Peening – Anvil or Jig?

The jig has been designed to make the peening process more accessible to the beginner.

It is an excellent way to become familiar with the process and what you are aiming to achieve. The potential for messing up your blade as you learn is much less then if you start straight in with freehand peening.

It is an effective and useful tool.

When used correctly it will produce a good cutting edge, and with practice it can be used to produce an excellent edge.

It’s quick to learn to use.

Freehand peening with an anvil looks glamorous, and yes, it is the tool to use to produce the very best cutting edge. However, it takes time and perseverance to learn to freehand peen well. For many people with only one or two blades to peen, it can be hard to get in enough practice.

The most important thing is that people learn to peen and have a tool that they will use.

• There is more information on all aspects of peening in this Peening Guide
• The book Learn to Scythe contains instructions on using a jig.
• We cover basic jig peening during our Introductory Scythe Course. We look at all aspects of peening in detail on Peening and Sharpening Workshops.
• This useful YouTube video by Neil Dudman is a good introduction.

Remember, the jig may be enough for you.

Particularly if you do not peen many blades in a year. Phil started peening with the jig, and produced good results with it for several years before moving on to freehand peening.

Begin by following the jig with a freehand edge peen.

A good way to develop the skills needed for full freehand peening is to use the jig to complete the first lines of peening, then finish the edge freehand on an anvil.

Get some training

We recommend attending a peening workshop where participants can peen a blade from start to finish (using either the jig or anvil) with help and advise on hand. There are practice blades available, so you don’t have to make your first blows on your own blade!

If you don’t live near us, you may find a trainer near you on the Scythe Association Website

There is more information and videos in this Peening Guide