This paper describes experiments of several different types which suggest that the simple process of adhesion of discrete asperities, often quoted in explanation of light-load friction, is not always the main initiating factor in metal transfer when one slider is deformed plastically, as in metal-working. Most light-load theories emphasise the importance of the interaction of local surface asperities which retain their identity under load. Experiments show, however, that if overall deformation of a few percent is caused by the load there is sensibly complete contact between dry surfaces. A softer surface replicates a harder one in contact with it, or two soft metals take up a common intermediate profile. The contact may or may not be strictly metallic, but geometrical conformity persists down to the scale of slip markings. Both adherent and non-adherent transfer is observed depending on the state of contamination. Radiotracer measurements show that non-adherent transfer of a soft metal to ceramics is strongly dependent on the surface geometry of the ceramics, but not on their chemical nature. At high temperatures, the transfer is predominantly adherent but again not dependent on the chemical nature of the hard surface. When the surfaces are lightly contaminated there is less adherent transfer on a rougher slider than on a smooth one from which the contamination is easily rubbed away. Fluids, including poor lubricants such as paraffin, can become trapped in surface depressions in either the hard or the soft slider, preventing full contact and so greatly reducing transfer. These experiments suggest that care should be exercised in using light-load friction theory to predict frictional behaviour, and especially pickup, under heavy deformation. It should also be recognised that some nominally light-load experiments with small sliders may in fact produce sufficient plastic strain in the metal to give geometrical conformity instead of the distributed contact usually envisaged.