IronWill 200gr Single vs Double Bevel - Elk bone test

‪@strixoutdoors‬ ‪@GrizzlyStik‬
In this penetration test, I put the IronWill Single bevel and Double bevel broadheads with bleeder vanes up against the front leg bone of an elk to see if my moderately heavy arrow build can penetrate the bone and still get the job done. Bowtech Reign 6, GrizzlyStick Momentum TDT 320

[@strixoutdoors]

I was pretty impressed with the IronWill broaheads and very pleasantly surprised by the double bevel.

[@terrynicewonger5434]

This is a very Good and honest review of impact points and Fresh Bone no Replication bone or Gel… thanks for your time and investment to make this video.

[@vfonte218]

First time viewing your videos. Great job on this and very objective and honest review. I love the detailed close ups before pulling the arrows. I was surprised at the results. These are expensive heads and the damage to me was significant considering the cost of these. They did the job but neither one looked salvageable. I will look forward to more of your broadhead testing.

[@joeparker7508]

Double bevel wide 125 with bleeder.most blood on a kill.Ive gotten. They were bought after seeing this test.I decided to use a heavy brass insert.and lighter head.THANKS

[@levonadams8123]

I run a 450gr set up with my K.I. Swat X1. Use the 100gr double bevel. Pretty much blows thru anything.

[@torrielandsman4625]

The question I have is why are these broadheads so expensive when they are a one time use consumable that doesn’t survive if it hits bone? I for one will not be wasting my money on a one shot deal. You can get broadheads that will survive a bone strike and still be sharp, it just takes better steal and you may not like the price of them but one of them and a little bit of skill with a sharpener you can hunt elk for years with the same broadhead. pretty well thought out video and I must say pretty well placed shots!

[@strixoutdoors]

Thank you. I agree with you. The “disposable” heads that I’ve used dont have the weight or durability I was looking for. I think the IronWill have superior metal than the GrizzlyStik heads that I’ve used. Most of the time you can just resharpen the IWs and keep hunting with them. The other thing I love about the IW is that if you do damage it beyond where you can resharpen IW will send you a new blade. The blades on the IW are replaceable.

[@cwe0001]

Great video. I've been trying to decide between these two heads and the D6 Evo X. One possible reason the single bevel penetrated less through the target is the rotation the single bevel causes. This would probably lead to more of the target being cut so more drag on the head?

[@strixoutdoors]

Thank you! I don't think the target made an appreciable difference. I think it was largely the thickness of the bone where the single bevel impacted vs the double. They are solid heads (either of the ironwills). According to Ashby, the single bevel should be better going through bone but the double bevel did a great job for my target animal (elk). I did shoot my 2021 elk with a single bevel, heavy quarter away and got a pass through so I'm very pleased either way.

[@Gibsonlife573]

The reason why I believe the single devil stopped earlier in the target is because of the rotation it wraps the foam around itself

[@strixoutdoors]

I didn't see any evidence of twisting or binding of the foam target on the single bevel but I can understand that the single probably has more rotation. I think it's largely due to the spot on the bone where the heads impacted and the resulting hole. In this case, the double made a bigger crack/hole in the bone and kept more momentum going through the target. I also think the double has a mechanical advantage cutting. I've seen multiple instances where it seemed like the double bevels kept a better edge and so 3,4 or maybe fifth shots of the same head into my heavy duty target usually resulted in better penetration of the double bevel vs the single bevel. My heavy target is not meant for broadheads, it has a metallic fiber type material (think of very fine steel wool-like heavy tarp inside of a large foam block). Both heads will cut all the way through on the first shots but on later shots with the same head, the single bevel head would stop going all the way through the target before the double would. Eventually, both would dull enough that neither would make it all the way through.

[@jimrice4699]

I've shot LOTS of single bevel into foam targets. The Single Bevel makes the arrow twist as it penetrates but no, it does not get wrapped up in a layered target. I find that my heavy single bevels significantly out-penetrate my somewhat lighter double bevel hunting arrows in foam targets. I don't think the twisting effect has a material impact on the penetration distance, but even if so, the heavy weights out penetrate my double bevel BH's that weigh 75 grains less (625 vs 550).

