Another 2 vs. 3 blade penetration?

[toby]

I can't decide between the two. I get 3 blades shaving sharp, but am not so good at sharpening 2 blade bh's. Penetration is my main concern.

Do WW's and long VPA's penetrate as well as basic 2 blade heads with about 1 1/8" cutting diameter?

[Roger Norris]

I don't think it's debatable that 2 blade heads penetrate better/easier than 3 blade heads. That said.....it depends on what you are hunting. Whitetails? 3 blade heads are awesome. I have great success with the Kustom King Trailmaker. Hunting something bigger? Go 2 blades. Just my opinion.

[Charlie Lamb]

Woodsman style heads penetrate very well. Having your broadheads razor sharp is like adding weight to your bow.
You'd be fine with either of those 3 blade heads.

[ChuckC]

toby, I have yet to have a sharp WW type (in my case, 175 gr VPA)not go thru both sides of a deer.  I have not shot them at anything larger yet.  Since most of us hunt deer, I think a basic answer is. .  get em sharp, shoot em, stop worrying.

ChuckC

[toby]

Chuck, good adcvice.

Toby

[Chain2]

I used the 250 gr 3-blade VPA on an elk a couple years ago. Quartering/Broadside, Excellent penetration, a blood trail Stevie Wonder could have followed, although the bull didn't go 20 yds. I configure my arrows around this broadhead.

[jrchambers]

I think a lot has to do with your bow performance.  I shoot 63 at 31, ive used 2 blade stos and eclipse.  on two occasions I had failure to penetrate, but I cant fault the head, I hit the wrong spot.  I now use woodsman elite and have had more than enough penetration on everything from 200lb hogs to 650lb brown bear.  
im not saying that the two blades would do any worse but if your setup can put a 3 blade through and through why not use one.

[toby]

Chain2'

What is your dw and dl?

[durp]

if ur just hunting deer the only question i would ask myself is how far in the dirt do i want by bh to be after the shot...on elk i still us only ww and have never had a problem...even put one thru the off side shoulder blade on a 17 yard shot...the ww stoped with the point pushing against the hide....and i shoot mid 50 lb bows at 28", wood arrows and 125gn heads

[Kris]

"Do WW's and long VPA's penetrate as well as basic 2 blade heads with about 1 1/8" cutting diameter?"

Probably.  Own both and shoot both, it doesn't have to be one or the other.  They are all very exceptional heads!  Compared to expanding and replaceable blade punch heads...there is NO comparison!

I shoot mostly two blade anymore but the three blade heads you mention (and similar) have taken everything, accept for maybe the largest African game.

Kris

[Birdbow]

Toby,
 I'm of the school that there's no such thing as 'overkill' when it comes to shooting animals. While you can't kill dirt, I like the advantage of reliably having a chance to get into the vitals if it all doesn't go perfectly - the animal moves, I'm off on my shot, etc. and get into the shoulder blade, major bones, whatever. So I opt for 2 blades. Just my opinion. Good hunting! Todd

[screamin]

I actually picked up a couple of cow shoulder blades and did some testing. Yes, 2 blades out penetrate 3 blades by a 2 to 1 margin at least. However, you must be using heads made of quality steal or the edge rolls over, especially single bevels.

Long 4 blades, small bleeders, out penetrated 3 blades. But, the bleeders are generally so dull once through the bone that I doubt they will cut butter.

Heads with a rockwell hardness over 54 tend to break. Heads that are to soft have points roll over, that includes tanto tips.

Skinny shafts or shafts with a smaller diameter than the broadhead ferrule, also increased penetration by double. The same size shafts as the broadhead ferrule hang up in the bone stopping penetration.

[Skates]

I'm the opposite of bird bow, since its a proven fact that most animals move forward, and of shots that are off target, way more are too far back than forwards. So, I use a head for the most likely worst case scenario, not the least likely.

No assurance you will blow though bone on any given shot with any head.

[Chain2]

I was #55 @ 32 now I'm #55 @ 31"