Even red hot, iron is rather hard to shape and that's why blacksmiths' need the hammer. So I firmly believe that forming red hot iron by simply applying pressure with the fingers is not of this world, but of the world of legends.
However, I wonder if it might be conceivable to produce a depression in the surface of red hot iron by applying a strong an quick blow with the bare fist. :shrug:

Yes Marius, you are correct, to actually shape hot iron with your hands is simply not possible. It is something that is part of a belief system.

However, it is most definitely possible to indent a paper thin piece of hot iron with bare fingers, I can be very positive about this because I have done it. I seem to recall commenting on this in a previous thread some time ago.

Hello Alan and thank you for the explanation! However, I was not questioning the possibility of creating a depression in a thin sheet of hot iron but in a solid piece by applying a quick punch with the fist.

Since I assume you didn't try it, nor din anybody elese on this forum, the answer would be pure speculation but considering your experience with working hot iron, it would be a more educated guess than mine.
:shrug:

Marius, true keris pijit are in fact made from material that is about as thick as a piece of paper.

The hot iron that I put dents into was also paper thin.

I guess that thicker material could also be indented in the same way, if one were sufficiently strong and sufficiently fast and one's skin was sufficiently thick and toughened.