TESTING "SHARP"-

[bama]

How do you determine whether your broadhead is sufficiently sharp?   I use the fingernail, rubber band, and "feel it with my finger" tests but quite frankly, most out of the package broadheads pass these tests.  What do you do to determine that it is "scary sharp"?

[NDTerminator]

My definitive test is shaving arm hair. however to save on my arm, from experience I know that using a 1/4" wide rubber band held with slight tension, when pulled down the blade with light pressure, parts cleanly almost instantly w/o drag, it is more than sharp enough to do the job...

[Bowmania]

When working with the fingernail, I look at the angle of the BH to the nail when it digs in.  The smaller the angle the sharper.

Bowmania

[Mudd]

If you fear for the cutting of your eyes by just looking at it......it'll do!

At least that's the way I interpreted what Butch Speers told me..lol and Butch knows sharp!! If he hands me a knife, I'm awfully careful with it. As a wood carver he keeps all of his tools sharper than they need be.

[bama]

I have been happy with Muzzy Phantoms the last couple of years but have used numerous other cut on contact broadheads over the years.  Most of them will shave arm hair, catch on fingernails, and slice rubber bands right out of the box.  What I don't understand is why so many people say they have to sharpen new broadheads before using them.

[NDTerminator]

Originally posted by bama:
I have been happy with Muzzy Phantoms the last couple of years but have used numerous other cut on contact broadheads over the years.  Most of them will shave arm hair, catch on fingernails, and slice rubber bands right out of the box.  What I don't understand is why so many people say they have to sharpen new broadheads before using them.

When you ask about broadheads here at Trad Gang, it's assumed you are referring to fixed blade, not replacable blade types.  Fixed blades nearly all have to be sharpened out of the package.  I primarily shoot Magnus 2 blades, and I have never had one come out of the package ready to ethically hunt with...

As to replacable blades, in my experience it's not at all uncommon to find some blades that won't pass the sharp test out of the package.
I believe this happens when the edges rub against
packaging or other blades...

[bama]

You are correct that I am referring to fixed blade cut on contact broadheads.  However, in my experience which started with Bear Razorheads years ago and right now is with Muzzy Phantoms, they will shave arm and leg hair (with some pressure).  I can do that with MODOC, which I can't find any more, and MAGNUS. I have never used Zwickeys and some other brands but on the ones I have mentioned I've never found it beneficial to sharpen brand new ones.

[Butch Speer]

bama,
Just opinion but, if you have to put pressure on it. It ain't sharp. JMO It's probably really close tho.  A few strokes against a strop or Wet or Dry 1000 grit paper, will make it much sharper. Use double face tape to mount the paper to a board. Works great. Cardboard works pretty good too.

[doowop]

If it won't shave hair off my arm it ain't sharp.

[ishoot4thrills]

Heck, I'm still waiting for the hair to grow back on my left arm. It's been "bald" since I got my KME sharpener.

That's how I test my broadhead sharpness. If it'll shave my arm without pressure, then it goes on my arrow and into my bow quiver.

[Bill Carlsen]

I don't know how any of you would take a head out of a box, no matter how sharp it is, and not shoot it a few times to make sure it is shooting straight. Not to shoot them before you take them hunting, to me, is as unethical as shooting a dull head that you know is dull. After a few practice shots they will need to be resharpened. So to me, how sharp they are out of the box matters very little unless there is a lot of work to be done to get them sharp.

It's very true that if the head won't shave hair it ain't sharp....but if it doesn't shoot straight does it really matter? And if you haven't shot it out of the box how do you know it will shoot straight the first time you shoot it at a live animal? Am I missing something? If so, please fill me in as this thread seems a bit odd to me.

Maybe someone should do a poll on how many trad bowhunters take practice shots with their new heads to be sure that they shoot straight.

[oddan]

Your right on Bill. Shoot them,test flight,then sharpen them to shave just laying them on your arm. I also take a wash rag and with the knock end af the arrow on the floor push lightley and cut through it to test the tip. Then strop it and its good to go. Having a short draw and shooting light poundage, I want a sharp head.

[straitera]

Hair shaving sharp means just that. Arm or leg hair will "pop" off as if cut by a razorblade. Use wax or vaseline to coat after sharpening to reduce oxidation which can dull.

[bama]

I spin test my Phantoms out of the box but never shoot them first.  I love the KME and with it can resharpen them back to the factory edge but I can't see where I've improved it.  I am going to try the strop idea though.
Thanks

[metsastaja]

Originally posted by straitera:
Hair shaving sharp means just that. Arm or leg hair will "pop" off as if cut by a razorblade. Use wax or vaseline to coat after sharpening to reduce oxidation which can dull.

I happen to use Chap stick. Nice n compact portable..just don't use it on lips after

[sagebrush]

Even after I get mine all set up and sharp, I touch mine up everyday after hunting. It don't take much to keep a fine edge on. I'm sure they would work without doing this but I make sure every night so that when I pull on an animal I know it will work.

[jhg]

Originally posted by bama:
... they will shave arm and leg hair (with some pressure). ...

This is a good point. I have tested my own BH's and when they shave hair without any pressure-sharpen some more and then it gets to a point where the hair comes off in a way that can only be experienced to recognize... thats my idea of sharp. Its way sharper than most razor blades I 've come across, except my Dad's old school double edge jobbies.
I have never seen a BH as sharp as that out of a box, even most razor blades can be made sharper.
And why not?

Joshua

[Gerry]

Try a plastic bottle; if with light pressure it grabs and cuts a pop bottle (along the whole edge) it is sharp.  IMHO getting them hair popping sharp does not create a good edge since in order to achieve that state means the blade has a  microscopic edge that will curl easily (dull).

[KSdan]

Yup- hair "popping."