Forging and the physics of plasticity

[Tai Goo]

There is no doubt that we can learn everything we need to know about plasticity through trial and error and intuition. The same could be said of any aspect of bladesmithing. However, if we go into it with some basic principles to follow we may be able to save ourselves some time and energy. Also, in teaching forging it helps if we can explain what's happening and give the student a clear mental image of what's going on physically.

Even with a basic understanding of plasticity, we are inevitably going to have to rely to some degree on intuition, which is also a good point that I think you are trying to make. If we try and explain plasticity mathematically, with all the variables involved in the forging process, it is mind bogglingly complicated! I don't see where we have come even close to crossing that line, and there's no need to.

This is just kindergarten physics.

 

[Tai Goo]

Another thing I’ve noticed about metals (and plasticity) that I like is that,… all they ever do is “react”. They have their properties, but don’t do anything on their own. They don’t corkscrew, bend, stretch, or slide etc... or become blades on their own. They don’t do anything,… unless acted on by an outside force. They only react to what the smith does…