Here's how i sharpen a Zwicley with bleeders, seems to have been a bunch of questions about it and i thiuhjt I'd try and help some guys. I don't post alot so bear with me. First youll need a Zwickeys, this one hasn't been sharpened before.

I hold the shaft so the head is facing me, like so

Next i take my file and start filing, if its an unsharpened head i put some pressure on until I've raised a burr on the other side

Then flip it and knock it off the other side, gradually using less and less pressure and make sure you're keeping your angle the same, it takes practice but don't give up

You can see in this picture what the edge looks like, this one is sharp at this point ,the trick is pressure and making sure you keep your file strokes even

I'd say on a non sharpened one start at around 8 or 10 strokes but you'll have to try it yourself and see what works for you.

Another way you can sharpen them is with a stone, i like the Dmt diamond stones.

I had saom much trouble getting them sharp full length I ended up cutting them off and sanding smooth. Just bough 2 blades from then on. >>>---> Ken

Im not holding it at the proper angle but i think youll see the general idea. Once again start around 10 working down to 1 and lightening pressure as you got.

Then flip it to the other side and repeat

Now for the main blades, same thing start at a higher number and work your way down, its all in the angle so you don't hit the bleeders

So after you've done one side flip it and keep nicking that burr off

If you don't want to file your main blades, get an accusharp they work great and get the head very sharp. The key is pressure, and keeping your strokes even. Just practice at it and don't give up, Zwickeys have been around for a long time for good reason, theyre great! Anyhow good luck and good hunting!

I grind them off.

Grizbow that file with the antler handle looks familiar. :)

It does cause its that good one you gave me Frank! Lol Also this is a how to sharpen the bleeders thread, if it was a grind them off thread there would be a grinder.....lol

That's pretty well how I do it.

Only difference being I go from back to front and use a round chainsaw file.

I really wanted to learn to do this and i did a few time...BUT...the juice just wasnt worth the squeeze for me.

Prob 10 years ago i bought 6 zwickey 4bl eskimos on ebay. They were in the old cardboard package. Whoever sharpened these was a straight up master with a file. They were like razors with a tanto tip and not a scratch on the paint. It was a sight to behold.

That's great. I'll give it a go Thanks

thanks nice info,,

Great thread Grizbow. Thanks for the tutorial and the pics!

Thanks. Very nice

Thanks guys

Thanks Grizbow - very helpful and thoughtfully presented. I actually was using the right technique . . . as usual, my execution appears to be wanting! I'll keep trying! Thanks for posting!

Grizbow tried your way of sharpening Bingo. There hunt ready. Thanks

Thats pretty much what I do...in fact, its the same as what I do with them.

I use a small flat file i found at harbor freight.Just got to be patient & stay at it.

Glad it helped some of you guys, its like Mike said, be patient and stay at it.

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