Farriers Rasps,

[Old Creek]

What are some good uses for them, espeacialy for beginers??
Had a farrier give me a half dozen rasps yesterday, I know I want to try my hand at making a flint striker but what are some other projects they may be suitable for?? I didnt think to get a manufacturer name but the tangs are painted white if that is a clue ( if it matters )
They throw a better shower of sparks than my Nicholson files.

creek

 

[necchi]

I've seen some turned into some pretty neat hawks by skilled forge workers.

 

[GunnyGene]

I have a couple I use for shaping wood occasionally. Not everything can be done with power tools. :wink: I wouldn't even think about turning them into a knife or whatever, but I suppose you could.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

You could make a froe, perhaps a nice draw knife, an adze, a sickle, perhaps some nice tools for turning wood or horn, or some nice chisels for wood??

LD

 

[GunnyGene]

That would depend on the steel. Many new ones are only case hardened mild steel and wouldn't be suitable for much of anything. I'm not a smith so I can't advise about how to determine what steel they might be or how to repurpose it, but I do know that you need a fairly high carbon steel for woodworking tools.

 

[M. De Land]

I have a large one and several small ones and I use them for all sorts of wood removal when there is a lot or material to take off in a hurry.
They work really well for roughing out a stock profile. I especially like the ones with a round back and flat front.
I couldn't imagine hacking up these very useful tools to make other stuff with. That's what old worn out files, springs and blades are for. MD

 

[BrownBear]

Hmmmph. Mine are still hanging in the barn but the last horse is long gone. Hadn't thought of doing anything with them..... Thanks! :hatsoff:

 

[LRB]

Before you go to making any form of cutting tool from them, check to see if they are through hardened or case hardened. If all of the same brand and type, sacrifice one and see if you can break it. Or just break a section off. If you can, it's of a file steel. If not, scrap iron.

 

[bennypapa]

Before you go to making any form of cutting tool from them, check to see if they are through hardened or case hardened. If all of the same brand and type, sacrifice one and see if you can break it. Or just break a section off. If you can, it's of a file steel. If not, scrap iron.

The local farrier supply told me this same thing when I inquired about used or junked rasps. Most are now case hardened mild steel and cannot be hardened by any other method than case hardening.

If you can sacrifice one, do as wick says and see if it breaks or bends. Then with whats left of that one test rasp try hardening a piece and see what happens.

Good luck.
Ben

 

[GunnyGene]

Btw, if they are marked Liogier, you have the finest rasps in the world. http://www.liogier-france.fr/?lang=en

 

[Old Creek]

I'll take one to work tomorrow and put it in the vice and see what happens.
My guess is it will not be of the quality you describe Gunny cause the farrier who gave it to me said he goes through several per week, I trimmed horses with the same rasp my dad used when I was a young kid up until the mid 90's and couldnt hurt it any and I still have it and like mentioned now use for rough wood work. I really don't see why this guy is quiting on em either, they dont look a bit hurt to me. He is a young guy so maybe he has just been misled.

thanks fellas.

creek

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Some farriers will use the rasp on the clinched over nails, even saw one guy use his on shoes, which can dull them pretty quick.

I have used the same cheap chinese rasp for the past 15 years and it is just now getting to the point I'll replace it.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

OK so if it is mild steel, could one not use it to make a traditional 'hawk, provided one welded a good piece of steel into the blade as was done in time past?

LD

 

[PaulN/KS]

If you build wooden bows the farriers rasp is handy for roughing in and getting a stave shaped to floor tiller.
Also,there is an oufit out in California,Boggs Tool I think, that re-sharpens rasps and files.They do a good job getting an old tool scary sharp. Reasonable in price too.

 

[Old Creek]

Good info !!!!!!!!!

creek

 

[BrownBear]

Some farriers will use the rasp on the clinched over nails, even saw one guy use his on shoes, which can dull them pretty quick.

Can't imagine that, but there are probably as many ways to shoe a horse as there are to load a muzzleloader. I know that if my grandpap ever heard a rasp hitting steel, you'd a wished the horse kicked you instead of him kicking you. :shocked2:

 

[hornetk4]

most farriers rasps have a roughing side and a finishing side,and they usualy use two rasps on a shoeing job. They use the rough side to shape the hoof then flip it over to finnish the hoof trim then after they nail the shoe on they use a second used rasp to finnish the metal work at least that's how I was taught.We always put two different kinds of handles on the new verses the used rasp so you can switch without missing a beat.I you got a bellota or a save edge you got some good files made with excellent steel for tool or knife making , if your rasps are stamped enders you won't want to put too much labor into them for any project. Good luck use safety glasses.

 

[PaulN/KS]

Just got a used Save Edge yesterday. A little rusty but still pretty sharp.
Was free a good deal..? :wink:

 

[Bill Austin]

I use 2 rasps in my shoeing box one just for the hoof, the other for finishing. I get a new one every week or so depending on how many horses I'm doing. They do get dull. Working on muddy feet makes one dull pretty quickly.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Here is a photo of two items made from farrier's rasps.

The hawk is an "Eagle pipe hawk" and the other is throwing knife.
They were made from European made rasps of top quaality by Kari the farrier for the Finnish Equiation team. He hopes to be at this year's Eastern.