Noble gas clusters with an average size of several thousand atoms and with energies in the keV range were directed at metal surfaces under small angles of incidence. The scatter products were examined with respect to size, energy, and recoil angle. All observations fit an impact model in which the tangential momentum is preserved during impact, while the normal kinetic energy is converted to cluster heat. The associated temperature rise results in the evaporation of cluster atoms. Small clusters evaporate completely; large clusters are reduced in size. The evaporated atoms continue in a forward direction (together with the residual cluster fragments) and form a well‐collimated and energetic atom beam.