Single or double bevel for low poundage?

[KevinK]

I'm thinking ahead for a deer broadhead for my wife's hunting setup. She will be hunting with a Slick Stick (54# @ 28) and at her draw length of around 24.5" it is low 40's. Would a single bevel be better than a double bevel for low poundage? I'm new to trad hunting personally and have ACE standards for my turkey setup. I was thinking less kinetic energy would be lost upon penetration with a single bevel but it could be minuscule. Thoughts and opinions please?

[KentuckyTJ]

Go with the one you can get the sharpest.

[KevinK]

I can get the ACE sharp but they took so much work to get all of the roughness off of the bevels and get them to shave hair without irritation. Maybe I'm being too picky about the edge or too lazy. If I were just going for sharp quickly I would go with a 3 blade but I heard that isn't the best for low poundage.
Is a 3 blade acceptable for that low of poundage?
When I mean so much work I mean it was several hours per head. Yes I was thinking half the edges with a Lansky sharpening system would be easier but easy isn't always the best. But 3 blades are easy, even free-hand which I am not good with a 2 blade.

[Biathlonman]

RADA, wouls make ahort work of those Ace heads.

[Zradix]

Originally posted by KentuckyTJ:
Go with the one you can get the sharpest.

exactly what I was going to type.

[Michael Arnette]

Kentucky TJ x2
...those ace should have no problem. I've used grizzly single bevel bhs for the last two years and honestly although I've noticed bigger holes and better bloodtrails I've also not gotten quite as good penetration as I have with zwickey, ace, and Magnus double bevel two blades...

Originally posted by KentuckyTJ:
Go with the one you can get the sharpest.

X3!

Bisch

[KevinK]

I had to do a google search for RADA. I use a pull through for my final sharpening. I hated the way the bevel was on the ACE. The bevel was inconsistent in angle and size between every edge on every head. And the gouges that were in teh top lamination bothered me. So I spent about half a day on each with a Lansky with the 20 degree setting going from coarse to fine then used a pull through from 3R. I have 3 that are ready and 3 more to do from that pack. I dread the thought of doing another half-dozen but I guess if I start now I will have them done ahead of time for her setup.

For an Ace, a file can make short work getting them prepped for a hone.  With a file, a jewel stick and a leather belt I spend about 15 minutes per head getting my wife's heads shaving sharp.  Which would be Bears, Eskimos, Hunter's Heads or Ribtecs.  She is demanding that I start sharpening her heads like I do my own, at least the Hunter's Heads,  filed and serrated.

[Shadowhnter]

Kevin, im shooting a 40lb, a 42lb, and 45lb bow at full draw. Single bevels are nice and I prefer them, but I really dont stress much over the edge type a whole lot. Im more concerned with a good working ratio (2.5-3.0), shape type, and the ability to resist integrity problems like tip curling or bending. Ive used several different but reputable broadheads with low poundage bows without any problems....
 and honestly type of edge is way down on my list of worries.

[KevinK]

Shadowhnter, I know I'm splitting hairs as usual. Have you used 3 blade heads with your lower poundage bows like a Bodkin or Woodsman? For me 3 blades are the easiest to get sharp quickly but I've heard to stick with a 3 blade under 50 pounds. Is this a good guideline?

Pavan, I wish I could get the correct angle free hand but I don't have that skill so I use my Lansky to start.

[KevinK]

Rather stick with a 2 blade, not a 3 blade under 50 pounds.

[Stumpkiller]

Originally posted by KentuckyTJ:
Go with the one you can get the sharpest.

Exactly what I was going to say when I saw the question.    

[Shadowhnter]

Originally posted by KevinK:
Rather stick with a 2 blade, not a 3 blade under 50 pounds.

Well, that certainly is true in my case and opinion. But Im sure there has been lots of animals taken with a 3 blade and a low poundage bow.

[todd smith]

I have been shooting longbows in the 45 - 50 pound range for about 50 years. I have had excellent results with double bevel AND single bevel heads. In my mind there is no need to shoot the single bevel if your total arrow weight is not at least close to 650 grains. Single bevels really shine when bone is encountered. I do now shoot 650 grains and single bevel heads. I have had fantastic penetration!!  I have taken deer that I would not otherwise have taken...  But if her arrow weight is in the 400's - 500's then I would stick with a super sharp double bevel head.  Todd

[ChuckC]

My own thoughts are...don't worry about it.  This single point in your system is not going to change anything enough to matter.  Other changes or adaptations are likely to cause more change, one way or another, than this.

Use whichever head you want, get it really sharp, put it where it belongs.

[killzthemost]

I like the way you think Todd. , what arrows are you using now to get too 650 .thanks

[KevinK]

Thanks everyone. I think I know where to go with this now. I think the best thing is to create a new thread for my next question.