The axisymmetric forward extrusion is analyzed by using the rigid-plastic finite element formulation. The distribution of stresses and strains as well as the deformation pattern in solid extrusion is very important for the improvement of product quality. The initial velocity field is determined by assuming the material as a Newtonian fluid through an arbitrarily shaped axisymmetric die. The workhardening effect and the friction of the die-material interface are considered in the formulation. Some reduction of area and die shapes(conical and biquadratic-curved) are chosen for computation. Experiments are carried out for steel alloy(SCM4) specimens using conical and curved dies. It is found that experimental observation is in good agreement with FEM results. The strain distribution is curved(biquadratic) dies is shown to be more uniform than in conical dies at the same reduction of area.