What is the argument for 3 blades?

[snowplow]

I hear lots of reasons for choosing a 2 blade head. Yet I never hear anything about 3 blades other than '3 blades cut more'. I literally hear that every time but nothing more.

I am just wondering is that really true? Not to mention we could be comparing a huge Centaur or big Simmons head to a Woodsman for instance.

So I'm just sitting here wondering, do 3 blades really produce noticeably more blood?

(didn't include a 4 blade because it's more like an option for a 2 blade not a novel design)

[Diamond Paul]

I think they do; I've shot deer with three blades and Stingers, and thought the three blade wound bled more, myself.  I have not used a truly large two blade, though.

[Biathlonman]

Cut more, I find them dramatically easier to sharpen, and I'm sure it's in my head but I feel like they fly better.  Never had the least bit of penetration issues either.

[Charlie3]

Snowplow, try to read the Ashby arrow lethality studies. They should be archived on this site, if not, just google them.

Some folks do not agree with his findings, but to date it is the ONLY such comprehensive study, and thus should be used as a reference at least for any bowhunter.

Basically, all else being equal, 3 blade and 2 blade heads will penetrate soft tissus at a similar rate. The 3 blade will create a larger wound channel. The 2 blade will penetrate bone significantly better.

I choose to use 2 blades because they give me better odds to put two holes in the critter even if I do not make a perfect shot. A narrow 2 blade that leaves an exit wound will usually create more blood on the ground than a 3 blade that does not leave an exit wound.

[ChuckC]

They work fine.  Get em sharp and put them in the right spot.  We argue too much over very little.

Two blade, three blade, six blade. .  most of us are hunting deer. They aren't that large, certainly not anything like those subjects used in the Natal studies.

Sharp, in the right spot.  Those are the important issues.

ChuckC

[dragonheart]

I have shot some critters with both 2 blade and 3.  Where I hunt the main hog game animals are whitetails and hogs.  Hogs are really the test animal.  If you can get thru them then no issue with a whitetail.  The only three blade I have used is a woodsman and woodsman elite. Based on the blood trails and recovery distance the three blade puts more blood down.  I have had less recovery distance with the three blade.  This is a woodsman elite head.  I have to say it is the only broadhead I am shooting and see no reason to shoot anything else.  If I was going to Africa tomorrow, I would shoot a woodsman elite and only change the arrow I was shooting.

[Bill Carlsen]

Here's my reason….and it's not a fluke.

[drewsbow]

good blood trails for sure

[J-dog]

I think it matters most what is cut as to blood on the ground, location of entrance and exit wound as well, rather than number of blades. You get the aorta you'll have blood everywhere. Go over it and your popping just the lungs and smaller arteries, you'll still have blood on the ground but maybe not as much as the aorta will give??
I was just sharpening some 160 grizzly single bevels and some VPA 3 blades. All had been shot into the target. I can sharpen the VPAs a lot easier than I can those grizzlys.


Both styles have killed ALOT of critters!

[Tsalt]

I once heard or read the Wensel brothers saying that they designed the Woodsman because they felt the 3 blade created a hole, not a slot like the 2 blade... the idea being that a hole would obviously result in a better blood.

[don kauss]

2 blades for me, for the same theory Charlie3 stated in his last sentence...although I like the wider ones...it's a personal choice, like which bow to shoot, and what your arrows are made of...

Using a 2-blade might teach you more about trailing animals;    anyone  can follow a trail like the one in Bill Carlsen's photo!!      

[Big Lefty]

Personally, I just like the idea of cutting on more than one plane. Whatever is more accurate always gets my vote, though.

[Bowhunter4life]

I've used 2, 3, and 4 blades to take game.  All work as long as I do my part.  But, with that being said, I like 3 blade heads the best.  

Not only 3 blades, but big 3 blades...  Big Jim Big 3, VPA 1 1/4" 250 grain, Snuffer 160 with 100 gr insert...  I've used Woodsmans, Razorcaps, and standard VPA, but with the #'age I shoot I like to do as much damage on the way through as I can...  Even 2 and 4 blades are big...  Zwickey Delta, Magnus 1, Centaur Big Game and Battle Axe, Silverflame DS...  

Big wide holes are the norm, putting a lot of blood on the ground.  But, blood trails usually are not necessary as they usually fall in sight...

[snowplow]

Thanks guys!

[Wudstix]

Currently shoot Magnus MagI in 160 grain and get good blod trails.  Even when I hit a 60# pig in the neck and push out the other side below her eye.  Plan to go to Grizzly Instinct heads next year though.  I have shot Rothaar Snuffers in the past.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Simple math...  3 - 3" blades = 9" of razor going through the animal vs 5 to 6" on a two blade.... it's a no brainer....

But a two blade will get er done too, and often get better penetration if you hit bone or clip a shoulder blade.....  I hunt with both... depends on my mood at the time...

[old_goat2]

There is a reason three sided bayonets are illegal by the Geneva Convention

[tracker12]

3 blade VPA for me.  They make great holes and leave blood trails I cn see.

[Russ Clagett]

I love the woodsmans...in about 15 minutes I can have one majorly sharp using my favorite file..can't do that with a two blade.

I am sometimes not happy with how my two blades sharpen and end up not using them...never had that problem with a woodsman.

Shot a deer a couple days ago here in central Texas...and it was really cold. The shot was 12-15 yards full broadside. My release was bad, probly cause I was shivering so hard my bones were banging together, and I pulled the shot high and back....not good.

The arrow (675 grains) passed through the buck like lightning and stuck in the ground. The buck startled but didn't move...he bunched up and moved at a slow walk probly 15 yards in a semi circle when his back legs fell. He tipped over and died almost in front of my tripod stand, about 15 yards out in front of me.

Total time from shot to going down was about 10 seconds.

The woodsman was still sharp enough to get back in the stand and continue hunting with it.

I know...that's just one deer, but it was dramatic to see. I just knew I was gonna spend the day looking for that wounded deer.

Makes me a believer, and that's not the only time something like that has happened...

[Diamond Paul]

Wow, I went to seventh grade in Pflugerville.  Long, long time ago.