Took the plunge and bought some 125gr Snuffers. Read on what I should need so I got a 6" Bastard file from 3Rivers Archery since this is what Magnus said to use, im wondering if I should have went with the 12". I watched Dale Karch shapen a Woodsman online so I figured I could do the Snuffer. No luck but this is my first time at trying to sharpen a head. Could some of you more experenced guys give me some techniques? I just hope I didnt ruin a broadhead!! :knothead: In a pinch I could have my Uncle go at with a stone but id like to learn to do it myself. Thanks guys
Go to the How to section on the tradgang.com link above in there Charlie Lamb does a good demo on sharpening broadheads.
Real easy to put too much pressure on the file. Mark the blades with a sharpie so you can see what you are really doing. H
Once you get the basic bevel on the blade (use a marker like Ground Hunter says) start getting lighter and lighter with the stokes. When you finish you should barely be touching the heads. Gary
click here for 3 blade sharpening tips (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000096)
This is Charlie Lamb's post that is on the "How to" section for Wensel Woodsmans. It will work for Snuffers. When i have problems sharpening a 3 blade it is usually cause i'm using too much pressure. i use a fine stone or fine diamond after the file (I do use a 12 inch file). i always finish up by using backward strokes on a piece of cardboard. i am sharpening handicapped, and this works for me. Practice, then practice some more. You will get it! :thumbsup:
I'm gonna shoot 160 snuffers this year and found it much easier to skip the method where you lay a file flat on the table. Not sure why, but just could not get it to shave that way. Instead, I just run the file from back to front mounted on an arrow. This method took me no longer than 5 min per head out of the package!
+1 on the sharpie!
It's not you, it's the file. 12" makes Snuffers much easier, and 16" is even better. Once you get the bigger file the advice above is all spot on.
Thanks all. I tried the sharpie thing and it worked but my blades seem to have a "flat" top on them rather then sharp. Not sure if that has to do with the angle maybe?
Yup still got a flat rounded top on the blade no matter what I do. Think I may have messed up this head!
I have a setup with 2 round files set in plastic side by side to hollow grind the blades/then file lightly and finally a ceramic to finish it off. This works best for me.
Good luck!
The Snuffers come with arched bevels...and IMO, you MUST get all the bevels flat. The best way is with a belt sander....once the bevels are flat and even....easy as pie. Although Charlie's method works well also.
If you want, you can send them to me and I'll get them flat for you and send them back. I'll even sharpen up a couple of them so you can see how they can be.
Just email me.... tarz@tradgang.com
Thank you Terry ill email you when I get out of work!!
When using a belt sander what grit do you use and when all is said and done how many grains of weight do you think may be lost due to changing the bevels? Thanks, Coach
I don't know what grit it is to tell you the truth...but I'll see if I can find out.
I don't know how many grains, but I figure I put it right back on with the glue.
Oh...BTW, I have never had a bhead get pulled from my hand with a belt sander, and the bevels always come off flat when I'm through with them on the belt sander. I do wear safty glasses though as I always do when running a belt sander...or any sander for that matter.
I recently saw Monty Browning sharpen a snuffer on a bench grinder, he used a specific size of wheel for hollow grinding..I think it was 4inch??? I should have paid more attention..
I just pulled up an old thread for you - see the "Sharpening Snuffers" thread.
My method is similar to Monty's - 6 inch medium grit wheel then finish off as I detail in the thread above.
We also sharpen them like Terry on the belt sander as well - the only difference is you get a hollow grind on the wheel.
Don't make it harder than it needs to be! Once you get the hang of it sharpening Snuffers is a breeze.....and don't worry - you won't ruin the head with a file unless you file it until the whole thing is a pile of shavings!
As far as worrying about taking off weight sharpening and etc etc - I'm still looking after 30 years at this game and I've never met the guy that can shoot good enough to tell the difference!
Ryan
I'll see if i can take some pictures of how I sharpen one with just a 12" file
Got the email and replied 2Blade....I'll be on the look out for them and get them fixed up for ya.......that is if I don't get hit by a train. I don't know of anyone that's got hit by a train, but accidence can happen.
