Nail
- For the attacks taught by Nailmasters, see Nail Arts.
A Nail is a bladed weapon wielded by several enemies, bosses, and NPCs in Hollow Knight, as well as the Knight. The Nail can be upgraded by the Nailsmith up to four times if given enough Geo and Pale Ore, adding additional damage.
Nail-bouncing
Jumping and slashing downwards with the Nail on enemies, spikes, and some environmental objects makes the Knight bounce. This move is known as "Nail-bouncing", "pogo-jumping", or simply "pogo-ing", and it is useful for both fighting enemies and platforming. Certain areas can also be accessed early through Nail-bouncing.
There are purple mushrooms in the Fungal Wastes that the Knight can Nail-bounce on to bounce higher than usual. They can be used as platforms to access the Mantis Village and other locations before obtaining more Abilities.
There are a few other places where Nail-bouncing is required:
- A Hallownest Seal found above the Stag Station in King's Station requires Nail-bouncing to obtain.
- A Vessel Fragment in Deepnest can be obtained by Nail-bouncing on Garpedes.
- The
Path of Pain requires Nail-bouncing in order to be completed.
Charms
Several Charms in the game affect various aspects of the Nail:
- Fragile Strength / Unbreakable Strength increase the Nail's damage by 50%
- Fury of the Fallen increase the Nail's damage by 75% when the Knight is at 1 Mask.
- Longnail and Mark of Pride increase the Nail's range by 15% and 25% respectively.
- Quick Slash increases the Nail's attack speed by 32%.
- Steady Body prevents the Knight from receiving knockback when striking an enemy.
- Heavy Blow increases the knockback enemies receive when hit.
- Grubberfly's Elegy fires a short-range projectile when the Nail is swung at full health.
Trivia
- The Nail's appearance does not change in the Knight's sprites, even after upgrades.
- Some enemies wield nail-lances and greatnails. The Knight cannot wield either.
- A few enemies' health increases when upgrading the Nail.
Names in Other Languages
Old Nail
| Language | Name | Meaning/Explanation |
|---|---|---|
 Brazilian Portuguese
|
Ferrão Velho | Old Stinger |
 French
|
Vieux aiguillon | Old Stinger |
 German
|
Alter Nagel | Old Nail |
 Italian
|
Vecchio Aculeo | Old Stinger |
 Japanese
|
古びた釘 Furubita kugi |
Used Nail |
 Korean
|
오래된 대못 Oraedoen daemot |
Old Large Nail |
 Russian
|
Старый гвоздь Staryj gvozd' |
Old Nail |
 Simplified Chinese
|
旧骨钉 Jiù gǔdīng? |
Old Bone-nail |
 Spanish
|
Aguijón antiguo | Old Stinger |
 Internal name
|
NAIL1
|
|
Sharpened Nail
| Language | Name | Meaning/Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Portuguese
|
Ferrão Afiado | Sharp Stinger |
| French
|
Aiguillon pointu | Sharp Stinger |
| German
|
Scharfer Nagel | Sharpened Nail |
| Italian
|
Aculeo Appuntito | Sharp Nail |
| Japanese
|
鋭利な釘 Eirina kugi |
Sharp Nail |
| Korean
|
날카로운 대못 Nalkaroun daemot |
Sharp Large Nail |
| Russian
|
Заточенный гвоздь Zatočennyj gvozd' |
Sharpened Nail |
| Simplified Chinese
|
锋利的骨钉 Fēnglì de gǔdīng? |
Sharp Bone-nail |
| Spanish
|
Aguijón afilado | Sharpened Stinger |
| Internal name
|
NAIL2
|
|
Channelled Nail
| Language | Name | Meaning/Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Portuguese
|
Ferrão Canalizado | Channelled Stinger |
| French
|
Aiguillon forgé | Forged Stinger |
| German
|
Spaltnagel | Cleft Nail |
| Italian
|
Aculeo Scanalato | Grooved Nail |
| Japanese
|
溝の掘られた釘 Mizo no hora reta kugi |
Grooved Nail |
| Korean
|
혈조 파인 대못 Hyeoljo pain daemot |
Grooved Large Nail |
| Russian
|
Изборожденный гвоздь Izboroždennyj gvozd' |
Grooved Nail |
| Simplified Chinese
|
开槽的骨钉 Kāicáo de gǔdīng? |
Grooved Bone-nail |
| Spanish
|
Aguijón estilizado | Stylized Stinger |
| Internal name
|
NAIL3
|
|
Coiled Nail
| Language | Name | Meaning/Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Portuguese
|
Ferrão Serpenteado | Coiled Stinger |
| French
|
Aiguillon en spirale | Spiral Stinger |
| German
|
Spiralnagel | Spiral Nail |
| Italian
|
Aculeo a Spirale | Spiral Stinger |
| Japanese
|
らせんの釘 Rasen no kugi |
Spiral Nail |
| Korean
|
휘감긴 대못 Hwigamgin daemot |
Spiraled Large Nail |
| Russian
|
Витой гвоздь Vitoj gvozd' |
Twisted Nail |
| Simplified Chinese
|
带螺纹的骨钉 Dài luówén de gǔdīng? |
Bone-nail with Screw Pattern |
| Spanish
|
Aguijón en espiral | Spiral Stinger |
| Internal name
|
NAIL4
|
|
Pure Nail
| Language | Name | Meaning/Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Portuguese
|
Ferrão Puro | Pure Stinger |
| French
|
Aiguillon pur | Pure Stinger |
| German
|
Reiner Nagel | Pure Nail |
| Italian
|
Aculeo Puro | Pure Stinger |
| Japanese
|
純粋な釘 Junsuina kugi |
Pure Nail |
| Korean
|
본연의 대못 Bonyeonui daemot |
Large Nail of True Form |
| Russian
|
Чистый гвоздь Čistyj gvozd' |
Clear Nail |
| Simplified Chinese
|
纯粹骨钉 Chúncuì gǔdīng? |
Pure Bone-nail |
| Spanish
|
Aguijón puro | Pure Stinger |
| Internal name
|
NAIL5
|
|