As farriers, we all have favorite tools and tend to stick to the brands and styles that we like. Every once in a while it is good to try a new way of doing something or a new tool. Maybe we have been missing out, or maybe we will confirm our preference for the tool we already use.
I had a chance to try a Bellota Top Level rasp that I won in a giveaway. You can view the specifications of the rasp here. Anytime we are evaluating a rasp there are a few aspects we want to evaluate: sharpness, finish, clogging, and longevity. All of these aspects will be evaluated for both sides of the rasp. We must also consider that the environment will be a major factor in how a rasp performs.
Overall I liked the performance of the rasp side, the file side however left much to be desired with a rough finish and a major issue with clogging. In a different environment this rasp may perform much better.
Rasp side
First impression
Wonderfully sharp and leaves a surprisingly smooth finish.
Sharpness/material removal
Very aggressive material removal, no stuttering.
Clogging
A few clogs over the life of the rasp but nothing bad.
Longevity
Lasted through two weeks of horses and stayed very consistent. Sharpness did drop by the end of the first week but stayed in a reasonable range through the life of the rasp. Was eventually replaced due to the file side.
File side
First impression
I was very impressed with the first few strokes of the finish side when dressing down a foot; unfortunately, it clogged very quickly. The finish on the foot showed more rasp marks than I would like.
Sharpness/material removal
The first couple minutes were great. Once it clogged, all sharpness was gone and it just skated across the foot. Clogging was difficult to clear even with a stiff file card, and came back with just a few strokes.
Clogging
Constantly clogged.
Longevity
Discarded after two weeks, minimal material removal after the first day.