Ask Wired to Hunt: Mechanical or Fixed Blade Broadheads?

Answer: If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked this question, I could probably start manufacturing my own broadheads. Back when I was more of a fixture on the seminar circuit, I fielded this inquiry during every single show. My answer used to be pretty simple and straightforward: Shoot a sharp, durable, fixed-blade head.

I started hunting before mechanicals became a thing, and was slow to adopt any broadhead with moving parts. When I got the job as Equipment Editor for what was at the time the largest bowhunting magazine out there, I no longer had a choice. I had to shoot everything and was lucky enough to get to test a pile of broadheads at the range and in the field.

Over the years, I noticed that my affinity for fixed-blade heads became more and more situationally specific. Animals like turkeys, antelope, mule deer and whitetails all started to fall into the either-or category, with mechanicals eventually winning out. I held true to my roots in Africa or when I found myself targeting bigger quarry like elk.

Now, I feel like it’s more of a matter of choosing a well-built head that you have confidence in. This is true for all critters but something I truly believe when it comes to whitetails.

The broadheads I’ve seen that have failed in the field almost all shared a similar trait–they were cheap. I had fixed-blade heads break at the ferrule on deer, and mechanicals nearly disintegrate on run-of-the-mill shots. I also had both styles blow through shoulders and stay intact, which tells me all I need to know.

More expensive heads generally utilize better materials and offer better designs. This translates to sharper blades, bullet-proof ferrules, better arrow flight, and better survivability on all hits. I know even writing this, that some readers will say it doesn’t matter and you’re just paying up for better marketing and a brand name. That just hasn’t proven true in my experience, as fun as it is to complain about.

So what broadhead is best for you? Well, what do you have confidence in, and how well do you shoot on animals? The tradeoff with fixed versus mechanical is often framed upon whether you would rather have great performance with a shoulder hit (fixed) or a gut shot (mechanical).

I don’t think it’s that simple, because anyone can shank a shot. Instead, ask yourself what you value the most. If getting through bones is it, then you’ll probably want to lean into compact, extra sharp, durable fixed-blade heads. There are plenty on the market, and my personal preference if I can find them is a four-blade options with replaceable blades (because they are always crazy sharp).

If you like great big wound channels, a mechanical is probably better for you. In this category, I don’t shoot jackknife style heads that open from the front anymore. I want them to have rear-deployable blades. I also like two-blade mechanicals that don’t offer anything more than a two-inch cutting diameter.

These are just my rules, yours may differ. Just remember this cliched but true reality–the best ones are the ones that hit where you’re aiming. Shot selection and execution do wonders for broadhead performance. Take full-confidence shots, and then pay close attention to how your broadheads performed with every one. This will shape your future broadhead choice selection much more than any advice I can give you.

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