Ok, so, we got into a debate about the "correct" way to forge a nail. I had been taught to taper, and then shoulder the shaft on two sides below where the nail head would be using a sharp edge of the anvil. If you shoulder it correctly, the nail header will slide up to the shoulder and stop and be a tight fit. You then score the nail above the shoulder, stick in the nail header, twist off, and hammer out the head.
The person I was talking to had never heard the idea of putting in the shoulder and was taught to just taper, and then slide the header on the taper until it stopped, and using that as the guide, cut off the rod above that point and hammer out the head.
Checking the internet, I couldn't locate any step by step instructions on nail forging.
I did find a collection of youtube videos that showed nail making and most did not seem to be using the step of adding a shoulder like I was taught. Though one or two did seem to taper the nail in a way to create a semi-shoulder for the head. That is, they didn't produce a straight taper from the tip all the way to the straight shaft. The taper took a noticeable increase in size to act as a stop for the header.
Anyone have an opinion on the best way to make nails? Or how they used to make nails back in the day?
I was also once told that it's better to make the shaft mostly straight instead of tapered because it holds in the wood better. A full taper tends to work loose easier. Sounds reasonable but I've never tested it. Using the shoulder technique I use seems like it would work better when trying to make straight shaft nails.