Donning ultra-sharp blades with serrated edges, the broadhead arrow tip boasts a large cutting point assembly and can be swiftly attached to most arrow shafts. With endless designs, sizes, and qualities available for purchase in today’s market, choosing the perfect arrow for your task is an essential decision that you must make judiciously.

Quality is a must when selecting the right broadhead due to its intricate design and popularity. Investing in high-calibre arrowheads will keep you hunting for seasons to come, even enduring intense collisions with hard surfaces like trees or rocks.

Types Of Broadheads (Hunting Arrow)

For bowhunters and archers, the type of arrowhead they prefer is a highly personal decision – one that relies on individual experience, shooting environment and even the prey being targeted. Broadly speaking though, most arrowheads can be divided into three categories. In this article I will explore each category in greater detail to help you identify their respective benefits and drawbacks so that you make an informed choice when selecting your own arrows or heads.

Fixed Blade Broadheads & Fixed Blade Tips

Single-piece fixed blade broadhead design tips, arguably the most prevalent type of broadhead, are practically self-explanatory and can be used to hunt an array of game. Their history dates back centuries when metal arrowheads were crafted for piercing through plate armor and chainmail during conflicts between knights and warriors. Since then, two major changes have occurred: fixed blades now come in a variety of shapes instead just triangular; they’ve been designed so they won’t only penetrate surfaces but also target their victims’ vulnerable organs and wound channels with greater accuracy.

Today’s fixed-blade knives are typically lighter, and made of high-carbon hardened steel, providing razor sharpness that will cut on contact, can easily slice through flesh and have increased penetration.

Fixed blade tips are acclaimed for their dependability, making them the most uncomplicated of all arrow heads. Unlike expandable blade tips or interchangeable ones that require complicated spring mechanisms and lock-in features, fixed blades remain consistent in performance over time.

If a bowhunter finally has the opportunity to take aim at their prize buck, they certainly don’t want to risk their arrowhead malfunctioning mid-flight and allowing their target to escape unscathed with enough energy remaining for a vigorous getaway.

Although reliable, fixed heads may not always provide the desired accuracy. Since arrows can travel up to 300 feet-per-second in the air and wide tips create more drag that reduces precision, a too broad fixed head might cause your arrow to miss its mark much of the time. Furthermore, wind resistance further heightens this issue by reducing what little accuracy is left even more.

Advocates of fixed blade tips are often eager to encourage archers to hone their shooting skills in less-than-ideal weather, so they can adapt and adjust as needed when competing outdoors. This is especially important considering the ever changing nature of wind conditions that you may experience while bow hunting or participating in competitions.

Pros

• ​Strong and Reliable Broadhead Design (maximum durability)
• Packs are inexpensive in price
• ​Easy to maintain and sharpen
• Made in the USA (Local Shipping)

Cons

• ​Fixed blades create drag and can impede the speed of your arrow.
• Larger fixed blades are susceptible to wind gusts which may cause them to veer off-target.
• They require a great deal of practice in order for you to use them effectively.

Serrated Blade

Interchangeable And Removable Blade Tips

Interchangeable tips provide convenience for the archer, allowing them to switch out dull blades quickly and without hassle. Rather than tediously sharpening each tip, this type of arrowhead enables a quick transformation in less than a minute – no manual labor required!

It also eliminates any stress or boredom associated with honing every blade by hand; instead, you can simply screw on another one and let your sharpened arrows fly.

Another positive is that you can easily switch up the size of your blade in accordance with the game you’re targeting, without having to buy a variety of brand-new heads – which could be cost prohibitive. You wouldn’t want to hunt tiny animals using a broadhead designed for big prey like 400-pound bucks! Doing so would surely leave nothing but bloodshed and destruction behind.

Another vital reason why bow hunters prefer to hike with their arrows detached is for safety and storage. Exploring the rough countryside can be tricky, and even a slight stumble or misstep could result in your quiver of arrows going astray. A single sharp blade launched from high velocity can cause much harm; therefore it’s wise to make sure that heads are attached only when you reach your hunting spot.

Pros

• Options for varying blade thickness, diameter and size
• ​No need for sharpening and maintenance
• ​Blades can be easily removed from you pack for safety while travelling or in storage

Cons

• Despite being motionless, the blades can generate drag or be caught in the wind during flight, ultimately compromising performance.
• ​As the blades are not firmly attached to the head, they can easily break or shatter upon impact reducing cut on contact.

