Swage block

Categories: Tools stubs | Smiths

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, hex, and square shapes around its perimeter along with a selection of through holes