Hammer and Tongs is a short blacksmithing task in 
Grund, 
Kuttenberg region. You match skills against a local apprentice for a wager, forge a 
Competition Sword, then deal with a sore-loser twist.
How to start Hammer and Tongs
Requires Speak of the Devil (
Speak of the Devil) finished first. Go to Grund and find Blacksmith Zdimir at his steaming forge on the main road. Talk about his apprentice Matthias, accept the bet, and the task begins.
Forging the Competition Sword
After you agree, Zdimir hands you the materials. You do not need a recipe book: the Competition Sword recipe is learned automatically for the quest.
Required materials
- 2× Steel
- 1× Scrap metal
- 1× Fastening material
Use the anvil in Zdimir's smithy. The project behaves like a standard hunting sword, but you must craft the named Competition variant the quest tracks.
Important crafting tips
To win the bet, aim for high quality (level 3 or gold quality).
- Watch heat closely so the workpiece does not overheat.
- Do not hammer the same spot over and over; that hurts durability and quality.
- Prioritize accuracy: clean strikes that follow the pattern without mistakes.
- Bring Quickfinger potion or wear a Leather Apron for an easier minigame.
- For the full ruleset, read our Perfect Blacksmithing guide (mastery mechanics, temperature, rhythm).
Dealing with Matthias
Return to Zdimir for inspection. If quality is high enough, he admits you beat Matthias.
Matthias still refuses to give up his losing sword, which was part of the wager. You can:
- Medium Intimidation check: make him back down.
- Combat: duel him and win.
Either outcome forces him to yield. The Competition Hunting Sword (his blade) is weaker than the one you forged, but it is extra loot to sell, like back to Zdimir. Neither sword is endgame gear.
Farm a little more by selling both swords to Zdimir after the dust settles (on the order of another ~100 Groschen, depending on stats and freshness).
Quest rewards
- 200 Groschen (wager prize).
- Competition Sword (your high-quality forge).
- Competition Hunting Sword (if you pass Intimidation or win the duel).
That completes Hammer and Tongs, a tidy payout for blacksmith-focused playthroughs.
Hammer and Tongs FAQ
Prerequisite?
Speak of the Devil done, then talk to Zdimir in Grund.
Lost the quality check?
Reload or repeat the forge with cooler heat, wider hammer coverage, and fewer repeated hits on one zone.
Is the Competition Sword in the permanent book?
It behaves like a quest-taught entry; track progress on the blacksmithing checklist.
Peaceful vs violent Matthias?
Intimidation skips the fistfight. Dueling is fine if your build prefers it. Loot outcome is the same blade.
Worth it for money?
Yes for early Kuttenberg pocket money: 200 Groschen plus vendor fodder from two swords.