Sharpening Zwickey Eskimos

[Nuthatch]

This topic came up yesterday. I thought I'd post a quick "How To". These steps would certainly work on other brands of double edge broadheads.

This is how Zwickeys come from the factory. Except the rust. That's from storage. The edge has been ground to a bevel, but you can see the rough milling marks. Don't want to use them like this.

[Nuthatch]

I like to use a black marker to black out the edge. This helps me keep my file strokes even.

[Nuthatch]

I hold the file like this and make even strokes the full length of the edge. I don't press very hard letting the weight of my arm and the file do the work. The trick is to maintain a constant angle for the bevel. The main edge files very quickly, but the laminated point will take longer.

[Nuthatch]

When the first side is smooth flip the head and file the second bevel. This is how I hold the file stroking the length of the edge as before.

[Nuthatch]

Keep stroking until you raise a burr along the edge. This picture shows the burr between the edge and my finger. Your almost finished when you reach this point.

[Nuthatch]

I remove the burr with a series of very light strokes of the broadhead on this ceramic rod. I suppose a good steel would work well.

[Nuthatch]

Once the burr is gone give the head a few final and very gentle strokes and it will shave. Once you get the hang of this it takes about 10 minutes to complete a broadhead.

[Nuthatch]

One final step I like to include is filing the point to a chisel tip. This helps prevent the tip from curling if it hits bone.

[Nuthatch]

Once sharpened I just use the ceramic rod to touch up the edge. If you nick the edge then you'll need to use the file. These are the tools I carry into the field. File, ceramic rod, and a section of aluminum shaft with an insert.

Thanks for looking.

[Grantmac]

Which Nicholson file do you prefer?
I've always done an oil-stone and then stropped my broadheads, but I just can't seem to get them razor sharp.

Thanks,
Grant

[falconpro]

Very good info Nuthatch, great photo clearity too. One thing that I might throw in is for those last few strokes try doing them under running water. The water seems to really help put a polished edge on at the finish..

[Nuthatch]

Which Nicholson file do you prefer?
I've always done an oil-stone and then stropped my broadheads, but I just can't seem to get them razor sharp.

Thanks,
Grant

The Mill Bastard file works well. The trick is getting that wire burr to form. Nothing wrong with a stone. That works too.

[Nuthatch]

Very good info Nuthatch, great photo clearity too. One thing that I might throw in is for those last few strokes try doing them under running water. The water seems to really help put a polished edge on at the finish..

I'll give that a try.

[stevelong]

Thanks Nuthatch

[kestimator]

Thanks for the tutorial!!! Very Good!!!

[jerbearyukon]

Great tutorial bud

Jer

I take it down with the file and then I use my KME knife sharpener and setup the same angle....they are great after that....

[Travis]

Thanks Nuthatch, I don't think I could have asked for a better demonstration.

[Neon Quiver]

Nicely done Nuthatch....I sharpen STOS which have the same angle as the KME, so there isn't much metal to take off to get the right angle started for the KME to take-over....
Mark

[falconpro]

Could we get this thread placed into the Trad Talk Classic's area?
Both the photography work and the information are very high quality and should be kept as a resource for later reference..

[wallyworldmudhen]

:whathesaid: