Broadhead sharpening

[PredatorX]

For you guys that sharpen your own heads, what is your method? How sharp do you attempt to get them? I personally go shaving sharp, but i recall reading a while back where they used to like to sharpen the edge with a file i suppose to give it a more toothy edge?

I sharpen my cutthroats on a KME with all of the diamond stones and then strop it. I guess i am always wishing i could get it sharper but i sometimes question what the optimal blade sharpness really is. In concept, it would seem a slight toothy edge would cause more damage but then i also read that the extra tissue damage causes clotting to occur more quickly.

Sharpening isnt always easy, and in fact one of the more difficult things i have struggled with. I am super critical of the sharpness i get as i always seem to want to get that hair popping sharpness (which i havent been able to attain).

 

[Steadman]

Less is more when it comes to sharpening. It’s hard to do but it takes a lot of practice and patience. Light strokes with the file. Sharpening single bevels are the hardest to sharpen. I hit the other side of the bevel to take the burr off. Good luck!

 

[GLB]

I am terrible at sharping with files and stones so I use the Accusharp tool which is pretty easy to use. I usually can get them to shave hair with a few med pressure followed by a few light pressure strokes.

 

[gudspelr]

Are yours two or three blade heads? If three blade, it’s a lot easier. You can put two of them on the stone, file, or sandpaper and that creates your angle. Go up in grit or however fine of a stone, etc and you’re there. For a two blade, you have to hold it to set the angle which can be really hard. I used to struggle greatly using stones-it was only after I started making knives that I got any better. It came down to a lot of frustration and practice to get better.


Jeremy

 

[PredatorX]

Mine are 2 blade single bevel. I can see how nice it would be to sharpen a 3 blade though. I do think i need to lighten up my stroke a little bit, that is good advice. Sharpening is one of those overlooked skills that most including myself get super frustrated with. It is rewarding to put a good edge on it though! Some guy's edges though they can literally split a hair with. I'm not sure though that is the best edge for a broadhead.

There can be a lot of science to an edge....but at the same time they have killed lots with stone heads.

 

[Bill V]

Here is my method for light touch ups:

How to Quickly Sharpen Broadheads - YouTube

and thorough sharpening:

How to Thoroughly Sharpen Iron Will Outfitters Broadheads - YouTube

 

[oldgoat]

Less is more when it comes to sharpening. It’s hard to do but it takes a lot of practice and patience. Light strokes with the file. Sharpening single bevels are the hardest to sharpen. I hit the other side of the bevel to take the burr off. Good luck!

Cutthroat single bevels are absolutely the EASIEST to sharpen head I've ever used!

 

[Steadman]

Cutthroat single bevels are absolutely the EASIEST to sharpen head I've ever used!

I couldn’t agree more! My go to broadheads. Tough as they come and the Clum’s are as good as people get.

 

[Superkodiak38]

I mainly shoot STOS or Zwickey's but just bought some Cutthroats. On double bevel I normally use a fine file like a Grobet to set my edge and take out any nicks or dings going from firm to light pressure then onto a ceramic stick and strop to shave hair. I used the same file then different grits of sand paper followed by a strop on the cutthroats and they will shave you as well.