expanding vs. fixed broadheads

[predatorG]

  I've always just used fixed broadheadd because something just feels weird about expanding ones, but am considering switching. Does anyone have some experience in this and any recomendations?

[Duckslayer89]

Killed elk and deer with fixed blades (shuttle t's and thunderheads) but man I bought some Trophy Taker ULMER EDGE expandables and they fly incredible. Exactly like field points, and just as forgiving. No drifting around at 70-80 yards. I'm excited about them. They are strong too with a really nice practise mode set screw that keeps blades from deploying. I bought 18 of them

[predatorG]

I bought some Trophy Taker ULMER EDGE expandables and they fly incredible. Exactly like field points, and just as forgiving. No drifting around at 70-80 yards. I'm excited about them. They are strong too with a really nice practise mode set screw that keeps blades from deploying. I bought 18 of them

Thanks alot for the tip! Sounds like I'm gonna have to swing by Sportsmans Warehouse and pick some up!

[h2ofowlr]

I sent Cameron Hanes a PM on this and his reply was:  I've used a rage on one animal. A bear at 5 yards. Personally, I'll never use anything but a fixed blade head like the Trocar.

He seems to shoot a little bit of archery.     I am sure he talks to many out in the field as well or it may not be recommended for someone shooting over 90lb compounds.  Not sure.

[RadSav]

Good luck finding Ulmer heads.  Patent issues forced Trophy Taker to discontinue production.  Not sure of they were going to fight to keep it or not.  I don't see how EP Hunting could win the suit if Dan decided to really defend it, but right or wrong, it may not be worth it.  Good lawyers just cost too much and the court is never a guarantee.

USPTO is a joke these days!  You pay money for a patent and they give you one.  May not be worth the paper it is printed on, but they give you one anyway.  Broadhead industry is filled patents for designs that are prior art copies.  Ulmer Edge looks to possibly be a victim of a failed USPTO in my opinion.

You could send Trophy Taker an email info@trophytaker.com if you wanted more current info on the Ulmer Edge than I may have.  Last update I received was back in January.

[predatorG]

Good luck finding Ulmer heads.  Patent issues forced Trophy Taker to discontinue production.

Thanks for this. I still wasn't certain if I was gonna switch or not so this helped alot 

[Duckslayer89]

They still have tons for sale online, and at Great Northwest Archery at Skookum he sells them. Very easy to find but you are correct about not making them anymore. That's why I bought 18.

[dscubame]

http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2014/11/broadhead-test-fixed-blades-vs-mechanicals

[hughjorgan]

They still have tons for sale online, and at Great Northwest Archery at Skookum he sells them. Very easy to find but you are correct about not making them anymore. That's why I bought 18.

Doug at great northwest only has a couple packs and said he won't be getting anymore ulmer edges because they have been discontinued.

They have been on camofire.com a lot lately though....

[predatorG]

http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2014/11/broadhead-test-fixed-blades-vs-mechanicals

Thanks man  I think another thing I'm gonna look at is how wide the mechanical is after it expands vs. How wide the fixed is.

[gutsnthegrass]

Are the Ulmer Edge the best mechanical out there right now?  I haven't really looked into the mechanical broadheads yet.

[Jonathan_S]

Good luck finding Ulmer heads.  Patent issues forced Trophy Taker to discontinue production.  Not sure of they were going to fight to keep it or not.  I don't see how EP Hunting could win the suit if Dan decided to really defend it, but right or wrong, it may not be worth it.  Good lawyers just cost too much and the court is never a guarantee.

USPTO is a joke these days!  You pay money for a patent and they give you one.  May not be worth the paper it is printed on, but they give you one anyway.  Broadhead industry is filled patents for designs that are prior art copies.  Ulmer Edge looks to possibly be a victim of a failed USPTO in my opinion.

You could send Trophy Taker an email info@trophytaker.com if you wanted more current info on the Ulmer Edge than I may have.  Last update I received was back in January.

I have seen somebody lose in court and lose in appeals despite having a patent.  Unbelievable.

[RadSav]

I have seen somebody lose in court and lose in appeals despite having a patent.  Unbelievable.

Bear Archery bought a patent for a broadhead a few years ago thinking it was something new and promising.  The patent as they received it was issued by the USPTO three years prior.  They did not know that the verbiage and images were taken from a patent that was almost 35 years old.  Someone just copied the old one and reapplied for a new patent hiding any reference to the prior art.  Paid their money and USPTO gave them a new number of a 30-40 year old product.

It's one thing to design a product not knowing there is old prior art out there.  But to apply for a patent knowing you have stolen not only prior art but also prior images and verbiage should be an easy rejection for the USPTO.  Well, it used to be back when they had people search patent viability before approval.

[Jonathan_S]

Kind of like buying a car you didn't know was stolen...

Just unfortunate that a patent is so unreliable these days. 

Oh and to the OP, if something just feels weird about expanding heads then why use them?

[TheHunt]

I have read good things about Swhacker and Rage.  There are you tube video's on them.  I personally do not fix what is not broken.  I have a 6  year old bow, still use the clamp style release, still use 70 lb draw, still use the older carbon arrows with Shuttle T-locks. 

I might buy a set of three just to mess with it. 
I did the same for the lighted knocks.  I would not hunt with it...