3 rivers hollow-ground for snuffers?

[snow leopard]

since snuffer sharpening seems to be a recurring topic, i was curious if anyone has used the hollow-ground sharpener that 3 rivers has to sharpen them? has the 2 files mounted in a base that you run a broadhead thru and a single ceramic stick. thanks.

[Ed Isaacs]

I haven't used it but I bet it would make a wicked sharp snuffer

[Ryan Rothhaar]

If you're talking about the green one they show with the 2-blade on it I'd be afraid it it too steep of a hollow grind and would take too much stock off the tip.  Lots of times when people complain about tip failure on a woodsman or Snuffer it is because of the "file and block" type sharpeners that take lots of material off and severely weaken the tip.  The Snuffers are designed with the strong tip you see (look close, the tip was welded on as a cone prior to grinding in a separate piece from the blades) - the grinding trues everything up.  That tip is several Rockwell harder than the blades and is made that way for a reason - to avoid tip failure.

The best way to hollowgrind Snuffers - and I REALLY prefer a hollowground head - is on a medium grit 6 inch bench grinder.  You can get one made in China at Lowes for only a little more than that tool from 3-Rivers and it will last a lifetime.

I put a tutorial on here once, search my handle and sharpening Snuffers together and you'll probably find it.  Otherwise Steve Osminski (Steve-O) has brought it forward several times.

It really isn't hard to do - trust me!  I'm not mechanically inclined and I was sharpening them that way when I was 12.

Ryan

[snow leopard]

thanks, ryan. i did notice the tip as a welded cone when i was sharpening them, probably 'cause i was wearing my toolmakers magnifiers. very noticeable then! i understand about the material removal; i'm just wondering if i put very little pressure on the head, and then hardly any on the tip so as not to weaken it, then run it over a strop, if that may work.

[Jeff U]

Originally posted by Ryan Rothhaar:
... I put a tutorial on here once, search my handle and sharpening Snuffers together and you'll probably find it.  ...

Here's the link to Ryan's post.  It's a couple posts down from the top.

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=031172