Working Short Pieces of Tool Steel

[sandpile]

Wood tick- All the above is is mostly right. BUUTT-- Lefthanded JOHN simplified it for you. If you have no tongs to handle something like this. Weld a handle on it and go for it. Just remember what JOHN said.

chuck

[Hillbillysmith]

Yes, do what lefthand said, heat and weld a bar to the end for a handle and keep flat while forging. When you get the material to a workable size, cut off handle and fully grind the weld off. Don't forget to save some for a quench test. Like Rich said "Just remember what JOHN said".