From the Japanese tool perspective (which use laminated steel), planes, chisels, and other laminated blades can be tapped out. This is done by very carefully tapping on the soft steel right above the lamination line. A much smaller hammer is used than what Mark's ball peen. This effectively bends the hard steel, but the force is dampened by the soft steel. The back of the blade is then lapped flat again. Cracked blades still happen.

I know a bit about the metal in Japanese tools, but really nothing on what was used in American or European laminated chisels. I mainly use Japanese chisels because I've yet to find a western chisel that holds an edge like my Tasai chisels. I like the weight and style of antique framing chisels, but I like the steel in the Japanese. It would be great if Barr could make a real framing chisel (as opposed to the firmer style he's got).