I have watched videos on VPA site and others - it looks so simple BUT not for me...... Tried stones and a file but cannot get shaving sharp! Why? What am I missing - pressure sensitive?
i would say pressure is possibly where most go wrong. They are guite easy to get shaving sharp especially the vpa. post your procedure and we can go from there
QuoteOriginally posted by pamike:
I have watched videos on VPA site and others - it looks so simple BUT not for me...... Tried stones and a file but cannot get shaving sharp! Why? What am I missing - pressure sensitive?
I'm the same way. I can get my woodsman heads sharp, but not shaving.
You are not the only one... I have the same problem
never could get the woodsmans sharp, went back to two blades... :dunno:
I can't do it either... don't use them anymore...
The key is to finish with light strokes as flyfish said. Too much pressure is often the problem. I can make them sharp, but two blade heads are quicker and easier to resharpen with a small file or a Jewel stick diamond file. Either of those is easy to carry in the field.
I've never tried the VPA heads, but have used both Snuffers and Woodsman heads. I've killed deer with both, but still prefer Zwickey Deltas, which are easy to file sharpen, or Simmons heads, which like the jewel stick.
You might try the jewel stick on your VPA heads. I use mine on Woodsman heads. I draw the head across the file at 90 degrees to the file. Again, VERY light strokes is the rule.
You aren't supposed to do this because it changes the temper of the steel, but I heat three blade heads with a small torch. Makes sharpening them a breeze. I also use a marker and a file.
You aren't supposed to do this because it changes the temper of the steel, but I heat three blade heads with a small torch. Makes sharpening them a breeze. I also use a marker and a file.
Part of why sharpening two blades is easier than three blades is due to the collective angle the blade is sharpened at. Most double bevel two blades are sharpened at 20-25 degrees per side for a collective angle of 40-50 degrees. Double bevel three blades are 30 degrees per side for a collective angle of 60 degrees. The more obtuse angle is more difficult to get to a shaving sharp edge. To do so requires the light pressure mentioned above, insuring that the edges are evenly honed. I think it helps tremendously if you go from a file to a FLAT coarse stone (waterstones hollow out and need to be reflattened regularly), to a fine stone or sandpaper on glass.
This is actually the exact reason I began single beveling three blade heads. Sharpening on one side means the collective angle of the blade is 34 degrees. This angle actually lets me put a micro-bevel on the edge for ease in retouching and durability and still be right at 40 degrees.
I find that I can easily get single bevel three blades to shave with just a file. Stropping ups sharpness noticeably.
I can't sharpen a two blade for anything but haven't found a three blade yet that I can't get to shave. Starting with a file or corse jewelstik to start helped immensely.
try DMT diasharp bench stone 8" medium coarse and then fine.
this thing is terrible for VPA 3 blades even for shaprpening dummies like me
At least I am not alone! Keep the info coming. I am going to try some of these.
Ive had same problem. I recently took my VPAs and lightly stropped em on some good corrugated cardboard. It took a lot of time but its the sharpest Ive been able to get them. I dont know if its shaving sharp but like I said the sharpest I have been able to get them. I really like the heads I sure hope I can get the knack for sharpening em. I will be watching this thread.
I went through same thing. Just keep doing it and it will finally click. And the you will start having bald spots on your arms. It will come. I did same as you looking through everything. And practice is what I learned.
I would guess you aren't finishing them correctly and staying with the coarse or medium stone too long and the "burr" is making them feel not quite sharp.
I start with the coarse DMT stone and start out strong and then ease up on the strokes. i probably give each side 10 to 15 strokes. They are pretty sharp right now but not shaving sharp. Then I go to the medium stone or just right to the fine stone to take off the burr. I give it at least ten strokes per side and they will be shaving sharp when i am done.
When starting a new blade I mark each side with a black marker and will use the coarse stone untill all the marker is gone and then follow the above steps.
When i couldn't find my fine stone one time i tried to use just the coarse/ meduim stone to get them shaving sharp and it was pretty tough to get that burr off. I finally used some super fine sand paper and that worked too so if you don't have a fine stone you can use that.
I don't see why people struggle so much sharpening a 3 blade. The only thing that is necessary to shave hair is raising a small burr on the edge of the blades by whichever method you prefer. (File, stone, etc.)Then lightly stone that burr down. Followed up with stropping on leather or cardboard, pulling the blade backwards. That is all there is to it to have them sharp enough to shave hair.
I dont know why people can't get them sharp either. But I am one of those people too. I have tried every method on video and even have had some great tradgangers send me instructions. I decrease pressure down to where the broadhad weight is the only downward force. You have no idea how frustrating it is. Maybe my hair is too tough LOL.
Jon, never tried heating them, going to have to give it a go. I can get snuffers sharp enough to be confident with, but they don't quite shave hair.
:laughing: :laughing: I have seriously considered the "too tough hair" excuse too. Tried the KME stones, files, sandpaper, jewell stik etc ec etc. I can get them sharp..passes the rubber band test, the paper test and the thumbnail test just fine but for the life of me I can not get them to shave.
QuoteOriginally posted by Tav:
I dont know why people can't get them sharp either. But I am one of those people too. I have tried every method on video and even have had some great tradgangers send me instructions. I decrease pressure down to where the broadhad weight is the only downward force. You have no idea how frustrating it is. Maybe my hair is too tough LOL.
