
In Hollow Knight, the Nailsmith is an NPC who can be found in an isolated hut on the outskirts of the City of Tears. He offers to upgrade the player character's nail in exchange for Geo and Pale Ore. After the final upgrade, the Nailsmith steps outside and asks the player character to cut him down, presenting them with a choice: to slay or spare him. If the player character cuts down the Nailsmith, he falls into the water below and the player receives the 'Purity' achievement. If the player character spares the Nailsmith, he can be found later at Nailmaster Sheo's residence, and the player receives the 'Happy Couple' achievement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What happens if the Nailsmith is cut down? | Nailsmith asks the player to cut him down with the Pure Nail, which sends him plummeting into the waters below and awards the player the "Purity" achievement. |
| What happens if the Nailsmith is not cut down? | The Nailsmith eventually makes his way to Greenpath and takes up residence with Sheo, the Nailmaster, and the player is awarded the "'Happy Couple' achievement". |
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What You'll Learn
- Nails in trees can cause damage to the tissues responsible for moving water and nutrients throughout the tree
- Hammering nails into trees can cause wounds and leave them vulnerable to pests and diseases
- Nails in trees can be dangerous when cutting the tree down, as chainsaws can bounce off them
- Nails should not be hammered into trees with thin bark, as the added weight can tear the bark
- Nails in trees can cause air bubbles that disrupt the flow of water and nutrients

Nails in trees can cause damage to the tissues responsible for moving water and nutrients throughout the tree
Nails in trees can damage the tissues responsible for moving water and nutrients throughout the tree. While hammering nails into trees is generally not advisable, it is particularly harmful to trees that are already weak or small, or those that show signs of decay or pest problems. These trees are more vulnerable to damage to their phloem (the cells that transport nutrients from the canopy to the roots) and xylem (the cells that carry nutrients and water to the canopy). Nails can also create entry points for pests and diseases, further endangering the tree's health.
The Nailsmith, a character in the Hollow Knight video game, is found at his smithy on the outskirts of the City of Tears. After crafting the Pure Nail, the Nailsmith asks the Knight to cut him down, sending him plummeting into the waters below. This action is not mandatory, and players can choose to walk away and leave him be. If players oblige his request, they receive the ""Purity" achievement, and his corpse can be found in the Junk Pit. If players do not cut him down, they receive the ""Happy Couple" achievement, and the Nailsmith expresses gratitude for being spared.
The decision to cut down the Nailsmith presents a moral dilemma for players, as they must choose between respecting the Nailsmith's wish to experience death by the ultimate nail and preserving his life. This choice ultimately leads to different outcomes and achievements in the game.
To avoid damaging trees, it is recommended to refrain from attaching objects to them with nails or screws. Instead, use straps to hang objects, and regularly check for girdling. While some trees may be able to heal and compartmentalize nail wounds, it is important to consider the tree's health, species, and size before introducing any puncture wounds. Healthy, mature trees with thicker bark are better equipped to handle nails without suffering long-term damage.
Overall, nails in trees can indeed cause harm to the tissues responsible for transporting water and nutrients, and it is crucial to carefully consider the potential consequences before introducing any foreign objects into a tree's bark.
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Hammering nails into trees can cause wounds and leave them vulnerable to pests and diseases
Hammering nails into trees can cause wounds, but the impact on the tree's health depends on its overall condition. While a strong, healthy tree can typically compartmentalize and heal the wound, the practice can have detrimental effects on young, small, weak, or already diseased trees.
Nails inserted into weaker trees can damage the tissues responsible for transporting water and nutrients, hindering the tree's healing process and causing additional stress. Stressed trees are more susceptible to pest infestations and diseases, potentially leading to further deterioration. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid hammering nails into trees exhibiting signs of decay or pest problems.
The weight of objects suspended from nails in young or diseased trees can also exert additional stress, potentially resulting in tearing. It is crucial to refrain from hanging heavy items, such as garden art or hammocks, on these vulnerable trees to prevent further damage.
When installing nails or screws in trees, it is essential to use materials that will not rust, such as stainless steel. Additionally, avoid placing them too deep within the tree, as this can pose a hazard during future pruning or removal. Planning the placement carefully can help minimize potential issues.
Regarding the Nailsmith, a character in the Hollow Knight game, players encounter a decision that influences the outcome. Players can choose to oblige the Nailsmith's request to "cut him down" after forging the Pure Nail, resulting in his demise. Alternatively, players can choose to walk away and later find him at Sheo's place, expressing gratitude for not fulfilling his suicidal wish. The choices lead to different achievements: "Purity" for fulfilling the request and "Happy Couple" for sparing the Nailsmith and allowing him to reconsider his wish.
