Word of the Day
14 August 2026
swage block
nounMetalworking
A perforated iron block with grooved sides and variously-sized holes in its face, used to hold in hot metal bars while swaging large objects.
Why this one
One of the oldest tools still in daily use, and a good example of a name that survived while the local words for it multiplied.
In use
Grab the shoulder in the swage block, second groove down, and I'll bring the hammer over.
Written by our editors to show how the term is used, not a recorded quotation.Sources
- Definition sourceWiktionary
- Supporting sourceDefinition of swage blockMindat.org