One time I worked briefly at a Yataiki Workshop; he's a sensei Japanese saw maker. He also made other tools. He was forging a wood marking knife, and part of the time, he would lift the knife a little ways off the anvil before hitting it with each blow. This conserved some heat, because as we all know, the anvil is a big heat robber.

http://www.turleyforge.com Granddadday of Blacksmith Schools

I read about this technique somewhere and thaught it made a lot of sense, then I forgot all about it !
Thanks for bringing it up, I'll try to remember it this time.
(Sounds a bit tricky though,did he re-place the work on the anvil between the blows or did the hammer hit the work in mid-air on it's way down, bringing it to the anvil?)

Thanks !
Naz

The work gets lifted a little and put down; then hit. Repeat. It's pretty rapid. You gotta' have rhythm.

I read about that too, and tried it once. Seems like it'd take some practice. :)

Im reading the knife shop for 50 dollars, and he talks about that technique. Sounds hard, but maybe worthwhile.