Broadhead Sharpening

[Sparra]

Ok fella's...Iv'e tried everthing i know of to sharpen broadheads and all the implements and gadgets you can buy but still i don't seem to be able to get them razor sharp...any ideas??????

[hunting_mainiac]

implements and gadgets

are u using them properly :D

[Barnesy]

Sparra

Have you tried the Sharp shooter form Alaska Bowhunting. Apparently they are very good the site is www.alaskabowhunting.com let me know how you go.

Cheers

Barnesy

[adam]

No offense mate but its most likely your not using them right. File and steel will work well, file, Stone and steel the long way, Razors edge, razors edge and steel, V toothed knife sharpener and steel. All these Methods will work if you do them right. Now thats the hard part to explain. The way I get my broadheads razor at the moment is a razors edge in three swipes or a basted file. If you do it right they are shaving sharp without using any other tools.

[adam]

Start with a clean file. If your file is new, we recommend use of chalk to save wear on teeth and to prevent "pinning", the buildup of small metal chips in the teeth of your file. Filling file teeth with chalk will increase the effectiveness of a file. It extends file life and produces a smoother, more professional finish. Metal removal is faster and easier too. Initial filing can be done different ways, using several types of files.

We recommend use of two files. Buy two quality flat files. One needs to be either a ten inch "Second Cut" or "Smooth Cut" file. The other is a 16" Flat Bastard. These files can be bought at large hardware stores A 16" Mill Bastard file is wider than the two blade width of most heads. Lay it flat on a table so it doesn't slide. Pull your mounted broadhead into the teeth.

File teeth are meant to cut in one direction only. Sliding a broadhead back and forth on a file will prematurely wear down teeth. Keep your files clean except for file chalk. Most bowhunters tend to use their files too long. Worn teeth can only be corrected by purchasing a new file. No file will last forever. When teeth wear down replace your file.

The biggest single mistake many bowhunters make when filing their broadheads is that they "try too hard." Frustration in getting a good edge often forces one to remove unnecessary amounts of metal. Initial strokes are used with moderate pressure but always finish filing with VERY LIGHT file strokes, rotating the broadhead regularly. Many people count down strokes as they rotate their broadhead.

Two files set parallel at an angle always have a small space or gap between each file. Your broadhead tip rides on/in this space. Metal removal at the tip will weaken structural integrity of the broadhead.

. Keep the broadhead perfectly flat on the file. Raising the tip slightly will take too much metal off the rear of the blades. With hand held files, push the file from the back of the broadhead toward the tip. When using the big 16" file, draw the head to you, filing from the heel toward the point.

Something I found

[adam]

http://www.ribtek.com/home.htm

Few dif methods here.

[Glenn]

Use a flat bastard file and file in one direction, from the back to tip to establish the edge on both sides of the head and to stand a burr up down the length of the cutting edge, then changing the angle slightly and using lighter pressure with every pass file once on each side and keep repeating until the burr is filed off and your are left with a shaving hair edge, it should only take afew passes to do this and it is important to reduce the pressure with each pass to get rid of the burr otherwise you will just keep chasing the burr from one side to the other and never get the head sharp...Glenn...

[adam]

Glenns method works really well as I've started to do it since he told us last time.

[Sparra]

Thanks fella's...very informative and i know i am not doing it right...A hunter in our club is bringing his gear down on the weekend to give me a demo but his method sounds the same as what you guys have described...The learning process never ends...
Regards....Sparra

[hunting_mainiac]

learning till your last breath sparra !!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :D

[woody]

Sparra,
What methods have you tried? A sharp edge is the result of two PERFECTLY FLAT, SMOOTH EDGES < coming together at an angle of less than 23 degrees.

From the description of your frustration at getting an edge, I suspect you may be putting shoulders on your bevels.

A shoulder is where you roll the file a little and end up with a less than flat bevel.

Get yourself a good magnifying glass, and have a look at a broadhead you have tried to sharpen.

Are your bevels dead flat and smooth.

Before you find the answer, it is important to understand the question.


What you see with the magnifying glass on an edge your not happy with, is the answer to your problem


When I use a hand file ( 2nd cut mill file) my technique is to place the file on the bevel at the angle I want and then, maintaining that angle, draw the file from the back of the head to the front, slowly being very careful not to change the angle of file on bevel, when you reach the front of the head, the position on the file should be almost the same as where you first placed it on the bevel at the back of the head.

Do not use more than a couple of centimetres of file( draw( drag ) the file, do not push the file). If you push stroke the full length of the file, on the bevel edge, its very hard not to put round shoulders on the bevel.

When you have four perfect flat bevels, you now have to remove the burrs, using the exact same technique, very lightly, one stroke on each bevel, until the burr is gone

The head should now be pretty sharp, and I use a couple of light stokes on a shrade hone steel to finish it.

Sharpening broadheads with a file is one of those jobs that the slower and more precise you are, the faster you finish.

There are other methods for sharpening heads, we assumed you were using a file. I personally use a drag thru V steel carbide style of sharpener and finish with a steel. ( Because I'm lazy)

Or when I'm really fussy, a Lansky kit. :D