PSA: Hand forging my own hoof knives sharpened my whole approach

Noah Brown · 2026-03-03T10:41:35.199445+00:00

Picked up blacksmithing to make custom knives for trimming last fall. Working the metal myself taught me angles and balance no store bought tool could. Now my cuts are cleaner and the horses stand calmer because I get the feel right. Sure, it takes extra hours, but that hands on time makes you connect with the work on a deeper level. If you stick to off the shelf gear, you're missing a key piece of the puzzle.

sean_cooper6mo ago

Missing a key piece" so I should mine my own iron ore too?

2

thomaspatel6mo ago

My old farrier told me the first tool you make yourself changes how you hold everything else. Once you feel the weight you built, you stop forcing the angle so much.

2

drew_bennett246mo ago

Funny, I burned my first loaf of sourdough but that failure taught me more than any recipe.

1