I have used Kerckhaert sx-7's and sx-8's as well as a couple draft horse shoes. For the most part they seem to be great shoes and I like the positioning of the nail holes, the shapes, and durability. If you place the shoe (hoof side down)on a level surface and sight under the toe of the shoe, you will notice some space between the level surface and the toe. Several farriers I know including myself typically hammer down the toe of the shoe so that the hoof side fits flat against the hoof. I've even been told it's better to do this of course so that you have a tight fit at the toe against the hoof.

I know these shoes are turned instead of drop forged. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. I just wanted to see what other farriers were doing out there because I don't want to really add hammer strokes to my shoe shaping if it's really not necessary. Kerckhaert's website calls it a "specially designed toe" on the sx-8. I'd like some more info.

Thanks,

I guess I never noticed. In the process of fitting the shoe, I have to level it anyway.

MLfarrier wrote:
I can offer to ask the makers around the 13 december be down to a workshop with them and the farrier they use..ray knightley.

A guess... the turning process compresses the inside web which is why when turning a shoe working the sole pressure out of the footside is so important. I've always viewed keg shoes as blanks that have to be refined with heel checks, medial and lateral branches and seating out of the foot surface. Imo, seating the toe out would not be extra hammer blows but part and parcel to the normal process of shoeing a horse. Unless the machine shoe is seated out by a machine it will be neccasary to do, or if it is any major changes in the radius of the toe will compress the inside web and again require seating the shoe out. I'll hit the whole branch while thinking inside while working the foot side, then when flattening the shoe from the ground side use half faced overlapping blows around the outside of the web. takes about fifteen seconds.
JMO,
Jason

I have used a lot of Kerkhart SSP's over the years and always had to hammer in a sole relief around the inside edge of the sole surface. They have a little bit of a twist in the stock so the outer edge does not sit down flat on the foot otherwise.
It's good practice to go around the inner ege of the sole surface, then the outer edge of the ground surface of any plain flat keg shoe anyway, to help level it.

I also think there might be a little twist in the stock due to the turning process. The web also appears to be thinner at the toe than further back on the branches. Thanks for the information and the helpful tips.

I'm thinking about picking up kerks as my primary shoe,

What are the ssp's?


Thanks,
Jarred

Jarred,

SSP's are punched for an E-Head nail and patterned in left and right. These are the only distinguishing features from the SX7's or 8's that I am aware of.

Trevor

Ok thats a new one on me...... Right and Left sides????




Thanks,
Jarred

Yep!

If you set a pair down, you will notice that the medial branch is elongated just ever so slightly, drawn down through the quarter, and the lateral branch rounder. It is sometimes hard to see to the untrained eye, just remember the number stamp (Size Number) goes on the lateral side. (Outside) Kerkhaert DF's are also made in Lefts and Rights. Werkman shoes as well.

I use mostly Grand Circuit 'Shapers' and Werkman shoes. While my fronts are the same, a lot of the hinds that I use are left and rights. Kerkhaert SX and Standard shoes are not patterned left and right.

Trevor

That's why I prefer Will Lents shoes.

Steve

Steve,

Yeah, but the smaller end of your horses are a size 2. The larger end of my horses are a size 2. Happy belated birthday BTW, I have been out of town.

Trevor

T. Wm. HALL wrote:
Thank you !!! 50 down......now the fun begins

Steve

Thanks for clearing up the left and right. I saw that myself for the first time at the shoeing supply. They had a sign that said some shoes are left and right. Asked about it and they told me about the stamping. Will have to look at them closer to see the differences I guess.

DoubleCFarrierService wrote:

"Devil is in the Details"