Cut-on-Contact vs Chisel-Tip Broadheads
Cut-on-contact (COC) broadheads start slicing the instant the tip touches hide. Chisel-tip broadheads punch through hide first, then the blades cut. The old-school view is COC penetrates heavy bone better; the modern chisel-tip crowd points at Slick Trick and QAD Exodus flight and durability. Both work. Which one you pick depends on animal size, bow poundage, and shot angle discipline.
Cut-on-contact case
On elk-sized game and up, COC heads (Iron Will S100, G5 Montec, Muzzy Trocar, Cutthroat) drive further because they never lose energy punching hide before cutting starts. On quartering shots into shoulder, the tip splits ribs rather than sliding across them. Traditional bowhunters shooting 45 to 55 lb almost always run COC because they cannot afford the KE penalty.
Chisel-tip case
Chisel-tips (Slick Trick Magnum, QAD Exodus, Muzzy MX-3) hold up on bone hits better than a thin cut-on-contact tip. On whitetail-sized game, the punch-through-hide step burns less KE than the theory suggests. Chisel-tips resharpen with a flat file rather than needing a tri-hone.
Real head comparison
| Head | Style | Cut | Blade | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Will S100 | COC | 1.0 in | .062 in A2 | 100 gr |
| G5 Montec 100 | COC | 1.0 in | .050 in stainless | 100 gr |
| Slick Trick Magnum | Chisel | 1.125 in | .035 in stainless | 100 gr |
| QAD Exodus | Chisel | 1.25 in | .040 in stainless | 100 gr |
| Muzzy Trocar | Chisel | 1.0 in | .035 in stainless | 100 gr |
Ran Slick Trick Magnums for a decade on whitetails and never had a head fail. Switched to Iron Will S100 for elk. Different tools for different animals. Anyone telling you one head does it all is selling something.
Archery Talk, Broadhead Discussion, 2024
Broadhead law by state
Fixed blade: Legal in all 50 states for big game archery seasons.
Mechanical: Legal in ~44 states for big game. Restricted or discouraged in Idaho (mechanicals prohibited for big game archery), Oregon (mechanicals prohibited), and check current-year Wyoming regs. Legal but not preferred for elk and moose where cut-on-contact fixed heads penetrate through heavy shoulders.
Cut-on-contact: Legal in all 50 states. Preferred or required in some traditional-archery-only hunts.
Minimum cut diameter: Most states require 7/8 in cut for big game. A handful (Georgia, Mississippi, others) require 1 in. Always confirm current-season regs with your state fish and wildlife agency.
Blade count: Some states specify minimum 2 sharpened edges. Most modern broadheads exceed this by default.
This is a research summary, not legal advice. Confirm the current season regulations with your state fish and wildlife agency before you buy or hunt.