Fixed-Blade Broadhead Review and Comparisons

Introduction

Before you dive into the reviews below I highly suggest that you look at the “ground rules” for the test which will explain the details and philosophy regarding the reviews.  Also keep in mind that this set of reviews is only looking at 100 grain fixed-blade/replaceable-blade broadheads.  I know there are a LOT of other broadheads on the market in this category, as well as in other categories, but I think it is helpful to keep the number of designs being reviewed to a moderate number.  If you are interested in other broadheads in this category, or other types of broadheads, please stay tuned for future reviews.

The Reviews

Click on the name of each broadhead to view the full review…

  • The Solid Broadhead
    • The Good: extremely accurate, amazing quality and materials
    • The Bad: price
  • American Broadhead Sonic Pro
    • The Good: accurate, very sharp
    • The Bad: strength, ease of use
  • Crimson Talon XT
    • The Good: very accurate, built well
    • The Bad: penetration, ease of sharpening
  • Muzzy MX-4/MX-3
    • The Good: great value, strong
    • The Bad: long distance accuracy, out of the box sharpness
  • QAD Exodus
    • The Good: Bulletproof construction and design
    • The Bad: long distance forgiveness
  • Sanford Innovations BloodShot
    • The Good: devastating design, solid construction
    • The Bad: tools required for disassembly
  • Trophy Taker Shuttle T-Lock
    • The Good: amazing accuracy, penetration
    • The Bad: out of the box sharpness, ease of sharpening
  • Trophy Taker Terminal T-Lock
    • The Good: solid construction, simple design
    • The Bad: fair penetration
  • Tru-Fire T1
    • The Good: ease of use, accuracy
    • The Bad: ferrule edge sharpness, “extra” parts
  • Wac’Em Triton
    • The Good: unreal sharpness, great accuracy
    • The Bad: fragile blade edges, frustrating assembly and blade retention
The Author

Mark Huelsing is a regular guy with an irregular passion for bowhunting and the outdoors. Learn more about Sole Adventure or get in touch with Mark...

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  • Nick

    Thanks, very helpful, looking for new broadheads to try this season.

    • Brent

      great review

  • Chris Higgins

    Enjoyed your review – keep them coming!

  • http://at mike

    Thanks a lot, cool review. I’ll be shooting muzzy.

  • David Hoffman

    Very helpful. I can see you put a lot of time into this. Your review will be a big discussion with my hunting partners.

  • Dave

    Great review. Would love to see something with the G5 Montec or the NAP Hellraiser. Thanks for all the work and I have your site bookmarked.

  • will

    reviews very well put together, the S.I. bloodshot looks real nice.

  • http://g2gextreme.com Troy

    I second that motion on G5 Montec. I have shot the montec’s for several year and love the flight, stabilty and strength of them.
    Great read though. Thanks for your hard work and dedacation.

    • http://soleadventure.com/ Mark

      Yes guys, the Montecs are a great head, and in fact they are what I shot last year. I put this review together because I wanted to explore replaceable-blade broadheads. In the future I will try to review and compare the Montec, NAP, VAP, etc.

  • wendell steele

    Awesome reviews. Great job on the layout of the website. Looking forward to more reviews.

  • http://www.thewilltohunt.com Will Jenkins

    Truly a job well done! As always amazing work Mark this very well might have changed me choice of broadheads for the fall!

  • Jon

    Great Review.I have shot muzzy for years excellent broadheads just looking at trying something different. I was looking at the Tru-fire T1, but was wondering on the Hellrazor broadheads as well.

  • Lauren B

    Great review! I just got into bowhunting recently and this proved to be helpful.

  • Perry Martin

    thanks for the review…always love reading about products

  • http://socalbowhunter.blogspot.com The SoCal Bowhunter

    Great reviews, Mark. Even though I am shooting Muzzy’s right now, I have heard the very same thing from 3 different people shooting the same heads. They trail up and right at anything over 30 yards. Thanks for putting in the effort on this one!

  • Aris

    Hello Sir,
    Thanks for all of the great information and detail. I do not have time or the $ to do all the tests that I would like. I have purchased a few different BH’s myself that I intend to test and will be adding the Trophy Taker Shuttle T-Lock to the list

  • Lars

    I’ve wanted to try the Shuttle-T’s, just might have to do it after reading the review – NICE WORK!

  • http://BowHunterUniversity.blogspot.com Brad

    Nice review Mark. It was highly informative and an entertaining read. I believe you tackled the “issues” with providing the test criteria very well. I am impressed with your professional approach and layout to the tests performed. BTW, I’ll gladly help you with shooting next time, that is if you need another shooter. Anyway, great article my friend. Thanks for your hard work.

  • Bob

    Very helpful as I’m always looking to find the perfect broadhead!! Muzzy for me right now!!

  • Joe Esqueda

    Thank you for the very complete reviews, as some one new to archery, I like to read what some one with plenty of experience has to say about the products out there.

  • SCOTT

    Very insightful. Will save me some time and money on testing different broadheads.

