I know this is splitting hairs(pun intended) but I file from back to front and then usually pull them from back to front over a ceramic or whatever. They actually "feel" sharper than pushing into the hone or whatever. Any thoughts? BILL
My three blades are all Snuffers...160s. I was taught to sharpen them with a mill file by holding the head horzontal away from me with blades in V configuration with two at top and single at bottom...and running file (for right handed archer)from right rear to left tip...do it a few times....then rotate head one blade...and repeat....then again and repeat....going through 2-3 complete rotations. Then I draw them backwards across a leather strop a couple times and are razor sharp.
I am not sure it matters as long as you are consistent on pressure, angle and strokes.
X2 What Brock says. :thumbsup:
Snuffer shooter here too. I've followed Charlie Lamb's method demonstrated on the Tradgang DVD by lying a large file on a table and pushing the broadhead. I then finish by pulling it across a ceramic rod and finally on a piece of corrugated cardboard. I don't know if my file isn't super quality (i.e. perfectly flat) or if you just have to set the edge because on new heads it does take quite a few strokes to make a uniform bevel.
I have tried both ways and I can't tell any difference so I always go from the back to the front as it gives me more control and if I slip I am less likely to cut myself.
I do it like Brock.
I do it very similarly to Brock... Only, I add a fine Diamond stone and leather strop after the file.
I use a chain saw raker file. file back to front getting two blades at once, using the "countdown" method. Also getting lighter as you go so that at the end it is just the weight of the file.
Then, using the smooth edge of the raker file (no "teeth" on the edge of a raker file) I steel the edge just like you would a butcher knife. Back to front.
Shaving sharp in no time, and all with one tool that is easy to find nearly anywhere and not expensive.
It is a good idea to put a wood handle on the raker file to keep your fingers out of harm's way.
I do it just like bullfrog.File, diamond stick, then ceramic stick. Shavin' sharp in no time!
I push on a file (clamped to bench) or stones and pull on a leather strop. As long as you sharpen them as well as you can it probably doesn't matter. Light strokes are probably more important than direction in my opinion.
If you sharpen a broadhead mounted on an arrow with a file, you almost have to sharpen back to front.
Back to front.
I usually use a 2 wide flat stones, one course and one fine and polish two blades at a time in a rotation motion.