The invention aims at providing a hard coating film excellent in lubrication characteristics; a process for the formation thereof; and tools for the plastic working of metal, and provides a hard coating film covering the surface of a substrate to come into contact with other member, wherein carbon atoms having carbon-carbon bonds are present in an amount of 10 at % or above. It is preferable that the hard coating film contain titanium carbide, while it is preferable to form a titanium nitride coating layer between the surface of the substrate and the hard coating film. The invention also provides a process for the formation of a hard coating film on the surface of a substrate by arc ion plating which comprises introducing a hydrocarbon gas during the arc ion plating with a metal target and which makes it possible to form on the surface of a substrate a coating film where carbon atoms having carbon-carbon bonds are present in an amount of 10 at % or above. It is preferable that prior to the introduction of a hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen gas be introduced to form a metal nitride layer on the surface of the substrate. Further, the invention provides tools for the plastic working of metal whose working surfaces are covered with the hard coating film.