Ceramic Tile Sharpening

[J-dog]

Just wonderin about using a ceramic tile for sharpening broadheads? Gonna take one and cut it smaller and use it just as a final polish to the edge.

Anyone do this using an actual ceramic tile?

Thanks

J

[Dawn Patrol]

J, I have never tried it but it should work. All you need is a surface harder than thr broadhead. I use to sharpen knives on glass 7-up bottles and every one would be shaving sharp.

[J-dog]

Thanks, gonna give it a shot

J

[Gene Roberts]

That is a very good idea.

[Mr.Chuck]

Yes,  it does work.  I use the ceramic element from one of those over head warehouse lights.  They make a perfect touch up rod!  

[Stone Knife]

I take it your using the unglazed portion of the tile?

[bretto]

The only thing I ever saw my Grandmother sharpen a kitchen knife on was the bottom of an old ceramic crock bowl. I use the bottom of my ceramic coffee cups to touch up knife and broadheads all the time, works just like crock sticks. bretto

[R.W.]

???? Light Bulb On!

Just a little off topic, but....

Has anyone tried knapping arrow heads from pieces of ceramic tile? Or, does anyone with knapping experience know if this might work?

R.W.

[southpawshooter]

It'll work fine.

[bayoulongbowman]

Yes , it works!!!just like stick!

[J-dog]

These are the polished side of the tile?? Do I need non polished?? This tile I got from redoing the Chief's office at work the other month. It is just a tile that you would place on the floor w/color and everything.

Is polished a problem?

J

[Sharpster]

The side of an unglazed terra-cotta flower pot makes a great finishing "stone".

Porceline is even better but, harder to come by in the unglazed finish.

-Ron

[hickstick]

j-dog...you want the un-glazed side.  every glazed ceramic as a unglazed side that was touching the shelf, look at you dinner plates or coffee cups.

I generally do all my sharpening with files (b-heads) or diamond stones (b-heads & knives), then as someone said above 'polish' the edge with a ceramic rod (wife didn't take too kindly to the steel rubbing off on the bottom of the coffee cups)...its just meant to refine an already sharp edge.

[J-dog]

I like the smooth edge of a polished blade, I use ceramic rods but think I ceramic plate would work great. I am like super picky on sharpening and I think a smooth edge is tops. I use files and diamond stones to start out but even the diamonds do not polish the best. Not sure the grit diamond stone I have BUT the thought crossed my mind about ceramic tile? Now to hunt up an unpolished tile????


Unglazed terra cotta??? WalLiw world trip tommorrow

I can sharpen fine and enjoy the process but wonder why you cant buy a 2 blade or cut on contact with scapel edges like replacable blade heads?

Keep it going yall, I am always looking to try new things in sharpening as I have not found the best way yet! LOL

Thanks

J

[Bowspirit]

 I can sharpen fine and enjoy the process but wonder why you cant buy a 2 blade or cut on contact with scapel edges like replacable blade heads?  

Two words...Silver...Flame...

[Terry Green]

Ceramics make for great finishing work.

[Sharpster]

Originally posted by J-dog:
I like the smooth edge of a polished blade, I use ceramic rods but think I ceramic plate would work great. I am like super picky on sharpening and I think a smooth edge is tops. I use files and diamond stones to start out but even the diamonds do not polish the best. Not sure the grit diamond stone I have BUT the thought crossed my mind about ceramic tile? Now to hunt up an unpolished tile????


Unglazed terra cotta??? WalLiw world trip tommorrow

I can sharpen fine and enjoy the process but wonder why you cant buy a 2 blade or cut on contact with scapel edges like replacable blade heads?

Keep it going yall, I am always looking to try new things in sharpening as I have not found the best way yet! LOL

Thanks

J

J-Dog,
You are right on the money. Diamond stones are great at taking an edge from dead dull to pretty sharp in a hurry but, the best extra fine diamond in the world can't compete with even a standard "hard" Arkansas or extra fine ceramic for the final polishing. You can get a top quality hard arkansas for around $17 and it will last forever.

As for unglazed tile, it is harder to find than you might think. I have spent hours going through the big box stores looking for some and even specialty tile stores don't seem to carry it. Most floor tile is unglazed on the back side but, there is a raised waffle grid molded into the tile to hold the glue, so that won't work either.

As for plates and cups, the bottom ring is usually unglazed but depending on the type of material (earthenware, stoneware, ceramic, or porceline) the grits can be way too coarse.

Save yourself the aggrivation and time and just get an Arkansas stone or two.

We are always looking for economical ways to sharpen and have always come back to the stones in the end.

As for why we can't buy conventional broadheads that are at least somewhere near sharp out of the pack, that's a great question! I mean how hard can it possibly be to take the extra step at the factory? We're about to start buying blanks from some of the major manufacturers and sharpen them ourselves then sell them pre-sharpened. It's crazy on their part. Think how many more broadheads they would sell if they just took that last step.

Silver Flame broadheads are unquestionably the sharpest "out of the pack" broadheads but, at $75 for three, they'd better be! Personally I'd be afraid to shoot them. What if I lost one? there goes $25 bucks!

For the true surgical edge that it sounds like you want, stropping on leather or dry cardboard will get you there but, the blade has to be very sharp and polished before you strop.

Let me know if you find a source for unglazed terra-cotta or porceline tile.

-Ron