Saw a guy at the county fair using a hoof knife like a pry bar

I was watching a farrier work on a big Percheron at the fairgrounds in Springfield, and he kept trying to lever out a big chunk of sole with the tip of his hoof knife. Heard a little 'ping' sound and saw the tip snap right off. That's a quick way to ruin a good tool and risk a bad cut if it slips. I always use a hoof pick or a puller for that kind of job, keeps the knife edge sharp for trimming. Anyone else see folks using their knives for stuff they really shouldn't?

3 comments

3 Comments

nora_dixon1mo ago

Man, that's a good way to get hurt. I keep a cheap pry bar in my truck box just so I'm not tempted to use a knife for that. Tools are made for one job.

grantschmidt1mo ago

Yeah, and like @sandrat24 said, the flying metal is no joke. But it's not just about the tip breaking. Using a knife as a pry bar wrecks the lockup and the heat treat on the blade. Next time you go to cut something, that weakened spot could fold right over. A pry bar is just a chunk of steel, who cares if it bends. A knife is supposed to stay sharp and straight.

sandrat241mo ago

Oof, that's a safety thing too. A broken tip can fly off and hit someone, not just the guy holding it. Seen it happen with a screwdriver once, scary stuff.

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