forged vs stamped blades

[calan]

I am wondering if there are any production knives that have a forged blade rather than a stamped blade and does this really make any difference on quality?

 

[Ilovetoolsteel]

I am wondering if there are any production knives that have a forged blade rather than a stamped blade and does this really make any difference on quality?

I don't think there are any production knives out there that were pounded to shape by a guy with a hammer on an anvil. But there are plenty of drop forged blades available. Many of the older companies still drop forge some of their blades. Drop forging involves taking a red hot bar of steel and stamping it to shape in a set of forging dies that have cavities that are the reverse of the finished blade. Generally, but not always, if there is a fuller on the blade, (think Ka-bar, marine corps knife) it is drop forged.

As to wether or not drop forging makes for a better blade that is anyones guess. Myself,I doubt it does.

 

[W.T. Beck]

Randall Made knives are often described as production knives with forged blades.

The issue of forged versus stock removal has been debated in numerous threads. Customer makers who forge their blades claim forging makes a superior blade, but others take issue with this claim. I have found the arguements of those who say that forging does not result in a superior blade to be more convincing.

 

[Gryffin]

Not sure if you mean tactical knives only, but if not.... the Soligen, Germany firm Bulldog still drop-forges their slipjoint blades, as described above.