I'm running a file along the ferrule, but that takes off quite a bit of aluminum, and I'm not getting them as sharp as I would like.
There not the easiest to sharpen, I alter mine by removing the Aluminum ferrule then I turn steel ferrules on my lathe and silver solder them to the blade. I can then get them scary sharp.
Bob
Bob: Are you using the steel ferrules priumarily for weight, or strength, or both? Though the aluminum isn't as strong, seems it should be strong enough for elk size animals on down. Are you using a flat file? How do you handle the concaveness of the blade. Would appreciate a quick tutorial on your process.
I use the steel ferrule for both reasons as well for the ease of sharpening. My steel ferrule will give me 160 grains with the small blade.Use a 6" Mill bastard file, it will work around the concaved blade with out a problem. Take your time, file both sides and keep the filed edge flat until a slight burr is developed, then just lap the burr off.
Bob
Yep. That's what I did. Helped to slow down a little. Thanks for the info.
There's a great how to video by Tom Mussato on this subject, I think it's in the video section of this site. He does basically what you're doing, except he's a master at it.
I've never tried to sharpen a HH head, but would like to give it a try. If anyone has a few they are not using, let me know, and maybe I have something you can use.
There will demonstrations of sharpening 2, 3, and 4 blade broadheads on TradGang's DVD. Hill heads and/or Hill style heads will be included.
Jerry, I think I recall seeing Howard sharpen up some of his heads in movies, He is using a file, but not in the classical way. He was using it as a draw file and just following the edge. but not overlapping the ferrule (just the tip was drawn along the edge of the blade, the file held at 90 degrees to the broadhead. I think the head is too narrow to use the ferrule as a guide. I wonder if you can use one of the accu-sharp kinda sharpeners with that thing ?
ChuckC
I have always wanted to try those Hill heads, but sharpening them kinda scared me off. I do not think you can use the Accusharp for these due to the concave edge.
Dan