Hand tools — cold chisels used by fitters and smiths are manufactured by which primary forming process?

Introduction / Context:
Cold chisels are impact tools used for chipping, cutting, and trimming metals at room temperature. Their manufacture must produce a tough shank, a durable striking head, and a hard, wear-resistant cutting edge. The question asks for the primary process used to make such tools.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Cold chisels require directional grain flow for strength.
• Final properties depend on heat treatment after forming.
• Tool steels or medium-carbon steels are typical base materials.

Concept / Approach:

Forging plastically deforms heated metal to shape while aligning and consolidating the grain structure in the direction of the tool profile, improving toughness and resistance to impact. Rolling and drawing produce prismatic stock but not the final tool geometry with heads and cutting edges. Piercing is a forming operation for holes, not for shaping chisels.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Commercial cold chisels are commonly marked as drop-forged, confirming forging as the standard route for mass production with consistent properties.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Drawing and rolling are preliminary stock shaping processes; piercing is unrelated to chisel manufacture.

Common Pitfalls:

Assuming rolling equals forging strength; forging provides advantageous grain flow around critical features like the head and blade.

Final Answer:

forging