Even with the wide applications of many new and modern manufacturing technologies, metal forming processes are still in great demand in many industrial sectors, ranging from transportation to medical applications. In this article, the basic knowledge in metal forming and specifically forging, which is one of the most commonly used processes for metal component manufacturing, is summarized. The effect of material behavior on the forming processes is discussed in detail. The classical modeling techniques to describe the forming processes are briefly introduced, with a focus on the challenges in this area. Different categories of forging process such as open-die, closed-die or cold, warm and hot forging are explained. Advantages of forging processes such as near-net-shape characteristics, microstructural refinement during the process, and relative ease of post-processing for forged parts are elaborated. Main disadvantages of forging include possible oxidation during hot forging, limitation on material selection for forging (workability), and the related maintenance cost of the forging tools. Examples of parts and structures that can be produced by forging process are metallic tools for various applications ranging from household to aerospace sectors, where close tolerance and proper mechanical properties are expected.