For those of you have have shot game with both. I'm trying to decide what to use on an upcoming elk hunt. I can sharpen 3 blades better, but don't want to set myself up for failure. Shot will be 20 yards and under.

Is there penetration equal?
Does one or the other greatly out  penetrate the other?
Thanks, Toby

I have only shot whitetails and hogs, but I find for me the woodsman penetrates as well as most 2 blade broadheads. However if you plan on shooting elk I would recommend the new woodsman elite heads as they are a much stronger head and take an edge extremely well.

What are you shooting for a bow and arrow combo?  IF you have enough bow, the woodsman is a great setup.

Mike

Never mind... edited by JHG

Right now Im shooting 165gr Simmons' Landshark's (2-blade) and 150gr. Woodsman Elites(3-blade)...Ive only shot them into dense foam but they penetrate exactly the same( within 1/2" shot to shot)...The Landsharks' are 1 9/16 cut wide and I think the Woodsman Elites are 1 1/8"  ...Im shooting a 45# Dorado with 29 1/4" GT 35/55 trads weighing 436gr w/ 150gr head and 451gr w/ 165gr head.....

I've shot a lot of deer with Woodsmans, and shot even more with two-blade heads. While the Woodsmans certainly got the job done, if they penetrate as well as a two-blade head, it's no two-blade head that I've ever used.

If penetration is your primary concern, go with a two-blade head.

Have shot bear and deer with 2 blade and deer with Woodsman Elite both got the job done,I think the main thing is putting it where it belongs.I now shoot the Woods man because of the blood trail.

Toby

Go check out the "Ashby Reports" here on Trad Gang. It gives you comparisons of penetration between 2 blade heads and 3 and 4 blade heads. Dr Ashby came to the conclusion that a single bevel 2 blade head  like a Grizley broadhead sharpened to a 25 degree angle and to razor sharpness out penetrates other heads.

Blood trail from a bull elk I shot with an original Woodsman weighted up to 150 gr. He only went 40 yards and fell dead. Woodsman penetrated out other side.

I am a firm believer in 3 to 1 ratio 3 blades like the Woodsman, Woodsman Elite, and VPA's.

BTW, the new Woodsman Elites are 1 1/8" and not 1".

If you decide to go with the 2 blade the KME broadhead sharpener gets them scary razer sharp. I am sharpening challenged and it is so easy for me to sharpen a 2 blade with.

I've hunted with both and providing you have enough bow and arrow mass to get an exit hole, I really like the Woodsman.  I hollow grind them and get them extremely sharp.  They do make a big hole.

Mike

Gotta agree with the Woodsman. I`ve never shot an elk but do shoot fairly low poundage on deer and pigs and the Woodsman works very well.RC

Saying that with the pounds I shoot usually around 48-50 from Hill style or d bows I would probably shoot for me a Zwickey No Mercy.I also only draw a short 27". A few more pounds or a couple inches more draw and it would be the woodsman.RC

I hung up and intact carcass and shot 7 different broadheads into it,several 2 blades, 4blades the woodsman and snuffer. All had adequate penetration but the Wensel Woodsman was the best , I retrieved the arrow from the lawn after every shot, the second best was the old Bear Razor head with the bleeder.All were rib cage shots no shoulders, it was a large buck that had not been dressed....Tim

Your actual complete set-up could be a significant factor in determining the BH of choice.

I have shot a number of elk with the Woodsman and found it to work very well.  Never a problem with penetration and plenty of blood.

Given your lighter set-up you may be better off shooting a two blade head.  The Landsharks are a bit wide; try a Zwicky, Magnus or similar.

YMMV

Bob