Sharpening Zwickey Eskimo/Eskilites

[Sirius Black]

I have both these broadheads, am having trouble sharpening them, even with my KME. Should I start with a grinder? What have you Zwickey users done? Thanks!

[ChrisM]

I only use a file and get them shaving sharp easily.  The most common mistake is not using light stokes to get them sharp.  Heavy to set the angle and light only after that.

[WESTBROOK]

On a new head I use a file to clean them up and get a bevel, then I use a KME.

Eric

[karrow]

on my new eskimos i put them in my KME and color both side with a marker. then take a 12inch file and a piece of cardboard that is the same thickness and length as my file. slide them together and place the wheel of the kme on the cardboard and the head on the file and drag into the tang of the file. i do this just to get my bevels cosistent and to raise the burr. then on to the stones from there

[soap creek]

ChrisM described it pretty well. Basically the same way I sharpen mine.

[anchorman]

There is a video on trad gang that Terry made showing how he sharpens zwickey and I found it very helpful...trying to remember it's in the archives...Lonnie

[Biathlonman]

I do a couple swipes with a file to set the angle then accusharp to finish it off.  Super quick and easy.

[Stringwacker]

I use a Truangle file, fine hone, and leather set. There is method to the madness required, but my Zwickey's come out like Gillette razor blades.

[Stone Knife]

sharpening tips

[Red Beastmaster]

Hand file, then Truangle file block, leather strop.

[TommyBoy]

Hasn't anybody ever used a butcher's steel besides me? Sigh ...

[buckeye_hunter]

You can't sharpen heads that have been cursed by Voldemort! Just saying...  

[LookMomNoSights]

Hand file....set/touch up bevels with med pressure. Once uniform,  GET A BURR the lenght of blade with LIGHT PRESSURE!!!!  Take the burr off with a JEWEL STICK,  light pressure only!  
Now watch out....you so much as lightly bump that head,  you'll open yourself up!!!!!      

[LookMomNoSights]

.....also,  keep in mind:  "Medium" pressure is about enough to crush a potato chip if you pressed the file on it.  "Light" pressure is about the weight of the 8" file only,  riding on the broadhead.    With the jewel stick,  hold the stick in your hand stationary and lighty shave the broadhead across it.....opposite of the file work,  where you move the file across the head!

[ChrisM]

Also if you want to get advanced you can put a micro seration on the heads with a file that makes them stay sharp longer and is dangerous.  I tried to show a buddy of mine how sharp mine were and laid myself open with just the weight of the head.

[JamesKerr]

I use a file to set the bevel and raise a burr. Once I have a good burr established I then go to a jewel stick or 1200 grit diamond stone to remove that burr and create a super thin burr that could be removed by just your finger. After all that and I have that tiny burr I stropp it on leather and walla razor sharp.

[Sirius Black]

Thanks for the help guys! Hey Charlie!