Ask any bowhunter how they feel when their broadhead looks dull and lifeless, and they’ll give you the gloomiest look. It’s evident when the broadhead loses its life-threatening sharpness, and any passionate hunt turns into a hopeless romance where you continually return empty-handed.
And so, it’s a must to learn how to sharpen broadheads most effectively and straightforwardly to never fall into such tragedy.
Let’s get on that today!
How to Sharpen Broadheads?
Before going on the right tool for sharpening, you should learn the steps to sharpen broadheads. If necessary, don’t hesitate to ask or take help from a mechanic for safe sharpening. For the DIY purpose, here’s how to sharpen broadheads at home:
Check Each Blade Carefully
It’s better to examine every blade of the broadhead. As blades with broken, uneven, or faulty surfaces are not suitable for sharpening purposes, you should spend more time inspecting them.
Check closely from every corner and ensure it’s OK or not. If you find any noticeable damages, make sure to replace the head.
Take a Look at the Manufacturer’s Instruction
If you have completed the upper trick, then it’s time to take out the manual to learn the process flawlessly. This trick works better with a purpose-built broadhead sharpener.
This tool lets you quickly get the desired sharpness exactly where you wish. It also makes sure you are doing everything rightly.
Start by Sharpening with a Rock
The next thing you need to do is sharpen with the help of stone. It takes pressure initially; then, try slowly to let up to the stroke. On top, do the trick for a few minutes, as you don’t want to take away materials.
Polish the Uneven Areas
With the help of a strip, you can easily sharpen the uneven areas left on your broadheads. For that, mark the uneven surface to the point at ease until the spot is gone. Stop when you see the rough area getting shiny and smoother.
If using a file, make sure that the arrow angle is protected. It’s better not to polish too hard or too gradually for not to damage its surface. For the newbie, you better do some practice on used or damaged arrows.
Go for Ten Strokes at a Time
This step needs extra care to sharpen by pushing the arrow further away from you. To maintain the precise angle, try the ten strokes at one time when hitting hard.
The best practice is to check the sharpness and then repeat the same or skip to the other blades. By doing this, it ensures the knives are sharpening better. If you prefer not to sharp edges, then you are done sharpening. Or else you can move to the next step.
Apply Petroleum Jelly or Bow Wax
The last yet not least step is to use petroleum jelly to protect the sharpened blades. Also, it ensures the surfaces are suitable to perform well. If you don’t have petroleum jelly, working with a bow wax or any kitchen oil for lubrication is OK.
Right Tool for Sharpening
For learning how to sharpen broadheads, it’s pretty essential to go with the right tools. Read below to learn more about the right sharpeners for perfectly completing the job.
Custom Designed Broadhead Sharpener
These types of sharpeners are the easiest option for sharpening purposes. It can be permanently fixed and sharpened one blade at a time. They also are adjustable to suit the angles.
8 Inches Mill File
They are a versatile option that can sharpen broadheads and other stuff too.
Stone
The most innovative and convenient way to sharpen your broadhead is a stone. Also, it is considered a good investment for different purposes. But the stone is quite difficult to use. Yet, with little practice, it seems like a piece of cake to sharpen.
Stones and Files
For two-blade heads and fixed broadheads, they are the finest tool to sharpen. Yet, it has one drawback with its tricky system to get the right angle on three-blade heads.
Lubricant
Petroleum jelly or bow wax is a decent lubricated option to use. Also, you can use any oil to use as a lubricant.
Tips for Sharpening Effectively
For newbie hunters, here are some simple yet effective tips to sharpen your broadheads successfully.
- Depending on broadhead types, ensure the pressure if it’s stronger at first and lower later or not. Also, make sure to practice before trying it out on your broadheads.
- While sharpening, ensure that you are doing it evenly. Drawing marks help a lot to do evenly.
- Consider pointing your arrow at least before hunting sessions. Also, check the blades frequently before shooting.
- Like everything else, use light-coated archery wax on your broadheads. It also ensures to stop useless rust.
Conclusion
Folks, we are all done with telling you how to sharpen broadheads. Hopefully, the guide was understandable, and you had fun. Well, it’s time to try these instructions and suggestions in real life to never waste your mood in a dulled broadhead.
You can use the guide to make them functional again; the best part is you are doing it yourself. There’s no pain of that extra bill from somebody who visited you for doing something as simple as sharpening a broadhead. However, be sure to keep things safe and sound. You are dealing with a broadhead, and even if it’s dull, there’re chances of mishap.
Don’t forget that dull edges are even more dangerous than sharp ones!