Question on how sharp.

Travisc406 · May 06, 2009, 12:40:00 AM

I have been working on sharpening my stos broadheads. I used a KME, then porcelinned sticked them real light, and then stropped with leather. I have a jig built with rubber bands in a hole opening that I push the broadhead through and if it pops the rubberbands with very little push I call it good. Now seeing all the posts about sharpening and how most people refer to shaving sharp. I tried shaving with mine and can't get them to really shave at all. Does that mean that mine aren't sharp enough? I have only taken one deer and I sharpened the same way but those were magnus 2 blades four years ago.

Brian Krebs · May 06, 2009, 03:50:00 AM

Sounds like the blades are sharp; your probably not using an angle to shave with. If you look at a disposable razor- its meant to work on a specific angle.

If your blades are popping rubber bands; it sounds like your OK; but - if your not shaving hair with it; then I have to wonder. I sharpen pocket knives and shave with them; with just a mill bastard file. NOT like when I have stropped them- but sharp.

Don't cut your arm off but try to shave the back of your arm -wrist area. Hold the blade on different angles... be careful; but you should see hair come off.

Charlie Lamb · May 06, 2009, 08:03:00 AM

I agree with Brian. With the system you are using you should easilly be shaving hair off of your arm and I wouldn't stop trying until they did.

The KME is the key. You have it AND you have access to Ron. (the owner of KME. He goes by the handle "Sharpster" on this site)

While I don't own a KME as yet, I intend to very soon and from what I've heard everyone say about Ron, his advice will have your arm naked in no time.

fatman · May 06, 2009, 08:13:00 AM

I will second Charlie's recommendation to call Ron (Sharpster) to set up a "training" call...there are a few little secrets that aren't on the video that he'll clue you in on. Ron really gets his kicks makin' stuff sharp...

Jeremy · May 06, 2009, 08:35:00 AM

Lots of things could be going on here and without seeing the heads or knowing exactly what you're doing it's all just guess work.

Using the KME broadhead jig? How fine are you going with it? It's possible you're raising a burr or wire edge and not removing it, or you're sharpening it just fine.

If you're not removing the wire edge you'll be distorting and rolling it with the sticks and leather.

If the edge is coming off the KME nice and sharp with no wire edge I'd leave it at that. It's pretty easy to destroy an good edge with sticks if you're not careful. I hoping your leather is untreated with a firm temper. If you have any abrasive compound on the leather and it's not firm, you will round your edge over.

Here's a guide to honing and sharpening that describes things well, even if it is focused on woodworking tools.
http://www.antiquetools.com/sharp/index.html

Shaving hair off your arm and shaving your face are two entirely different acts that require different levels of sharpness (and different bevel angles) I can shave arm hair with a file sharpened head, but there's no way that'll shave my face.

Steertalker · May 06, 2009, 09:06:00 AM

As Charlie mentioned I recommend you give Ron a call over at KME. In order for the KME sharpener to work properly you must use the correct technique and that is where Ron comes in. It took me a little practice and several phone calls to Ron to get it right but man....when I did....I started getting my BH's bad to the bone sharp. If you are not shaving hair off your arm with ease.....they ain't sharp.

Brett

Travisc406 · May 06, 2009, 11:33:00 AM

whoops I miswrote. I meant to put that Iuse the lansky. I was looking at the kme right before I wrote the post. I am sure that makes a big difference.

swampbuck · May 06, 2009, 12:26:00 PM

It should be very easy to get a shaving sharp edge esspecially on a 2 blade using the KME or one of the other's for that matter.

If ya wanna polish the edge you can take a pc of vanala(sp) folder and slid it over the stone and polish it that way.I put a little jewler's rouge on it and pull it away from the edge unlike when I stone pushing into the edge lightly.Speaking of lightly use light preasure to polish as well and it will be face shaving sharp which is much sharper than arm shaving sharp. good luck

Ray Hammond · May 06, 2009, 01:28:00 PM

you should be very afraid to run your thumb across the blade of your sharpened broadhead.

