Forging

I've always used a "Smithy's Helpful Hand" it is cut to length so that it will hold 1/2 of the web on the Anvil and 1/2 of to the side. I heat the shoe to a bright yellow and tap the tip of the toe with a 1 lb rounding hammer (flat face) till I have the desired amount of "Rocker effect". Oh yeah the helpful hand should fit into the Hardy Hole and be able to be driven till tight, a tap on the bottom should release it-kind of like a wedge with a "Finger" on it! Usually about 30 degrees from the face of the anvil.

Chris,

I used to make some fairly inconsistent rocker toe shoes due to my technique, or lack of. Even when I used a bench vise, the shoes were not flat across the toe area. After taking a one-on-one with Dr. Doug Butler, I had learned why things were not going well for me. It was in my lack of technique and consistency.

Not to say this will work for you, however this method has worked for me. I heat my shoe up to a bright red, lay over the amount of shoe I want rockered over the far edge of the anvil at about a 45 degree angle to the anvil. I strike the shoe right at the anvil on one branch and strike it again right at the anvil on the other branch. Those two strikes for me is all it takes to make a consistent rocker toe every time.

There are several methods described in farrier books. Dr. Doug Butler describes how to make one in his book, P-3, were the shoe is flat on the anvil. Chris Gregory, CJF, in his book Better Basics, Better Horseshoeing describes another successful method.

My tongs just grasp one branch, however I used to also run one branch between the reins of the tongs with success too.

There are machines out there that make rocker toe shoes. In my opinion, just a little practice and you will be making consistent rocker toe shoes that will be impressive.

Blessings,

Esco Buff, PhD, CF