A method of operating a forging press having a plurality of tool stages between which workpieces are advanced in succession. Each tool has two identical dies with a center-to-center spacing of half the stroke of a transporter for advancing the workpieces from stage to stage so that in each stage during each forging stroke of the press only one die is in contact with the workpiece while the other die is unused and in the next working stroke, the unused die engages the workpiece and the previously used die is unused. The result is a minimization of the contact time of workpieces with any given die and hence an increase in the life of the dies for a given press output or enhanced output of the press with equal or reduced die wear.