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Nails in trees can be dangerous when cutting the tree down, as chainsaws can bounce off them
Nails in trees can pose a serious safety risk when cutting them down with a chainsaw. While a good, sharp chainsaw can cut through nails and wires embedded in the wood, it is not advisable to do so. The primary concern is that the chainsaw will bounce back at a lightning-fast speed, which can cause the user to lose control of the equipment and result in serious injury. The user's manual for the Stihl E20 electric chainsaw explicitly warns about this danger, stating that kickback may occur when the nose or tip of the guide bar touches an object.
Additionally, nails and screws can damage trees. While a fully grown, healthy tree can typically recover from small nail holes, the nutrient-conducting tissue under the bark can be squeezed, disrupting sap flow. In some cases, dangerous predetermined breaking points may develop. Nails can also create accessible entryways for pests if they are hidden too deep inside the tree. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid placing nails too deeply into a tree and to get the tree inspected by a certified arborist before installing anything.
Now, to address your query about the Nailsmith, I assume you are referring to the Nailsmith from the video game Hollow Knight. In the game, the player has the option to either fulfill the Nailsmith's request to "cut him down" or walk away and give him time to reconsider. If the player chooses to cut down the Nailsmith, the Nailsmith falls into the water below, and the player obtains the “Purity” achievement. The Nailsmith's corpse can be found in the Junk Pit after completing two Pantheons and speaking to the Godseeker.
On the other hand, if the player chooses to walk away, they can later find the Nailsmith with Sheo in his hut in Greenpath. The Nailsmith expresses gratitude for not killing him, and the player receives the “Happy Couple” achievement. These two achievements are mutually exclusive in a single save, as the game autosaves immediately after making the decision.
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Nails should not be hammered into trees with thin bark, as the added weight can tear the bark
In the game Hollow Knight, players can choose to cut down the Nailsmith or spare him. If players choose to cut down the Nailsmith with the Pure Nail, they will receive the "Purity" achievement, and the Nailsmith's body can be found in the Junk Pit. However, if players decide to spare the Nailsmith, he will eventually make his way to Greenpath and live with Sheo, the Nailmaster, resulting in the "Happy Couple" achievement.
When players obtain the final upgrade, the Nailsmith will run out of his shop, and players can encounter him standing at the edge of a cliff outside. He expresses that with the achievement of forging the Pure Nail, his life's work is complete, and he has nothing more to live for. The Nailsmith asks the player character, the Knight, to cut him down with the Pure Nail.
If players choose to oblige the Nailsmith's request, he falls into the waters below. The Nailsmith's death is immediate, and the game autosaves, locking players into this decision. Players who feel conflicted about killing the Nailsmith can reload an old save file to keep him alive.
While it is possible to reload a previous save to keep the Nailsmith alive, some players may not have old saves to revert to. Additionally, replaying the game from an old save means losing any progress made since then, including other achievements earned and gameplay experienced.
To avoid causing harm to trees with thin bark, it is important to refrain from hammering nails into them. The added weight of the nails can cause the bark to tear, damaging the tree. Alternative methods for hanging items on trees with thin bark include using hooks or adhesive solutions designed for this purpose.
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Nails in trees can cause air bubbles that disrupt the flow of water and nutrients
In the video game Hollow Knight, players can choose to cut down the Nailsmith after obtaining the final upgrade, the Pure Nail. If players choose to oblige his request, the Nailsmith falls into the water below and the player receives the "Purity" achievement. His corpse can be found in the Junk Pit.
Alternatively, players can choose to spare the Nailsmith, in which case he will eventually make his way to Greenpath and take up residence with Sheo the Nailmaster, and players will receive the "Happy Couple" achievement.
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Frequently asked questions
If you cut down the Nailsmith with the Pure Nail, you will be awarded the "Purity" achievement, and the Nailsmith's body can later be found in the Junk Pit.
The Nailsmith explains that it was his life's work to forge a Pure Nail, and now that he has achieved this goal, there is nothing more for him to accomplish. He says, "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."
If you decide to spare the Nailsmith, he will eventually make his way to Greenpath and take up residence with Sheo, the Nailmaster. Following this path will award players with the "Happy Couple" achievement.


















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