Two blades sharp, one is not.

[BOFF]

Well, I've been shooting WW for 3 years and I started shooting them because I like the quality, and can easily sharpen them to my standards when they are new.

Here's where the EXCEPT/BUT comes in. I'm having problems with getting them sharpened back up after shooting them. I usually have two blades that will shave hair after sharpening, and one that will not.

I use a mill file, and then a Arkansas stone with oil to sharpen them. I've tried the diamond sharpeners but had no success.

I would think there is an easily answer, besides giving them away. But I don't feel comfortable in hunting with only 2/3 of my standards.

Thanks in advance. God Bless, David B.

[OconeeDan]

It really makes no sense.  You would think that the same steel is used in each blade, right?  Especially in the same package and on the same head.  You would think that the blades are at the same angle, right?  At least we should hope so.  Then they should all be capable of being honed to the same sharpness.  
you said you got them sharp before shooting, right?  So you are capable of sharpening them (some are sharpening challenged).
Doesn't make sense.  Maybe you need to spend a little extra time with them?  
Good luck.  Dan

[fireman_3311]

Boff, I've had the same problem with Snuffers in the past!

[olddogrib]

Not to hijack your thread, but I've had problems with one or more blades showing a section (usually the third toward the tip) where not as much metal is being removed. The lower sections of the blades are fine. This is from the sharpie blackout of the edge that I do prior to filing. The file is wider than the file and I lay it flat. The tutorial suggests this comes for putting more pressure on the rear of the head, but I use two hands and have done a blue million of them. The majority turn out good, the ones that don't I use for practice.  Wondering if the manufacturing tolerances relating to consistent blade angles are lacking?

[BOFF]

Let me add,

I'm pretty anal, boy there's an oxymoron. The two blades that shave hair are sharp, and the other blade is sharp, but won't cut hair. But if it won't cut hair then it's not sharp enough to me.

I'm not attempting to turn this into a quality issue with the WW. I'm gonna use them, but it's driving me nuts in not getting that one blade sharp.

Kinda like a relentless challenge.

I also must add I have plenty to learn in sharpening, and  DON'T know everything. I'm sure it's something I'm doing or not doing to make the problem.

[BOFF]

Originally posted by fireman_3311:
Boff, I've had the same problem with Snuffers in the past!

I take it you didn't get it resolved, or are you holding out on me?   :D

[Curtiss Cardinal]

Boff, since I can't assume anything I have to say the following....
Make sure your file is clean and that it still cuts evenly. If you chalk your file, try one head without chalking. (It may be time for a new file)Make sure you are putting equal force on both sides if you sharped two sides at once. Never push too hard and as you advance in your sharpening lighten the pressure you apply gradually until you are using feather light pressure in the end.

[BOFF]

Thanks Curtiss II,

I welcome all constructive criticism or advice.

I don't use chalk, and try to clean the file about every 30-50 strokes, and keep it in a plastic sleeve. What are the benefits of using chalk? How do you apply it?

I learned about the pressure and lightening up as I sharpen through experience and others' help.

[olddogrib]

It helps keep the teeth from getting imbedded with metal shavings. I've tried both ways, still frequently see the problem I mentioned. But like you, they're still my favorite head.

[Guru]

I've had the same thing after using them, sometimes one blade gets damaged more then the other two. Easy to bring the 2 back to shaving sharp, but the third just won't get there. It takes a while,but usually I can get it.

[BOFF]

Originally posted by Guru:
I've had the same thing after using them, sometimes one blade gets damaged more then the other two. Easy to bring the 2 back to shaving sharp, but the third just won't get there. It takes a while,but usually I can get it.

Do you get there by using the file more?  Do you rotate the broad head equally, or somehow concentrate on the blade that is not sharp? Wouldn't think you would concentrate on the one that is not sharp, as it would get the other two unequal.

[[email protected]]

I have had the same thing happen.

I think one of the blades is just slightly offset.  Its not exactly equadistant from the other two blades.  There fore you have unequal angles on the "odd" blade.  Don't know if I explained that very well. Both with Snuffers and WW.

Don't know how to prove it one way or another.

The good news it that by continually rotating the head when sharpening it eventually seems to work itself out.

Also, it really helps to strop the blades.  Slightly round off the rear angle so it doesn't cut the leather when you pull the BH backwards.

Bob

[BOFF]

Bob,
I'm not too sure how to strop the blades. Aren't you supposed to use some type of polish or lotion on the leather?

[overbo]

I've been sharpening 3 blade heads w/ a snuffer tamer kit for 12 years and have found nothing better.I also heat the heads to soften them a touch (I NOW TABOO)but it works very well for me.

[[email protected]]

Boff,

Basically its rubbing compound.  

Sears sell it in stick form.

I have been using Flitz.  In a pinch you can also use plain cardboard.

Bob

[Bill Carlsen]

For me the key to sharpening three blades is the very first step...getting the rough edge hunting sharp to begin with. Quite a few years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Roger Rotthhaarr and he took the time to show me how to sharpen his or any three blade head and the key was getting the rough edge "hunting" sharp (his term, not mine).After that it was a matter of using finer and finer hones/stones. I have found that on heads that really give me a hard time it is best to spend the time on the DMT very coarse (black) hone until I am happy that even with that degree of coarseness I could take an animal. On a caribou hunt several years ago I was forced to sharpen several WW while out in the field. I had only a black DMT hone with me. I sharpened the heads and proceeded to kill a caribou with on of them. The bou only went about 40 yards and bled like crazy. When I am at home I have found that my belt sander will get the initial edge I need with a few light passes until I get a burr on each blade. My final step is to use very light pressure on a fine ceramic rod.  My Razorcaps get scary sharp, but only if the initial edge is achieved first.

[BOFF]

Bill,
I can get them scary sharp to begin with. It's AFTER I shoot them, as I mentioned earlier, in which a lot of times I can only get two blades sharp enough to shave hair. But as you wrote, maybe I'm not getting the edge ground down enough.

[BOFF]

Bob,
Thanks for the reply. I thought I remembered someone saying or writing about using Flitz. That's good as I already have some.