What kind of rasps are you using, and how many horses can you trim before tossing them?

I have been using the Simmonds red tangs since the "big hoof" went MIA, and I'm getting about 30-40 done per rasp before I start using them for finishing, and the finish rasp for hot rasping.

I have my first box of Heller-legends that I'm probably gonna crack open tomorrow.

I use a bellota rasp. I sharpen it daily. I think ive used less than 12 rasps in two years.

Are you the guy that uses a buffing wheel? I got one the other day for my knife, and I still have yet to try it on a rasp.

I guess im one of the people that uses the buffing wheel ya.

lonestar wrote:

How do you go about sharpening it?

Dontcha know? Tiny file one tooth at a time. Takes a day or so but you save 18 dollars!!!!!

SlowShoe wrote:
buffing wheel w/ black compound

i use hellar legends, use one every 12 to 15 horses. can't stand to push a dull rasp!! I have tried every brand to no avail lately. I tried a dozen wood millers, the first six i hated, the 2nd box was much better!! might try them again if I can find them at a decent price. I see on here some are getting them for under 15 bucks, I paid 18$ at Farrier Depot in Ocala

Bruce Anderson wrote:
are they getting sharper now? they were really bad for a while there

I'm rather meticulous about cleaning out the foot with a pick and wire brush before I start trimming. I hit the foot with the brush almost every time I have to put it down and pick it back up. I'm starting to get fewer and fewer horses done per rasp as I'm spending less time now cleaning and more time working, and I've been trying to tweak the foot a little better so I'm doing more rasping and less nipping too. The guy I apprenticed for only got about 15-20 with the same rasp, but he wasn't very concerned about how many rasps he used in a week. Neither am I really, I'm just a little OCD about having a clean foot, and I hate the sound of the rasp dragging across gravel and DG in the whiteline. I like that dull meaty hoof grinding noise a fresh rasp makes.

I do like a somewhat dull rasp, and I usually don't realise it's time to get a new one until the old ones start "ringing" while I'm using the coarse side.

Bruce Jim Keith tools has better prices on tools than alot of the mail order companies. They offer volume discounts if you buy by the box, while not a huge saving it does add up.

shoeumhot wrote:
not sure, those 12 were the only ones i've tried

Bruce...Wood Miller has a couple of rasps..you can order them direct from John(Wood-Miller)..you want the Ultra Sharp. PM me if you would like the contact info...I think they come in around $14.00/ea.

Best out there right now IMO.

Bo

I switched to the Wood Miller Ultra Sharp about 3 months ago. I am ecstatic with the result. So far I am getting something over 100 horses a rasp. Of course I tend to drag them out a bit, but still this is a very good result and for less money that I was paying for the Heller Legend.

SlowShoe wrote:
Just like he said . Use some black compound. An 8 inch wheel will do fine . Work from the handle down in straight lines. I think you will be happy with the results. Initialy the rasp may feel different. Thats cause its now sharp. Give it some time and you will thank yourself that you did. Sharpen the rasp each morning befor you go out . It will last the day. Oh ya, the wheel has got to be turning away from you. Sounds silly but a few of my helpers have made that mistake. To be fair, I have two full timers that trim hind feet for me, however two years on less than a box of bellotas isnt bad. And using a new rasp out of the box, for me, is horrible, they arent sharp new. Put it on the wheel for a minute or two it makes all the difference.