a tapered punch for producing a recessed screw , the punch having an axially extending recess forming portion of symmetrical cross section and presenting in cross section 8 symmetrically disposed corners in 45 ° spaced relation with any 4 alternate corners lying on the corners of one square and the remaining 4 alternate corners lying on the corners of another square in 45 ° angular relation to the first mentioned square , and a method for cold forming the recess by evenly spreading flow of the metal .