The paper deals with an analysis of an extrusion process with a divided material flow. As we are forced to seek for optimal technological solutions with short testing times and low risks and costs, a reliable process evaluation is of the greatest importance.The paper discusses the influences of tool geometry, friction and lubrication as well as workpiece properties on balanced material flow in a combined extrusion process. The FEM analysis applying the DEFORM code has been used in order to predict the process parameters and to estimate its stability. The subsequent experimental verification has resulted in a conclusion that modern computer aided tools, tuned by proper experimental sets, can be used for fast and reliable cold metal forging process planning.