Question for Tom Mussatto/Hill Heads??

[Daddy Bear]

Tom,

I have a stack of new 160grain Howard Hill Broadheads I need to sharpen. I'd like to confirm which file you prefer to set the bevel on the initial sharpening. I've worn out my set of Nicholson Mill Bastards on a stack of Grizzly heads and am about to order some new files. I was thinking of trying the 8" and 6" Grobet bastard files for the Hill Heads but wanted to see what you recommended.

Thanks for any input.

Anyone else feel free to chime in. I posted the question here versus PM Mussatto because I thought others may be interested reference hand sharpening.

later,
Daddy Bear

[Nate Steen .]

I like the Hill heads and use a 7/32 or 1/4 round chainsaw file to put the edge on.  I file from back to front and the round file gets into the concave blade better for me, which produces a flatter edge angle.

[Tom Mussatto]

Gary, on new heads that need to have the ferrel reduced down a bit to widen the bevel I use old 8" or 10" mill bastard files. Since you're not really sharpening the blade in this process a good, new, sharp file is not needed and those aluminum ferrels gum up and dull a good file quickly.

After that I use a good sharp 6" mill bastard Nickleson to sharpen the edge, but any good quality flat single cut file will work as long as it has square not rounded edges. If you are going to apply a smooth honed edge rather than a scored edge the square edge file is not necessary.

[Daddy Bear]

Thanks both for the quick reply. After many hours manning chain saws to limb, buck, and fell, I can see the merits of a good saw file on the Hill concave blade. But, I'm most interested in mastering the old Hill method of sharpening the head. Ekin assures me that the batch of Hill Heads I have are super hard and he paints a picture that the Grizzlys I just worked are easy compared to the Hills. Not sure how much smoke he was blowing but I know darn well it is not impossible and I'd like to master the technique.

Tom, I'll give an 8" Grobet bastard a try for the initial work with plans to chalk and card the file to keep her going as clean as possible. Your video sparked a flame in me to get the Hill method down pat.

Thanks,
Daddy Bear

[aromakr]

Tom:
I agree the aluminum ferrule gums up a file real quick, however one way to reduce that is by rubbing the file with chalk first. That fills the teeth with chalk and prevents the aluminum gumming, but does not hinder the file from doing its work.
Bob

[SuperK]

Try the "wheelie" sharpener that Simmons has on their website.  It only cost 4 or 5 bucks and does a great job on HH bhs as well as just about any other 2-blade double-bevel bh. as well.