Same here. I've watched the tutorials on sharpening woodsman heads over and over. I still can't get them sharp. I get all the marker off with a file and go to lighter and lighter strokes and I get frustrated so I don't use any 3 blades.
email sent
Guilty as charged. I have no problem with 2 blades, but 3 blades keep me stumped. I know the theories, have watched the videos, and I still can't slice warm butter with them. Guess I will stick to 2 blades.
me also
tried WW
ANd now snuffers
Sharp yes
Shaving sharp ..no
Going back to 2 blades next year when I switch to wooden shafts.
Try a wheel sharpener like a Rada, or 1-2-3 Miracle Sharpener. Just remember a soft touch is better than an aggressive hard one when using any sharpener. The wheel takes the angle out of the equation and puts a hollow ground edge on a knife or blade. You can find them online, or possibly from a sponsor. It takes about 5 min. to learn.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000096
this is how I learned to do it. and it works for me every time. I just use a Grobet File, DMT diamond bench stone, and a croc stick.
For me its a goal to get my BH razor sharp. A fellow TG member showed me his technique with a grinding wheel accessory. Wow... Till then, I never saw a blade shave the hair on someones arm.
I can get 3 bld heads shaving sharp with just a file but they always seemed to dull quicker for me. Even just in and out of the quiver. Drove me nuts.
My 2 bld heads sharpen easier for me and retain the edge better. When its time to touch up it doesn't seem like a drawn out process.
I initially had a hard time getting three blade heads shaving sharp until I started marking the edge with a sharpie. For some reason the heads I was using didn't have a perfectly even bevel ground from the factory and I wasn't spending enough time on the file before moving to the finer stones.
Now I'll mark the bevel first and keep working the edge on a mill file until the bevel is even on all three sides. After that it's as simple as using progressively lighter strokes on the file before moving over to a medium and then fine stone, keeping light pressure the entire time.
Lately I've been using a few light stropping strokes across the top edge of a glass tumbler (or a car window) to make the edge even keener before finishing on a leather strop with some jewelers rouge. With this method I've had no problem getting them to shave, there definitely is a little learning curve involved. Hopefully you get it all figured out!
when I sharpen a 3 blade head I put one blade in a vice and the other 2 are sticking up and laying flat I take a good mil bastard file and stroke both of those blades at the same time, what you are doing is truing up the edge so it is smooth from rear to front, I rotate the head and do it again, do this until all 3 edges have been trued. then I use a diamond stone that is about 4x8, one side 300 grit the other side 600 grit, I lay the head down on the stone so 2 edges are laying flat on the stone stroke the head tip to rear, until you feel it running smooth, rotate the head and do 2 more edges, rotate until all 3 edges have been on the 300 grit do the same with the 600 grit, with each process lighten up the pressure, when you are finished with the 600 grit side do 5 strokes for each edge with just barley the weight of the head applying the pressure. to much pressure defeats your progress, its hard to believe how light of pressure you have to apply in order to get the edge you want.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P85RnENQ9II
Have you seen the video on VPA's site?
It's so easy a caveman can do it.
If you do it like this -
3 Blade Sharpening (http://youtu.be/VU_n71Fx7MY)
Took me about 90 seconds to go from really dull to this using the RB method.
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af333/BowDiddle/rick******_sharpening_method_zpscf3e34a8.jpg)
Picture didn't load.
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af333/BowDiddle/rick******_sharpening_method_zpscf3e34a8.jpg)
I give up.
Here a link to the picture.
http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af333/BowDiddle/rick******_sharpening_method_zpscf3e34a8.jpg
Well choot.
I see the problem.
I'll try again.
Using the RB method it took about 90 seconds to go from really dull to this
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af333/BowDiddle/RB_sharpening_method_zps49c249e0.jpg)
QuoteOriginally posted by BowDiddle:
It's so easy a caveman can do it.
If you do it like this -
3 Blade Sharpening (http://youtu.be/VU_n71Fx7MY)
Took me about 90 seconds to go from really dull to this using the RB method.
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af333/BowDiddle/rick******_sharpening_method_zpscf3e34a8.jpg)
Ok. Rewatched this. Got my tungsten rod hone and a ceramic rod and a woodsman head. Now I have no hair left on my left arm. Double checked my technique on a trailmaker head. I'm good to go now.
I just made a video a couple weeks ago. Not sure if it will help you or not but I find the 3 blade heads to be the most simple to sharpen and get scary sharp. Anyway, hopefully this will help someone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NHEbOqCy40
That's probably the best video I've seen on this BowHunter GA. I usually use some sort of two blade,but will keep your video in mind if I change.
I only have one suggestion. Pick one person and one method you really trust to work...and stick with it. The devil is always in the details.
I have gone to VPA and use 2 tools to get them shaving sharp. A 12 inch file and a jewelstick. I actually push the file across 2 edges at the same time. Back to front and then drag the head back to front or towards me on the jewelstick. DONE! I actually like this edge better than polished or stropped. Bill
QuoteOriginally posted by Alexander Traditional:
That's probably the best video I've seen on this BowHunter GA. I usually use some sort of two blade,but will keep your video in mind if I change.
Thank you!