I wanted to tell you all about my experience sharpening a Grizzly El Grande.
I bid on and won a KME sharpening system during the St. Judes auction like two years ago. Being ignorant to anything to do with sharpening, I thought I was getting a broadhead sharpener.
I'm not sure if Ron contacted me first or if I him. But he was there from the start.
Well, I finally figured out what I needed and have had the broadhead sharpening jig for about a year now. Ron could have helped me figure it out but I didn't even know what questions to ask.
So I called him a few weeks ago. I wanted to sharpen with sand paper. He prefers the stones but I didn't have them. I had bought the jig only, not the kit.
Do you know how difficult it is to explain something in writing or even over the phone? He had me get a pc of tile or plate glass. "Something flat, hard and waterproof". I got a pc of tile at Lowes for like 35 cents.
When the blades weren't getting sharp like they should Ron figured out that I hadn't adjusted the jig like I should have. A simple step yet very important. I had to start over with the 80 grit and get the angle right.
Having put a burr on once already this step (which is the most difficult) went faster and easier.
I went through the other steps again and had very sharp blades, cutting a rubbering band within 1/8 in. of starting the cut. BUT, they would not shave hair, and that's what I wanted.
Turns out the tile I was using had a little bit of texture on it. So I had the local glass shop cut me a 4x12 pc of plate glass. I went through the final steps of sharpening with this and...
Forearm before 4 sharp Grizzlys...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/BonaGlass/April2011132.jpg)
Forearm AFTER 4 sharp Grizzlys...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/BonaGlass/April2011133.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/BonaGlass/April2011134.jpg)
Thanks Ron!!!
That's pretty.
I like using Emery cloth to sharpen the big Grizzleys. You can get them shaving sharp pretty fast. the stones that come with the KME kit are just not wide enough for the El grande's.
When you get the hang of it, about 15-20 minutes per bevel and they start shaving. that's on a never sharpened head, I can't do that fast with stones. But heck, that might be just me.
I timed my last BH and it took me about 15 min. per edge starting with 80 grit to testing on my arm.
Well Done! Nothin' like a shaving sharp broadhead to put a smile on a bowhunters face. KME is a superb system.
Good Luck this season!
Just curious what adjustment did you make to the jig?
QuoteOriginally posted by b.glass:
I timed my last BH and it took me about 15 min. per edge starting with 80 grit to testing on my arm.
You can cut that down to about 2 minutes per edge by going to a heavy duty curved tooth file.
QuoteOriginally posted by flyfish1:
Just curious what adjustment did you make to the jig?
X2
After the BH is clamped in using the hex nut and then the plunger, I guess you would call it, is inserted in the part with the roller. You have to tighten up the brass threaded thingy until the play is out of the connection. It still needs to swivel easily but with no play. Doing this gives you the correct angle.
If that doesn't make sense I can post a pic or maybe Ron will see this and be able to make it clearer.
This thread is really about Bona. She won't brag so I'll do it for her. At our first contact, Bona told me she was very "sharpening challenged" and she had some Grizzly El Grandes that she wanted to sharpen from scratch. :readit:
I know very well how much physical work it was and I'm so proud of her for her "I can do this" attitude and personal resolve, and happy for her victory over the dreaded Grizz! Congratulations Bona! You did it!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :clapper:
Ron
TTT for Bona! :thumbsup:
Ron gives top notch customer service,
above and beyond! =)
Ron, could you describe the first step with a belt sander.
Thanks
Ron is great.
Once you learn how to sharpen a grizzly you can sharpen anything.
Great job. Ms. Glass
Gilbert