How Sharp Are Your Broadheads? How Can You Resharpen Them?
By Bruce Barry
In today’s high tech environment many things are taken for granted, including that all new broadheads have razor sharp blades. Since this is not always the case, I caution every bowhunter that not all broadheads are sharp right out of the package. In addition, most bowhunters believe that replaceable blade broadheads are hunting sharp right out of the box. Again, not always the case.
As with any product category, there are some excellent broadheads and there are some marginal broadheads. Blade sharpness is no exception. As a responsible bowhunter you need to check blade sharpness yourself before you take it into the field for game.
One way to check sharpness is to see if you can shave the hair off your arm without much pressure. If you can’t, notify the manufacturer and send the blades back for replacement. If you frequently have to send blades back or if you are not satisfied with the quality of sharpness I would urge you to switch brands.
Through the years I have been on several hunts where bowhunters practiced with their broadheads shooting into foam and dirt. Then, some of these hunters would put the same arrows back in their quivers with the belief they were okay to hunt with. Not so. A broadhead that has been previously shot should never be used on an animal without replacing or re-sharpening the blades. We owe it to the animal.
There are several blade sharpening devices on the market designed to re-sharpen dull blades. Most come with pre-set angles so the edges are properly set for you to get your broadheads razor sharp. I have personally used the HONING GUIDE and highly recommend it. You can find several versions on Amazon.com at This Link. Honing Guides work great for bringing a honed edge back on broadhead blades as well as other flat blades. There is a caution however, do not try to re-sharpen blades that are bent, cracked or damaged.
Due to the high Rockwell hardness of blades, it takes a while to get the hang of re-sharpening and it takes time to get the edge shaving sharp. I recommend buying replacement blades because it’s easier and because of the difficulty of getting blades as sharp as those that come from the factory. Re-sharpening is good for a short term touch up but not for long term. Know when it’s time to buy replacement blades.
Blade sharpness is subjective in nature with shaving being the one sure way a consumer can check for sharpness. In addition to this old fashioned way of verifying blade sharpness, also check blade sharpness can be checked with two other methods.
The first method requires the use of high magnification to check the fine honed edge. Under a microscope broadhead manufacturers can visually detect even the slightest variation in blade edge sharpness.
The other method uses a Sharpness Tester™ which equates blade sharpness to a statistical variable which measures, graphs and monitors each edge.
So regardless of the broadhead you are shooting, always ensure the blades are razor sharp. Good hunting.
