-------------------- Member Compton Traditional Bowhunters Bowhunting Council of Oklahoma Oklahoma Selfbow Society Oklahoma Longbowmen Posts: 1399 | From: Log cabin in Osage county Oklahoma | Registered: Nov 2010
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I hope you guys know that you've got a lot of people a spittin' and a sputterin' for using them danged old files. Everybody knows you can't really sharpen broadheads with out fancy sharpening devices! I thought I was the only person left that used a file.
-------------------- God Bless
Butch
Howard Hill Cheetah 66" 56@28 Howard Hill Tembo 51@28 Lost Creek Judge 60" 53@ 28
Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. It is the cheapest of pleasures, costs nothing, and conveys much. - Erastus Wiman Posts: 796 | From: St. Clair, Mo. | Registered: Jul 2003
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Good thread: When I worked in an office I kept my pocket knife shaving sharp by honing it on the bottom of a ceramic coffee cup. I will get my files together Monday and make sure they are clean and ready to go. I always use a file card, too. That is one thing that really helps.
-------------------- Schafer Silvertip; Mahaska longbow; Highwood Hunter; Bear Super Kodiak and way too many others Posts: 73 | From: Montana | Registered: Mar 2007
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I use a file too. Its an easy carry item in the field. Also use cardboard some. Mr. Charlie Lamb has a good tutorial on using a file. Its where I learned some finer points on how to use one properly.
-------------------- 66"Howard Hill Big 5 50#@27" 68"Northern Mist Classic 50#@27" 67" Howard Hill Half Breed 53@27" Posts: 1004 | From: Alabama | Registered: Apr 2007
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Yeah Butch. Never said anything about sharpening with files cause I figured I be told how awful that was and didn't care to debate what I apparently know nothing about . If shaving hair or slicing a thin piece of paper ain't sharp enough, so be it I guess. Been doing it for ever. It's a matter of teasing the metal off as opposed to taking it off. A little file fits well in my belongings when I'm out and about.
-------------------- Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Posts: 454 | From: Amarillo, Texas | Registered: Jan 2006
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I never used to be able to get anything sharp with a file. But lately, I've been using them on knives and broadheads for the 'coarse edge' before polishing, and occasionally wondering if I should even bother going to a stone. Especially when I occasionally go to a smoother stone and make the thing less sharp!
Posts: 418 | From: Canada | Registered: Mar 2011
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Hey Harleywriter, I couldn't agree with you more! This is a thread long overdue. Lots of folks use a file to sharpen their broadheads. It's a very practical skill that is often overlooked.
-------------------- They exchanged the truth of GOD for a lie,and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-who is forever praised.Amen Romans 1:25 NIV Posts: 950 | From: Eastern North Carolina | Registered: Jun 2007
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I am interested in this as a file would be easy t carry on the hunt. What files do y'all recommend. I saw one person above likes a Kustom King file. Any others out there worth mentioning?
Posts: 278 | From: TX | Registered: May 2012
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I went to my local Lowe's and bought a 6" Nicholson Mill Bastard file and the plastic handle to go with it. It has served me well. Not real expensive, either.
-------------------- "You can learn more about deer hunting with a bow and arrow in a week, than a gun hunter might learn all his life." ----- Fred Bear Posts: 3869 | From: Zoo City, NC | Registered: Aug 2010
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Grobet are the best in my opinion, but any will do the job if they are sharp. The difference is in how long they last.
The biggest mistake most guys make is buying a file and thinking they never will need to replace it. If you hunt a lot you'll probably need to replace your file each year. If not so much then every other year. If the teeth look shiny...replace it!
quote:Originally posted by cahaba: I use a file too. Its an easy carry item in the field. Also use cardboard some. Mr. Charlie Lamb has a good tutorial on using a file. Its where I learned some finer points on how to use one properly.
Is the file tutorial on TradGang?
-------------------- Jeff
"The expert at anything was once a beginner." Posts: 796 | From: Arkansas - living in Texas | Registered: Jun 2005
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I'm the guy who mentioned the Kustom King Broadhead File. I discovered years ago that this file has a fairly smooth and rounded edge, instead of the usual flat edge with file teeth. I use that rounded edge as a steel. I file-sharpen a head until it's cutting arm hair. Then I hold the file 'edge-up' and stationary (left hand) while stroking (steeling) the broadhead edges. I have my own very specific technique as does everyone.
One of the tougher things for most guys...when it comes to files...is sharpening free-hand while maintaining a consistent angle. When I reach the point of filing "this edge...flip, other edge...flip" and doing one file stroke per edge, it can be hard to maintain an angle. I have no secret for this. I've been doing it for so many years that I can just free-hand file from rough edge to totally hair-peeling sharp.
I don't know the maker of the KK file. Pretty sure it's not a Grobet, and for sure not a Nicholson. It's made in Portugal and stamped with a 'W'. Great file.
Posts: 848 | From: OH - Buckeye Country | Registered: May 2004
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I thought I was the only person left that used a file.![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
. If shaving hair or slicing a thin piece of paper ain't sharp enough, so be it I guess. Been doing it for ever. It's a matter of teasing the metal off as opposed to taking it off. A little file fits well in my belongings when I'm out and about.