Mechanical Tips

Mechanical broadheads feature a sharp point on a small cylinder activated by springs (machined steel). When an arrow strikes the target, its kinetic energy causes the spring to release and open razor-sharp blades inside of the animal resulting in maximum penetration. The greatest advantage of mechanical tips is their speed and accuracy; due to their concealed nature during flight, arrows fly like field tips without being hindered by wind resistance or directional changes caused by fixed blade designs.

A key benefit of these tips is the protection they offer against wind, as their blades remain fully intact until impact. This makes it possible to have wider blade options for taking down bigger game with a single shot. Additionally, after shooting your target you’ll be left behind with powerful blood trails that make tracking easier than ever!

Nonetheless, since these mechanical tips rely on a spring mechanism, they can potentially fail to open up after the impact. Often it’s due to an inadequate kinetic energy while shooting half-drawn shots or at shorter ranges than usual; this results in insufficient speed for the springs to release. On occasion though, there may be faults with particular springs that could lead to similar issues as well.

Despite how enthralling they may be for hunters, mechanical broadheads can become a costly investment due to their miniature parts and intricate engineering. Furthermore, the steel blades and spring mechanisms have been known to deteriorate with multiple impacts over time, thus necessitating an entire replacement of the head itself.

Pros

• ​Lower in-flight profile increases speed
• ​Improved accuracy
• ​The option for extra-wide blades

Cons

• ​Spring mechanism can become faulty or fail to open in close range situations. Reducing field point accuracy
• ​Blades can fail over time as they are not directly forged to the head. Which can lead to some disappointed trips
• The price can quickly get expensive

What Type Of Broadhead Should I Use?

After exploring the various merits and drawbacks of your options, you may be wondering: “Which option do I go with?” Ultimately, the answer depends on where you’ll be shooting or hunting, what type of game it is that you’re tracking, and how much money are you willing to invest.

Environment

We all understand that the climate can be unpredictable, with temperatures and winds shifting seemingly overnight. Even in places where certain conditions are common – like cold weather or heavy vegetation – there is always a chance of something different occurring at any time. Therefore, it’s important to stay prepared for whatever situation you might find yourself in; one should always remain open-minded and have adaptability as part of their skill set!

For any hunter, the opportunity to take down a majestic elk is an honor not easily forgotten. Being ready for such a moment can mean having the right broadhead at your disposal. If you’re after some small game but come across that trophy-worthy rack instead, make sure you have the tools necessary to capitalize on this rare chance and bring home your prize!

Now that I have armed you with the necessary information, here are some of the most popular hunting settings:

• ​Wooded Forests
• ​Mountain Ranges
• ​Open Plains and Prairie
• Arctic or Tundra
• Wooded Forests

When hunting in a forest, it is essential to have broadheads of various sizes on hand, depending upon what animals are currently in-season. However, never forget to obey the applicable regional regulations when pursuing your prey.

One of the great benefits of hunting in forests and other densely vegetated zones is that there’s typically limited wind, so your arrows won’t be easily pushed off target. This makes fixed blade tips a fantastic option for such areas. Moreover, due to all the trees surrounding you, it’s likely that any shots you miss will still land somewhere in the foliage – a reassuring thought when every hunter eventually misses their mark.

If you need an arrowhead that can withstand the strongest impacts, a fixed blade broadhead is your best bet. Its robust design as one solid piece ensures maximum durability and performance in any situation.

Mountain Ranges

Mountain Ranges are abodes to a wide variety of animals, similarly as forests. The foothills here typically have thick vegetation and harbor elk, deer, and some species of bear. As you climb higher up the mountainside, your chances of encountering sizable mountain bucks or goats become heightened; additionally so does the wind force!

As for hunters facing the daunting task of hunting in a windy environment, mechanical tips are perfect for keeping fast and accurate without being overly conspicuous. The hidden blades on these arrows allow them to be more aerodynamic so they pick up less air resistance compared to traditional arrow tips while still maintaining their speed and accuracy.

Open Plains And Prairie

The open plains tend to be the hunter’s favorite spot for prey, requiring more effort in terms of tracking and stalking deer instead of just waiting around like you would do when hunting within wooded areas. Nevertheless, it still remains a popular option among hunters due to its wide range of possibilities.

