Abstract: A wire drawing die blank is produced by providing an abrasive compact core, having top and bottom surfaces and a side surface, depositing a thin layer of high melting metal such as nickel, iron, chromium or cobalt on the side surface, the coating substantially following the contour of the side surface, providing a support having a hole extending therethrough, the hole having a cross-section larger than that of the core and allowing for the core to be located therein, locating the core in the hole leaving a space between the metal coating and the support, introducing a suitable braze, preferably in liquid form, in the space and causing the braze to bond the core to the support.