How sharp is "sharp enough"?

[The Baron]

Hi All,

I'm a new bowhunter.  I decided on 3-blade Snuffer broadheads, and I have some in the 185 - 200gr. range with inserts.  I bought an ST Snuffer sharpening kit and have tried sharpening my broadheads.  For some reason, I have always been sharpening challenged and these broadheads are no different.  I have got them "pretty sharp", I'd say.  When I run the blades on the edge of a piece of paper, they will cut a bit, but they won't shave hair as far as I can tell.

Is "pretty sharp" sharp enough?  Or, should I abandon the fixed blade idea and buy some Montec G5's?   :(

[longbowben]

PUSH VERY EASY ONE STROKE ROTATE ONE STROKE ROTATE ABOUT 30 TIMES THEN PUT ON LEATHER 100 STROKES BACKWARDS IT WILL SHAVE YOU .

[nockhunter]

I think the sharper the better!! The topic of sharpness is a hot button subject with me. All the time spent and bickering about shooting form, type of arrow, type of broad head, and soon and so on. I think people should relearn the basics, like sharpening knives/broadheads,(too many replacable blade models) how to use a compas(not a GPS), and good old fashon woodsmanship(not trail camaras and game feeders. Sorry if I am ranting but just my two cents!

Mike

[nockhunter]

Sorry about the rant, I forgot to give my advice on how to sharpen them. I like to use a very flat surface, like a glass plate, I have a slab ov marble that was left over from my fireplace. Get some spray glue and sanpaper, 150 grit to 400-600 grit. Cut the sand paper into 3 inch strips and glue to the flat surface. Now lay the broadhead on the sandpaper and stroke it away from the point(backwards), do this on each side until all sides are nice and flat. Progress through all the grits and when you are done you should be able to shave with them. The only thing I don't like about that style head(three blade) is the sharpened angles are 60 degrees as a two blade can be 25 degrees.

Mike

[The Baron]

Originally posted by longbowben:
PUSH VERY EASY ONE STROKE ROTATE ONE STROKE ROTATE ABOUT 30 TIMES THEN PUT ON LEATHER 100 STROKES BACKWARDS IT WILL SHAVE YOU .

OK... I have been stropping the broadheads only a few strokes per side.  I'll try running them on the leather 100 times and see if that is where I am falling short on the sharpening job.  Thanks!

nockhunter... no worries!  What I liked about the ST kit is that is lessens the sharpened angle for a potentially sharper edge.

[Soilarch]

Pressing too hard was my downfall for a long time.


Go very very light on the pressure.  Otherwise you're essentially "rounding off" the edge.

[Horne Shooter]

I was in Colorado on an elk hunt a few weeks ago and dropped off the elk at the processor.  I mentioned to the fellow who owned the place how challenged I am when sharpening ANYTHING.  He gave me about a 30 minute lesson on putting different edges on knives (very similar to broadheads).  It was great.  You might find someone who uses knives for living a get the same.

[Dozer]

Originally posted by Soilarch:
Pressing too hard was my downfall for a long time.Go very very light on the pressure.  Otherwise you're essentially "rounding off" the edge.

I was in the same boat too. Something about forming metal just made me want to use a lot of force.

Nockhunter I was just wondering if you carry that hunk of marble around in your pack?    

[kirkwhitehead]

I have an old 8" nicholson file, a cheap diamond something or other stone. you know the type, comes in a leather sheath whetsone on one side and smooth "diamond " on the other. anyhow easy with the file to get a repeatable bevel angle, switch to the stone ( little easier pressure) I alternate strokes from base of broadhead to tip. then flip the stone to the smooth side, 15 or so strokes on each edge. fold back flaps of leather sheath and strop 25-30 times per edge. pops hair for me.

useing this method I can have a completely dull BH shaving sharp in about 3-5 min.

The hardest thing for me as a kid was getting the same angle on each stroke. once I was able to find the right angle of several different blades everything got easy.
hope that helps


kirk

[nockhunter]

I don't use three blade heads, I have some , sharpened them but never used them. And, No, I don't cary the slab with me,(my pack is heavy enough), it lives on my bench. I only used it to get the initial edge, after that it is just a matter of touching them up from time to time. I am using Zwickey deltas single bevel ground this year. I keep them sharp with an angled diamond setup, works great!! As far as knives go I have been sharpening them for years, I have a routine that works for me. I would have to show you in person.

Good Luck
Mike