You’ll have a clear line of sight and no large impediments. Your greatest adversary? The winds – making this terrain perfect for mechanical broadheads. Because there’s not much coverage, you may need to shoot from further away than usual; mechanical tips’ exceptional flight capabilities will undoubtedly be an advantage here.

Arctic Tundra

If you are planning a hunt in the Arctic Tundra, caribou and reindeer should be your top targets. Since these animals possess thick hides, a wide-tipped broadhead is an ideal choice for this location.

The tundra can be quite windy, so it’s wise to choose a mechanical broadhead for this landscape. If you miss any shots, the snow dunes make it highly likely that you’ll lose your arrow anyway; therefore, if money is an issue, opt for a less pricey fixed blade head instead.

How To Tune Your Broadheads

After you’ve gone to shoot your new broadheads and realize that your results contrast greatly from what you experienced in the practice session with field points, it’s time to head back to the range for some tuning. Typically, 30 yards is an ideal distance for adjusting broadheads. Here are a few simple steps:

• ​To start off your accuracy assessment, take a quiver of four field tips and let fly at your mark. Ensure that you have correctly calibrated your bow and the arrows are flying true for utmost precision.
• Now, test another set of four arrows with the broadheads you wish to use and try to aim at the same spot as your control group. If they hit in a similar grouping, then your new broadheads are perfectly tuned for hunting season! However, if not precisely accurate, make some slight changes to how the arrow is shooting from its position.
• ​After you’re confident that your broadheads are performing consistently, take a few practice shots with the field points. You should aim for identical accuracy and flight of both arrows; adjust accordingly until both projectiles fly in perfect harmony.
• Once both arrows are flying together, and landing the same grouping, you are ready to go!

​​​​Although tuning can be laborious, it is truly a fundamental part of archery that many often overlook. It requires expertise to group shots in the first place and some may see tuning as an inconsequential task. On the contrary, I strongly believe proper tuning has tremendous value when aiming for instant kills — missed shots lead to distressful events where animals escape, taking hours before they eventually die. To ensure successful hunts while promoting animal welfare, precise tuning should not be ignored nor trivialized!

To ensure your success, it is imperative that you fine-tune your setup.

How To Install Broadhead Tips

As an arrowhead’s blade is honed to be sharper than a razor or other serrated blade, it can easily cut on contact through the toughest skin. Thus, you must use caution when attaching your broadhead tip and should never do so with just your bare hands. Fortunately, special “tip holders” exist for this exact purpose!

Utilizing a tip holder crafted from hardened plastic is the go-to option for many hunters, as it conveniently slips over your arrowhead like a sleeve. All you have to do is grip the covered part and twist on your head onto the shaft. If this isn’t an available choice for you, needle-nose pliers come in handy too; though be weary of gripping them tightly as they are very thin and can easily snap with excessive force!

Removing And Replacing Interchangeable Tips

As previously mentioned, many stationary and mechanical broadheads have detachable blades that are connected by a central Allen head screw. After you remove the screw, the blades should be easily taken out for cleaning or replaced with new ones. To put in the new set of sharp blades, simply line them up at their fulcrum point on the head before retightening back the same bolt – easy peasy! That being said though, please remain vigilant when handling this equipment as it is effortless to get distracted which could cause one of these razor-sharp edges to slip off so make sure you keep yourself protected with safety gear such as thick gloves and closed shoes!

How To Sharpen Your Broadheads

As a budget-savvy Do-It-Yourself hunter, sharpening your blades can save you both time and money. In order to get the job done properly, here is what you will need:

• ​One black magic marker or sharpie
• Replacement Blades

Broadhead Accessories

​Protective Equipment

• Gloves
• ​Safety glasses

​​Sharpening Tools

• ​Heavy-duty steel file (recommended)
• ​For larger blades, you can use a grinding wheel
• ​Fine grade wet stone
• Metal brush
• Vaseline or knife oil

​​​​​Now that you’ve gathered the necessary tools, take a seat in your workshop and remove your blades as previously outlined. Then continue according to these steps:

• ​Utilize the blades and carefully mark a cutting edge on both sides with your marker. This will create an efficient new sharpening line for optimal performance.
• Employ your file or grinding tool to refine the newly marked edge. When using a file, always stroke in one direction; remember that it is not sandpaper and should never be swiped back and forth as indicated by the arrow on its surface.
• ​After you have created your coarse edge, place some water onto the stone’s surface and start dragging this rough edge along the length of it – always going in one direction.
• Once you’ve achieved the perfect shave, use a metal brush to clear away any remaining debris from your blade.
• After you finish sharpening your blade, cover the newly-sharpened edge with some vaseline or oil for knife maintenance and to avoid rust.
• After you have securely attached your new blades to the head, your broadhead is ready for action! Enjoy its enhanced performance and precision.

