? staight up pro's and con's fixed 2, 3 and 4 blade?

[RichM]

So, straight up for a newbie, what are the theoretical pros and cons of the different configuration fixed broad heads?

I have searched on the Elknut and AT but most discussions are about 2 and 4 blade fixed or mechanical vs. fixed.

[Elkduds]

A fixed 3 blade head can have the blades aligned w the arrow vanes, accomplished by using small washers between Bhead and arrow insert. My arrows that are thus tuned seem to be more consistent than if the blades aren't straight ahead of the vanes. You give up one cutting edge w 3 vs 4 blades, you may gain some penetration.

[six]

I split the difference. 2 blade with 2 bleeder blades. Deadly combination.

[Indian Summer]

I've used Slick tricks a lot which are basically a 4 blade. They fly very well. But I agree with Six... the 2 blade with bleeders like the Magnus Buzzcuts and their new Black Hornet are nice. Less planing.. they fly freakin perfect. And better penetration than a standard 4 blade head.

When I used 3 blade Muzzys I used the plastic washers and it seemed to be really help to keep the blades aligned with the fletches. I hated having to keep an eye on that.

[chipick]

My partner and I shoot crimson talons they are a 3 blade with 3 bleeders. My blood trail last year was a a nonstop blood stream for 40 yards, with about a 1/2" carved out hole for a wound channel.

[Indian Summer]

Crimson Talon! When I look at those helical blades I think... wow really? A broadhead that is not meant to go straight in on impact but instead spinning all the way. I just can't see that doing anything but decreasing penetration. BUT.. I have no actual experience with then so what do I really know right? That's just my gut feeling when I look at them. I want a head that maintains it's forward energy. My 2 cents..... probably only worth half that.

[RichM]

Thank you for all the answers.

So in a nutshell the different number of blades is a compromise between penetration and an effective wound channel?
In general, A two blade will penetrate more because it has less surface area compared to a 4 blade and the 3 blades are a compromise. It his all in general since there are more subtlety in designs such as blade angle, height, bleeders, etc. Am I correct?

[Ridge Ghost]

"So in a nutshell the different number of blades is a compromise between penetration and an effective wound channel?
In general, A two blade will penetrate more because it has less surface area compared to a 4 blade and the 3 blades are a compromise. It his all in general since there are more subtlety in designs such as blade angle, height, bleeders, etc. Am I correct?"

You pretty much nailed it.

[chipick]

Indian summer
I wasnt sold on them either but in 2013 I shot my first bull a 5x5 within 2" of the cow I shot last year, and had saucer plate sized blood trail for a good 60yrds. found the bull 6 days later with the heard. was using vpa terminator broad heads 100g. I wish it was the other way around. Then I could buy locally, my partner shoots the crimson talon broad head and same arrow length so if need be one of us could borrow an arrow if we get into a pinch without needing too worry about point of impact being different.

[Brendan]

One thing to keep in mind - appropriate broadhead depends on what you're shooting at, how heavy an arrow, and how fast it's going.

If you're shooting a 50lb bow at Elk and short draw lengths thus shooting a lower kinetic energy - you need penetration. No mechanicals, and good 2-3 blade that doesn't have too large of a diameter.

If you're shooting an 80lb bow with 500gr arrows at elk with longer draw lengths, you can get away with bigger 3 and 4 blades, but I still wouldn't use a mechanical.

I draw 72lbs, and shoot a 3 blade fixed for elk. When I switch to whitetail, I move to a 3 blade mechanical with a 1.75" cut, and have even considered a 2" cut - because I have plenty of kinetic energy and I like the larger wound channel. I've also tested my mechanicals and I can put them clean through two whitetail shoulder blades and out the other side.

[RichM]

Thank you all. The responses have helped me get a better understanding of the pros and cons of each board head choice.

For the curious, I am shooting a compound bow with a fairly aggressive cam set to 63# and a 27.5" draw. Arrows are ICS Hunters (340 stiffness, cut to, I think, 28.5" carbon to carbon) with three 2" blazer vanes. I haven't weighed them, but they should be approximately 400-425 grains. The broad heads I used during my deer hunt last year were 100 grain Hellrazor, a fixed 3 blade head. That combination shot about 3 inches low at 20 yards compared to the field points I had which makes sense considering the higher drag of the fixed blades, I don't have the slightest problem with the difference. If I draw for an archery elk hunt this year I may change to the 125 grain version of the Hellrazor, or something similar that's in my price point and available.

Rich

Edit: chronographed and weighed the arrows 404 grains with 100gr field points and 265 fps.

[Indian Summer]

Hellrazor is an excellent broadhead "no matter how you slice it".

[Elkduds]

Crimson talon, illlegal in CO? Regs say blades must be in the same plane for their length. Meaning flat, not curved, eh?

[Raghorn_Reaper]

Yes i believe they are illegal. I liked that head when i shot it.