Sharpening Rods and Stones — For Sharp Hoof Knives

Good, high-quality hoof knives require proper care. This includes regular sharpening. Even the best hoof knife will eventually lose its edge.

Sharp hoof knives support the farrier in two key ways: First, a sharp blade glides effortlessly through the material; second, a sharp hoof knife reduces the risk of injury — because a sharp edge lowers the chance of slipping. Dull hoof knives, on the other hand, require significantly more force during trimming.

Not only do preferences vary when it comes to the hoof knife itself, but also in the preferred sharpening method. That’s why we offer both sharpening rods and sharpening stones in our range.

You see a farrier’s hands using a hoof knife on a horse's hoof during trimming; the farrier is wearing cut-resistant gloves.

Sharpening Stones

from 10,92 EUR

incl. 19 % VAT excl. shipping costs

Voucher

Voucher

from 10,00 EUR

Sharpening Tools vs. Grinding Machines and Rotary Tools

In addition to traditional sharpening tools like sharpening rods and stones, you can also use a grinding machine or a rotary tool (such as one from Dremel) to sharpen a hoof knife. These motorized tools can be especially helpful when dealing with very dull or unevenly worn blades, as they help restore the original sharpness and proper cutting angle of the hoof knife.

While sharpening rods and stones allow for precise manual finishing, motorized grinding tools offer a quick and effective alternative — but they must be handled with care to avoid overheating the blade or removing material unevenly.

No matter which sharpening tool is used — whether it's a sharpening rod, sharpening stone, rotary tool (like a Dremel), or grinding machine — sharpening a hoof knife always requires some practice and finesse to achieve the optimal edge. Every hoof trimmer has their own preferences and techniques, and it often takes time to discover which tool works best for you personally.

A farrier’s hands sharpening a loop hoof knife with a sharpening rod.

In the end, there isn’t just one right way — many methods can get the job done.