Sharp is too subjective- but if you are scared to rub your finger across your blade, then don't you expect you've got it where anyone would be happy with it?

If you are challenged to get it like that then Ron (Sharpster) would be the place to go.

LA Trapper · May 06, 2009, 09:40:00 PM

Call Ron, the 800 number is on his website. The call is free, the advice priceless. I had some issues and called him yesterday. He gave me some tips that are not on the website or in the paperwork. Good guy.

Result - last night I had broadheads that shaved the hair on the back of my arm.

I sent him an email tonight to thank him and let him know of my success.

Call Ron.

Billy

**DONOTDELETE** · May 07, 2009, 08:28:00 AM

Mine are done when I can shave hair off my arms. Since I started to shave with a straight razor, I now test my BH's shaving sharpness on my face. ( Don't try this at Home...... I think I know what I'm doing) The arm hair is good enuff. Once you can shave hair, the edge is sharp so it will cut a nice clean hole.

Sharpster · May 07, 2009, 08:36:00 AM

Humble thanks to everyone for all the kind words...

Travis,

If you'll give me a call this afternoon or evening, I'll see if I can help you get those STOS "tuned" on while we're on the phone. I should be back by 3:30. The Lansky can do it, although I do prefer a certain competitors products... :D

Thanks again guys,

Ron
800 561-4339 (till 8 PM Eastern, 7 days)

Travisc406 · May 08, 2009, 01:09:00 AM

I wasn't able to call you tonite Ron but I appreciate the help. iam gonna save up and buy your broadhead sharpener. It look like it is makes it hard for guys like ne to flub it up. The lansky is alright but you gotta hold so many different things to sharpen it is almost to much. i think it is time to take it to the next. level. With the kit do I need to go any finer for shaving sharp or is the hardstone enough? thanx again

Smallwood · May 08, 2009, 11:27:00 AM

travis, sent ya pm

sammy

Travisc406 · May 08, 2009, 11:36:00 AM

thanx to all, I am gonna get the broadhead shaprener by KME thanx Travis

wollelybugger · May 08, 2009, 09:23:00 PM

I have been a barber for almost 40 years. To check a blade edge you run it on your thumb nail. If it has a good edge it should be a consistant pull and not be bumpy or smooth. You do not have to apply pressure while doing this.
Shaving hair off your arm is not the same as shaving the hair off someones face. The skin and hair on your arm is different than that on your face.
If you would look on a microscope of a blade the edge has saw like groves, that is what grabs the hair and cuts it. A oversharp blade will grab your thumbnail and feel rough, a dull blade will feel smooth and glide over your thumbnail. A perfect sharp edge will grab with a consitant biting action.

I am also a barber teacher for the last 20 years.

Travisc406 · May 08, 2009, 11:43:00 PM

I gotta tell you guys. I have been pulling my hair out no pun intended. I called Ron on the phone today. he would not sell me a sharpener. I know can you believe it? At first I was a little disgruntled. Then he told me there is no reason I couldn't sharpen my broadheads with my Lansky. What the? So he talked me through it. I went home and followed his instructions and needless to say I now can shave hair. I almost cried. I still am gonna get a KME whether he likes it or not. See Ron told me that on Stos and other broadheads like it you have to get the laminated tip to match the angle of the whole blade. before you do that, you will not get it sharp. He told me before I did that it wouldn't matter what sharpener I bought, I first had to take care of that. thanx Ron. I couldn't of done it without you and it is a testament to how good of a person you are for what you did. you the MAN!!!

Brian Krebs · May 09, 2009, 04:10:00 AM

What a positive statement about Ron !

I think that getting a broadhead sharp is something we all HAVE to learn to do. Its simple once you understand it - and look- to prove it; Travis has now achieved sharpness on his broadheads ! In how much time ?

This is the best site in the world for bowhunting!

Tip of the hat to everyone !