A process for the manufacture of compressed articles, particularly cemented-carbide cutting blade inserts, by compacting metallic powder and subsequently sintering the compact, particularly cemented-carbide reversible cutting blade inserts, which have a seating surface and at least one cutting edge extending approximately in parallel with the seating surface which is at a predetermined distance from the seating surface, by means of a press having a die-plate and a top ram and a bottom ram, comprising the steps of: Charging a predetermined volume of metallic powder into the die-plate bore with the bottom ram taking a predetermined charging position in the die-plate bore, Displacing the bottom ram and the top ram to predetermined first and second positions, Displacing the bottom ram and, if need be, the top ram more while simultaneously measuring the compressive force at least for the bottom ram with the shift of the bottom ram or top ram being effected along a predetermined curve desired for the compressive force, Terminating the charging movement of the bottom ram and, if need be, the top ram when a predetermined value is reached for the compressive force.