I have 3 different broadheads in my quiver and all shoot very well. My quandry comes from the sharpness of each and I wonder which one to use first. I have a 3 blade VPA that I can get sharp but it wont shave. I have a 2 blade Magnus 2 that I can get to shave. Lastly, I have a Bear Super Razorhead that I can get scary, hair popping sharp. So what do you guys think I should use for my number 1 arrow?
3 blade vpa
Bear Razorhead - the other two don't count if you can't get them sharp.
NEVER send less than your sharpest head.
You can't go wrong with any of those heads. All I shoot is VPA.
I sharpen my heads in this order. File, stone and leather. I could post piles of dead deer pics with a 175 VPA 1 1/4".
The Bear Super Razoerhead, SS version, cut a 4" entry hole on this fellow due to the angle of the entry.
Go with the hair popping Bear.
(https://i.imgur.com/2YMTJyy.jpg)
Bear. It's not only a 2-blade design which should in theory penetrate better than your 3-blade but is also the sharpest which should cut and penetrate better. I won't shoot a head that I can't get super sharp. My arrows are wearing Grizzly single bevels this year but I've had good success on deer with about any head I've used that was sharp. They just aren't that big or tough.
All else being equal, whichever one you can get the sharpest is the one you should go with!
Bisch
Whichever of the Magnus 2 or Bear Razorhead shoots better for you.
I've had good luck in the past with a Magnus 2, and the bear certainly has a heritage.
I'd shoot the 3 blade VPA
3 blade VPA
Back up.
Are you saying that you have three different make broadheads at the same time in your quiver and wonder which to lead off with? :eek:
No, no, no. Chose one and stick with it. They all fly and tune differently.
I don't believe the ability to shave needs to be a criteria in a sharp broadhead. I use a file and an Accusharp tool and my 2 blade heads will cut the heck out of you but doesn't really shave like my folding knife. They are as sharp as grandpa's butcher knives when he was cutting beef and you definitely didn't want to get cut with those. They would split your thumb without trying, but I doubt they would shave. There are different kinds of edges. I believe a razor blade would just fold on bone compared to a good sharp working edge, like a butcher knife, which would be tougher to damage that edge.
Agree with Bisch here. If all are flying and tune well, it comes down to which is sharpest for me.
Sharpest--- if you cant get it verrrry sharp, save it for small game. Youll appreciate this decision at 0 dark30 after the shot.
VPA 3 blade for me.
Great points made by most here - shoot the one you can get the sharpest! I also agree that "shaving sharp" isn't the best gauge for how it will perform when shot into an animal. It's my experience that a double bevel edge that will shave is often so thin that it will roll easily.
Having said that, I have shot the VPA's (and still do) and I've shot the Bear heads. Both will perform very well, but I believe the VPA's to be much more durable and I happen to be able to sharpen 3-blades much easier than 2-blades.
I do have plenty of my set ups with multiple types of broadheads in them as I don't agree with the above statement that they all fly and tune differently. It's my experience that if your arrow is well tuned, and your broadhead of choice is aligned (i.e. spins true), and are all the same weight, then you'll not be able to see an appreciable difference in flight or point of impact from one brand to the next. If you do - it points to a tuning issue of likely being on the very edge of spine or nock point. Our bows are between 150 and 185fps which isn't enough speed to have any trouble tuning even the largest of blades.
Contrary to what others have found I have found that three blades out penetrate SOME two blades... best do your own testing ....
however that being said I would not shoot a dull Broadhead... I'm not sure what you consider a sharp and I really can't figure out why you can't get a vpa sharp it's the easiest Broadhead in the world to sharpen as a 3 blade.
Have Fun!!!
I agree with Terry on this. I have had pass thrus on deer, caribou, black bear and a hog shooting 3 blades from bows in the 47#-55# range at my 28" draw. Right now I prefer the VPA heads. Seems some folks do have issues with sharpening the VPAs or the Woodsmans, Snuffers etc. but for me, once I learned to use light pressure, they are easier to sharpen than a 2 blade head. That being said, use the ones that you can get the sharpest!
By the way, there are some good tutorials on 3 blade sharpening both on this site and youtube.
3 Blade VPA
I have no experience with the VPA's. I have plenty with both the Bear and the Magnus. Great heads. Shoot the one that fly's the best for you.
Still time to learn how to sharpen the VPA. Just saying. Don forget that your angle of approach when attempting to shave with a 3 blade is different than a 2 blade.
Just to clear up a few things, first, I can get the VPA broadheads pretty sharp, as in will stick on a fingernail or easily pop a rubber band with very little effort. I just cant get them to shave hair like I can the 2 blades but make no mistake they are sharp. Also, the only deer I have taken to date is with the VPA and it did a good job. As for having different broadheads in my quiver, some of my arrows are equipped with 100gr brass inserts and 125gr 2blade heads while others are standard inserts with 200gr VPA. all my arrows weigh within 20gr of each other and all shoot to the same point of impact and are tuned very well. Im just wondering if there is an advantage to a slightly sharper 2 blade over a 3 blade. Or is it a moot point and just go with what feels right at the moment.
Make that the only deer I have taken to date with traditional bow equipment. I have taken many deer with other archery equipment over the years.
If it is not sharp it don't count. You last post might change my mind but it is a subjective call. If it worked for you before, your opinion of sharp may be good enough. Good luck. >>>----> Ken
Shoot what you have the most confidence in getting the job done. Lack of confidence with your gear can affect you in the field.
I believe the Edge that will roll easiest is the single bevel... I may be mistaken but I believe that's the one that doesn't have support because one side has no build-up it's a fall off
I want to make one thing clear you can make a shaving sharp edge that is very durable people have been doing it for 50 years.....
And yes you can make one that will shave it is too thin that will shave that will roll....
but do not mistake the fact that you can make a durable Edge that will shave hair very decisively
i'm with PDK25.
I was playing with some of my bro's vpas this weekend. He had them kinda sharp. Not good enough for my taste. But I have never been good at sharpening 3 blades...So I took them and laid them flat on 800 and 2000 grit sandpaper and stroked them backwards across them. Made them nice and shiny. But they wouldn't shave very well.
I then realized that I was angling them up and trying to shave like when shaving with a two blade. Well that angle was about 60 degrees. That was my error. I laid the head almost flat on my arm. It then Easily shaved.
Sharpest, for sure. Get a few more and leave the others at home.
VPA 3 Blade
From base to tip
1. Light file
2. Coarse Diamond rod
3. Medium Diamond rod
4. Fine Diamond rod
5. Quality Butchers steel
6. Leather Strop
pops hair
Assuming that they all shoot equally well, I would suggest you go with the one that you have the most confidence in. For me, that would be the one that I could sharpen the best.
The edge bevel on a three blade is more obtuse than on a two-blade head so it's just not possible to get them as sharp. But, you can get them plenty sharp to kill an animal.
Because of the larger bevel angle, the edge on a three blade is less likely to turn over than it is on an acute angle bevel two blade head, which can actually turn over before it gets into the goodies.
Long story short, any of the heads you're considering will do the job. Shoot the one you like.
Magnus....because I have used bears and some went clean through bone some have bent on bone...go with magnus.
I'd check the VPA on my fingernail and if it passes that then Id use that,,, I've got some crazy blood trails from heads that didn't shave hair..
I like and hunt with 2 blade also but I have had some lack luster blood trails with 2-blade heads I could have shaved with but good thing for me in my world when I hit a deer with a two blade it doesn't seem to run off as crazy and sometimes just stops and looks around then falls over,,, 3 blades they explode out of there..
IDK part of me says VPA and part of me says shoot that razorhead now.