Forger

A forger is a person who forges, meaning a craftsman who shapes metal by heating and hammering, or a criminal who creates counterfeit items to deceive others. The term has two broad senses that are common in English usage.

In metalworking, a forger is a skilled tradesperson who forms metal objects through heating and hammering on a forge, anvil, and related tools. Forging is used to produce parts that require high strength and durability, such as tools, fasteners, aircraft components, and automotive parts. Techniques include open-die forging, where the metal is repeatedly moved on an open surface, and closed-die (impression) forging, where the metal is pressed into a hardened die. Forging can involve hot or warm conditions, and it is often followed by finishing operations such as heat treatment, machining, and surface finishing.

In criminology and art, a forger is someone who creates forged objects or documents with the intent to deceive and profit. Common targets include currency, passports and other official documents, signatures, and artworks. Forgeries undermine trust and are illegal in many jurisdictions, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. Authentication methods include analysis of materials, provenance research, expert connoisseurship, and forensic examination of ink, paper, paint, and dating. High-profile cases in art forgery have drawn public attention and prompted improved provenance practices and scientific testing; examples include individuals who produced faked paintings attributed to famous artists.

In practice, the label “forger” spans both a traditional craft and contemporary criminal activity, reflecting the dual nature of forging as a skilled process and as a form of deception.