  • dave

    thanks for the great reviews for those of us that dont have the money to buy a bunch of different heads. good job thanks

  • Levi

    Nice to see a non-bias review. I test about three or four new broadheads each year and was thinking about the Shuttle-T’s or the Terminal-T’s this year. The true test is always how they perform in real life hunting situations. Thanks for the review.

  • http://AT Kyle

    Very informative. Hope to see more great reviews from you. Good luck this season.

  • paul

    Very good write up so many choices,still hard to single one out.

  • Jason Ruark

    Awesome write-up and good selection of broadheads. This was very informative especially since I am in the market to switch from my Grim Reapers! Thanks!

  • Andrew

    Those trophy takers look really nice, would love to try some out.

  • Slaps

    Just getting into Archery, so this review is extremely helpful.

  • Ryan

    Thanks for all the reviews. They were very informative and may need to try a few of these.

  • Matt

    Thanks for a good review.

  • Robert Lovell

    Thanks for the Review! I love my Muzzy’s (MX-4)
    and I’d love to win some!

  • Dustin West

    Great review it will definitely help others as well as myself make a decision. And thanks for the chance at a pack of heads.

  • http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1547626 Dave Stewart

    Great informative review.

  • john

    good reading for a newb like myself

  • john preisner

    well thought out very informative

  • Sean

    Great review, need some help choosing some broadheads. Getting back into bow hunting again with my son. Thanks.

  • marty

    Thanks for the great reviews. I can’t wait to hear about the QAD heads.

  • http://at Chris

    Good review, look forward to the mechanical version!

  • Steve

    Great review. Alot of good info in there!!! Would love to win some for my upcoming moose hunt this year :)

  • dan wunschel

    Very useful info,,I like the input

  • Ryan

    Good review. I was really surprised how many you tested.

  • Justin

    Nice Review

  • Brian

    Very nice review!

  • Scott W

    Very good info!!! Thanks!!!!

  • Jan

    Very good review!!!!

  • Larry

    Some useful stuff here. Thanks!!!!

  • Brian W

    Thank you for taking the time for this review. It narrows my pick down without me spending a ton of money. Thanks again!

  • Camron Stover

    Broadhead reviews are always informative and this one was no different. I would love to see the broadhead that I use compared to the ones tested, but I realize that every head on the market cannot be tested a once.

    Keep up the good work!

  • Marc

    Very cool!

    Surprised you found the muzzy sharpness lacking.. I have scars on three fingers from them, lol.

  • Teron Bay

    great review, i would be happy to take some of those extras off your hands…:-)

  • http://www.archerytalk.com Jeremy Filer

    Great review and very helpful. Would be really interested in a 1 piece test also.

  • ilkka

    thank for the awesome and helpfull review because dont have the money to try and find the best broadhead my self i like the Wac’Em Tritons
    thanks

  • Chuck

    Good review. I use Muzzy Phantom MX in 100gr, I may give the new Muzzys a try.

  • Kyle

    Great website, and very useful. I will be trying out some magnus stingers this year.

  • PLars

    Nice reviews I have been wondering some things on the muzzy’s and most all my questions have been answered

  • http://chaplaintotheoutdoorsmen.com Kerry Mackey

    nicely done my friend. simple, concise, informative. I’d love to get my hands on a 3 pack of those Muzzy MX4. I hear good things about those heads.

    Pastor Kerry
    Chaplain to the Outdoorsmen

  • JJ

    Great information, well written and very informative. It always nice to see a non-bias review Would like to see how some of these compare to the 100 grain Thunderhead (probably the best selling fixed blade)

  • John Keenan

    Nice reviews. I’d be curious as to your opinion on the G5 Montec CS 100 grain.

    John

  • CHRIS

    Awsome review. I have always shot, and always will shoot fixed blades. I just don’t trust the mechanicals. If you have some Bloodsports you need to get rid of
    I am interested. Wish they made them in 85 grain so my wife could try them, they look like a great head.

  • http://www.forhuntersbyhunters.com/ Ed Valentine

    Good job and nice reviews.

  • rodger

    Thanks mate, I’d been curious about some of these. This rEALLY helps the decision process

  • http://Archerytalk Aldo Aguilar

    Great job, really like to hear about pro and cons of the broadheads.

  • Tyler

    Great reviews. Count me in, thanks.

  • http://archerytalk james

    great reveiws,i like the muzzy broadhead been around for years very dependable.would like to try some cut on contact broadheads

  • http://ArcheryTalk Jeff Ehrhart

    Very cool info, much appreciated.

  • Bobby Nations

    Great reviews. The American Sonic Pro’s really look interesting. I didn’t even know such existed.

  • Dustin

    These are great reviews. I’ve have always been curious about other broadheads. I’ve always shot muzzy and haven’t ever had an issue. Great Job!

  • Mike C

    Nice info as I am in the market for new broadheads after very poor penetration results from my NAP blood runners. They ran no blood after just 2 inches of penetration in a doe’s shoulder. Thinking MX3 but this helped to read up on fixed blade performance. Of these which one would you take over the rest? Thanks!

