Standing Bear

Again, I may go back a few years but I do remember this subject of conversation "Sharpening your own heads" as being something of a required skill when preparing to go on your bowhunt.

So many times, which many of us believed to be a yearly ritual, upon arriving at base camp, everyone lent a hand putting up the wall tents, cutting firewood, fetching water and setting up the accomodations for the evening. Once this was done, you would see everyone get their quivers and start sharpening or honing the edges on their broadheads, Zwickey Deltas, Bear Razorheads, Rotharr Snuffers to name a few. Many laughs were shared around the kitchen table with the occasional moments of silence which you very diligently respected until the elder of the group decided to crack another joke.

I miss this yearly tradition but as my wife and I were talking with the group of guys we will be with this year, most of us traditional bowhunters have decided to bring this sharpening tradition back in our bowhunts. And as I am writting this today, I am actually looking forward to living the experience of checking over my wooden arrows, feathers and broadheads once the camp will be set up.

Yeap, the joys of sharpening my own heads, a big part of my bowhunting life I really like....

SB

05_sprcrw

I love sharpening my heads as well. I use it as a way to pass the time in the off season. There is always a rainy day or something when I want to shoot but can't so I go grab a broadhead a start sharpening while watching a hunting show of some sort.

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New Breed Archery Samurai Genetix 82lbs 29" 550 Grains 16% F.O.C. 282 fps, RFA Phoenix and Razorhawk Broadheads

Standing Bear

Your post made me smile, yeap, it is a good feeling 05_sprcrw to know you have your broadheads up to snuff. And now with videos showing us numerous sharpening techniques such as the ones recently put out by Red Feather Archery, its made sharpening even easier. Kuddos to you Stan for taking the time to show us how to give your single bevel edges a nice sharp bevel.

SB

05_sprcrw

Yep I find myself practicing on those a lot as of recently It was a very small learning curve with Stan posting up that video sure was a big help.

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New Breed Archery Samurai Genetix 82lbs 29" 550 Grains 16% F.O.C. 282 fps, RFA Phoenix and Razorhawk Broadheads

Red Feather Archery

Thank you Daniel and Dustin. On vacation with my family right now, but when I get home I'll do a quick video of sharpening with a chainsaw file and why I like to use them

05_sprcrw

Its funny you say that Stan, I was looking at my chainsaw files after sharpening it this past weekend and wondered if I could use it to sharpen heads! (enter the twilight zone...) lol

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New Breed Archery Samurai Genetix 82lbs 29" 550 Grains 16% F.O.C. 282 fps, RFA Phoenix and Razorhawk Broadheads

MT_Bowhunter

Yep, love getting my Zwickey's nice and sharp.

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"I don't bowhunt for a living... But I live to bowhunt the traditional way"

txcookie

I used to have big patches of hairless skin on my legs towards the end of Sep. Love my MAG II heads still usem with my Xforce from time to time

Big Boar

I have always had the attitude that I can do almost everything better than the manufacturer if I take the time (which I have always believed is free). I have never taken anything in for sharpening. I do circular saw blades, hand saw, chain saw, draw knives, draw knives, hand planes. chisels, knives and probably a dozen other blades (and of course all broadhead blades) because I am very cheap and know I can do a better job.

It is time for the average Joe to step up and try this stuff. You might have a few faliures to start with but then you can be self sufficent and give up paying the big bucks every time something get dull. A repaceable blade can be sharpened dozens of time if it only goes throuh an animal. Of course if you are trying to cut rocks it might take a blade replacement

SteveMcD

I love to keep my heads scary sharp. And I have a affliction of buying sharpening stones whether I need them or not! But, I really enjoy the aspects of tradition more then anything else. My dear friend (and somewhat father figure on matters of hunting) and mentor Hunter Education Instructor gave a 6"x1"x1" fine sharpening stone that is always in my daypack, it is very old from the 50's since he passed away this past July, I will always think of him every time I reach into my day pack.

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I often go hunting & fishing by myself, but I am never alone. God & Dad are always with me. Steve

Standing Bear

Bless your heart Steve Your reply made me think about how fortunate we really are to have items that mean lot to us, thank you !!!

Daniel

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Authorized Athens Archery Dealer, Athens Factory Staff Shooter Swhacker Pro Staff

OneArmArrowSlinger

I agree, sharpening your own heads really is becoming a "lost art" so to speak. It also gives me that added sense of confidence in my equipment. After spending the time to get your heads sharp there is no reservations in the back of my mind when I come full draw, I can fully trust my head b/c I have spent the time to become intimate with it and I know that it is in perfect order and not just good enough out of the package.