How to Test Broadhead Sharpness [A Guide]

While it is important to have my bow and my shooting form in top shape for better bowhunting success, so is making sure the broadheads I send down range are sharp and in their best condition.

Do you know how to test broadhead sharpness? We'll talk about that today, so your arrows are ready to hit their target for your next hunt.

Why Broadhead Sharpness Matters

Broadheads kill by cutting arteries and veins, resulting in massive hemorrhage. This dramatic amount of blood loss causes blood pressure to drop, cutting oxygen off from the brain, and the animal loses consciousness.

To put it simply, sharper broadheads kill faster than dull ones. Sharp broadheads have a higher likelihood of achieving a full pass-through of the animal, leaving more blood loss on the ground for you to track versus pooling inside the body cavity.

A duller arrow will kill a deer if it is a good hit and passes through major arteries and vital organs, but generally, greater blood loss over a shorter time will occur if the tip of your arrow is as sharp as a surgeon's scalpel.

So, a razor-sharp broadhead helps ensure an ethical and humane harvest by quickly bringing death to the animal. Not only is it the ethical thing to do, but this can be the difference between having a quick and short blood trial or potentially losing your game altogether.

Understanding Broadhead Types

There are two main categories of broadheads: mechanical vs. fixed broadheads. 

Fixed blade broadheads have two or more immovable blades and are favored by traditional archers and big game hunters alike for their durability, simplicity,  and ease of use. These broadheads are compatible with traditional, compound, and crossbows. Often, fixed blade broadheads can be reusable, so sharpening can extend the life of the broadhead for multiple seasons.

Mechanical broadheads have deployable blades tucked closely to the ferrule of the broadhead and open on impact. Blades can be held in place using a number of different methods, such as gasket-type O-rings, ball and socket joints, or plastic collars. Mechanical broadheads are popular options for medium-sized game, like deer or antelope, because their slim profile allows them to fly more like practice field tips.

These broadheads may dull quickly, though, due to their less sturdy and more intricate design. Sharpness needs to be tested not only on the cutting blades themselves but also on deployment mechanisms and chisel tip, if included.

How to Test Broadhead Sharpness

So, how can you tell if a broadhead is sharp enough for your next hunt? Here's how to test broadhead sharpness.

Conduct a Visual Inspection

The first step in testing how sharp a broadhead is is to look over the broadhead to check for nicks, chips, or irregularities on the cutting faces or ferrule.

Also, check for debris or residue you may have missed during the initial cleaning that may have hindered performance. Replace and securely attach any replaceable blades that may be damaged with a broadhead wrench.

Take the Tests

After the visual inspection, it's time for some tests.

The Paper Test

Use a piece of thin paper, like a sheet of printer paper or a page from a magazine, to test whether the blade of the broadhead slices cleanly through without snagging or tearing. Compare the performance of each blade on the same broadhead.

The Rubber Band Test

Place a rubber band under slight tension and test if the broadhead cuts it effortlessly. This test mimics how the blade reacts against the soft tissue resistance of an animal.

The Hair Shaving Test

I do need to emphasize the importance of safety if using this method, as we are working with objects as sharp as scalpels, after all.

Carefully check if the broadhead is sharp enough to shave the hair on your arm cleanly by dragging the blade across your skin with very little pressure. 

Try Sharpness Testers

Sharpness testers, or BESS testers, measure the force it takes to cut through a calibrated wire. They are considered a much safer way of testing the sharpness of blades.

These can be very precise, displaying the force needed to cut the thin wire in grams; the lower the number, the sharper the edge.

Broadhead Tips for Crossbows

Not just any broadhead can be used on the end of a crossbow bolt. There are broadheads specifically designed for use with crossbows due to their higher speeds and kinetic energy.

Fixed blade broadheads are a great choice for their simplicity and durability in high-speed crossbows. Still, mechanical broadheads continue to grow in popularity for use in crossbows due to their field tip-like accuracy and large devastating wound channels.

When choosing broadhead arrow tips for crossbow use, test a few to find the ones that work best for your setup.

Maintenance Tips for Broadhead Sharpness

Always clean broadheads thoroughly after each use to prevent potential corrosion and dulling. Dried blood, fat, or other tissue can also keep mechanical broadheads from deploying properly if left uncleaned.

Blow out any trapped dirt or hair and rinse any dried blood out of the blades before it dries and hardens after each use if you plan to reuse them.

Sharpen reusable fixed blade broadheads using proper sharpening tools like a flat stone, knife sharpener, or a broadhead-specific sharpener to remove any burs and refine the blade's edge. Inspect and replace blades on mechanical broadheads as needed to ensure a razor’s edge for top performance. Always store broadheads in a protective case or quiver to prevent dulling, damage, or accidents.

Hunt With Sharp Broadheads and HuntWise for Success This Season

With turkey season ending and deer season just around the corner, make sure your broadheads are in tip-top shape! Then, make sure you’ve also downloaded HuntWise to plan a successful hunt.

Use HuntCast and topographical maps to find the best spots to post up based on your ideal range, then let those sharpened arrows fly! If you don't have HuntWise yet, now is the time to add it to your hunting gear prep.

Download and try it for free for your first week.