  • http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1547626 David

    Thanks for the info and givaway

  • robert tuescher

    nice site and very indefth reviews thanks for the infoi an bookmarking look forward to more reviews in the future

  • Jen

    Thanks for getting into Muzzy’s and Trophy’s, much appreciated! (hope you enjoy all those arrows :) )

  • Mike

    My priorities are affordability, utility, and how long they’ll last( not in that order). your article really helps, thanks much

  • Dillon

    I’d be glad to test those arrows and confirm your fndings :)

  • jeff

    thnks a bunch. you should do this again, down the road

  • Arthur

    Great reviews. Always looking for new broadheads to try.

  • steve

    thanksfor the great reviews

  • Drew

    Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to future reviews.

  • Josh

    An awesome review i appriciate the info it will come in handy cause Im looking to go with some new equipment this year.

  • Toby

    Excellent job putting these heads to the tests. A couple new comers and long term powerhouse heads to compare with. I think the Sanford Innovations Bloodshot reminds me a lot of the Razor Trick by Slick Trick and both on the Sanford heads as well the MX-4 they are showing blade lock designs like the Alcatraz of Slick Trick. Excellent job keeping the tests simple and concise while still challenging the heads. Look forward to future reviews perhaps a Ramcat will be in the mix.

  • http://thepathlesswoods.com Will

    Wish you had reviewed Slick Tricks, but great info, nonetheless!

  • Josh

    I would like to see the Slick Trick and the NAP Thunderhead in this review as well. Thanks for your time!

  • Bruce

    havent tried any of these but would love to.. ive only shot thunderheads and i believe im ready to switch to a fixed blade

  • http://archerytalk jamie baldwin

    Nice review glad to see you chose some companies not always seen as main stream and some new heads,instead of the same old companies /products over and over like other reviews.

  • Curtis

    Great info. Thanks!

  • edward clack

    i like the crimson talon

  • itallushrt@gmail.com

    Nice work on the reviews.

  • http://archerytalk.com D_Shane

    Nice review. Fixed blades are the way to go

  • J Gilmer

    Loved your reviews!

  • Cale

    Nice Review!

  • firemanbrown

    very interesting review of some of the know and not so well known.

  • Del Anders

    Thanks for the reviews.

  • http://ArcheryTalk BrandonK

    One of the best in depth broadhead reviews I have read. Gave me a good perspective on several broadheads, and I realy like how you found a positive and negitive side to all of them. Would love to see more from you, keep ‘em comming!

  • Aaron

    Nice review, thanks for posting!

  • http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1547626 mike mcdermott

    Nice review!!

  • http://thepathlesswoods.com Will

    Just out of curiosity, how do you convince broadhead companies to send you free heads for trial reviews?

    • http://soleadventure.com/ Mark

      Will, it surely wasn’t my good looks. That is for sure. ;)

      I had a couple of connections, but for the most part it was just asking very nicely. I can’t say I convinced anyone; I just told them who I was, what I wanted to do, and hoped for the best. If you want some more advice on approaching companies, I highly suggest that you check out this post.

  • Eric Finger

    Great Review, but you should’ve tried slick tricks as well

  • John

    Thanks for the review. It was very helpful. I am very curious about several of the broadheads you used. I am going to have to try to get the shuttles for this year as they are the ones I am most curious about. Once again thanks and keep up the good work.

  • http://archerytalk Tim McGaffic(Asinglearrow)

    WOW Nice work! Thanks for all your time and trouble! Really saves us time trouble and expense!

  • http://archerytalk Jay

    Nice review of some fixed blade broadheads

  • John Winker

    Nice review, well done

  • http://archerytalk Jason Coleman

    well put together very informative

  • Zach Wilson

    Loved the info, definitely gave me some things to think about for my broad head of choice this season, can’t wait for my first bow season!

  • Don caruso

    What ever you willing to give for me to try,iam willing to take.

  • Eugene Foster

    Thanks for the very good review!

  • Jason Simmons

    Nice reviews. I’m looking at shooting something different as I’ve been shooting Muzzy’s for years. They have always just simply worked and that’s what I like. However there’s been alot of new technology out for some time and maybe it’s time to try some of it! Thanks again, Jason

  • George Billings

    Thanks for the reviews. Always used a fixed blade (Zwickey, Rothar). Looking at some other ideas, especially when going after deer and antelope.

  • http://www.archerytalk.com IsHeBreathing?

    Wish the Exodus heads had come in. I would lover to hear something about them.

  • John

    The reviews were great! very insightful! thanks!

  • franky

    thanks for the info is was really helpful. I hope to see more of your work soon!

  • Coleman Farrington

    Great review!

  • lance

    awesome reviews keep up the good work

  • Cory

    Enjoyed the reviews…That Sanford head looks an awful lot like a razor trick which both myself and my son will be shooting this year.

  • jeremy

    great site love the info keep up the good work

  • http://archertalk Randy Hall

    Very good reviews, can’t wait to see what the Exodus does!

  • http://www.facebook.com/matthew.mullinix.5 Matthew Mullinix

    These reviews have given me some great information…the broad heads I am using now just wil not cut it any more!

    • SoleAdventure

      Thanks for reading, Matthew! Let me know what you end up going with.