Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!doug.cae.wisc.edu!osnome.che.wisc.edu!hunting
From: spickett@orion.oac.uci.edu (Steve Pickett)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: Broadheads
Keywords: Archery tackle, broadheads
Message-ID: <1991Jun15.055756.29685@doug.cae.wisc.edu>
Date: 15 Jun 91 10:57:56 GMT
References: <1991Jun13.085437.18841@doug.cae.wisc.edu> <1991Jun14.080839.24423@doug.cae.wisc.edu>
Organization: University of California, Irvine
Lines: 65
Approved: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu
Originator: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu

In article <1991Jun14.080839.24423@doug.cae.wisc.edu> ut-emx!shawn@emx.utexas.edu (Shawn Boyd) writes:
>
>In article <1991Jun13.085437.18841@doug.cae.wisc.edu> marko@hutch (Mark O'Shea) writes:
>
>One of the more exotic developments are the collapsibles which have
>blades which fold into the body of the ferrule, and spring open on
>impact with your target.  Apparently, these fly more like field/bullet
>points most of us use to practice with, and cause less planing at the
>front of the arrow -- ain't no wings (in the form of cutting blades)
>out there to cause this to happen.  I'm sorry to say I haven't tried
>these yet, so I personally can't vouch for them, but the reviews I've
>read have been downright rave.  I'll let you know if I find out
>anything else.  WATCH OUT -- these are not legal in all states.  I am
>also not sure how the blades are replaced if broken or dulled.
-----------------

I can vouch for these broadheads and would definately stay away from
them.  When they first came out everybody was saying how great they
were and that same year we had many guys loose animals to these
broadheads. Thats something like 5 out of our party of 9 hunters. I
saw several of the shots and know they were on target but got poor
penetration. We recovered one animal after trailing it several hours.
The rest just kept on going. It was a most depressing situation for
all and hope relating it will keep someone else from going through the
same thing. I'm sure it was just luck that we recovered the one we did
as most of the hits resulted in almost no blood trail. Since then,
many other guys we shoot with have related similar experiences and all
are back to shooting fixed blade or replacable blade broadheads.


>I find more debate about broadheads than I know how to listen or
>respond to, so I tend to proffer what I hope will be informed advice
>when asked and make sure I respect everyone else's as well when the
>subject of broadheads comes up.  Chuck Adam's Bowhunter's Digest has
>an excellent chapter on the subject, and I recommend it.  One thing I
>will say without equivocation, and of which I am 100 percent sure;
>your broadheads have just got to be sharp.  No debate, no
>qualifications.  A dull broadhead might be good for parts, or MAYBE
>practice.  I personally won't have one in my kit, and would never
>shoot one at an animal.  I'm sure you know this.  Please forgive me
>for "preaching to the choir."  One item which really helps here is a
>couple of good broadhead cases.  They run six or seven bucks (you can
>spend more if you want to, but it's not necessary) and they do a great
>job of protecting an expensive and deadly piece of tackle.
--------------------

Absolutely. If its not SHARP, it should only be used as a paperweight.
I prefer a fixed blade broadhead so get lots of practice in the
sharpening catagory and probably own one of every sharpening device
ever marketed as a result. One method I found that I like requires a
small pair of vice grips, a flat surface, and a sheet of emery cloth
in a fine grit like about 400.  I like the wet and dry stuff and get
it from auto parts suppliers. I grip the blade with the grips, lay the
paper on the flat surface, and draw the blade across the paper. The
width of the jaws helps me maintain the angle I want and the fine
paper gives a good finish to the edge. I touch the edge up with a
ceramic stick. This works with removable blades very well also.  Chuck
Adams gave a tip on making a broadhead box I liked which involved a
container of your choice with a piece of foam stuffed in it. I get
pieces of foam like the stuff they make quiver inserts out of and cut
it to fit a plastic box from the market. Sharp broadheads slip into
this stuff real easy. If they don't, they aren't sharp enough. Put the
lid on and I'm in business.


--Steve