Last night I took a Stinger that has been used to take a deer and sharpened it. I use a Gatco kit. The kit uses a clamp and hones that follow different angles. I used a marker to make the edge black and found that 19 degrees would work best. I used course, medium, and fine to work the blade. At that point, it would not shave hair. I then hit it with an AccuSharp as light as I could for 20 passes. After that, I could shave hair. To me that is sharp. My question is, how do you test your heads to make sure they are hunting sharp?
I shave hair or see if it will slice paper under its own weight.
Shaving fine hair (or cutting myself trying)... only way I have ever done it.
Same as above. Don't want it just to catch. Want it to take off a whole bunch at skin level without a lot of pressure. Works for me and has for 40 years. :deadhorse:
After putting the angle on the blade, I strop it on leather using jewler's rouge to be sure its not just a wire edge, which will come off before it gets through hair and hide.
If it will catch on your fingernail, it will shave hair.
Hair shave test always for BH's & knife. Scissors on relaxed latex glove (not pulled tight).
I make sure it is a 'real' edge and not a fragile burr, and then give it a test on a dry arm or leg. Wet hair is too easy.
I push it through some rubber bands stretched loosely on my fingers. Seems to me that simulates viens and arteries pretty well.
OK, I will try to describe how I do it. I hold my thumb on my left hand upright at about a 80% angle (almost straight up). I take the sharpened broadhead and put it on the nail with the edge parallel to the ground at a 90% angle (straight down). A edge that will stick on the nail without sliding down the nail is sharp enough to shave hair, and not leave my arms looking funny - they already look fun enough without being bald. After a while you will be able to feel the edge and how it bites on the nail. Clear as mud, I know, but works for me. Got the idea from an old bowhunter. :)
I saw on a movie one time a guy throw a silk scarf in the air and let his sword cut it as it drifted down on the blade. That is sharp!
I'm not sure I understand the "cut paper with its own weight" test.
Fingernaiil test for me. My arm is too hairy to shave off any. Bald spots are too easily noticeable after testing that way.
on some tight rubber bands
Yep use the fingernail test.
When I look straight onto the edge if I feel it's about to cut my eye... it's sharp enough..lol
God bless,Mudd
go dry shave with blade...to scary to touch...