While exploring the deeper part of the Deep Docks in Hollow Knight: Silksong, players may come across a bell that says the following when Hornet chooses to inspect it: An old diving bell. Its door is shut tight by an ornate clamp. Due to how mysterious the appearance and location are, it may cause players to wonder how to open the ornate clamp in Silksong. Thankfully, there's one simple answer to this question.

This article contains minor spoilers. Proceed with caution.

hollow-knight-hk-silksong-the-abyss-map-location-where-find-how-reach-exit-escape-get-out
The Abyss Map Location In Silksong (& How To Reach It)

After delving into The Abyss in Hollow Knight: Silksong, players must venture blindly before they obtain The Abyss Map.

How To Open The Ornate Clamp In Silksong (Old Diving Bell)

To open the ornate clamp in Silksong, players must receive the Diving Bell Key, which is only obtainable in the secret Act 3. The opening of this bell is a part of the natural progression of the secret chapter, so players will eventually reach there, should they choose to experience Act 3 in Hollow Knight: Silksong.

For those who wish to wonder what's inside, the answer is: a bench and a speaker. There's no boss, item, or anything, as it's solely used as a method to travel to the Act 3 area. Therefore, the old diving bell and its ornate clamp can be ignored safely, as Hornet won't miss out on much, and you'll go there anyway if you obtain the quest to do so.

How To Get The Diving Bell Key In Silksong

hollow-knight-hk-silksong-the-abyss-map-location-where-find-how-reach find old diving bell

The old Diving Bell Key is given by Ballow, the non-hostile Deep Docks worker who's working right next to the Forge Daughter, who's a vendor in Deep Docks. After speaking to the Forge Daughter about how to descend below the Deep Docks, the Forge Daughter will inform Hornet that she's not the one to ask; rather, she should be asking Ballow. Go right to the worker and speak to him, and he'll say that he will wait for Hornet by the bell.

Venture to the old diving bell, either by the shortcut (if you've been there before) or by taking a long detour (especially if you've never been there before), then climb up the small room on the right to find Ballow. He will operate the descent of the old diving bell, and once ready, Hornet can open the ornate clamp to enter the bell. Inside, sit on the bench, and speak to Ballow to begin the dive.

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Metroidvania
Action
Adventure
Soulslike
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Top Critic Avg: 91 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
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Released
September 4, 2025
ESRB
Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
Developer(s)
Team Cherry
Publisher(s)
Team Cherry
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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Engine
Unity
Genre(s)
Metroidvania, Action, Adventure, Soulslike