3 blade sharpening - why is this hard for me?

[TaterHill Archer]

Originally posted by Tav:
I dont know why people can't get them sharp either. But I am one of those people too. I have tried every method on video and even have had some great tradgangers send me instructions. I decrease pressure down to where the broadhad weight is the only downward force. You have no idea how frustrating it is. Maybe my hair is too tough LOL.

Same here. I've watched the tutorials on sharpening woodsman heads over and over. I still can't get them sharp. I get all the marker off with a file and go to lighter and lighter strokes and I get frustrated so I don't use any 3 blades.

[Zradix]

email sent

[centaur]

Guilty as charged. I have no problem with 2 blades, but 3 blades keep me stumped. I know the theories, have watched the videos, and I still can't slice warm butter with them. Guess I will stick to 2 blades.

[Slickhead]

me also
tried WW
ANd now snuffers
Sharp yes
Shaving sharp ..no

Going back to 2 blades next year when I switch to wooden shafts.

[Hud]

Try a wheel sharpener like a Rada, or 1-2-3 Miracle Sharpener.  Just remember a soft touch is better than an aggressive hard one when using any sharpener. The wheel takes the angle out of the equation and puts a hollow ground edge on a knife or blade. You can find them online, or possibly from a sponsor. It takes about 5 min. to learn.

[hickstick]

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000096

this is how I learned to do it.  and it works for me every time.  I just use a Grobet File, DMT diamond bench stone, and a croc stick.

[Rustic]

For me its a goal to get my BH razor sharp. A fellow TG member showed me his technique with a grinding wheel accessory. Wow... Till then,  I never saw a blade shave the hair on someones arm.

[Rob W.]

I can get 3 bld heads shaving sharp with just a file but they always seemed to dull quicker for me. Even just in and out of the quiver. Drove me nuts.

My 2 bld heads sharpen easier for me and retain the edge better. When its time to touch up it doesn't seem like a drawn out process.

[agtex42]

I initially had a hard time getting three blade heads shaving sharp until I started marking the edge with a sharpie.  For some reason the heads I was using didn't have a perfectly even bevel ground from the factory and I wasn't spending enough time on the file before moving to the finer stones.  

Now I'll mark the bevel first and keep working the edge on a mill file until the bevel is even on all three sides.  After that it's as simple as using progressively lighter strokes on the file before moving over to a medium and then fine stone, keeping light pressure the entire time.  

Lately I've been using a few light stropping strokes across the top edge of a glass tumbler (or a car window) to make the edge even keener before finishing on a leather strop with some jewelers rouge.  With this method I've had no problem getting them to shave, there definitely is a little learning curve involved.  Hopefully you get it all figured out!

[sbschindler]

when I sharpen a 3 blade  head I put one blade in a vice and the other 2 are sticking up and laying flat I take a good mil bastard file and stroke both of those blades at the same time, what you are doing is truing up the edge so it is smooth from rear to front, I rotate the head and do it again, do this until all 3 edges have been trued. then I use a diamond stone that is about 4x8, one side 300 grit the other side 600 grit, I lay the head down on the stone so 2 edges are laying flat on the stone stroke the head tip to rear, until you feel it running smooth, rotate the head and do 2 more edges, rotate until all 3 edges have been on the 300 grit do the same with the 600 grit, with each process lighten up the pressure, when you are finished with the 600 grit side do 5 strokes for each edge with just barley the weight of the head applying the pressure. to much pressure defeats your progress, its hard to believe how light of pressure you have to apply in order to get the edge you want.

[tenbrook]

Have you seen the video on VPA's site?

[BowDiddle]

It's so easy a caveman can do it.
If you do it like this -

     

Took me about 90 seconds to go from really dull to this using the RB method.
 

[BowDiddle]

Picture didn't load.

   

[BowDiddle]

I give up.

Here a link to the picture.

 http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af333/BowDiddle/rick******_sharpening_method_zpscf3e34a8.jpg

[BowDiddle]

Well choot.
I see the problem.
I'll try again.

Using the RB method it took about 90 seconds to go from really dull to this

   

[TaterHill Archer]

Originally posted by BowDiddle:
It's so easy a caveman can do it.
If you do it like this -

     

Took me about 90 seconds to go from really dull to this using the RB method.
 

Ok. Rewatched this.  Got my tungsten rod hone and a ceramic rod and a woodsman head.  Now I have no hair left on my left arm.  Double checked my technique on a trailmaker head.  I'm good to go now.

[BowHunterGA]

I just made a video a couple weeks ago. Not sure if it will help you or not but I find the 3 blade heads to be the most simple to sharpen and get scary sharp. Anyway, hopefully this will help someone.

 

[Alexander Traditional]

That's probably the best video I've seen on this BowHunter GA. I usually use some sort of two blade,but will keep your video in mind if I change.

[Kevin Dill]

I only have one suggestion. Pick one person and one method you really trust to work...and stick with it. The devil is always in the details.

[Bullfrog 1]

I have gone to VPA and use 2 tools to get them shaving sharp. A 12 inch file and a jewelstick. I actually push the file across 2 edges at the same time. Back to front and then drag the head back to front or towards me on the jewelstick. DONE! I actually like this edge better than polished or stropped. Bill