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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: MPaul on January 06, 2019, 07:25:17 AM

Title: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: MPaul on January 06, 2019, 07:25:17 AM
Those of you that are using convex broadheads how are you sharpening them? What type stone, tools ect. It is a very difficult grind and I just grind them straight. Would like input on what others are doing.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: BILL LEU on January 06, 2019, 08:39:56 AM
You using two blade or four? If two blade get yourself a RADA sharpener, there cheap and effective
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: Alexander Traditional on January 06, 2019, 08:40:46 AM
The only ones I have are the glue on Eclipse. I just use my Lansky,and can get them really sharp.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: T Sunstone on January 06, 2019, 12:51:06 PM
Rada, works like a champ.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: Orion on January 06, 2019, 02:08:12 PM
Agree, Rada and/or a round file and sharpening stick.

Edit:  Oops.  I was thinking concave.  Regardless, works for convex, too.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: GCook on January 06, 2019, 05:20:01 PM
I'm fond of stones.  If nicked up I'll hit it a few strokes of course and touch it up with a fine.  I have a Lansky to do field touch up if needed and honestly if you have good technique they are sharp enough to kill effectively with that given they weren't too bad off to begin with.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: MPaul on January 06, 2019, 07:16:21 PM
 I am using 2 blade will look into the Rada thanks for all the info guys.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: MPaul on January 07, 2019, 08:19:36 AM
I currently use the kme and stone have also used the lansky and other similar style sharpener. But as I said they ruin the convex edge. I am looking for different ways that will keep the convex (rounded) shape. Maybe I should just use different type broadheads with a straight v type edge. I have people use a belt sander or thick leather with abrasive compound for the convex edge. Just want input from people that know how to sharpen this type of edge.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: Austin Brown on January 07, 2019, 08:30:22 AM
I am assuming you are talking about the slightly rounded profile like an Ace standard?  They take just a few minutes with a 6" file and strop to get nasty sharp.  No need to reprofile the edge, old Magnus Journeyman was the same way.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: bigbadjon on January 07, 2019, 09:15:19 AM
Sharpening a convex broadhead is no different than sharpening your knife blade. Use the same stone you use for that chore.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: hickstick on January 07, 2019, 11:34:11 AM
yes....convex are easy to sharpen. did you mean concave? like the simmons or valkyrie?
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: Alexander Traditional on January 07, 2019, 02:17:54 PM
I do as others have stated,and use the same as my pocket knives. I wondered as well about concave. How does using a guide mess up the edge on a convex head?
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: bihunter on January 07, 2019, 05:59:24 PM
Look up Rob Green on you tube. He shows how to sharpen with a file. I use that method now. It works great & gets broad heads & knives scary sharp.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: pavan on January 07, 2019, 07:16:20 PM
For Deadheads I use a file, a jewel stick and by belt. 
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: Friend on January 07, 2019, 11:08:48 PM
I use a Rada Wheelie and a glass rod.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: monterey on January 07, 2019, 11:11:11 PM
Quote from: MPaul on January 07, 2019, 08:19:36 AM
I currently use the kme and stone have also used the lansky and other similar style sharpener. But as I said they ruin the convex edge. I am looking for different ways that will keep the convex (rounded) shape. Maybe I should just use different type broadheads with a straight v type edge. I have people use a belt sander or thick leather with abrasive compound for the convex edge. Just want input from people that know how to sharpen this type of edge.

The KME has instructions for how to use it to sharpen a convex two blade.  I have done it successfully but it's much easier to do with a Lansky.  I don't understand how you are harming the edge with a Lansky.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: MPaul on January 08, 2019, 06:05:31 PM
I just read the instructions on the kme yes should have read them and I would have answered my own question it explaines how to sharpen curved edge broadheads. I must apologize for posting something that I had the answer already. I think you all for your patience. And yes I see how a file would work also. I was not using proper procedures and making the curved edge flat. They were still very sharp but took a long time and lots of unnecessary work. Thanks all for helping.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: Ulysseys on January 08, 2019, 09:45:52 PM
I use a Rada on my Simmons and it works great and it's simple. 
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: fnshtr on January 08, 2019, 09:49:13 PM
Quote from: Ulysseys on January 08, 2019, 09:45:52 PM
I use a Rada on my Simmons and it works great and it's simple.