Maintaining the sharpness of your broadheads only takes about 3 to 5 minutes per head (depending on blade thickness) and you can have a full quiver in under thirty. Not only is this an effortless way to save money, but it also ensures that each arrow tip has enough cutting power required for every hunting expedition!.

Manufacturers

With the overwhelming variety of broadhead brands available in hunting stores, it can be difficult to decide which one is best for your needs. To help you make an informed decision, let me introduce you to some of the most reputable and well-known suppliers, as well their standout features.

Rage – Archery Broadheads

Rage is the proud creator of some of the most devastating mechanical broadheads and crossbows on the market. Every head features a unique, vibrant hue to make sorting them easier; plus they are tailor-made for causing maximum destruction to whatever target you’re aiming at!

Rage broadheads are sold in as a single piece, 2 blade, 4 blade, free shipping and have a range of mechanical broadheads and hybrid blade broadheads in stock

Grim Reaper – Archery Broadheads

Grim Reaper manufactures both mechanized and fixed components of broadheads with devastating results. The wide-spreading blades they offer leave gaping wounds in their targets, making them renowned for quickly felling game. Indeed, many hunters have reported deer dropping right where they stood upon being hit by Grim Reaper’s arrows! These arrow heads may not come color-coded like those made by Rage but still deliver the same level of lethality.

Machined replacement blades are sold in as as a single piece, 2 blade, 4 blade, free shipping and have a range of mechanical broadheads and hybrid blade broadheads in stock

Rage’s product line possesses superior titanium alloy construction, and every edge they cut is no thicker than a mere .035”– that’s 35 thousandths of an inch! Imagine the sharpness of such minuscule cuts – you don’t have to imagine because Rage provides just that.

This Brand supplies – Point Weight 100 Grain – 125 grain – 2 blade (Tooth) – 4 blade (Tooth) – Free Shipping – crossbow – Contact Today

Muzzy – Archery Broadheads

Muzzy makes both bows, fixed and mechanical blade broadheads, but have a wider range of fixed blade tips. They are revered for their blade strength and durability. Possibly the best selling point for the Muzzy tips is their affordability. Machined replacement blades are sold in as as a single piece, 2 blade (Tooth), 4 blade (Tooth), free shipping and have a range of mechanical broadheads and hybrid blade broadheads in stock

When you’re searching for affordability and quality, Muzzy models are the clear choice. They cost half of what their Rage or Grim Reaper equivalents do, making them a budget-friendly option worth considering.

This Brand supplies – Point Weight 100 Grain – 125 grain – 2 blade – 4 blade – Free Shipping – crossbow –  Contact Today

Slick Trick  – Archery Broadheads

Slick Trick proudly declares that they are the “Deadliest broadhead. Period,” and this statement is backed up by their products’ consistent superiority. The offer a blade unlike any other serrated blade on the market last year in 2017, Slick Tricks Fixed Blade Broadhead was rewarded with the Bowhunting World Reader’s Choice Silver Award for Best Fixed Blade Broadhead – a remarkable achievement indeed!

In Shop – Point Weight 100 Grain – 125 grain – 2 blade – 4 blade – Free Shipping – crossbow-  Contact Today

All of Slick Trick’s fixed blade broadheads feature their patented Alcatraz blade-locking system which they claim offers more exceptional durability and impact resistance.

Machined replacement blades are sold in as as a single piece, 2 blade, 4 blade, free shipping and have a range of mechanical broadheads and hybrid blade broadheads in stock

Conclusion

We trust that this article has supplied you with the necessary information to understand broadhead arrows. Now that you are more enlightened, we urge you to visit our Buying Guide and check out the top selections this year! Don’t miss it – your perfect arrow awaits!

Beginner Broadheads Guide

Boasting a deadly combination of sharp blades and serrated edges, the broadhead arrow tip is available in different designs, sizes, and qualities. It’s convenient to attach it to most arrow shafts too! To pick one that best fits your needs can be tricky though – but don’t worry as there are ample options for you.