Who makes the best blacksmith tools?
 

My wife the horse trainer wants a basic kit of blacksmith tools, primarily so that she can remove horse shoes from time to time. I thought that a tool kit would be a nice birthday present for her. Does anyone here know who is the Snap On tools of the blacksmithing world?

These guys have a small online store:
http://theamericanfarriers.com/home.html

BTW, a blacksmith is a person who makes things (including horseshoes) from metals like iron or steel. A farrier shoes horses and generally provides hoof care.
My uncle was a blacksmith and he was asked all the time if he shoe'd horses.
He would reply by turning to the side and saying, "Shooo , horse!"

being a ferrier is punishment for not having any imagination.....

A good farrier around here commands big bucks. Horseshoes are similar to orthopedic shoes for humans.

I know. it's an ornamental blacksmith's joke...

I know some blacksmiths and farriers. The blacksmiths don't shoe horses but the farriers do some nice ironwork, mostly as a hobby.

I'm no blacksmith, and I sure as heck ain't no farrier, but I would like to have a forge some day. I like hot metal.

My research over the past few days lead me to a company called G.E. Forge & Tool. I haven't seen any of their stuff in person, but I gather that it is high quality stuff. George Ernest started the company in 1946. He had been an itinerant blacksmith who traveled with a partner from one race track town to another, stopping to make tools for the local farriers. Ernest and his partner would make a little bit of money and then go on to the next town. They were essentially highly-skilled hobos who made great tools. Check out this interview: http://www.horseshoes.com/advice/garner/aninwtbg.htm

Neat story. I think I'll get the wife a few G.E. Forge tools for her birthday. They are pricey tools, so her kit will be modest at first.

My horseshoeing tools are all Diamond brand by Cooper Hand Tools. They've held up very well. I recently bought a long handled nail puller by Diamond new and it's made as well as the old stuff. Lots of Diamond stuff online at various retailers and in feed stores, although the feed stores will charge more. The nail puller was 75 bucks at the feed store and I think I paid about 45 for it online.