Forging is the heart of bladesmithing—it’s where a raw piece of steel transforms into something functional, beautiful, and uniquely yours. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your technique, mastering the basics of forging will help you craft better blades, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.
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The Core Forging Techniques
Forging isn’t just about hammering metal randomly; it’s about controlled shaping. Here are the fundamental techniques you need to know:
1. Drawing Out – Stretching the Steel
Purpose: To make the steel longer and thinner. Essential for turning a thick billet into a usable blade shape.
How to Do It:
Use a cross-peen hammer (or a power hammer if available).
Strike at an angle to move metal outward, then flatten with a regular hammer.
Rotate the piece as needed to keep it even.
🔹 Pro Tip: If you see deep hammer marks, work at a higher heat and use lighter blows.
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2. Upsetting – Thickening the Steel
Purpose: To make a section of the steel thicker (useful for tangs, bolsters, or reinforcing areas).
How to Do It:
Heat the section you want to thicken.
Stand the piece on end and hammer downward.
Keep the steel hot and work in short, controlled movements to avoid bending.
🔹 Pro Tip: Upsetting works best at high heat to avoid cracking.
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3. Fullering – Moving Metal Faster
Purpose: To redistribute material quickly before refining the shape. Used in swords, full-tang knives, and integral bolsters.
How to Do It:
Use a fullering tool or a rounded hammer to create indentations.
Hammer on either side of the fuller to move material outward.
Refine the shape by flattening with a regular hammer.
🔹 Pro Tip: Fullering is great for reducing weight while keeping strength—perfect for swordsmithing!
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4. Flattening – Smoothing the Blade
Purpose: To remove irregularities and create an even, smooth surface.
How to Do It:
Use a flat-faced hammer with controlled, even blows.
Work at medium heat (not too hot, not too cold).
Keep checking for warping and correct as needed.
🔹 Pro Tip: A straightened blade at the forge means less grinding later—save yourself time!
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5. Tapering – Creating the Blade Shape
Purpose: To thin out the blade toward the tip or edge for better balance and cutting performance.
How to Do It:
Start by drawing out the steel near the tip.
Hammer in a controlled downward motion, keeping a consistent slope.
Refine the shape with light blows as you go.
🔹 Pro Tip: Always taper before beveling to keep the spine strong.
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6. Beveling – Defining the Edge
Purpose: To shape the cutting edge before grinding.
How to Do It:
Angle the blade on the anvil and use a hammer with angled strikes.
Work from the spine toward the edge.
Keep an eye on the symmetry—uneven bevels can lead to a warped blade.
🔹 Pro Tip: Beveling at the forge saves a ton of time on grinding later.
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Common Forging Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
❌ Overheating the Steel – Causes grain growth, making the blade weak. Stick to bright orange/yellow heat, not white-hot.
❌ Hammering Too Cold – Leads to cracks and stress fractures. If your steel turns red, reheat it!
❌ Not Controlling the Shape Early – Fixing mistakes later is harder. Keep checking your angles and symmetry.
❌ Warping During Forging – Fix small bends before quenching; they only get worse afterward.
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Final Thoughts
Forging is both an art and a science. By mastering these techniques, you’ll have more control over your blades, reduce material waste, and spend less time fixing mistakes in grinding.
Want to go deeper? Check out my upcoming posts on choosing the right hammer, forging Damascus, and heat treating 101!
Have questions or tips of your own? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear from fellow smiths!
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