There have been a few threads surface and resurface here of late with hunting season approaching. Having tried and tried for shaving sharp edges I finally went and bought a 10" mill file. I made a strop with some scrap leather and a 2x2 block of oak that's about 8" long. I used Brasso to impregnate the leather with its polishing grit.
I had to break out the clippers with a #2 comb attachment to make my arms presentable in public. There were so many shaved spots, I had to.
Thanks for those that have asked and to those who have replied, and posted links to other threads, for sharpening tips. The tips worked. I am now consistent and have all my Eclipse heads shaving sharp.
I have the bare arms to prove it. :eek: :campfire:
I just got back from one of my hunting spots. Tracks are fresh all over.
I hope this hunting year continues to fall into place.
cheers!
I go through the same thing every year. My wife says my arms get "prickly".
Yep it's that time of year. I've got a nice shaved spot just above my right knee I use when I'm sitting. Keeps my visible parts more presentable! Lol
To funny !!!!!!!!!!
I've been there, done that myself.
TIP - after sharpening,check the blade on your thumbnail. If it will bite into the nail, instead of sliding down it, then it is normally shaving sharp, and at the very least it is sharp enough to adequately slice through flesh & blood vessels/arteries.
My arms get bare this time of year so last year I wend after the legs. I sure didn't like it when the leg hair started growing back :eek:
Glad my wife ain't the only one that fusses about "prickly" arms :biglaugh:
Bud
What cut on the mill file do you use ?
Single cut Bastard from Nicholson bought at Lowe's. I had a 6" but the stroke was too short for a nice even bevel. It removes metal fast so as the strokes pass I get lighter with the touch. I hold the BH on a piece of 2117 that's about 8" with an insert glued in. I'm a lefty. I start with the BH pointed towrds me and cut with the left hand on the left side of the BH as it's facing me. I flip it and do the other side as it's pointed towards me. I then point it away and do the left side completing the double bevels. Then strop about 16 times. No jigs. Just the piece of 2117 and my knee and a steady pass along the edge of the BH.
The strop has three pieces of strips of leather glued on the length with one side bare wood uncovered. One piece of leather is flesh side out.
So far it works for single bevels too.
What's brasso?
Brasso is metal polish.
Google will get you all the info on it. It's sold everywhere.
Just tried my Ace Super Express and Magnus blades. I think I really finally got it.
:bigsmyl:
Thanks bud!
Seth I have some flitz that works very well.
My magnus are sharp
Looking at shaving my back when I get home
Less noticable :)
QuoteOriginally posted by Widowdoublelung:
Seth I have some flitz that works very well.
I'll take u up on that..I gotta new secret sharpener comin in by Friday hopefully. All you'll need to shave your face next week is shavin cream and my treeshark
this is a great thread. The manufacturers of the high end sharpener systems aren't going to like it though. I've bought most stuff out there. Sold it all too. been there. Done that.
justin
This was one of the threads that "clicked" with me.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=118209
The "burr" is key. I don't file until I see it, I file until I feel it, testing as I go.
As I strop I can see the burr catch on the strop if I hold the angle of the strop correctly against nearby lighting to get light reflection. The strop has rough "drag spots" appear on it as I work the BH edge. I strop until the rough spots fade to smooth leather.
Batman is one of the many who helped it click.
My simple sharpening tools.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/sharp.jpg)
I do have a diamond steel I use for touchups, but these are my edge establishers.
I have only used it on two blades, single and double bevel.
Good information. Thanks!
Ive tried what you are doing many times with no luck. I just cant get a broadhead sharp with a file, i envy you guys that can.
It's EASY to shave the Top of your arms , legs, etc. Shave the little froggies on the inside of your forearm or the top of your shoulder. One straight pass like a razor. Then let's talk..LOL
By the way if you do it this way they don't show :biglaugh:
QuoteOriginally posted by GANDGOLF:
It's EASY to shave the Top of your arms , legs, etc. Shave the little froggies on the inside of your forearm or the top of your shoulder. One straight pass like a razor. Then let's talk..LOL
By the way if you do it this way they don't show :biglaugh:
Ask this guy about their sharpness...
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/Faith020.jpg)
They shave. That's all that matters.
This thread was a thank you for those who have posted positive comments of help which in turn got me to sharpen better and more consistently. Not one to invite negativity.
Peace to you GANDGOLF.
Didn't mean any negativity .. Offering New goals. :notworthy: Please forgive me .
I struggled with it for years, in fact decades, trying to get shaving sharp edges. This site has been a tremendous help with the many folks who can do it by their continuous offering of advice. It finally clicked with me and I am truly thankful.
My apologies for taking it wrongly. I don't want to see others who struggle to achieve the same ability to get shaving edges give up without trying various means. I'm amazed at how easily I can do it now. And with such simple tools.
Continued peace Sir.
What's Brasso? Funny to those of us who have worn brass belt buckles for our military time. Not making fun, just amazed that the stuff that was in high demand before Fri inspection could be forgotten so quickly
Never thought about using on strop, good tip
Bud B. , great info...how do you do the single bevel, thanks.
QuoteOriginally posted by gordydog:
Bud B. , great info...how do you do the single bevel, thanks.
I just make sure the angle is good and even. After hitting the bevel side with the file I still strop like it's a double bevel.
Straight edges are easier. The curved blades of the Ace and Eclipse take a steadier hand to keep the edge even. I use the tip of my thumb to protect the ferrule of the head from file marks, plus it acts as an angle guide.
I have one RH single bevel Eclipse that took about two-three minutes to get to shave.
If you take a dark blue or black Sharpie and color the edge before hitting it with the file you can se how you're doing as far as angle and pressure consistency.
As you strop, you can see the "roughing" of the strop face by the edge burr as you pass the blade along. When the roughness disappears I check the edge. Usually that's all it takes.
Wanted to throw this back up and apologzie again to GANDGOLF. I completely misread his post but in his reply he was inviting a challenge and I missed it.
I took his frog hair comment and strived to get that down as well. And finally did.
Thanks for the challenge to take it a step further GANDGOLF. And again, please accept my apologies for heading down the wrong path on your comment.
Now I'm off for an evening sit in hopes of testing deer hair on them.