The article presents the issue of material fracture during the process of cross-wedge rolling (CWR). The object of the research was the process of forming a harrow tooth preform. In the conducted analysis nine damage criteria were applied. The critical value of damage was determined with a new calibrating test, basing on rotational compression of a sample in a channel. The results of calculations were compared to the results of experimental testing performed in laboratory conditions in Lublin University of Technology. On the basis of the obtained results an assessment of the applied damage criteria and their applicability in the analysis of CWR processes was conducted.