Tusker Concorde sharpening

[mnbearbaiter]

I watched john sharpen up a few heads on the Tusker webisode, and i noticed he referred to the file he uses as "Coarse"! What is that exactly, and does anybody have any files that they would recommend? I have  6 Tusker Concordes still in the package, and yet another tough head that i need to try!

[Terry Green]

Ah...the daily Bhead Question of the day from mnbearbaiter    

[mnbearbaiter]

HaHa! I just realized that they are double beveled! In that case ill just sharpen 'em on the Truangle files! Tusker steel loves a good file sharpening!

[Stumpkiller]

"Course" would be our mill bastard (single cut), or a No 00 Swiss cut.

I really like the Grobet files, and Nicholson is good as well.

[mnbearbaiter]

Since we are on the topic of the Tusker Concorde, what is the advantage of the single beveled one vs the double beveled like i have, since they both have a tanto tip and the tusker single bevel doesnt have that little kicker at the back of the blade to produce a sideways "S" type cut? Other than that, its basically the same thing as a STOS, only cheaper and more rugged looking!

[Stumpkiller]

When you say "tougher looking" I can tell you that "looking" is the key word when comparing to a Stos.  Stos are as rugged a broadhead as can be.

     

     

The Stos has about 0.020" more blade thickness at the tip, where it counts if a bone is struck.  The ferrule is also the smoothest transition of any head I know of - no ridge, shoulder or flats to hang up and rob energy as it hits meat and bone.  Just one smooth wedge from tip to tail.

Anyway, there is some argument that a single bevel when working with the spin of the arrow will help in splitting bone.  I have never seen a side-by-side test to prove this, but I believe what Dr. Ashby writes.  I have split bone with double bevel heads . . . and I know how to sharpen them.  I was always better at knives than chisels.  I'm not sure a single bevel on a 0.035" or even 0.070" blade thickness makes much difference vs. a double.  Maybe on the huge heads they use in Africa from their 90#+ bows.

[JimB]

Well said Stumpkiller.

That STOS is a quality head.

[Birdbow]

Travis,
 Haven't used a STOS myself but I killed last season's bear here in NH with a Concorde SB. It was an average bear (140#). The quartering shot from a treestand shattered the off-side humerous bone in the upper leg and exited about 10". Bear went down in 15 sec. Hope this is helpful. Todd

[SlowBowinMO]

Love the Tuskers...they have a simple ruggedness many find very appealing and their performance seals the deal.

Tuskers are made for the file, I'd suggest you set your bevels with a good file, then you can finish the edge with about any effective method you'd like after that...or you can just use the filed edge if you've done it properly.  Make sure you've taken the bevel all the way through the edge whether finishing by another method or not.  A common mistake is to stop just short of the actual edge without realizing it, which of course makes for a seemingly inexplicably dull head and needless frustration.  Many use a black marker on the bevel to aid in making sure they've sharpened the entire bevel.

The blade on a Corcorde will be .047 to .050 and they're hardened to 50 rockwell.  There have been huge improvements to the Tuskers since 2000 or so, and the heads sold in the last few years are head and shoulders above their previous offerings.  Bevels have been added and then improved, hardness was greatly increased to the 50 rockwell (they used to be quite soft) and a protective coating was added in 2009 to resist corrosion.  Not only does the hardness increase the durability, the high carbon spring steel takes and holds a fantastic edge.

As far as single versus double bevels, the rotation is a result of the forces created (actually redirected) by the bevel itself, I'm not sure what you were referring to by the "kicker".  We offer both bevels to cater to individual preferences and needs as broadheads tend to be a very personal choice.

The STOS were also mentioned and they are fantastic heads with a strong following for good reason.  They are tough, fly fantastic and they are always the first "sharpen yourself" head I suggest to those who are concerned about sharpening.  What's not to like?  

We have more info on both heads here:

  Tusker Broadheads at Braveheart Archery  

  STOS broadheads at Braveheart Archery

[ozzyshane]

guys the best file is the ones they use to fix up the panels on you cars Thnaks Shane