The Wrap Buster is a cutting tool, thus the sharper the cutting edge the more successful the tool will be. The entire blade is heat treated for durability and strength, which allows it to be sharpened multiple times. To properly sharpen the Wrap Buster blade, two tools are recommended: a 60 or 80 grit flapper wheel placed on an angle grinder and a sharpening steel. We recommend using a flapper wheel because of its fine grit. Flapper wheels and sharpening steels can be purchased at any local hardware store.
Figure 1: Note rounded tip on left side of picture
STEP 1 EYE PROTECTION REQUIRED
To sharpen the blade, start by securing the handle of the Wrap Buster with the rounded point facing you (Fig. 2). Use the angle grinder to buff the left side of the blade, while trying to maintain the original bevel of the cutting edge. Do NOT sharpen the outer-rounded tip of the blade (Fig.1). The purpose of this rounded edge is to avoid injury to the cow when you slide the Wrap Buster into position to cut the wrap.
STEPS 1 & 2
Figure 2:
Wrap Buster is secured in a vise to insure stability and safety when using the angle grinder on the left side of blade.
Figure 3:
Sharpening right side of blade using an 80 Grit Flapper Wheel
STEP 2
After you have successfully restored the bevel on the left side (Fig. 2), you will notice a roughness at the cutting edge. This is called a burr. The burr is a protruding, ragged metal edge that becomes raised on the surface of the cutting edge due to sharpening one side. With the handle still securely held, sharpen the right side of the blade, sending sparks away from you (Fig. 3). The burr that appears from sharpening the first side will be removed. As you are sharpening the second side, you will notice a very fine line of the cutting edge appear when viewing from directly above the blade. This is an indication that it is sharp.
STEP 3
After the coarse sharpening of the blade with the angle grinder and the flapper wheel, the finishing touches may be done. This is easily completed with a sharpening steel. The sharpening steel removes any part of the burr that was left after using the angle grinder. With the handle still secured, use the sharpening steel making sure to only stroke against the blade. Another tip would be to hold the sharpening steel at a slight angle to the blade, pulling it back towards the heel of the blade and handle. Do this on each side of the blade, completing multiple passes. With this sharpening procedure the Wrap Buster will be restored to its original quality. (See figures 4 and 5)
The more the Wrap Buster is used the more often it will need to be sharpened. If it is frequently sharpened, the sharpening steel may be all that is required to rejuvenate the blade.
STEP 3
Figure 4:
Sharpening steel being used to sharpen the blade. It is stroking in a downward direction.
Figure 5:
When sharpening the opposite side the blade is still stroked by the sharpening steel in the downward direction.