ok heres my problem i ahve my arrows ready to go bow tuned stands hung and ver confident in my shooting out to 20 yards. heres my major problem i cant get my broadheads sharp enough to butter much lesss a deer, i have the smith sharping system with the coarse diamond and fine diamond but i cant get them sharp i also have a g5 sportsman sharpner and nothing i do seems to work my broad heads are magnus 2 blade i need some help the clock is ticking season opens sept 15 here in mo
I wonder if your rolling the blade edge or stone as you work the edge?
As a knife-maker, I have watched & tot many guys that just can't seem to get a good edge on a blade and the problem is usually one of these issues.
1. Not keeping a consistent edge angle while working the edge.
2. Pushing too hard (trying to remove too much material with each pass)
3. The steel in question is too soft or too hard
4. Not being patient enough during the process
5. Getting the edge pre-sharp (meaning you've actually got a bur edge which is good. You just need to use a ceramic rod or stropping leather to remove the bur) which if stropped will give you a razer edge!
I don't know what your problem is, I hope one of these normal problems is it and you can pick it out and fix it.
If not, and time is really running out, my suggestion is either take your heads to someone who can sharpen them for you or go get some new ones that are all ready sharp.
I use an old mill bastard file and a piece of leather. The key is to go slow keep the angle the same on each pass and not try to remove too much with each pass. As you get close lighten the pressure on whatever you are using. What you want to feel is a bur on the opposite side you are sharpening. The bur is best removed with a strop but a piece of leather works well too.
Have you tried an Accusharp? I believe Magnus recommends them for their two-blades and I've had good success with it. It seems too easy but it works well....
There are some vids in the "How To" section that might help you with the technique. Half of sharpening is knowing when to stop. Use a new sharp file. If all else fails, get some heads that come sharp out of the box to hunt with while you practice.
The best sharpener and easiest I've ever used is called The Warthog V-Sharp,made in South Africa.It is a little spendy at about $100 but one of the best investments I've made.It was shown to me by an outfitter in Sascatchewan.A custom knifemaker there is a dealer.I believe there is a dealer in the states also.This thing works great on knives and 2 blade broadheads with double bevels,straight edged or any type of curve.A few strokes and you are ready to hunt.A kid can sharpen your knives or broadheads with this one.It operates with 2 diamond coated rods and I think you can get 600 or 1000 grit.I use 600.I believe you could go right to the strop after 600 but I haven't tried it.For badly dulled or damaged heads,you should file them before using the V-Sharp.It is adjustible for angle also.I'm a full time taxidermist plus trapper and bowhunter.I use this on all my shop knives,custom knives and 2 blade broadheads.So far,it is the best,easiest sharpener I've found.Much faster to use than the Lansky and keeps a consistent angle from one end of a knife blade to the other,regardless of curvature.I'll try to post some pictures later.The website is www.knifesharpners.co.za (http://www.knifesharpners.co.za) Don't expect to find discount bargains on this one.Check it out.
I use a really big file followed by an accusharp as needed-hair popping!
A good file helps to thin the edge sown if needed. An Accusharp will put a good edge on the blade. A set of crock sticks or a strop will finish the edge. With each tool, use enough pressure in the beginning to get the edge started and then revert to light strokes.
I feel your pain...........
I can't sharpen anything with any type of "system" I can work for an hour to finally get one sharp. My buddy Joey B. is an expert and he tries and tries to teach me...I'm just a loser.
I get them sharp eventually but It's luck most of the time.
I bought some sliverflames but at $30 a piece, I'd go broke in one year :-(
An accusharp does a decent job, especially it especially if you use a leather strop to finish the sharpening process. My father gave me some honing compound from Lee Valley, using that with a leather strop has been key for me in getting my broadheads shaving sharp. Using honing compound with a strop also works great for touching up your broaheads occasionally thought the season.
Use a file. Sharpen on both sides to 23 degrees or so and raise a burr. After the burr, stroke - away from you - very, very lightly and then strop on leather. This still leaves a slight serration on the edge which helps penatration. Ooops may have opened Pandora's box.
The Razor Edge System is the best I've found for telling one how to sharpen knives, etc. Check it out and guarantee it'l help you.
Tru-angle... Gets my Zwickey's "scary" sharp....
heres what I do for my magnus 2blades
get the accusharp sharpener(real cheap) and swipe each edge about 20 times(this is from right out of the package, so yours might take more than 20 swipes), strop on leather and if possible lightly touch each edge on a buffing wheel, shaving sharp!