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How sharp is sharp enough?
I have been sharpening some blades with a lansky sharpener and I was curious how sharp do you guys consider sharp? I have been sharpening them till they shave but I have heard some people say that is still not quite sharp enough, to me they are sharper than when new right now. By the way they are some old spitfire blades I have.. Thanks...
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
If you're not afraid of them then they aren't sharp enough.
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
Sharp enough to shave is easily more than sharp enough to cleanly kill, anything more than that is overkill and can actually weaken the edge.
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
If they are sharper than the factory blades it might be a little too thin and theedgecan quickly wear off before deep penetration is made. A little more angle on your Lansky can provide a sharp blade that will stay sharp deeper in the wound. Your best option might be to try to restore the original factory edge.
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
I shoot Muzzy's, they are more than sharp enough new out of the package.Some guys say theyd never shoot broadheads until they sharpen them, I don't understand. I know Muzzy (and most broadhead makers, id assume) takes pride in what they make, the arent gonna put their name on something that doesn't work. I don't mess with it because i can get brand new replacement blades relatively cheap. Ive shot two deer with the same broadhead before, never sharpened the blades, both ran less than 100 yds, call it unethical or whatever but i checked it over after shooting the first deer, it looked brand new. I spend my time worrying about where the arrow hits, because I know, from experience, my broadheads wll do their job if i do mine.
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
They are sharp enough when YOU think they are sharp enough.
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
ORIGINAL: nfleming399 I shoot Muzzy's, they are more than sharp enough new out of the package.Some guys say theyd never shoot broadheads until they sharpen them, I don't understand. I know Muzzy (and most broadhead makers, id assume) takes pride in what they make, the arent gonna put their name on something that doesn't work. I don't mess with it because i can get brand new replacement blades relatively cheap. Ive shot two deer with the same broadhead before, never sharpened the blades, both ran less than 100 yds, call it unethical or whatever but i checked it over after shooting the first deer, it looked brand new. I spend my time worrying about where the arrow hits, because I know, from experience, my broadheads wll do their job if i do mine. |
RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
Thanks fellas, they are shaving sharp now so I wont do any more sharpening, to me that is sharp enough. I just wanted to make sure. Thanks..
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
ORIGINAL: spikebuck77 If they are sharper than the factory blades it might be a little too thin and theedgecan quickly wear off before deep penetration is made. A little more angle on your Lansky can provide a sharp blade that will stay sharp deeper in the wound. |
RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
Here is a thought. There are some very serious successful hunters out there that swear byusing a file only method of sharpeningbroadheads. What they believe is that after the head has gone though the hide and the first set of ribs (assuming you hit ribs), thata scalpul sharpened head will be dulled significantly. A surgeon only uses one scalpulfor one cut from what I am told. The file sharpened head although somemay call it dull compared to a scalpul sharpened will retainit's sharpness better.On the file sharpened head there will be microserations (can not be seen by the eye).
Personally, I have never tried it, but there are some that swear by it. |
RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
I suggest as sharp as you can get it. But, I could dull a broadhead to where it would be hard to cut yourself and still punch it thru a deers' ribcage and kill it.
I don't suggest this. I'm just making the point that you don't have to drive yourself crazy trying to get that perfect razor sharp edge. |
RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
IMO muzzys are borderline...but, they have a nice angle that doesnt dull as fast as a steeper angle that is initially sharper....
the idea is to have a head that is sharp and carries that sharpness. you want the head to slice nice and clean...not rip, tear, and push its way through. if it hits the edge of an artery or blood vessle or vein etc, a dull head can and will "push" it away from the blade without cutting it it at all. yes, you send one through the vitals with a dull head or even field point, that deer is dead.....but, a sharper head will do more damage and cut more resulting in more blood loss and tissue damage resulting in a faster death and quicker/easier recovery. thats what we all strive for...the quickest kill possible. not saying EVERY time or anything like that...every deer is different and will react differently to being shot...and shot placement is everything. but, a sharp broadhead that carries its edge the whole way through will be the best killer every time. |
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
if they can shave i think they're good enough
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
I agree mauser you hit it right on the head.
ORIGINAL: mauser06 IMO muzzys are borderline...but, they have a nice angle that doesnt dull as fast as a steeper angle that is initially sharper.... the idea is to have a head that is sharp and carries that sharpness. you want the head to slice nice and clean...not rip, tear, and push its way through. if it hits the edge of an artery or blood vessle or vein etc, a dull head can and will "push" it away from the blade without cutting it it at all. yes, you send one through the vitals with a dull head or even field point, that deer is dead.....but, a sharper head will do more damage and cut more resulting in more blood loss and tissue damage resulting in a faster death and quicker/easier recovery. thats what we all strive for...the quickest kill possible. not saying EVERY time or anything like that...every deer is different and will react differently to being shot...and shot placement is everything. but, a sharp broadhead that carries its edge the whole way through will be the best killer every time. |
RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
Has anybody ever heard of the rubber band test? Where you stretch a rubber band and slide your broadhead through it and if it cuts it it's sharp enough and if it dont your blades are too dull..
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
If the broad head will shave the hair on my arm with Little to no effort, then it's sharp enough for me.
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
There is a real good article in Deer and Deer hunting magazine August 2008 issue about this.
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
It's only May, and their August '08 issue is out?:eek:
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
ORIGINAL: early in It's only May, and their August '08 issue is out?:eek: |
RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
ORIGINAL: brucelanthier They are sharp enough when YOU think they are sharp enough. Dan |
RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
ORIGINAL: MECHDOC ORIGINAL: early in It's only May, and their August '08 issue is out?:eek: |
RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
you serious? the last issue i got was like 2 months ago.. thats SOB mailman is prob. stealing my MAGS! ARRGGGGGG
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
im HOOKED on the Eastmans Hunting Journals now anyways.
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
Ive never had an issue with NAP spitfires, but i only use them once. My reasoning is i spend enough money and more importantly, time, that after i shoot, that broadhead is done. I know they are expensive, like 10 bucks a pop, but when its all said and done, i dont ever want to have to have to question if the head is sharp enough. Spitfires are plenty sharp out of the box, so for me its one and done.
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RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
ORIGINAL: BobCo19-65 Here is a thought. There are some very serious successful hunters out there that swear byusing a file only method of sharpeningbroadheads. What they believe is that after the head has gone though the hide and the first set of ribs (assuming you hit ribs), thata scalpul sharpened head will be dulled significantly. A surgeon only uses one scalpulfor one cut from what I am told. The file sharpened head although somemay call it dull compared to a scalpul sharpened will retainit's sharpness better.On the file sharpened head there will be microserations (can not be seen by the eye). Personally, I have never tried it, but there are some that swear by it. Its not a huge deal tho, poke a deer in the chest with a semi-sharp branch and it is dead. Its worked for thousands of years. The marginal hits are the issue. |
RE: How sharp is sharp enough?
ORIGINAL: njbuck22 Ive never had an issue with NAP spitfires, but i only use them once. My reasoning is i spend enough money and more importantly, time, that after i shoot, that broadhead is done. I know they are expensive, like 10 bucks a pop, but when its all said and done, i dont ever want to have to have to question if the head is sharp enough. Spitfires are plenty sharp out of the box, so for me its one and done. |
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