Broadhead/Bloodtrail Question

[Steve O]

I've always used 3blade heads and will continue to do so.

Normally I use a Wensel Woodsman or big Snuffer.  This year I thought I would try the little Snuffer SS.  They have worked fine, but in my mind, the blood trails I have had have not been as heavy as I am used to.

My question is this:  If two heads have the same sharpness and cutting diameter, would a LONGER cutting edge produce a better bloodtrail?  

Penetration is NOT an issue.

[Lechwe]

Steve,

The longer head would have more surface area to contact tissue. This could theoretically result in more damage but I would doubt it. I can't imagin being able to see the difference in amount of blood with the two. Think back to the shot placements with better blood trails and try to remember if those were just a little lower on the body.

[Dartwick]

The longer head does not have more contact area over time.

[SlowBowinMO]

Steve, your observations are consistent with what I have seen and I've heard others mention the same thing.  I will not speculate as to why, I'll leave such things for smarter guys than myself.

One example, I hunted with a compound shooter for a couple of years that was using the Wasp Boss bullets.  They have the same cutting  diameter as a Woodsman but I was constantly helping him track.  The blood trails were poor to non-existent although he almost always made good shots.  I couldn't have duplicated those kinds of results with a Woodsman for money, even though the cutting diameter of the two was the same.

Fortunately since he was a good shooter we had 100% recovery, his deer was not usually real far off but it was far more work than it should have been IMO.

This would be a good thing to ask Doc Ashby about someday when he's on here.

[Lechwe]

Originally posted by Dartwick:
The longer head does not have more contact area over time.

Dartwick,

If you have 2 heads both being 3 blades and the same diameter and one is 3/4" in length and the other is 1.5" in length (comparison sake) then you definitely have more contact surface. I think everyone agrees that arteries and veins have some elasticity. If an artery comes into contact with these two heads it will be able to slide along double the length of edge on the longer head giving it more time to actually cut. This could be important since a blade will begin the dulling process as soon as it comes into contact with the hair upon entering the animal.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is what is happening but that this could have an effect on it.

[fireball31]

With the deer that I've shot.  It seems that the shot placement had a lot more to do with the blood trail than the broadhead.  If it was low and hit the heart the blood trail was huge.  If it was high center and clipped lungs the tracking job was a bit different.  Also exit hole low (i.e. treestand shot) good blood trail. Exit hole high (i.e. on the ground high double lung. not a great blood trail) Just my two cents.

[Recurve50 LBS]

IMHO the reason there may be a diffrence in blood trails could be the sharpness of the blades. From what I've read here on TradGang, a wound made with a sharper edge does not promote the clotting of the blood as would a duller edge. The sharper the blade is, it will create a smoother or less jagged wound in the body tissue.For instance when you nick yourself shaving it bleeds for a long time and is more difficult to make it stop bleeding.

[Curtiss Cardinal]

If both arrows penetrate fully aka a passthrough the difference in broadhead length is nullified as both heads cut the same distance of tissues. There could be a differnce in the type of edge and level of sharpness between carbon steel and stainless steal. I am a Wensel Woodsman and Snuffer user myself and both make a bloodtrail you can follow on a quick walk if not an all out run. I;ve seen blood trails from nearly every broadhead on the market these two heads consistently produce the best.

[mmgrode]

The longer broadhead will always be "sharper." Hopefully I can explain this properly. Here's my reasoning: There is a difference between the sharpness of the head when cutting perpendicular  to the edge(ie. higher angled) and when running along the edge as it does when flying/penetrating tissue. The longer length broadhead allows the blade edge to be dulled less as less pressure needs to be placed on any one spot on the edge to cut the tissue(tissue threshold). This is why we run knives across(or angle the blade) when whittleing the end of a stick instead of pushing them through perpendicular on one spot of a blade. Less use of the edge=sharper edge. Therefore, edge retention must then be more durable with the longer heads.  It follows then that, all else being equal, the longer head will exit the animal sharper than the higher angled one...better blood trails. In addition, more tissue would be cut cleanly as the edge would remain sharp longer...more deadly.  Less speed robbing pressure would be present to stop your arrow...better penetration.    Matt

[wapitimike1]

If those Snuffers are like most it might pay to touch them up. I take my Razor Caps run them through a G5 ceramic sharpener then strop them on leather. They pass the rubber band test in a jiffy. I take my Woodsmans hit them on the Snuffer tamer files then X block Diamond hone stone and lastly leather. Razor sharp, turns them into to a very nasty head. I to have seen hits from those short high speed compound heads. Piss poor blood trails forsure.

[Steve O]

Guys-I said the broadheads are all the same sharpness wise...

IF that is the case, AND both heads have the same diameter,

The question is; would you think there be any difference in bloodtrail between a short "modern" style broadhead and a long 3:1 "traditional" style such as the Wensel Woodsman?

I am leaning to the longer blade making a positive difference.

I am out in Iowa right now trying to fill my doe tag (actually on stand;just pulled out my phone to check the time!) with my buddy Gary (Chimaster)and he also broght up the point that at the moment of impact(or before), the animal is going to react.  If that reaction changes the path of the broadhead inside the animal, the longer blade is going to cut more than the shorter blade.

He has been using the new little Snuffer this year too and has noticed the same difference in bloodtrails.

Lots of good info here so far.  Thanks for your thoughts and observations.

[Jack Shanks]

Steve,

 Talked with James yesterday and he said you and Gary were in Iowa right now. Wondered how you were on your computer? Probably see you both next Thursday to here the stories.

Good luck!

[mmgrode]

As mentioned, the longer broadhead will be dulled less as it goes through tissue, even if they have the same level of sharpness prior to entering tissue.  The more pressure each place on the edge comes in contact with the duller that place will get.  Longer heads reduce the pressure placed on any one place, thereby increasing the mechanical advantage of the head.

[elknut1]

Nope! I'd use the head I have the most confidence in. I do not need a scientific report to tell me which head is best. I've taken elk with both heads you've mentioned. I like the SnufferSS best, doesn't mean it's better than the Woodsman, it means it's the one I prefer!

  ElkNut1

[doug77]

long way to drive to fill a doe tag.
good luck stay warm

doug77