Preliminary review of the "Badger" broadhead

[jerp]

I ordered some of these last week and they came in today:

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=396133

They look well made and solid. I mounted them on some arrows, went to the target and was very pleased with the way that they flew. They are not anywhere near hunting sharp out of the package so next comes the critical question of "how sharp can you get them?" The jury is still out on that one. I'm a "jig guy" when it comes to sharpening two blade heads - I'm not too proficient at freehanding. I got out my trusty Lansky but unfortunately it will not work on these heads - due to the offset blade configuration the stone will not match the bevel in any of the slots. So, it's either remove a lot of metal to create a new bevel or try another method. I think one of those KME self aligning jigs would work well so I will either have to buy one of those or just try to get better at freehanding with a file. If somebody has another suggestion I'd like to hear it.

[Bisch]

If you can't sharpen them with the KME knife sharpener (the KME knife sharpener works on the same principal as the Lansky and is different than the KME broadhead sharpener) I am out on buying them.

I can't sharpen a butter knife without help!

If you figure out how to get them sharp, I would be integrated to hear how they perform on a critter.

Bisch

[SMOOTHboar]

If you can't sharpen them with the KME knife sharpener (the KME knife sharpener works on the same principal as the Lansky and is different than the KME broadhead sharpener) I am out on buying them.

I can't sharpen a butter knife without help!

If you figure out how to get them sharp, I would be integrated to hear how they perform on a critter.

Bisch

Why would you need to sharpen a butter knife?

[Bisch]

Why would you need to sharpen a butter knife?

We got some pretty hard butter around here!

Bisch

[Drawknife]

We got some pretty hard butter around here!

Bisch

[RickBarbee]

The paper wheel systems for a bench grinder will sharpen anything (well except 3 blade), and get it as sharp as you want it to be.

I highly recommend them.

Now about the 3 blade. I Do NOT recommend trying to sharpen 3 blade heads on the paper wheels. Don't ask me how I know. LOL

Rick

[Bisch]

Ask Ol Man and Texas5o about instances of "OOPS" with paper wheel sharpeners! One of them like to have lost his head and the other, a hand!

Bisch

[jerp]

Well, I am making some progress on the sharpening. Hand sharpening a single bevel is definitely easier than a double bevel. After about 15 strokes on an EZ Lap diamond stone I could feel a slight burr forming. I removed the burr then did about 15 strokes on a lighter grit Smith's sharpening pad. I then finished it off on a paper wheel with green compound. It is now sharp enough to cut the hair on my arm but not exactly shave it slick. The blades are pretty thick - I don't know how much sharper I can get it without changing the bevel.

Rick - I have the basic paper wheel for finishing. Are you talking about starting with a wheel that is imbedded with grit of some kind?

[RickBarbee]

Rick - I have the basic paper wheel for finishing. Are you talking about starting with a wheel that is imbedded with grit of some kind?

Yes, like the one at the following link.

http://www.centaurarchery.com/sharpener.htm

One wheel with grit to build the edge, and the other you use jewelers rouge on to polish & finish the edge.

The one I am now getting from Centaur is a narrower version, which makes it easier to work on concave blades.

I can sharpen just about anything on these, and you can't get a better edge. You can get as good of an edge with lots of other tools, but you won't get it as quickly as you can with the wheels.

Rick

[Geezy Rider]

Yes, like the one at the following link.

http://www.centaurarchery.com/sharpener.htm

One wheel with grit to build the edge, and the other you use jewelers rouge on to polish & finish the edge.

The one I am now getting from Centaur is a narrower version, which makes it easier to work on concave blades.

I can sharpen just about anything on these, and you can't get a better edge. You can get as good of an edge with lots of other tools, but you won't get it as quickly as you can with the wheels.

Rick

This is the setup I have for my leather tools. Works very well for broadheads but I'm not sure how it would do on a single bevel.

Give me one to play with John and I'll experiment with it.

[jerp]

Thanks for the offer Geoff! Since I already have the slotted wheel, I just ordered an abrasive one from this outfit:

http://sharpeningmadeeasy.com/paper.htm

Now I'm thinking about buying another bench grinder dedicated to just sharpening so I don't have to switch back and forth from my wire and grinding wheel setup. In DIYland, there is always something else to spend money on!

[RickBarbee]

It works very well on single bevel heads.

Rick

[Bisch]

Thanks for the offer Geoff! Since I already have the slotted wheel, I just ordered an abrasive one from this outfit:

http://sharpeningmadeeasy.com/paper.htm

Now I'm thinking about buying another bench grinder dedicated to just sharpening so I don't have to switch back and forth from my wire and grinding wheel setup. In DIYland, there is always something else to spend money on!

That is what I did. The cheapo from Harbor Freight works just fine for this.

Bisch

[LeanMachine]

Thanks for the link Rick. I feel the need to own that setup in the near future.

Jerp, you go that right about there always being something to spend money on when you are a DIY addict.

[rubydog]

Jerp,

Look at this machine. You will never be sorry you spent the money. I can sharpen anything I own with this bad boy. Just ask anyone that knows or hunts with me.
I can walk you through a simple way to jig up on the machine as well.

And yes, you can sharpen three blade heads on it.

http://www.chippingaway.com/WoodCarving/SharpeningTools/UltimatePowerSharpener.htm