Hollow Knight: Should You Spare or Kill the Nailsmith in 2026?

I still remember the first time I met the Nailsmith. There I was, a tiny bug with a chipped nail and a dream, wandering into a lonely hut in the City of Tears. He offered to sharpen my weapon for 250 Geo. Finally, someone in Hallownest who is not trying to impale me. What could possibly go wrong? Well, about four upgrades later, everything.

Finding the Nailsmith: A Bug's Journey to Better Sharpness

If you are new to Hollow Knight, you might be wondering: where is this mysterious bug, and why should I care? The Nailsmith lives in the City of Tears, but you cannot just stroll in. First, you need to beat the False Knight, grab the City Crest, and use it to open the way to Hallownest's capital. Then you descend, take an elevator to the lowest ground, head left, and keep going until you find an isolated hut with nails scattered outside like a very dangerous yard sale.

Along the way, you might meet Quirrel near the Mantis Village. He warns you that your worn nail might not be enough for the Mantis Lords. Thanks, Quirrel. Very reassuring. He points you toward the Nailsmith, and that is when your wallet starts crying.

The Nailsmith offers four upgrades. Each one makes your nail hit harder, which is great, because Hallownest is full of things that want to hug you to death. Here is the full shopping list:

That is 7,050 Geo and 6 Pale Ore total. Pale Ore is hidden in obscure corners of the map, so get ready to question your life choices while platforming over spikes. But the payoff is worth it. The Pure Nail is the strongest version of your weapon, and it makes late-game bosses much less of a nightmare.

The Moment Everything Gets Awkward

Once you buy the final upgrade, the Nailsmith does something unexpected. He runs out of his shop and stands at the edge of a cliff. When you talk to him, he explains that forging a Pure Nail was his life's work. Now that he has achieved it, he has nothing left to accomplish. Then the game presents you with a choice: kill him or spare him.

Yes, really. No boss fight. No epic music. Just you, an old bug, and a very sharp sword.

The first time I played, I killed him. Not because I am a monster—okay, maybe a little—but because I saw an achievement called 'Purity' and thought it meant 'cleanse your sword.' It did not mean that. It meant 'you just murdered an elderly bug who only wanted to make a perfect sword.' I felt so bad that I stared at the screen for five minutes while my cat judged me.

If you kill the Nailsmith, you get the 'Purity' achievement, and his body later appears in the Junk Pit. If you spare him, he eventually moves to Greenpath and takes up residence with Sheo, the Nailmaster. That path awards the 'Happy Couple' achievement. It is a rare happy ending in a game about a dead kingdom, and honestly, it is worth the extra playthrough.

Should You Spare or Kill the Nailsmith?

Here is the thing: there is no gameplay advantage to killing him. You do not get a better nail. You do not get extra Geo. You get an achievement and a corpse in the Junk Pit. Sparing him also gives an achievement, plus a warm, fuzzy feeling that is rare in Hallownest. So why would anyone choose violence?

Because achievements are powerful, and 'Purity' sounds cool. Because you might be roleplaying as a hollow, emotionless vessel. Because you accidentally pressed the attack button while trying to talk to him. We have all been there.

But if you care about the story, sparing the Nailsmith is the better choice. His arc is about purpose, art, and finding a reason to keep going after you finish your masterpiece. Killing him turns that into a tragedy. Sparing him turns it into a quiet, hopeful epilogue. In 2026, with so many games offering 'meaningful choices' that are just red ending or blue ending, this tiny moment still hits harder than most.

Quick Tips for Your Playthrough

• If you want both achievements, you will need two playthroughs or a backup save. You cannot get both in a single run without reloading.

• Spare him first if you want the 'Happy Couple' achievement and a clear conscience.

• Kill him if you are a completionist, but do not say I did not warn you.

• Visit him in Greenpath after sparing him. The scene with Sheo is adorable.

• Remember: the Pure Nail is not just a weapon. It is a test of your heart. And also a very sharp piece of metal. Mostly the heart thing, though.

So, what should you do? If you are a softie, spare him. If you are a ruthless vessel, kill him. If you are like me, do both, then spend the rest of your life thinking about a fictional bug's retirement. That is the Hollow Knight experience, and I would not trade it for anything.

According to articles published by PlayStation Trophies, achievement-focused guides often emphasize that Hollow Knight’s Nailsmith decision matters primarily for completion tracking rather than combat efficiency, since both outcomes leave your Pure Nail intact while only changing which trophy or achievement path you unlock and what small story resolution you see afterward.