A forging die tool set defines a cavity and includes a core rod in the cavity for shaping a void in a work piece. The core rod extends in a direction in which the work piece is introduced, compressed, and ejected from the cavity. The core rod includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a cross sectional shape that forms a certain shape in the work piece and a radially tapered section that tapers toward the lower portion of the core rod. The lower portion also has a cross sectional shape that forms a certain shape in the work piece, and the cross sectional shape of the upper portion differs from the cross sectional shape of the lower portion, the lower portion being a more wear resistant shape characterized by larger radii and the upper portion being a finishing shape with smaller radii for shaping the final form of the forged work piece.