Hoof overlays?

[WhistlingBadger]

Just curious.  I see lots of horn tip overlays.  Anybody use hooves for that?  Seems like it would work, and be a lot easier to find.

[Pat B]

If it is thick enough. Deer is too thin I think. Cow or horse would probably work but I've never used either.

[Digital Caveman]

I am in the process of figuring out how how a deer leg is put together (harvesting sinew for the first time );  maybe I'll see what I can do with the hooves. 

[maitus]

I have made a tool from moose hoof for wet hide molding. I think its not thick enough for overlays. Is about 5-6 mm thick.

[Digital Caveman]

That might work for me; I'm not a fan of bulky tips.

[maitus]

So do I ...

[Hawkdancer]

If you have enough hooves, you could throw them in a big pot with some bones, vinegar water and salt to make bone broth - supposed to be good for you!  I have seen them made into a rifle/bow rack, but I think you have to leave the sinew in.
Hawkdancer

[PatM]

Pig and cow hooves are used frequently.  The material does not need to be thick.

[dylanholderman]

I’ve used the pug hoof dog chews before, works fine the thickest material is closer to the sole and the sole itself is pretty thick but I never tried it before. The sole seemed kind of spongy in the ones I got.

[Allyn T]

I had wondered about this same thing

[Pappy]

I have used deer hoofs several times, just have to clean well and they are a little pores, but worked fine.
 Pappy

[monoloco]

I have used deer hoofs several times, just have to clean well and they are a little pores, but worked fine.
 Pappy

Pappy, would love to see pics or more details.  I'd love to be able to use whitetail hooves - hate wasting any of the deer.
thx

[DC]

I've used dog chew hooves a lot. The sole does seem to be thicker and softer but it works fine. Sure stinks when you run it against a belt sander

[Marc St Louis]

I used Moose hooves a few times many years ago.  Worked well

[Dances with squirrels]

I used deer hooves on one bow. I ground out all the porous stuff and just used the solid material toward the outside. It was thin, but there was enough there that it worked. I didn't shoot that bow a lot, and no longer have it. It was rawhide backed osage, bend through the handle. I wouldn't bother with it again. A thicker hoof perhaps, but not deer. Jmo.