Mechanical or Fixed blade

tcwildcat7mm · 03-27-2008, 01:57 PM

OK fellas- i just wanted to start some heated debates. Which is your favorite to use. I use Aftershock Hypershock with the 2 3/4" opening for my mechanical and Turkey broadhead. i actually killed a doe 3 years ago that when the blades opened from right behind the right shoulder to the point where it exited the far left frontal chest area, there was about a 7 to 8 inch cut straight accross the front of the chest/neck area. not to be morbid or sick or anything, but there was blood 12 feet in the trees.

she ran off about 20 yards and that was that. I won't use anything else again for deer hunting.
I personally have not had a head not open on me, but I have seen it happen to my buddy Bryan, TWICE! I do not practice with the blades in my HyperShocks and make sure that they are absolutely clean. If you see any of my posts, i try to talk about checking all your equipment b4 going into the field. This to me is the fun and excitement of hunting, staying up all night before you go "playing" with all your hunting/fishing gear.
But, i am sure this will get some strong opinions for and against! tell me what your thoughts are!

Lng Rng · 03-27-2008, 04:50 PM

Fixed blades for me. Mechanicals scare me a little, as i have seen them fail twice. They are mechanical, and anything mechanical can break. I shoot Razoerbak 100gr broadheads as of now.

I did toy with the idea of the new Rage expandables, as they seem to be the best mechanical out there. Maybe I will get some for turkey hunting to test them out.

Pumpkinheaver · 03-27-2008, 10:08 PM

I use 2 blade Rage Mechanicals or fixed 100 gr Muzzy's. I will never use "Jackknife" type expandables again as I had one fail on a nice buck.

GlockMeister · 03-27-2008, 10:21 PM

Depends on what the use will be. For me, in a hand to hand combat or self defense situation, FIXED BLADE. For in the woods, in the pocket, on the belt clip, folding. If I were to go out in a situation, to be honest, I'd probably have 1 of each on me...

Sooner Shooter · 03-28-2008, 08:11 PM

At this point I've always used fixed. Tuning can be a real problem with fixed and the problem of planing. Because of the speed of the new bows, I believe that when arrow speed reaches around 260 fps and above the old style fixed have even more flight issues(experts say) even with a well tuned bow, so the new compact fixed must be used. Tons of technology out there and a fixed will fly right given the proper tuning of the bow and arrow weight selection. It just may take more time with the fixed.

One downside on the mechanical is that sometimes they open up too wide and sometimes don't penetrate like the fixed. I think they're starting to scale back on the amount of cutting area now. Back to tuning. If you have any arrow going in canted penetration won't be as good.

Upside of course for the mechanicals is they usually shoot just like practice points. Blade isn't always in contact with something that will dull it. Even in a bow quiver a fixed point is making contact with something. Might not seem like much but it does have a little dulling effect.

The older I get it the lower the poundage I pull and when I was about 40 I was shooting 70#. I'm only pulling 57# now but I'm still getting arrow speed approaching 260 fps and my Muzzy 100's fly great. Still may try those mechanicals when these Muzzys are gone. SS

pruneemac · 04-13-2008, 11:50 PM

you are probably ok if you are shooting deer or smaller. However, look at Big Game guides web sites and most of them will tell you fixed balde only. Sure the ads say they are able to do everything but I doubt it.

I have narrowed I to Steel force Phat heads, Magnus Stingers and Muzzy MX-4.

Its the same reason I shoot a single pin sight, I dont know of a bowhunter who hasnt picked the wrong pin.

rdale501 · 04-14-2008, 12:51 AM

Mech. blades are illeagle in Oregon. I never had the hankering to try them anyway.

03-27-2008, 01:57 PM	#1
tcwildcat7mm Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hillsborough, NC Posts: 101	Mechanical or Fixed blade OK fellas- i just wanted to start some heated debates. Which is your favorite to use. I use Aftershock Hypershock with the 2 3/4" opening for my mechanical and Turkey broadhead. i actually killed a doe 3 years ago that when the blades opened from right behind the right shoulder to the point where it exited the far left frontal chest area, there was about a 7 to 8 inch cut straight accross the front of the chest/neck area. not to be morbid or sick or anything, but there was blood 12 feet in the trees. she ran off about 20 yards and that was that. I won't use anything else again for deer hunting. I personally have not had a head not open on me, but I have seen it happen to my buddy Bryan, TWICE! I do not practice with the blades in my HyperShocks and make sure that they are absolutely clean. If you see any of my posts, i try to talk about checking all your equipment b4 going into the field. This to me is the fun and excitement of hunting, staying up all night before you go "playing" with all your hunting/fishing gear. But, i am sure this will get some strong opinions for and against! tell me what your thoughts are! __________________ "to disarm the people (is) the best and most effective way to enslave them" George Mason

03-27-2008, 10:08 PM	#3
Pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,340	I use 2 blade Rage Mechanicals or fixed 100 gr Muzzy's. I will never use "Jackknife" type expandables again as I had one fail on a nice buck. __________________ Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

03-27-2008, 10:21 PM	#4
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,504	Depends on what the use will be. For me, in a hand to hand combat or self defense situation, FIXED BLADE. For in the woods, in the pocket, on the belt clip, folding. If I were to go out in a situation, to be honest, I'd probably have 1 of each on me... __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!

03-28-2008, 08:11 PM	#5
Sooner Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 614	At this point I've always used fixed. Tuning can be a real problem with fixed and the problem of planing. Because of the speed of the new bows, I believe that when arrow speed reaches around 260 fps and above the old style fixed have even more flight issues(experts say) even with a well tuned bow, so the new compact fixed must be used. Tons of technology out there and a fixed will fly right given the proper tuning of the bow and arrow weight selection. It just may take more time with the fixed. One downside on the mechanical is that sometimes they open up too wide and sometimes don't penetrate like the fixed. I think they're starting to scale back on the amount of cutting area now. Back to tuning. If you have any arrow going in canted penetration won't be as good. Upside of course for the mechanicals is they usually shoot just like practice points. Blade isn't always in contact with something that will dull it. Even in a bow quiver a fixed point is making contact with something. Might not seem like much but it does have a little dulling effect. The older I get it the lower the poundage I pull and when I was about 40 I was shooting 70#. I'm only pulling 57# now but I'm still getting arrow speed approaching 260 fps and my Muzzy 100's fly great. Still may try those mechanicals when these Muzzys are gone. SS __________________ Save the drama for your mama!

04-13-2008, 11:50 PM	#6
pruneemac Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: CA Posts: 56	fixed or mech you are probably ok if you are shooting deer or smaller. However, look at Big Game guides web sites and most of them will tell you fixed balde only. Sure the ads say they are able to do everything but I doubt it. I have narrowed I to Steel force Phat heads, Magnus Stingers and Muzzy MX-4. Its the same reason I shoot a single pin sight, I dont know of a bowhunter who hasnt picked the wrong pin.

03-27-2008, 04:50 PM	#2
Lng Rng Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 944	Fixed blades for me. Mechanicals scare me a little, as i have seen them fail twice. They are mechanical, and anything mechanical can break. I shoot Razoerbak 100gr broadheads as of now. I did toy with the idea of the new Rage expandables, as they seem to be the best mechanical out there. Maybe I will get some for turkey hunting to test them out.

04-14-2008, 12:51 AM	#7
rdale501 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 398	Mech. blades are illeagle in Oregon. I never had the hankering to try them anyway.