The farrier should have the knowledge of the right equipment. The hoof knife is basically used to clean up, exfoliate and trim the horse hooves. The professional farriers have great knowledge of hoof knives, but sometimes it becomes confusing due to the availability of different types. It’s not easy to get the right hoof knife because you need to consider various factors of the products. Only a perfectly designed hoof knife with accurate sharpness works greatly.
Necessary Tips To Buy A Hoof Knife
The tips below for a perfect hoof knife are based on the features, material, and other factors. These tips will help you to find the right product from the online store.
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Consider Only Stainless-Steel Blades
When the blades of hoof knives are made with stainless steel blades, they become stronger and sharper from the edge. The durability of the material is higher, which expands its self-life period. The stainless steel blades can also be sharpened again when it becomes blunt. Prioritize the stainless steel material while purchasing the knife.
Even when you are searching for the product online, you can see the product specializations. If it is mentioned, stainless steel considers the product. You can also customize and search for only stainless-steel products. The durable property of the material is great for trimming horse hooves, which are much harder.
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Wooden Handles
A hoof knife with wooden handles gives a good grip and comfort to hold the knife. The handle assists the farriers in performing the task smoothly and without pressure. The wooden handles provide good strength to the first with sturdy features. The chance of breaking reduces with a wooden handle. After years of usage, you can replace the handle with a new one. These handles also reduce the risk of accidental sliding from the hand.
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Choose The Size Wisely
While choosing the size, ensure that it comfortably fits in your hand. You will find different sizes in the online store; select the one through which you can hold with a grip. There is also an option for customizing the size on the online sites. If you have any doubt about the size, you can consult an expert for a solution.
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Right One Among Wide Options
You may get a huge number of collections of hoof knives but selecting the right one from them is necessary. These knives are available in different sizes and angles. You need to be careful while selecting the angle. Based on your comfort, you should select the angle at which you opt for trimming horse hooves. The angle is mostly based on size, blade length, and other factors.
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Compare The Prices
The hoof knives are available in different price ranges. The price range varies based on the weight, size, length, and material used. You can customize the price by customizing the size and length. Most online sites sell hoof knives in small, medium, and large categories. You can compare the prices from various sites by considering the features and then go for the affordable one.
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Idea On Current Design
Based on the farriers’ choices, the hoof knives are now available in different designs and colours. The knives are painted with creative designs and colours to give them a stylish look. You should know about the present designs before purchasing.
How A Perfect Hoof Knife Will HelpThe Farrier?
Only a perfectly sharp hoof knife will assist the farrier in trimming the horse’s hooves. You may have years of experience in the task, but still, you need the right knife. When the knife is blunt or the handle is loose, it may severely harm you and your horse. Therefore, be careful with the process and ensure that you have the right knife.
The hoof knife is first used in the cleaning process of the hooves. The farrier holds the knife with the fingers facing him, and the hook is pointed inward. Then the farrier holds the horse’s leg and uses the hoof knife to clean the hoof properly. When the knife is sharp, the mud and dirt particles easily. The process continues until the entire hooves are reasonably clean.
The hoof knives are further used to scrape around the bars, inside and frog areas where the dirt and mud get stuck. A hoof knife should be of size and length to reach the corners. The wooden handle of the knives controls the grip making the hand steady to remove the stubborn dirt. But the farrier needs to be careful not to accidentally puncture the hoof. When the knife doesn’t assist well, such accidents occur. The hoof knife is also used to cut off the tough layer of dead skin.
The entire process of trimming horse hooves can be done smoothly when you use the right hoof knife. Therefore, before purchasing, some good research about the perfect knife size, blade quality, length, and other features is necessary. There are also many brands available online; for the horse trimming tools, you can find the best hoof knife easily based on your customizable options.