[TheForge] H-13 for anvil and dies?

[Dave Brown]

I came across some pretty large pieces of H-13 today, up to 
6"x8"x12".  They are in pattern makers shop.  They are factory 
annealed.  What I'm wondering is whether or not relatively large blocks, 
smaller than the ones I just mentioned, of H-13 would be suitable for air 
hammer/anvil dies?

Also, some of the pieces are about the right size for spring swage 
dies.  Would you form the swages in H-13 like you would in mild steel or 
4140 by heating the die material to forging temp and then pressing a 
cold  "master" between to form the swage?

Dave Brown
Heritage Smithing
Green Bay, WI
ABANA, UMBA, GoM, MODA, ARG