A die for a joining tool, in particular for clinching, with an anvil (4) forming the bottom (41) of a swage (50), and with a spring sleeve (3) which surrounds the anvil (4) and has a plurality of slits (32) extending in an axial direction (A), said slits (32) permitting a radial expansion of the spring sleeve (3), is characterized in that bushing (1) which is arranged between the anvil (4) and the spring sleeve (3) and which is provided, at its free end (17), with inserts (2) which surround the anvil (4) and are made of a harder material than the bushing (1).