Blacksmith tapering is the fundamental process of gradually narrowing metal stock by striking it with a hammer at an angle on the anvil's edge, reducing the metal's thickness while maintaining a consistent shape and the original centerline. Key techniques involve angling the hammer, working half-on and half-off the anvil edge to push material from the bulk to the point, and repeating the process while ensuring the taper remains clean, square, and aligned to the original bar's axis.

A taper is a specific type of shape that results from drawing out, where the metal gradually becomes thinner towards one end.