Suggestions for sharpening woodsmans

[valleysniper]

guys I'm kinda inept at this apparently.  I can't seem to get these Sharp to save my life, any suggestions ?

[Wudstix]

I just use a flat stone with medium grit then a stone my great grandfather had that is smooth as glass. Then the Bottom of a ceramic coffee cup to finish, if needed.
 

[Pat B]

Lay the woodsman flat on 2 edges and push it along a file or a stone. If you haven't already reset the blade angles it may take you a while to get the bevels correct unless you have a belt sander. If you do just lay the broadhead flat on the sander for just a second on each of the 3 sides then go back to the stone of file. This works best and is safer if the blade is mounted to a shaft.

[J. Holden]

Try this link.  I used this method when I was shooting them.  I had great results.  Don't forget about the search feature, the "how to" section and the good stuff at the bottom!  Good luck!

-Jeremy

http://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=108924.0

[Wudstix]

Rick Barbee also has a Utube video.

[durp]

If all else fails go to 3rivers site and watch Dales how to video

[SlowBowinMO]

I've never been satisfied with flat methods, although I have killed quite a few animals with 3 blades sharpened that way, and the results were good.  I now use a bench grinder and finish off with a hand held Smith's.  Nice sticky sharp edge that has a better angle (IMO) than flat methods.

Use old heads to practice takes a while to get it, you might bugger up a head or two at first.

[frassettor]

Try this link.  I used this method when I was shooting them.  I had great results.  Don't forget about the search feature, the "how to" section and the good stuff at the bottom!  Good luck!

-Jeremy

http://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=108924.0

ThAts the link I was looking for , good ol Charlie!

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Yep, I hollow grind Snuffers (works same with woodsmans).  Hollow grinding makes it way quicker and easier to finish than full flat sharpening.  I put a tutorial on here several years ago about how to do the hollow grinding and finish sharpening on Snuffers.

R

[valleysniper]

Not sure what hollow grinding is, can you elaborate  ?

[smokin joe]

I have used three-blade broad heads a lot, and I really like them.

The trick to get them sharp is fairly easy once you understand it.

First, with a new 10" mill bastard file, file the blades hard (two blades at a time across the flat) until you have a uniform edge with a bit of a shine. You should be able to feel the file "bite" the steel. I start with 8 hard strokes per side before turning the broached to expose the next two blade surfaces. Do that until all 6 blade surfaces have been filed.

Then I will lighten up on the pressure I am placing on the file and do 6 strokes per side. Then lighter still with 5 strokes, then 4 per side, etc. until you get to very light pressure with just one stroke per side.

Then I switch to an Oregon brand chain saw "raker" file. Starting with 5 strokes per side and working down while reducing pressure with each set of strokes. When I get down to one very light stroke per side (not  much more pressure than just the weight of the file) I stroke a pair of blades once and turn the head, again stroke and turn, etc. until I have done 20 or more strokes while turning the head between each stroke. At this point I am using the fine teeth of the raker file to polish the edges.

Then I repeat the stroke and turn process with the edge of the raker file. A chainsaw raker file is a "safe" file with no teeth on the edges. The edges act just like a butcher's steel to fine hone the broad heads to shaving sharp.

After you do this process, it only takes the honing process of the raker file edge to touch up the broad heads once in a while.

There it is. Two tools and shaving sharp in no time. The key to sharpening a three blade is to progress from filing, to stroking, to honing going lighter as you progress through the process.

Use handles on your files to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the broad heads.

[gordydog]

What others said... just pulled Woodsman on 10" mill bastard file about 4 pulls/side, 3pulls/side,2,1....then wet my 600 grit wet sandpaper and placed on granite plate, 8 pulls/side, 7, 6,5,4...going lighter each time. Then pulled on strap board covered with white gold honing compound from 3 Rivers, about 3 pulles/side. 5 minutes per broadhead, shaved leg hair. Tanto tip. Fast, easy.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Using a 6 inch bench grinder where the wheel is vertical, pull the head (on an arrow) backwards across the wheel perpendicular to the wheel grinding 2 blades at a time - the head is held horizontal and pulled backwards across the wheel.  Instead of a "V" the blades are now ground hollow, )(, if you can imagine that the tops of the curved lines touch.  When you finish on a flat stone and strop you now create a micro bevel rather than stoning the full edge.  The amount of hollow is dictated by the diameter of the grinder.

R

[gordydog]

Ryan, great tip hollow grinding. My brother wraps 6" PVC with 600 grit wet sandpaper and pulls 3 blade head over it. Similar concept to achieve less than 30 degree angle.

[kennym]

Using a 6 inch bench grinder where the wheel is vertical, pull the head (on an arrow) backwards across the wheel perpendicular to the wheel grinding 2 blades at a time - the head is held horizontal and pulled backwards across the wheel.  Instead of a "V" the blades are now ground hollow, )(, if you can imagine that the tops of the curved lines touch.  When you finish on a flat stone and strop you now create a micro bevel rather than stoning the full edge.  The amount of hollow is dictated by the diameter of the grinder.

R

This!! I can sharpen a new one to shave in a couple minutes...

[wingnut]

I hollow grind them with different grit sand paper on a 6 inch pvc pipe.  Takes a little bit to get them the first time but they are shaving sharp every time.