In conventional bend tests on hardmetal specimens with a rectangular cross-section the strength values exhibit a wide scatter as a result of fracture being initiated from pores and inclusions. A new bend test-piece geometry has been devised which subjects a relatively small volume of material to a high tensile stress and so reduces the probability of fracture starting from defects. The test gives reproducible results with low scatter, and, by suppressing defect initiated failures, it enables a more accurate assessment to be made of the effect of metallurgical variables, such as grain-size and composition, on strength.