I used to really spend a lot of time finely honing a d usi g a leather strop. Ive been experimenting using a chainsaw file and then running them through the Rada wheel. They get a sticky type of almost serrated edge that is really durable. I like it anyone else? Bill
Sounds like it may work. Back in the good old days there was a broadhead the you stuck a razorblade in a slot.
This thread reminded of me of that one. I never tried them either. I kind of like the sharpening arrowheads part of bowhunting. Its part of the hunt tradition to me.
God bless, Steve
I do the same thing. They all shave hair, good enough for me and the muley I shot with it last year only went 40 yards and had two holes in it :)
I prefer "sticky" sharp on all my heads including the Sharks. The edge seems to hold up better in the field, is easier to restore in the field, and blood trails have been excellent.
Nothing wrong with a razor edge but a "sticky" file sharp kind of edge is the way to go for me.
BULLFROG I ALSO USE THE CHAINSAW FILE ON MY CENTUAR BIG GAME HEADS THAT ARE SINGLE BEVEL,WORKS WONDERS AND IT IS AMAZING HOW A SIMPLE $2.99 FILE WILL WORK AND A PIECE OF CARDBOARD TO STROP WITH.I HAVE A DRAWER FULL OF HIGH DOLLAR SHARPENERS JUST SITTING THERE :thumbsup:
How about a simple how to or a little more on the step you take to get there :readit:
Sure. I come just off the ferrul with the chainsaw file. It doesn't take much to get the burr. Flip it over and do the other side. Then 10 light strokes through the Rada. That's it.
Guys using. Chainsaw files. What diameter you prefer? Thanks
Watching this thread. I am a struggling sharpener.
Bullfrog I dont know the exact size but it very small.
Bear heart as Bullfrog states it is a MUST to raise a burr before going to the other side, IMO this is the the most over looked step in sharpening any edge what ever it my be.
NO BURR- NO SHARP !
:knothead:
QuoteOriginally posted by Bear Heart:
Watching this thread. I am a struggling sharpener.
Right there with you brother. I can hold my own with 3 blades, but 2 blades is a different story.
I'm not the greatest sharpener either. I used to be able to round off an almost sharp edge in record time, but I've gotten much better since taking the time to raise a burr. What a difference that makes.
I feel like I'm lucky because I've never had much trouble getting heads scary sharp but I have friends who struggle with it. The KME knife sharpener is excellent for two blade heads and it works well for me with the BIG Simmons heads. I haven't tried a chainsaw file on one but I will. Getting a burr when sharpening is essential no matter what method you use to sharpen. Roll that burr back and forth a few times and you will have an edge that you can easily shave with.
i do all my head sharpening with a chain file from sharks to deltas seams there easier to work with matt
I just use one of those cheap handheld sharpners I got from 3rivers and I can shave with my simmons,however,I understand howard hill liked that sticky edge.
I like a keen edge it seems to penetrate better for me.LCH
Can these be sharpened with Khmer knife system????
Round or flat saw file?
Gator1 yep. The KME knife sharpener works great on the BIG Simmons tree sharks. I personally really like the hardness of the steel on the Simmons heads. It's hard enough to keep an edge while doing its job yet soft enough to sharpen easily. The big tree shark is now my favorite two blade head. Jerry Simmons knew what he was doing.
I don't know about sticky sharp, but I can get any simmons head shaving sharp with just the RADA in less than a minute unless it has gouges in it from rocks. I wouldn't need the chainsaw file unless the heads were really buggered up. Less time sharpening, more time hunting. YMMV.
What is this RADA everyone is talking about?
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/RADASharpener.jpg)
Hate to sound stupid but what is a "Rada Wheel". I did see that the Rada Knife company has a sharpener that has two wheels and you pull the knife thru it. Is this what you are referring to?
You were way ahead of me. I type slow.
I'm running the same technique that Chris Spikes uses to sharpen the Simmons... Hewett Jewell 3 in 1 and Razor's Edge Aerohead Guide.... I found it on youtube. shaving sharp in no time at all!
Yep I use the jewel stick and arrowhead guide as well. I can get them very sharp with this system. Best I've found personally....
I have tried the system Chris uses on youtube. I must be doing something wrong because I ground it for about half an hour and STILL didn't have a burr.
I used the system with the razors edge and hewlit jewel stick. I can get those babies so sharp I get scared to touch them. I shot a big gobbler with a treeshark the other day and it went through him so fast I thought I had missed.
Before I was using the steel master but this other system gets them almost twice as sharp.LCH
I also use the jewel stick and razors edge guide. Man I am telling you, it is scary just being in the same room with those things.
I use the Rada wheel and then I finish them up on a fine crock stick.
What grit do you guys have for your jewel stik ??
mill files will produce the same feeling on edges...it is raising little slivers on the edge..... I prefer the edge of a mill file to that of a wet stone...then will strop with leather a couple times...thin coat of vaseline and then into the leather broadhead covers. Will stay sharp an entire week of hunting or more like that...with small touch ups using a carbide sharpener for most....or a run on file for ones dulling more.
pred80, The Jewel Stik doesn't say what the grit is on any of the sides.... It is the Hewett Jewel 3 in 1. I don't know if they say on the web site or not, but those broadheads are SCARY! I don't know what bullfrog 1 is having trouble with. I had the video playing and stopped it until I was ready to continue on. It worked like a champ!
I use the Jewel Stick also. Scary sharp.
Thxs goingoldskool I appreciate when I went on Hewlett website they have different grits but hey I must be doing something right!!...u should have seen what my tiger sharks did to a spring gobbler last week!!! SWEET
Years ago I shot snuffers out of an 80# pse compound. I always sharpened the heads with a file and left them as you call it [sticky sharp]. Always left incredible blood trails. Since switching to trad.though I do prefer them scalpel sharp. Either way they continye to put critters down put in the right spot. :thumbsup:
I've shared my method of using a 3 in 1 Jewelstik modified with a guide rod in conjunction with the Lansky clamp. You can search and find it. It produces razor edges. If you want a course edge you can use the same set-up with a guide rod welded to the end of the chain saw file. The trick is maintaining a constant angle on a head with a radiused profile. Not that easy to free-hand.
I use a variation of Chris's system. I just start them off with a serious file then go to the file Simmons's sells and then to a fine Jewell Stick and then a few strokes on a fine ceramic stick.
Everything with the Razor's Edge Guide adjusting kinda like Chris does.
They get shaving sharp.
The RADA rocks!
Another RADA fan here for my Simmons heads. I can have one shaving sharp in less than 5 minutes.