X 3 (?) on the rada!
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: PistolPete on January 08, 2019, 10:16:28 PM
Beware the RADA type sharpeners. The hollow grind edge feels very sharp but is also very weak and unsupported. Whatever you use, just finish it with a fine polish so it wipes away the hair from your arm. Leather strop will do it.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: old_goat2 on January 08, 2019, 11:18:30 PM
Two blade ones I use KME Knife model with the three sided Jewelstick diamond hone. Follow up on regular strop. The rounded profile on the jewelstick lends itself well to the convex blades
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: SPRAYM on January 10, 2019, 09:00:56 AM
X 2 on the KME knife sharpener and the Diamond Jewelstick.  I use White gold as a stropping paste on a round leather dowell to finish.  Easy/Quick/Consistent/Sharp. 
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: DanielB89 on January 10, 2019, 11:47:58 AM
I know the guy who made this pretty well.  He uses it on every blade he owns and doesn't have any complaints! 

https://youtu.be/HyPCO4yOTtE
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: southernarcher on January 13, 2019, 06:48:11 PM
Beat way I've found to sharpen a convex edge is with sandpaper on top of a thick mouse pad, then strop.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: JusAGuy on January 13, 2019, 11:09:27 PM
Quote from: DanielB89 on January 10, 2019, 11:47:58 AM
I know the guy who made this pretty well.  He uses it on every blade he owns and doesn't have any complaints! 

https://youtu.be/HyPCO4yOTtE
I know that guy as well (sort of... he also makes excellent bowstrings!). I bought a Rada on his recommendation and it works quite well on my Zwickey's (though i haven't taken anything with 'em yet).

I wish i was able to sharpen broadheads as well as i can my knives. From our 'plain-jane' kitchen knives (mostly 4116 Krupps stainless steel) to my custom O1 field-knife..... I can make any of them hair-popping sharp (or very close) - it's simply a matter of the time i want to put in to that particular knife.

Broadheads on the other hand have proven quite the challenge for me for whatever reason....

The Rada sharpener provides a reasonably acceptable compromise.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: southernarcher on January 14, 2019, 09:59:35 AM
LoL my reply was geared towards sharpening a convex ground edge, not the head shape. Sorry.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: Bladepeek on January 15, 2019, 09:33:30 AM
I don't want to get wrapped up in pros and cons of convex/concave/flat edges. Just understand that a RADA type sharpener will first remove the convex edge and make it concave. If you bought a convex edge because you like convex (and they are stronger) make a strop with fairly coarse black compound and strop them the same as you would a convex knife blade.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: bigbadjon on January 15, 2019, 10:41:34 AM
I would think that the Rada hollow grind is so shallow that edge integrity is of little concern. My dad hollow grings knives so high and thin you can flex the edge with your fingers. A broadhead edge would have to be extremely rigid.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: SPIKEHORN on January 16, 2019, 08:08:16 AM
I use the KME broadhead sharpener and finish on a paper wheel with very light pressure. Gets my eclipses shaving sharp.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: Friend on January 16, 2019, 08:52:30 AM
Have harvested plenty of game with wide convex heads  that had been sharpened with a rada....no issues what so ever.

Harvested a kitty a few nights back....nearly cut the ole boy in half...thought I was going to have to check in two bobcats.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: PistolPete on January 16, 2019, 05:48:52 PM
Interesting pics and info here about the problems with RADA and similar (and all drag through) sharpeners: https://hubpages.com/food/Make-your-knife-edges-sharp-and-keep-them-sharp-by-removing-metal-contaminates-from-edges

I don't doubt that plenty of guys have used them and killed animals. There are better options, however. Any kind of stones/sandpaper followed by some sort of very fine grit strop/polish is best.
Title: Re: Convex broadhead sharpening
Post by: Overspined on January 22, 2019, 09:14:24 AM
I bought a rada when I couldn't sharpen Simmons heads, haven't used it since, or the heads. Despite hours of trial and error I couldn't make them truly sharp. I guess the rada is ok for an emergency touch up, but it changes the profile of the edge and then I have to do more work to reprofile the edge of a blade. I'm not a fan.