How to Make an Anvil in Minecraft (You Won’t Guess the Tools You NEED!)

Ever wondered why creating an anvil feels like magic in Minecraft? This iconic tool isn’t just about smashing and shaping—it’s the ultimate collapse-and-constructor piece that combines durability, crafting precision, and hidden utility. In this ultimate guide, we’ll dive into exactly how to make an anvil in Minecraft, reveal the surprising tools you actually need (and the ones you wish you didn’t), and share tips to master one of your most versatile crafting mechanics.


Understanding the Context

What Is an Anvil and Why Is It So Special?

An anvil is more than a decorative piece—it’s your primary tool for repairing armor and enchanting swords, picks, and other items. But beyond its role in fending off demons and crafting epic gear, an anvil:

  • Represents one of the pointiest blocks in Minecraft (perfect for smashing).
  • Requires precise crafting with two iron ingots and one informational block (or just iron blocks—more on that later).
  • Lets you permanently fix broken tools instead of making useless blocks.
  • Surprisingly, crafting an anvil combines basic resource gathering with strategic planning—especially when you discover hidden tools and usages you NEED but forgot!

Key Insights

Step-by-Step: How to Make an Anvil in Minecraft

Ingredients You’ll Need:

  • 3 Iron Ingots (4-5 in total, usually from two stone or iron blocks + smelting)
  • 1 Anvil Design Block (yes—only one iron block is required, but tool guidance below makes it easier)

Crafting Ritual:

  1. Open your crafting grid (3x3).
  2. Place the iron ingots in the following pattern:
    Left column: Iron Ingot
    Middle column: Iron Ingot
    Right column: Iron Ingot
    (You can stack ingots in any orientation.)
  3. Instead of placing a standard iron block, duplicate your iron block (via split-block hack or farm) to use as the base material—this unlocks smoother anvil assembly and better durability.
  4. Center the iron block(s) in the middle of the 3x3 crafting grid.

Voilà! You’ve crafted your anvil—now to use it properly.


Final Thoughts

Don’t Just Craft—Unlock the Real Power: Hidden Tools You NEED

Here’s where Minecraft surprises you: crafting an anvil isn’t just about stacking blocks. The real trick is maximizing its utility with gear you probably never thought about—until now.

1. The Forgotten Enchantment Hydration

An anvil amplifies the effect of enchantments on iron tools—especially when enchanting swords, pickaxes, or shovels. Using an anvil + enchanted book + swipe (a “sweb”) creates multiplying enchantments, making your gear super-efficient beyond basic scraping.

2. The Lost Art of Tool Repurposing

Once you break a tool in an anvil, it doesn’t just create metal shavings—it preserves enchantments and materials in a usable format (called a “tile”), which can be smelted into ingots for repair. This invisible mechanic is like a second life for your gear—something no beginner realizes until you experiment.

3. The Hidden Crafting Synergy – Beyond Basic Iron

Anvils can be fused with redstone components in creative modding setups (and even in experimental nature crafting) to set up tool maintenance stations, alarms, or dynamic crafting pointers. Think of it as the anvil’s secret utility layer beyond combat and repair.


Pro Tips for Mastering Your Anvil

  • EMENTION FARM IMPROVEMENTS: Use an enchanting table with iron ingots to forge better anvil-compatible tools (like signet blocks) for tracking custom anvil projects.
  • ANVIL VS. BLOCK COMBOS: While you craft standard anvils, consider breaking tools into anvil repair shards—great for enchantment without full smelting.
  • DISCOVER MORE TOOL USES: From enchanting enhancers to decorative plating, the anvil doubles as a creative hub, not just a relic station.

Final Thoughts: Why Every Minecrafter Must Own an Anvil