How sharp do you like to get your broadheads, and what tools do you use to get them there?
PLEASE so not turn this into a "This way is better than that way" thread. I simply want to know how sharp most guys like their BH's, and how they get them that way. Any and all input or advice is welcome, but please...don't argue. :archer:
Zack
Feel free to explain what you do to sharpen your heads :wavey:
Zack
I thought hair shaving sharp was good till I read all the stuff on tradgang. Now I am not satisfied with that anymore. Thanks Trad gangers for opening my eyes.
interested in this poll as it plays out.
recently been doing my 2 blades with the KME BH sharpener working down the grits on a stone then going to a fine diamond stone and finishing by stropping on cardboard (Rons trick)
they are comfortably sharper then i can get them by hand no doubt there, the KME is money well spent for me
I use the KME on the muzzy phantoms on a fine/medium DMT 4" x 10" diamond bench stone.
Since I currently have Grizley Broad Heads on my hunting arrows I'll tell you that I start out using a bastard file to get the edge angle. Then I use my KME knife sharpener set at 25 degrees, starting with the course diamond stone then the fine diamond stone and slowly working my way through the Arkansas stones finishing my KME work with the fine stone. I then use a piece of cardboard to strop the edges. When I finish I can easily shave hair off my arms.
I'm not saying that my way is best but it works for me.
learned alot about broadheads this weekend. Seen a broadhead at the ata show that wouldn't cut your fingers but would and has killed game. Put a little speed behind it and it cut paper slick as a whistle. It is made by the same people that make the turkey guilitine
with the blackstumps i shoot i take the original shoulder down with an angle grinder. (absolutely no heat!) then a couple of swipes with a mill file. after that i hone it on a litte diamond steel. that gets them real sharp. then i strop it on my armguard, that gets them hunting sharp. don't forget to oil them.
all i ever have to carry in the field is my little diamond steel and armguard.
Hair shaving sharp.
I use a pull through sharpener or Tru Angle Set (stone,file, or ceramic) then finish with a strop. I test with a rubber band (arm hair only goes so far)but they are hair shaving sharp or they don't go in the quiver...
My sharpening method varies by the broadhead. Three blade Razorcaps or Woodman I use file, stones and strop. For four blade Phantoms I use a KME or Razoredge jig.
I file sharpen and test the edge with my thumb. I like large soft steel heads or Magnus & Zwickey
Personnaly I am in the same boat as Shaun. Although I do like to make sure that they will shave a little hair off my arm, then I know they're good. It took me quite a lot of practice to be able to do it this way, and I got a little frustrated at times. But I'm happy with the results so far.
Try as I might I simply could not get the heads any sharper with my Jewelstik (diamond steel sharpener), in fact they got DULLER. Same thing with stones and all that other jazz. I'm sure it's something I'm not doing right, but right now I'll leave well enough alone.
:archer:
Zack
You need to get them as sharp as possible. The sharper the better. I have been using a lansky and then stropping them.
I like mine as sharp as possible. though hair shaving sharp is great, I go with the tried and tested rubber band test. If it will cut a rubber band with no effort half way through the broadhead it will cut and artery and any major organ.
There are as many ways to sharpen as there are people to sharpen and thus many degrees of sharpness depending on personal ability with any given technique. What's right for one, may not be right for another. Some people are quite gifted with a freehand file. Others with guided stones, etc... Use what works for you and place your shots well.
I use a pull-through sharpener to set the bevel on really dull stuff and a coarse diamond stone, followed by a medium diamond stone to sharpen.
You can get broadheads sharp enough to scare a surgeon, but I can dull that kind of edge just pushing it into quiver foam and pulling it out again. Unless you are shooting broadheads that rockwell close to 50, I would stay with a bit rougher, but more durable edge.