HOW TO MAKE A KNIFE FROM A FARRIER OR HOOF RASP

What does Boswell, Oklahoma haymaker Garrett Lemmons do when the sun don't shine? He  makes custom knives out of hoof rasps under the Corriente Knife Company brand which he founded.

Now owning a good knife is a cool and necessary tool for many people for many reasons. Owning a custom made knife by CKC or one made by yourself is what youtube gun guru and firearms reviewer Nut n Fancy calls 1st cool. If you don't understand I'll try to explain.  If it looks good, feels good, and works good, your on the right track to being 1st cool.

If that doesn't explain it, just hold one of these knives in your hand and I am sure you will understand.  If you are curious how he makes his knives or are thinking of making your own here's how he does it.  ( For demonstration purposes only )


1.    Source a hoof rasp, there are a few ways to do this. Go straight to Amazon and buy new or visit your local feed or hardware store, contact a local farrier to buy their used rasp, (they only use the best) or take a walk through your local swap meet.  One more source and probably the best, is to ask your Grandpa if he's got one laying around no longer in use. Keywords - ask and no longer in use, don't just take it , ask first.  Grandpa knows a lot but he understands very little, and he won't understand this at all, ask first.

2.    Pick a design, the choices are unlimited pick one that suits your needs and skill level. You can make a template from paper or cardboard, use an existing knife to trace around, or draw free hand on your rasp.

• Clamps 
• Files 
• Vice
• Drill
• Belt grinder

3.    Annealing (softening metal or tempering to make it workable). Heat it until it glows or it is non-metallic, check it with a magnet.  Allow it to cool on it's own. (sticking the rasp in sand will slow cool it).

4.    Take a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder with a 40 grit flap disk to remove some of the rough off your rasp this is purely cosmetic so suit yourself.

5.    Trace out your knife design.

6.    Remove excess material as shown in photo. Use the cutoff wheel on an angle grinder. You should now have the basic shape cut out.

7.    Use a  flap disk on the grinder to clean up rough edges.

8.    Grind primary bevel to a 12 degree angle, use another knife for visual reference.

9.    Dull the edge slightly with 200 grit sandpaper prior to further heat treating to minimize fractures of the edge.

10.    Heat the blade, only the blade, to a red color, then quench 1/2 inch of the cutting edge of the blade.  Use a  metal drywall pan to contain oil for cooling the blade.

11.    Use 150 grit sandpaper and  sand until it is no longer black, at this point your knife is hard but brittle. Place it in an oven to temper the metal, making it more durable( less brittle ). Heat to 425 degree for 30 min. Let it cool to the touch on it's own, do this 3 times.

12.    Sand with 150 grit increasing in grit to 3000 grit until you get the desired finish.

Now this is how Garrett does his. I am sure there are many other ways and remember this is for demonstration purposes only. Knife making is hot, dirty, time consuming work and is not without its hazards.  Make sure you wear the appropriate PPE ( Personal Protective Equipment ) Gloves, Face Shields and/or goggles and Apron.  Don't overlook potential fire hazards and take the necessary precautions.

 When you are all done, gift that knife back to Grandpa.  He may not understand but you will and that my friend is 1st Cool.

 This is  part one, Blade Making,  Watch for Part 2 - Handle Making and Part 3 - Sheath Making.

So to wrap it up, if you have any questions about knife making or would like to purchase a custom knife from CKC, contact Garrett at 1-580-257-0068.

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This is Papa Randy and I am

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