Methods of manufacturing an anvil for a surgical stapler. In various arrangements, the methods include forming an anvil body by rolling, extruding, metal injection molding or electrochemical machining. Preliminary staple-forming pocket configurations are formed in the anvil body by machining or during the metal injection molding or electro-chemical machining processes. The staple-forming pockets are provided with a final configuration using another manufacturing step such as coining or forging.
