P.W.
All my knives are formed with hammers. The tapers from the spine to the cutting edge, tapers to the distal handle, and tapers to the tip are all set with hammers. Mostly I hammer forge to near finish. I do very little grinding just to smooth out my profile and to finish grind the blade. Some knives I forge to complete finish with NO grinding just for the practice. Two good friends have taught me well both Master Bladesmiths both very involved with Forged in Fire.
Not Sure it it is allowed to print here...but one MasterSmith friend who gives lessons, teaches at ABS hammer-ins, won Forged in Fire, and who's knives start at $1000 has done a 1 hour video for $25 that you down load on all the steps to forging a knife with just hand tools (just because no one can come to his forge with the Coronavirus outbreak).
If it is permitted, I could post it here...tippit