Dull Snuffers

[Recurve50 LBS]

I bought a package of 125 grain screw in Snuffers. They look like a good head but I can't get them sharp enough to my likeing which is able to shave hair off my arm.

Upon removing one from the package they came in I marked each blade edge with a black magic marker. Then using my palm sander with 100 grit paper I sanded each balde until the magic marker was sanded off. I then worked to 150 grit and then on to 220 grit then to a stone and worked on them till I got frustrated and gave up. I even tried another head using a bastard file that I layed on the bench top and filed the edges down till the magic marker was all filed away. Now these are quite a bit sharper than when they came out of the package but IMHO they are no way near sharp enough to shoot any animals with.

I have read and watch tutorials on how to sharpen Snuffers but I can't get them sharp.

What am I doing wrong?  

[SEMO_HUNTER]

You will get lots of responses to this question, but the video tutorial on 3Rivers archery website is the best I've seen on sharpening snuffers and woodsman broadheads. I kinda use the same method that they show, but modified it for my own preferrence. Rather than the big file to set the edge on a new snuffer, I use a belt sander with 80 grit belt and lightly "Touch" the flat edge of 2 inside edges lightly then rotate and repeat until all edges have been set. Then I finish up with a small bastard file with the last few strokes being very light and barely taking anything at all off the edge. Mine get razor sharp and would be what some guys refer to as "Hair popping" sharp. That's the way I like em.

If you decide you don't want them anymore I might be able to trade you something for them? Provided you haven't taken too much off the edges already.

Good luck.

[Cane Knife]

I bought that "CC" 3 blade sharpener from 3Rivers and it works just fine for me.  Pass trus on a couple pigs.  Super easy and fast so good enough.

[Bill Carlsen]

You need to get a burr on the edges or you will never get them sharp. The marker is helpful but if you don't feel a burr you haven't worked the edge enough.

[Recurve50 LBS]

I'll try again tomorrow. See if I can raise a burr. This story isn't finished yet...lol

[southpawshooter]

Larry,

It can be hard to find a file wide enough to do as the 3Rivers video for snuffers.  Instead, file across the 2 flats of the BH.  Start at the rear and in one swipe file the flats to the front.  Rotate on each pass.  This step is to make the flats true - very important.  You won't begin an edge until they are true.  If you have some KME stones or similar pull the head back to front tip towards you, again rotating on each pass. Start with a coarse stone and progress through grits.  Afterwards if you have apiece of lether strop the same way.  Put a little grit on the leather - flitz polish, toothpaste, etc.

Another method I use is first a file, then a 3 sided Jewelstick, finally a sharpening steel - all across the blades.

Remember, the most important part is trueing up the blades to start.  After that they sharpen up very easily.

[Jake Diebolt]

Getting the marker filed away is the important first step to get a flat bevel. After that, stones should be able to get them shaving sharp.


The main thing is to get it flat: otherwise your stones won't be contacting most of the blade and they won't sharpen. It might take some time. I have the same problem with my woodsmans. I've flattened them out with the file and now I'm using light strokes. even with just the file they're cutting hair.

[bigbadjon]

The only advice I can give is to make sure you don't use too much pressure. Once you have the edges flat only the weight of the head is needed to apply pressure to the stone. I think almost all sharpening problems are due to pressure.

[Bowmania]

I have used a Snuffer Tamer.  It will get 'em sharper than sharp, but it does take a lot of material off.  YOu can learn how to do it with files.  Remember light strokes towards the end.

Bowmania

[RUSTY1]

Check out the video on youtube that Magnus done on how to sharpen the snuffers. Looks pretty easy to me.

[leatherneck]

Snuffer Tamer!!! Easy as pie to shave hair.

[Recurve50 LBS]

I've been messing around with that same head a little bit today. It still needs more work. I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[igiveup]

good luck i cant sharpen those things ither

[Earl Jeff]

I run my snuffers backwards over two files that I have mounted to a board till they get a burr on them them. Then I pull them backwards over a ceramic stick with very very light pressure till the burr falls off. WOW look out!

[Uncle Buck]

like Bigbadjohn said, be sure you are not using too much pressure. A lot of " sharpening impaired" people try to muscle an edge onto the blade instead of letting the stone or file do the work.

[Recurve50 LBS]

Hey everyone I was able to finally get 2 heads shaving sharp. Thank you all for the helpful tips.

[Snakeeater]

Larry,

So what did you change to get it to work?

Snakeeater

[Recurve50 LBS]

I started by using a black magic marker on each cutting edge. Then being very patient and telling myself not to rush,I placed a bastard file flat on my bench and dragged  the Snuffer backwards using very light pressure until all the magic marker was filed off.By then there were considerable burrs on the edges. Then using the same method except no magic marker I worked the Snuffer on a Fine stone. The next step I stropped each edge on a piece of leather with some Mothers Metal Polish on it. The two main tricks are to use very little pressure and to tell your self to take your time, there's no rush.Being a person living in northern NJ(it seems like most of us around here are always in a big hurry) the hardest thing for me to do was to slow myself W A Y  down and to keep myself patient.

Any way that's it. All the tips I received were helpful and maybe the steps I just used will be helpful to another person.