A blacksmith can keep the atoms or crystals far apart by consistently heating the metal while bashing with a hammer. Once the metal gets cold during bashing, it has to be heated a little bit to ensure its endless malleability.

Why do blacksmiths put hot metal in water?

Blacksmiths put metal in water because water submersion will allow the forger to control the brittleness and overall strength of the metal. This is referred to as “quenching,” and is used by many blacksmiths to decrease the risk of breakage when crafting new pieces.

Why is metal heated before forging?

Bringing a metal to its forging temperature allows the metal's shape to be changed by applying a relatively small force, without creating cracks.