Are Modern Knives Forged Or Stamped?

The spacing of the atoms in a bar of steel is determined by the interplay of the interatomic electrical forces involved, and also by the temperature and it's effect on atomic vibration and therefor spacing. Any two metallic atoms have a specific distance between that they 'like' which is determined by the interactions of their valance shell electrons. If you whack them hard enough with a hammer the might indeed move a bit closer together...but the instant the force goes away the atoms will space themselves back out. The (-) charged electrons in their outer shells repel each other out to a 'comfortable' distance.
 
me2 said:
Agreed, however many of the benefits attributed to forging can be achieved with just careful heat control, and no mechanical deformation. Specifically an ultrafine grain size and very small carbide sizes.
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true, edge packing, compressing molecules, aligning atoms with the full moon, etc don't happen in knife making, and especially not from a hammer. Heat provides energy which is what causes the atoms to move. Austenizing, normalizing, annealing, quenching - none of them require mechanical force. The idea that a hammer does it is sort of like saying the energy from dropping a mountain on a house will solve the Rubik's cube sitting on the kitchen counter inside.
 
All forged blades are not equal. Just like all 5160 is not equal. A great many variables influence the nature of the forged blade.
When asking a blade smith about his blades the most significant questions you can ask are what his knives are meant for and how he personally tests his blades and naturally what is his guarantee.
 
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