A process by which nanostructured monolithic bodies can be produced in a single continuous operation, as opposed to multi-stage deformation processing. The process generally entails continuously producing a chip having a nanostructured microstructure by engaging a solid body with a cutting edge of a tool while the solid body and the cutting edge move relative to each other, and simultaneously extruding the chip in the immediate vicinity of the cutting edge, such as with a constraining member, as the chip is separated from the solid body by the cutting edge to continuously plastically deform the chip and produce a nanostructured monolithic body immediately downstream of the cutting edge. The shape and size of the chip can be simultaneously controlled by the extrusion process so that the nanostructured monolithic body has a predetermined geometry. The nanostructured monolithic body can be in the form of a product suitable for immediate use, or undergo further processing to yield a product.