Swage block

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Top view of a swage block showing various sized holes and sections
Top view of a swage block showing various sized holes and sections
Right side view of the above swage block
Right side view of the above swage block

A swage block is a large, heavy block of steel used in smithing, with various sized holes in its face and usually with forms on the sides.

The through holes are of various shapes and sizes and are used to hold the end of a piece of hot metal for further shaping, usually a bending operation. The sides are scalloped to present formed shapes for forging operations. Shapes such as the curve of a wheel, which could be used to finish a wheel rim, using a suitable hammer. Other shapes such as the a half hexagon can be used with a matching fuller (die) to form a hexagonal cross section on a bar.

The image shows a 15 inch square swage block with various semi-circular, hexagons, and square shapes around its perimeter along with a selection of through holes