A broadhead has one job: a clean, fast, ethical kill. Both designs do it well when they are matched to the bow and tuned.
Fixed-blade
Fixed heads have no moving parts, so there is nothing to fail on impact, and they penetrate well on heavy bone. Because the blades are exposed in flight, they need a well-tuned bow to fly with field points.
Mechanical
Mechanical heads keep their blades folded in flight and open on impact, so they fly like field points and cut a larger hole. They give up some penetration, especially from lower-energy setups and on heavy game.
Weight and spin testing
Match the broadhead's grain weight to your practice points, most often 100 or 125 grains. Spin each assembled arrow on a broadhead spinner or a flat surface; any wobble shows up in flight. Practice with the exact broadheads you will hunt with.
Crossbows
Crossbows generate more speed and energy than most vertical bows, and many broadheads are made specifically for them. Use the heads your crossbow manufacturer recommends.
Check your regulations
States set minimum cutting diameters, draw weights and rules on mechanical heads for some species. Check before the season.
