I just CAN'T Sharpen Broadheads

[Caleb Andes]

Ok guys, I need some help. There has to be some element that i am missing. I have tried everything from a Jewel stick to KME. My latest try and the one I thought I had it nailed PLEASE someone lend me some advice.

Start off with 200 grit sandpaper with the KME then move up to 400,600,800,1000, finally 2000 and then wet 2000 then I finish it off with a leather strop.

The heads are sharp.. Just not sharp enough for.. well.. my moose hunt.

Someone please lend some advice.

[joe ashton]

my best suggestion is, as you progress to the finishing strokes, go at it  with a lighter and lighter touch.  THEN WHEN YOU'VE GOT IT SHARP>>>STOP!

[lpcjon2]

Its all about the angle you have the edge at(must maintain it)and as mentioned above go slower and less pressure toward the end of the sharpening phase.Try it without hitting the strop and see how sharp it is. In the final steps of sharpening the key is to remove the rolled edge.
 Are your heads single or double bevel. Look in the "How to" section Charlie Lamb does a good follow along.

[Stone Knife]

Doing so many steps you may be rounding the edge over in the process.Try a coarse and then a fine stone.

[AWPForester]

The biggest mistake people make when using an abrasive grit whether it be diamond or sand paper is as mentioned above, too much pressure.  Also, make sure you are traveling the edge the distane of the sharpening stone.  In other words short strokes makes it harder to sharpen.

If your diamond stone is 6 inches long, use all of it you can, and rotate sides between strokes unless using a file.  But what ever you use efinately lighten up each times you change sides and decrease licks, or use very light pressure cause the new sharpening blocks,stones, files, etc..., are extremely hard and to much pressure causes the edge to be dulled instead of sharpened.

God Bless

[ishoot4thrills]

If using a KME, you don't worry about the angle because you can't change the angle you're holding the blade because the jig keeps it the same angle throughout.

It's probably got to do with the amount of pressure you're putting on the blade as you're sharpening. Don't wanna use too much pressure. Also, I've never used sandpaper as my stone. I only use a course stone and a fine Arkansas stone.

I don't even use leather and still I get my 2-blade heads shaving sharp on my KME broadhead sharpener.

[ishoot4thrills]

What AWPForester  said as well.

   

[Mike Vines]

If you have a KME, do yourself a favor and call Ron at KME.  He makes an awesome product, and will walk you right thru it.  When your off the phone with him, you will be looking for all kinds of things to sharpen.

[JAG]

Call RON, x2!
He will get you mthru the process.

[Rod Witkos]

I've had the same woes. I'm hoping Ray Hammond can teach me next weekend.  

[Roadkill]

If you watch even a good person, you will learn faster than on your own.  It got me going very well

[JamesKerr]

It sounds like you are using to much pressure. The only pressure that is applied downward should be from the weight of the broadhead.

[mongoose]

I don't know about the KME, but I had some trouble also, until I watched Charlie Lamb work his magic with a large file and a 6" file. NOw thats all I sharpen my broadheads with. As you get closer to the finish lighten the strokes until only the weight of the file is all that you are applying. Hope this helps      

[awbowman]

Likely too much pressure

[Coiloil37]

Could be pressure but do yourself a favor and buy a quality stone(s). I had issues getting a finished edge with sandpaper, some guys can sharpen a blade on almost anything but some guys need quality tools to do a quality job.

[Steve Clandinin]

A good Quality 10-12" Mill file and then an Accusharp,I've done thousands,Zwickeys ,Bears you name it .With the File get aggresive,BUT maintain the proper angle with every stroke,40-45 strokes with the file on each side ,then the Accusharp.Good enough to shave hair.

[Iowabowhunter]

I'm listening here as well!

[rnickl]

If you're using sandpaper be sure you use double sided tape and stick it to a flat surface.  If it not taped down it will just lift up in front of the cutting edge as you push it over and ruin it.

I think you're also going way overkill on the number of grits you're using.  I usually go from a medium grit to a fine stone and then strop it, the course grit only get used if there are heavy nicks in the edge.  Starting with an undamaged edge I have no problem getting a shaving edge with just 2 stones and a strop.  I've actually used my knife to clean my face at work on several occasions when I missed a spot with the razor in the morning.  

[58WINTERS]

Caleb,
What brand of heads are you trying to sharpen?  They need to have good steel for starters.

[58WINTERS]

Caleb,
What brand of heads are you trying to sharpen?  They need to have good steel for starters.