Sharpening Help

[Zach Mikita]

Ok Ive posted threads before about the KME sharpeners and how well they work, but I'm to a point now where I'm totally lost.

I am willing to invest some money into a sharpener.  What do you use?  A system of stones?? KME? X-Block?

I dont want the sharpener to limit my broadhead selection.  I have watched the KME KNIFE sharpener sharpen BH too.  Right now that seems to be my #1 at this point in the game, because of its versatility.

How effective is your system you use? Single bevel? 3 blade? bleaders?

[Buckwheaties]

KME all the way. except 3blades, I have both KME's and that covers all knives/BH's. A little investment but the best!! I am using the stones from kme alomg w/ a large DMT(i think) diamond stone,(the ones w/ the holes in the metal.

[Bruce Martin]

Just finished touching up a couple of Zwickey eskimo 2 blade heads on my KME. Took about 30 minutes total and 1 of the heads was brand new so needed to be sharpened to establish the initial bevel correctly. They are great and worth it even if you were only going to sharpen knives. For 3 blade heads such as woodsman or snuffer, look to Charlie Lambs tutorial. Basically he starts with a file to establish the initial bevel (paint the edges with a sharpie to know when they are done), then you can either stay on the file or go to stones, which is what I do. Just heel to toe on progressively finer stones with progressively finer pressure, finishing with strokes just the weight of the broadhead on a hard Arkansas or similar grade. Then strop on cardboard to eliminate any wire edge and they will be SHARP!. Iv'e found you can then just touch up after a few days in the quiver with cardboard and they are ready to go again. I use the KME for 2 blade heads and the method just described for woodsman or snuffer heads. I like the 2 blades for my 45 lb bow and the 3 blades when I go to 55 lb.

[Zach Mikita]

Well all Ive heard is good things about the KME sharpeners...anyone have problems with one?

Thanks guys for your thoughts

[jacobsladder]

check out the video on kme's website..very helpful.....you only want forward strokes...not back and forth.....also..make sure the blade of the broadhead is totally touching the stone and that your not filing off the edge of the clamp..hope this helps..they are an outstanding design tool, but unfortunately most broadheads need to have quite a bit of metal taken off before the kme really shines and gives you that perfect edge.

[Morning Star]

My broadhead sharpening tools include med mill file, a KME BH sharpener, a medium DMT and a fine DMT stone.  I use a piece of leather and piece of cardboard to strop with.

The KME BH sharpener with a good series of stones will cover a huge amount of heads on the market.  Keep in mind those flat stones you use with the KME, along with a mill file are also your ticket for sharpening 3 blade COC's like Snuffers, Woodsmans etc.

Unless you're shooting Simmon's style concave heads, you are pretty well covered IMO.

[Randy Morin]

I agree about the KME being all that and a bag-o-chips.  I have learned to use my newly purchased KME knife sharpener to sharpen Zwickeys and Grizzly single bevel to scary-ness.        
And them Grizzly's really hold a edge in a quiver.

Jacobsladder said above to only use forward strokes.  That is true at the end of each progression through the diff't grits (ie the last handful of strokes) but it's a.o.k. to go back and forth fast, fast when your moving metal with each grit.  Save you a bunch of time.
Personally I'm glad I got the knife sharpener and held off on the broadhead sharpener.  I like being able to choose my attack angle.  And I didnt get the $20.00 base either thinking I'd make my own.  Dont even need one I found out in my case anyway.

Good Luck.

[sticknstring+]

Edgepro my broadheads and knives are finally as sharp as they can be.  With this system you can use stones, diamonds and sandpaper. I rough'em in with a course stone, then switch to the diamonds, medium-fine-superfine, then the finishing touch is 3000 grit sandpaper to a mirror. I haven't even tried too sharpen a multiple blade... No need... Two blades all the way for me

[Cookus]

KME definitely has the best system!    Watch the video on the website and contact the owner (Mike?)for broadhead specifics when you place your order.   The guy is a walking cornucopia of broadhead sharpening knowledge!

[Whip]

Another vote for KME!    I use a flat file and diamond stone for my 3 blade Woodsmans, but the KME will handle everything else.

[Steve O]

I start my Snuffers and Woodsmen on the bench grinder and finish with the KME knife sharpener stones in their holder flat across two blades at a time.

[Fishnhunt]

For 2 bladers I use the KME. For 3 bladers I free hand them.  When I use the KME on 2 bladers I dont use the wheel contraption, instead I just hold he jaws in my hand (and the head is in the jaws) and free hand that.  
Regardless of 2 or 3 blade my sharpening medium is sandpaper.  I am relatively new to sharpening and I find sandpaper to be easier to work with than stones.   I just take an 8X11 sheet of sand paper and place it on top of a piece of plate glass and start sharpening.  This process takes time but its foolproof.
I have 150, 180, 220, 240, 280, 320, 360, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 and 3000 grit paper and use whichever ones are needed dependending on broadhead condition.  

Good luck.

[Zach Mikita]

Ok well KME gets my vote...now do i go with the BH sharpener or the knife sharpener (because I've watched a broadhead being sharpened with the knife sharpener)

[Charlie Lamb]

Zach,

The knife sharpener is gonna be the most vesatile for ya. Does an excellent job on knives AND broadheads.

Like has been said, the stones can be used on three blades without the jig.

[bawana bowman]

Knife sharpener will do both. If you own it you don't really need the BH sharpener. However.....
if your like me you'll buy both!!

Use them all the time, keep the BH sharpener with my travel gear and use the knife sharpener for all knives and BH's at home.      

Hal  

[Craig Schoneberg]

KME gets my vote.  I have both broadhead and knife sharpener, both great, but go with the knife sharpener. You won't be disappointed.
Craig

[Zach Mikita]

Knife sharpener it is!

[Roy Steele]

I've shot 2 blade zwicky for 30 years and have used about everything you can think of.But a few years ago I start useing Smiths pull thruogh knife sharper.It's the very best and quickest

[Morning Star]

The broadhead sharpener will be quicker and more precise if all your concerned about is sharpening heads.

[razorsharptokill]

I just finished the last of my Grizzly 160's with the KME broadhead sharpener. I finally got the hang of the finished edge! I start my setting the angle with the side of a course 6" gringing wheel or two mill bastard files secured to a wooden block. I then go to a 3"x6" medium diamond stone. I then go to water stones(1st 600 then 1000 grit)Once that stage is done I flip the block with the files screwed to it over and use the leather strop I have glued to it.

If I already have the bevel set, it only takes me about 20 minutes per head to make the sticky/scary sharp.