going shopping for tools, what's your faves?

appellativo · going shopping for tools, what's your faves?

Ive been using Vallorbe rasps, a Halverson knife, and GE 14" nippers.

GE has a new easy nipper out; anyone use it yet?

I'm facing a bunch of rock hard hooves and I need something SHARP WITH LEVERAGE! I'm getting a second nipper so I can send my other one off for a rebuild and have something to trim with in the meantime.

Always up for trying a new rasp. The Heller Black looks good....

and I suck at sharpening my hoof knife (right now I use a buffer), and was wondering which knives hold a good edge? Thanks for input.

calatar

I like the heller rasps and the black is good if you live in a moist climate. I started with The Knife brand and hated it. Now use the F. Dick Gripmaster hoof knives. Don't have nippers yet so can't help there.

ForgeNHammer

Baggett hoof knives are the best I've seen.

appellativo

its pretty dry here right now...the heller black says its good for really hard hooves...hmmm. I wonder if they'd hold up to that description?

I'm just too lazy to do all that rasping, I enjoy being able to nip off that big ring of extra hoof wall real quick and touch up with the rasp! (well really its the 'other half' of the work with the rasp!)

barnelda

So Erin which tools did you end up getting and how are they working?I need to get EVERYTHING!!Our climate goes from moist/wet in the spring to real dry come this time of year til spring.In fact a week before my trimmer comes I keep in front of the water troff good and wet to soften up their soles.

I went to valley vat but not sure if that's the best place to go so I figuered I'd check with the experts!

appellativo

I got the heller black rasps and i ordered some more of the simmonds pony rasp, and I got the new GE nipper (it's been redesigned more ergonomic, etc). I like them all, no complaints!

I decided to keep trying with my halverson knife. I just suck at/hate sharpening knives!!! Right now I'm using a wheel buffer with a felt wheel and compound. I can't seem to get it done by hand...or with one of those diamond files.

I don't know if I'm doing it wrong, or just not doing it enough, when I try to sharpen by hand...

appellativo

oh and I shop at well-shod.com. they have good selection and competitive prices as far as I've found...

Kim Cassidy

jokersmama

Oooh the farrier I had out to do Pistol's resection had those half round nippers! SO cool!

ElaineC

I have 15" GE nippers, some 14" Diamond track nippers that I use one handed for doing ponies and minis, and have been quite happy with SaveEdge rasps. Knife - I don't do a whole lot of knife work, so I use a cheap crappy one and sharpen it up with a chainsaw file. Sure it doesn't hold an edge that long, but I get it sharp as I need to for as long as I need to.

I did quite like a Halverson rasp I picked up that had no tang, I wouldn't mind getting another if I could find one. I don't use a handle on my rasps, so the tang really just gets in the way for me.

appellativo

I don't use a handle either, it just gets in my way.

thelmanelle

I try to buy stuff in case my farrier needs it and his is faulty at some point. Thanks for the sites.

appellativo

suuuuure. you know, it's only a matter of time before you wield a tool yourself

spurrit

Half rounds are for removing double sole.

"The knife" by Anvil brand is one of my favorites.

For rasps, I have switched to the Save Edge "beast" rasps exclusively. They're about an inch wider and create a flatter surface in fewer strokes. Love 'em.

I carry about 6 different sets of nippers. Each has their purpose.