The hammer and anvil is a military tactic involving the use of two primary forces, one to pin down an enemy, and the other to smash or defeat the opponent with an encirclement maneuver. It may involve a frontal assault by one part of the force, playing a slower-moving or more static role.

One such idiom is “between the hammer and the anvil.” This phrase has been used for centuries to describe a difficult situation where one is caught between two opposing forces, leaving them with no good options.

During the Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC), won against the Athenian and Theban armies, and the battles of Granicius (334 BC) and of Issus (333 BC), won against the Achaemenid Persian army of Darius III, Alexander employed the so-called "hammer and anvil" tactic.

Jun 7, 2020 · To complete the test, all you need is a two or 3lb hammer and the anvil. Set the hammer over the center of the anvil. The handle of the hammer should be parallel to the anvil’s face.

Hammer and Anvil Technique. The hammer and anvil technique for removing flakes from a core is perhaps one of the oldest documented methods. It is quite effective for making large flakes for direct use as tools, or for use as blanks from which shaped tools can be made.

Dec 20, 2018 · Blacksmiths might tap the anvil with their hammer for multiple reasons. Some do it to calibrate their grip and swing. Others tap to take a brief rest, or to signal if they’re working with another person.

In the fiery realm of blacksmithing, where iron is shaped and forged into magnificent creations, the anvil and hammer stand as steadfast companions. From their ancient origins to the modern age, these essential tools have evolved alongside human ingenuity and technological advancements.

An anvil for a power hammer is usually supported on a massive anvil block, sometimes weighing over 800 tons for a 12-ton hammer; this again rests on a strong foundation of timber and masonry or concrete.

Jun 17, 2023 · The “anvil” consisted of the Macedonian phalanx – the crucial defensive arm of Alexander’s army. The king would task his footmen with engaging the opposing infantry and then holding them in place with the numerous layers and sheer length of their sarissae.

Sep 28, 2024 · hammer and anvil (uncountable) A tactic involving the use of two primary forces, one to pin down an enemy and the other to encircle him. (figurative, by extension) A two-pronged method that is commonly deployed, or the two mechanisms used to carry it out.