A pritchel is a specific type of punch utilized in the forging process, specifically for creating nail holes in horseshoes. Smile International manufactures all pritchels using premium H13 tool steel for top-notch quality.
A pritchel is a specialized punch employed in the forging process, especially for creating nail holes in horseshoes. To form the nail hole, the heated horseshoe is first partially punched with a forepunch or drift punch, creating a hole that covers about 90 percent of the steel. Then, the pritchel is aligned with the punched hole and driven into it, effectively removing the remaining metal at the bottom of the hole.