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Volpedia/Games/Hollow/Characters/Nailsmith
HOLLOW KNIGHT / CHARACTERS

Nailsmith

The craftsman in City of Tears upgrades the Nail using Geo and increasingly Pale Ore.

CHARACTERSReviewed 2026-10-28Reference · noindex
Original Hollow Knight editorial concept diagram, not a game screenshotOriginal Volpedia diagram
OverviewCharacters20Weapons9Charms39Abilities10Spells8Maps20Bosses30Enemies12Items16Quests9Godmaster11Modes5Progression10Builds6Endings5Guides19Tips10Tools2
Volpedia strategy: Return when combat becomes slow and prioritize upgrades before demanding bosses.
How it worksPractical strategyCommon mistake to avoidRelated entries
01

How it works

The craftsman in City of Tears upgrades the Nail using Geo and increasingly Pale Ore.

02

Practical strategy

Return when combat becomes slow and prioritize upgrades before demanding bosses.

03

Common mistake to avoid

Searching for a second main weapon instead of improving the Nail.

CONTINUE INSIDE VOLPEDIA

Related Hollow Knight articles

guidesNail Upgrade Pale Ore Guide

The Old Nail becomes Sharpened, Channelled, Coiled and finally Pure Nail through the Nailsmith.

mapsCity of Tears

A large central metropolis holding the Nailsmith, Soul Sanctum and major passages.

progressionNail Upgrade Path

The Nailsmith uses Geo and Pale Ore to progress from Old Nail to Pure Nail.

itemsPale Ore

A rare material required for later upgrades at the Nailsmith.

weaponsSharpened Nail

The first Nailsmith upgrade improves damage for a Geo cost without using Pale Ore.

charactersBretta

An isolated bug with a side story connected to Dirtmouth, Zote and an optional dream challenge.

Back to Characters
IN THIS ARTICLEHow it worksPractical strategyCommon mistake to avoidRelated articles
MORE CATEGORIESWeaponsCharmsAbilitiesSpellsMapsBossesEnemiesItemsQuestsGodmasterModesProgressionBuilds

Independent Volpedia encyclopedia for Hollow Knight by Team Cherry; not Hollow Knight: Silksong. Original editorial diagrams are symbolic, not game screenshots or exact character depictions. Existing approved cover preserved. Verified editorial references are recorded in the internal M60 source registry. Hollow Knight and associated names are trademarks of their respective holders. Editorial review: 2026-10-28.

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