And Driving is a lot more dangerous that sharpening Bheads!!! :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
This is how I sharpen a snuffer with just my file. Get the sharpie and color the bevels on all 3 sides.
(http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr272/boblamonte/snuffer/snuffer1.jpg)
Hold the snuffer like so, and this is when you can apply a good amount of pressure and you can go back and forth on the file until all the sharpie marks are gone and all 3 sides. This is what it should look like on all 3 sides once done removing your sharpie marks.
(http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr272/boblamonte/snuffer/snuffer7.jpg)
(http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr272/boblamonte/snuffer/snuffer2.jpg)
(http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr272/boblamonte/snuffer/snuffer3.jpg)
Once that is done you will start the snuffer at the front of the file, holding the snuffer the way I did in the picture above. drag the snuffer from the front of the file to the back of the file with the snuffer pointed in the direction in the below pics. It is extremely important that you are only using enough pressure to only hold the snuffer on the file until it reaches the back of the file.
(http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr272/boblamonte/snuffer/snuffer4.jpg)
(http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr272/boblamonte/snuffer/snuffer5.jpg)
This is my random sequence of strokes from the front of the file to the back that works for me. I will do 30 LIGHT strokes than rotate until all 3 sides get 30 LIGHT strokes each. Then I will do 20 strokes than rotate until all 3 sides get 20 LIGHT strokes. Then I will do 15 LIGHT strokes than rotate until all 3 sides get 15 LIGHT strokes. This is where I change it up. I do a 10 count, except I rotate after 1 stroke on each side until I count off to 10. Below is what my snuffer will do to my leg hair after my 10 count. I am sure you can then go strop it on leather or an ultrafine stone, but I only have a file and can get it to shave with that. Sorry the pic is blurry but there is alot of hair on that snuffer, trust me
(http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr272/boblamonte/snuffer/snuffer6.jpg)
Nice offer TG. I don't think you can get them as sharp as using a Snuffer Tamer. The Tamer changes the angle to more of a 2 blade angle. With that being said I don't use a Tamer because you have to take off too much material. May shorten the blade by a 16th or 32cn.
Bowmania
Yeah...I have been wanting to try a snuffer tamer for sure...I hear that is the trick if you want to change the angle and get them even sharper.
You get the same effect as the Snuffer tamer with the hollow grind - as far as the bevel angle goes - without removing as much material and weakening the tip like the tamer does.
R
I just got my first package and have been working on them too. I use a 14' file flat on the table with med pressure till i get all the sharpie marks gone. Then I do another 10 light strokes per side withe the 14' file. Then I put on an arrow and work lightly(only the weight of the file) with an 8' file and can get them to shave. When I try to finish on a fine waterstone I seem to go backwards and it gets duller?? Maybe I'm not working enough on the stone to get the burr all the way off??
Thanks for all the helpful replies everyone!! I sent out my Snuffers today to Terry Green (Thanks Terry!!!) so im looking foreword to getting them back. Really hoping I can test one on a turkey next month :)
Just did one like Ryan....on a wheel/bench grinder...haven't finished it off yet, but see it did change the angle. Going to Jewel Stick it and see what happends.
I'll be looking for em 2blade. :thumbsup:
I've notice the same thing as texbow when it comes to doing the fine work with a stone. I can shave hair right after the file work but when I put one on a stone it stops shaving.
After I hit them with a 9" file I just leave them alone. No need for me to get a shaving edge sharper I guess.
Yep....the Wheel grinder and jewel stick worked like a charm.
This Info is on the DVD "BowHunters of TradGang" Volume 1!!! I just watched it the other day!! :readit: ...... When is Volume 2 coming Out?? Huh Huh Huh??? :confused: :goldtooth: :laughing:
OK....got two of them sharpened...and got a phone call....missed UPS...will ship them out Monday sir.
UPS has got em now.....
file and diamond stone gets woodsmans razor sharp for me, just lay flat and push. dale carch has a demo video on the 3r website for a reference