Best Way to Sharpen STOS?

[Pinecone]

I don't normally have that much trouble getting BH's sharp, but this year it's been a struggle.  I have some heavy STOS heads that tune well to my longbow and I've chosen to use these on my early hunts.  I had them sharp for WY and they performed exceptionally well, but I want a truly hair-popping,razor edge for elk hunting and I just can not seem to get it.  Yes...I have both files and a KME standard sharpener (also a medium diamond stone)and for the life of me, I can not get the edge I want.  Any suggestions from my Tradgang pals would be most appreciated!

Thanks.

Claudia

[Mr.Magoo]

I used the 160's for a few years.  They were easy to sharpen, but as I recall the blades were thick and the metal seemed "soft" to me (soft meaning easy to get an edge, but not hold an edge).  

Maybe you're hitting them too hard.  I could get a good edge by getting them sharp with a file and then hit them easy with an accusharp.

[doug77]

Claudia I have been some what sharpening challenged could get them sharp but never super sharp till I bought Ron's KME knife sharpener now they all EASILY pop hair of my arm's very easily .

doug77

[BobW]

Claudia,

Give Ron (Sharpster) a call.  He will get you making them scary sharp...

[Sharpster]

Hi Claudia,

Bob's right. If you'll get your STOS, stones and sharpener out and give me a call, I'll walk you through sharpening one over the phone. There are a couple fairly common mistakes (for lack of a better word) that people often make: Pushing too hard on the sharpener or going through the grits too quickly. Give me a call when you have a few minutes, we'll get em tuned up for you.

Ron

[Tajue17]

wiht mine I notice that I have to really pay close attention to how the file is laying on the bevel,, its wierd I guess because if I feel the file actually "shaving material" I'm doing it wrong,,,, It has to feel like the file is just sliding down the bevel and not doing anything.  after about 20 passes like this on each side I follow up with a DMT pocket extra-fine diamond file doing the same thing from back towards the point and thats about as sharp as they will get for me but they are very sharp.

[sgrogg]

Claudia,  Let us know what you find out.  I used the STOS heads last year for the first time.  I just file sharpened them and had great results on three deer.  I bought the KME after the season ended and it's time for me to get it out and start fiddling with it.  I decided to buy it after the guys up at 3 Rivers demonstrated sharpening a STOS for me.  They had it RAZOR sharp in no time....sold me!

[Pinecone]

Thanks everyone.  I finally got them pretty close to what I want with a file and steel and may try the KME again when I have more time.

Ron, I won't have time to bring the sharpener and stones to the office and work on this, so I'll have to try and connect with you one Saturday.  I'm sure that I'm just missing something simple that will be easily resolved with your advice.  Thanks for your offer of assistance.

Claudia

[Gerardo]

did you get them shaving hair sharp?

[Night Wing]

I haven't sharpened my STOS 130 or 145 grain broadheads yet. Just used one of each for broadhead target practice. I've heard they sharpened easier than Grizzly broadheads.

[wihill]

Best way I've found to sharpen all my trad broadheads was to pick up the phone, call Ron, and ask him to fix all the dents I put into them in the first place.

Money well spent in my eyes.  Just wish he'd put a band aid in every order he sends out - those bugger's are SHARP.

[James Wrenn]

I find the stos very easy to sharpen.A file and crock stick or stone will make them shave cleanly real quick.With sharpening wheels on my grinder it takes less than a minuite to put a shaving edge on one.Just a file is really all that is needed to get them plenty sharp for hunting.Use a new file and very light strokes at the end will make them pop hair without anything else.jmo

[snag]

Ron helped me greatly over the phone. Thanks Ron! I shoot the STOS and the Abowyer Brown Bear heads. Both are ready to hunt! Love that KME. I have learned to not push hard and take my time. Don't move on to the next stone until the head is ready.

[Mint]

I know when i first got my KME it took me awhile to get rid of the old edge and get the correct angle with the KME. Once I did they came out scary sharp. I always mark the blade edge now with a magic marker before I start to sharpen so I can see easily if I am hitting the whole edge.