Hoof cleaning knife

Hand tool that the blacksmith uses to trim horses' hooves. It usually has a slightly curved blade that is bent at the end and that cuts its entire length. (Compare with the beam scribe, the timber scribe, the cooper's timber scribe and the clog maker's timber scribe).

That blade sticks in a wooden handle that is often bent upwards. Excess horn is cut away with the knife. With the bent end - which also cuts - impurities on the inside of the hoof can be removed.

There are models for both left and right-handed users (1).

See also the horseman's folding knife. [MOT]

(1) Eg. Encyclopédie 1740-80, volume 13: s.v. Marechal ferrant.