How do you prefer to sharpen your Zwickey bleeder blades?

[TxAg]

I tried some Zwickey 4 blades today and really like them.

The main blades are no problem to sharpen, but those tiny bleeders are tough.

What's your preferred method?

[SuperK]

I take a small file first and then use an Accusharp.      I'm glad they worked out OK for you.  Just wondering, which ones do you like the best?  Thanks again.

[Yellow Dog]

Terry Green did this one a few years back.

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=071225#000000

[TxAg]

Originally posted by SuperK:
I take a small file first and then use an Accusharp.      I'm glad they worked out OK for you.  Just wondering, which ones do you like the best?  Thanks again.

I really do like them a lot. It is tough to get the Accusharp on the bleeders. It works great on the main blades with a crock stick follow up. Thanks again!

By the way...can you tell me which adapters you were using?

[TxAg]

Originally posted by Yellow Dog:
Terry Green did this one a few years back.

  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=071225#000000  

That's what I needed to see. Thanks!

[SuperK]

Hey TxAg,they were 11/32 long adapters...approx. 42 grains.  If I remember correctly, 3 Rivers had them.

[Jon Stewart]

I have sharpened them with the same file I use to file the main blades, BUT, now I just grind the bleeders off the head and make them a two blade head.  My dad left me around 50 of them and he did the same to about half of them.  Reason unkown, my guess, convinience of sharpening.

[SlowBowinMO]

The best adapter match for the Zwickies are the XL Sweetlands which we carry for this purpose.  All other long adapters will work fine as well but I suggest you plug the little gap at the end with a bit of extra glue.

One of the reasons I like the little Smith's tool so much is the carbide blades are totally exposed, so a touch up even to the small Zwickey bleeders is no problem.

[Zradix]

Yep that video Terry did helped me a lot.
Can't hardly get to the bleeders with the accusharp.

I had a little 6" file that worked darn well.
Ends up those bleeders really are easier to sharpen than the mains...lol

[Kris]

I clamp the main blade in my soft jaws vice and push a small mill bastard file over the bleeders, stroking them away from the edge (toward the point of the BH).  It doesn't take much, because they are only one thickness of steel, so be careful or you'll take them down before you know it.  Avoid hitting the ferrule, if for no other reason, it looks sloppy    

Good Luck

Kris