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Backcountry Broadhead File

Started by Kevin Dill, August 03, 2015, 08:32:00 PM

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Kevin Dill

I love a good mill file for sharpening my broadheads, and I'm always packing one on the hunting trips I take. Those little tapered tangs aren't much to hold on to, and they are pretty worthless. I decided to get busy:

4-1/2 disc grinder loaded with an abrasive sanding wheel...mine is well used. I took a new Kustom King file (my favorite by far) and used the sanding wheel to buff/polish the thin edges of the file. I also rounded the corners and made it generally more friendly in the hand and gear kit.





For many years I've used a broadhead file to get my edges 95% finished. I use the semi-smooth and slightly radiused file side as a steel to get the heads hair-popping sharp after filing. Using the abrasive disc to work the sides of the file produces a very good steeling surface...as good as the finest steel you can buy.

Kevin Dill

What to do for a better grip? I thought about it for a while and then spotted the answer. I had several nice hanks of 3mm GloWire cord from Lawson Products. I selected the bright orange cord with reflective strips. After some experimentation I figured out a good wrap sequence and applied it:



After that I trimmed up all loose ends and evened everything out before applying a coat of clear epoxy finish to seal the cord and anchor it.


Kevin Dill

Next is to figure out a very lightweight but serviceable cover or sheath of sorts. I'm thinking about 3/4" heat shrink tubing which can be shrunk just enough to grip the file when inserted. Meanwhile...I'm letting the epoxy cure.


meathead

Very nice. Kydex would make a nice cover/sheath too.


Chad Orde

-------------------------------------
https://www.youtube.com/@Island_Drifter

https://www.instagram.com/island__drifter/

Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. Truman Capote

ron w

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's there are few...So the most difficult thing is always to keep your beginner's mind...This is also the real secret of the arts: always be a beginner.  Shunryu Suzuki

Biathlonman

Vinyl siding, heat and bend to shape.  Poor mans Kydex!   ;)

Big Lefty


Elkchaser

That is fantastic.
Thanks for sharing!    :thumbsup:
No matter where you go; There you are.......

Toelke Lynx RC 58", 51@28"

shreffler

Thanks for sharing Kevin, I may have to pick one of these up and try this out.
"If you're not bowhunting, your spirit is on standby." - Uncle Ted

DesertDude

Outstanding. I like a file also
DesertDude >>>----->

US Navy (Retired)
1978-1998

dhaverstick

That is way cool and quite innovative. Thanks for sharing.

Darren

Ray Lyon

I've used Kustom King file for years, but always the way it came. I like this modification. Thanks for sharing Kevin.
Tradgang Charter Member #35

Zbone

Pretty cool Kevin....

Been using paracord a lot lately, but never thought of that one....

Izzy

Very nice and useful piece of gear you have there. I have seen a similar set up but with the common, removable wood handle. Also the end of the tang was filed to a point to be usable as a drill and the tip was also beveled to use as a lat ditch type of blade.

The old Grizzly file had the round sides, but with the file teeth still on the corners. With them, one can go for a smooth shaving edge by using the rounded edge as a steel or make a fine serration with file teeth. I do not know if these were a standard that they bought and had their name put on it, or if these were a complete custom order. My supply of them is running low, that rounded edge comes in handy.

Paul Cousineau

The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feast on the riches of the hunt. -Proverbs 12:27

jess stuart

Nice solution to an old problem, thanks for sharing with us.

Kevin Dill

I used to use the Grizzly file too, but bought the KK file at a summer bow event a long time ago. That first one had really nice rounded sides to it and they were just barely abrasive...enough to bring the filed edge to a shaver edge. I never looked back and stayed with the KK file. I think I have about 8 of them placed variously. Something made me think about deliberately 'tuning' the rounded edges by using the grinder with a layered abrasive disc. It worked so well that I'd almost say this is the perfect file for a one-tool-does-it-all sharpener out on a hunt.


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