The chief difference between hand forging and machine forging is that in the latter technique various types of machine-powered hammers or presses are used instead of hand sledges.

In machine forging, only a few shaping steps are normally carried out, which calls for much higher temperatures than hand forging - and high heat has a negative effect on the structure.

Another advantage of machine forging is that the heavier the blows struck during forging, the greater the improvement in the quality of metallic structure.