sharpening Deltas

JApple · May 10, 2017, 08:39:00 PM

Any advice on sharpening Zwicky Deltas? I have the KME BH sharpener but it seems to favor the front and back and miss the middle.... are these better sharpened with a file,etc ? Like the broadhead but would like to get them sharp for elk season! Thanks,

J

May 10, 2017, 08:40:00 PM

I used a file, a jewel stick and then an old belt to get them to shave hair.

elkken · May 10, 2017, 08:43:00 PM

I use a file and ceramic sticks ... works great

ChuckC · May 10, 2017, 08:44:00 PM

It shouldn't miss the middle Some things to look at... are you hitting the ferrule while trying to sharpen "the middle" ? When the sharpener gets to the middle, does it slide, not cut, as in that area is harder than the front and rear ?

Biathlonman · May 10, 2017, 09:01:00 PM

RADA wheelie sharpener. Less then $10, best money I ever spend for double bevel sharpening.

SuperK · May 10, 2017, 09:19:00 PM

I second the RADA!

Yellow Dog · May 10, 2017, 09:19:00 PM

Accusharp and a file. I usually hit them with a file to get the blade nice and straight when new and touch them up with the Accusharp when needed after that.

Chad Orde · May 10, 2017, 09:23:00 PM

Wheel I love minus having to regrit the grind side

DarkTimber · May 10, 2017, 09:39:00 PM

You can use the KME BH sharpener but you'll need to get some pretty coarse sand paper on a sheet of glass or a very coarse stone and work it until you get the tip and rear ground down enough for the middle section of the BH to make contact with the stone. When you're done the Deltas will loose about 8 grains and about 1/16-1/8" in cutting diameter. Basically what you'll have is a No Mercy. Once that's done though they are easy to get hair popping sharp with just a few strokes on the KME. They're also super easy to get shaving sharp with just a file and fine stone which is how I prefer to sharpen them.

Longtoke · May 10, 2017, 09:48:00 PM

the KME will miss the middle because the delta has a slight concave edge. You can work it down enough to where the blade edge is straight but it will result in a broad head that is not quite as wide as it should be.

I like to remove the extra stock off the tip with a file then sharpen it with an accusharp, after that I hone the blade with some leather or cardboard to refine the edge. It's easy for me to get a shaving sharp edge with this method and it is also something that can be done in the field.

Orion · May 10, 2017, 10:12:00 PM

What longtoke says. There is a bit of concaveness to the head from the factory. The bigger issue is it's triple thickness toward the front. I take the triple thick tip down with a file, keeping the bevel consistent with the rest of the blade and then use Tru-angle files and hones. Should work just as well with a KME sharpener, but need to get the edge straight its entire length, and the bevel constant, with a file before you use the sharpener.

huskyarcher · May 10, 2017, 10:14:00 PM

Rada, works like a charm.

JApple · May 10, 2017, 10:24:00 PM

with the RADA how long does it usually take? Any specifics on how to sharpen or just pull through till sharp? Thanks

nineworlds9 · May 10, 2017, 10:35:00 PM

file/accusharp, then finish on lansky ceramic sticks grey, then white patiently until they shave hair

Mr. fingers · May 10, 2017, 10:46:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by pavan:
I used a file, a jewel stick and then an old belt to get them to shave hair.

Same here but I use a,sharpie and color,the edge before fileing. To monitor an even edge.

bamboo · May 11, 2017, 06:15:00 AM

call ron at kme---he will help you.

Biathlonman · May 11, 2017, 07:39:00 AM

With the Rada, point the tip down a little and pull back. I sharpened a dozen Grizzly double bevel heads from factory grind to shaving in about 10 minutes the other day. Use to be instructions in the how to section.

gordydog · May 11, 2017, 08:12:00 AM

Agree with Orion, straighten the blade then use True-angle stones and add a tanto tip. I had very slight tip curl 27 years ago on a pass through, but the slight tanto tip solved that needle tip caused from excessive sharpening from a free handed file.

RGKulas · May 11, 2017, 10:40:00 AM

Stay sharp broadhead sharpeneing guide.

YosemiteSam · May 11, 2017, 12:25:00 PM

Keep it simple. File, stone, edge of car window, strop optional. The car window is where I really see it start to pop hair.