swage block

There are two general types of swage block: Industrial, as described above, & Artistic.

Operations performed on a swage block include but are not limited to bending, cutting, punching and forming.

In time he removes the piece and places it in the end curve in the swage block.

Swage blocks are often anvil-like blocks with various shapes forged in them, also for forming metal.

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

The various shapes around the edge of the swage block all have corresponding shapes in the form of top swages to shape iron bar into various sections.

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

Artist Blacksmiths sometimes require a tool that will allow metal to be formed in ways that an anvil or traditional industrial swage block will not allow, a special Artists' block is then often used.

As with industrial swage blocks, artistic blocks come in many shapes and sizes; common features are hemispherical and ovoid depressions, asymmetrical curves and non-standard angled planes (i.e. not 45 or 90 degrees).

In the latter case, the goldsmith will use a variety of tools and machinery, including the rolling mill, the drawplate, and perhaps, swage blocks and other forming tools to make the metal into shapes needed to build the intended piece.