Razor Edge vs. File-Sharp Edge?

[ChuckC]

They both work as long as they are sharp.  Use what you want.  If debating bleeding facts, the post a couple up is right on.  Scalpel sharp bleeds better and clots least.  

Of course. .  if the deer is dead in 15 seconds, not much clotting takes place.  

Why would a surgeon use something that won't heal up (clot) as quickly ?  Well.. it is easier to clean and care for (less microorganism concerns), it cuts cleaner and easier, and so, more precisely, it leaves less scaring (important as hell for most folks) and remember. . .  doctors have a tendency to sew up the wound after they are finished, so natural clotting, closing and healing is not as much an issue.

Again, both work and lots of critters have been very well killed using both ways.
ChuckC

[Bobby Urban]

My best guess is the Ashby findings are more related to penetration than overall "bleeding" or blood flow as all his work has been to find the deepest penetrating set-up.  With that in mind there is certainly some obvious reasons why a smooth honed razor sharp head will out penetrate one with even the most minute serrations.  

Really both have worked well for many years and for many people and the advice offered of "use what makes you most confident" is the best here for whitetail size game - or most game in north America.  Most arrows are going right through without a problem so this eliminates the penetration debate and only is open for the "best Blood trail" conversation.  

When bowhunting T-Rex - please use the sharpest razor honed edge on a long thin two blade.  You want to be absolutely certain to get both lungs.

[JamesKerr]

I have tried both and truly prefer the smooth razor sharp edge I get from a stone and stropping either on leather or very lightly on my 1200 grit stone. A file sharpened edge is not a rough edge by any means if done right, a truly sharp file edge should be able to shave hair some but feel like it is grabbing at the hair and skin some though. After that edge is established with either a file or rough stone one can progress to smoother stones and further polish and refine the edge to get it as sharp as possible while maintaining a bevel that is not so sharp and shallow that it will collapse if bone is encountered. Remember we want the broadhead to be sharp all the way through the animal.

[BWallace10327]

I have 3 200 grain Eclipse broadheads ready to go.  I sharpened each of them with a very fine mill file; plenty sharp to shave hair from my arm.  I honed the first 1" of the cutting edge with a fine diamond steel and polished the honed edge to a mirror like shine with a ceramic sharpening stick.  The end product is a broadhead that is very sharp throughout the entire cutting surface, with an impressively sharp cut on contact tip backed up by a more durable and ragged back section that is still shaving sharp.  Starting in the morning I will have five days to try it out on a mule doe.  From what I've read, it won't make much of a difference, but it will not hurt either.

[Fanto]

Dr. Ashby makes a compelling argument for razor sharp edged broadheads.

His findings may not be that important shooting 45 # plus at deer. The doc achieved consistent lethal penetration on large adult water buffalo with that draw weight. He went down to such a low draw weight because the heavier bows were passing through massive bodied bull buff.

Interesting reading