The Nailsmith himself stands as a symbol of the game's deeper themes—the search for perfection, the burden of labor, and the possibility of redemption. Whether you choose to grant his final wish or show him a new way of living, the encounter with the Nailsmith remains one of the most memorable sequences in Hollow Knight. Maximize your damage, choose your path wisely, and let your Pure Nail light the way through the darkness of the Void.