I finally got a hoof knife sharpening jig and it changed my trimming

After 6 months of fighting with dull edges on my favorite Mustad knife, I picked up a simple jig from a supplier in Lexington last week. The first trim I did afterwards cut cleaner and I barely had to touch up the sole. Has anyone else tried one of these for their everyday knives?

3 comments

3 Comments

dylanmurray17d ago

You say it "changed your trimming" but I think you're giving the jig too much credit. A sharp knife comes from good technique and consistent honing, not a gadget that just holds the angle for you. Honestly, I've had better results just learning to freehand sharpen my hoof knives and it keeps me from relying on another tool that can break or get lost.

murphy.linda17d ago

Grabbed one from a local co-op about two years ago after getting tired of grinding away at my knives by hand. It took me a couple tries to get the angle right on the jig, but once I did, the edge lasted way longer between sharpenings. Freehand sharpening never gave me a consistent bevel, and my cuts would drift all over the place on tough soles. The jig fixed that totally for me, and I actually look forward to trimming now instead of dreading the cleanup. Have you noticed less blade chatter on those thick, dry feet since you started using it?

taylor.amy15d ago

Your comment about blade chatter is interesting - @murphy.linda, have you tried putting a few drops of mineral oil on the stone before you start? My uncle used to do that for his straight razors, and it made me wonder if it could help with the vibration you're describing on those dry feet.