[@johnhelbergreligionandarch3878]

And left bone that you use double bevvel is much thinner. Use Ashby broad heads and you will see different story.

[@Gibsonlife573]

It is definitely hard to tell but one would say it's because you hit with the single level at a wider part of the bone were with the double bevel you hit the narrower part of the bone both of them in my eyes done a great job but last year I had a double level ironwheel wide hit a shoulder in the front of a shoulder on a deer the front so I was trying to slide The arrow Inn at 8 quartering too so I just put it right on the front of the shoulder when you're driving straight out through everything it rolled forward exploded the bone and shoulder and went never went inside the animal the animal but considering how sharp I kept them when it exploded the shoulder we're it cut every artery all the way across the animal chest went about 12 yd lay down and bled out

[@johnhelbergreligionandarch3878]

My opinion the bleeders stop rotation of broad head

[@gregpetersen5288]

How far are you comfortable shooting elk with your setup at 245 fps? Im thinking of doing same thing, going to a heavier setup. Target only i guess sky is the limit no overhead limbs in the way, live elk was thinking 40 yards max. Thanks for the video it was great!

[@strixoutdoors]

I'm comfortable out to about 50yrds but that's my personal limitation. I like having gone to a heavier setup but I don't want to drop much more speed. The heavy arrows are less affected by the wind at distance and they lose less speed also, but you have to be spot on with your yardage at longer distances which is tough if an animal is moving around a bit. At least elk have a large kill zone.

[@freddiecontreras6089]

Nice video. So have you decided which broad head you are using going forward?

[@strixoutdoors]

I think I'll have the double bevel on my #1 arrow and then a mix of double and single in the rest of my quiver. I did kill the elk last year with the single bevel. Heavy quartering away shot and the arrow came out the opposite shoulder. No heavy bones hit but I was extremely pleased with the penetration.

[@freddiecontreras6089]

Thank you for your reply

[@ryangreen9501]

The double bevel had a higher mechanical advantage with its thinner steeper edge angle. Think about cutting something with a kitchen knife as opposed to a chisel

[@strixoutdoors]

Agree with your point, however in theory the single bevel should have split the bone more than the double and had better penetration. At least that's what the Dr. Ashby concluded in his reports and penetration testing. Although even on heavy bone impact, the edge bevel design would only rank #5 in his 12 factors for penetration.

[@donnydonnydarko7858]

No one cuts elk bone with a kitchen knife, and with equal sharpness, I'm pretty sure a chisel would do a better job. Guillotine vs sword? Either way, both smoked that bone, and looks to me like it might even snap if it tried to run or jump?

[@strixoutdoors]

@@donnydonnydarko7858 , Agree with you 100%. I'm very pleased with the performance of the double bevel. Only issue I have is that the tip broke but I'm planning to use the double bevel on my next hunt. I would reconsider that decision if I was going after something even heavier than an elk with a heavier arrow. Then, you may need the single bevel "chisel"

[@donnydonnydarko7858]

@@strixoutdoors for the amount of meat you get from an elk, from a worst-case broadhead, the price isn't terrible? My wish? That you'll compare fixed 3 and 4-blade to the same bones? I'd love to see the difference. Thought - I saw RF use a Benjamin Airbow to test broadheads recently. (Not sure why, not an avid follower.) However, it made me realize it's always nagged at me, that between archers and bows, there are infinite variables, so what's the data really worth? Seems to me, an air bow rifle plus sand bags, should be the gold standard for broadhead testing? With your number of views, thinking one of the companies would probably give you one? Next time save both sets of bones? Sheesh. :)

[@strixoutdoors]

@@donnydonnydarko7858, sounds like I need to get out and shoot another elk so I can do some more testing :)

[@michaelvstheworld3680]

I am not sold on the A2 tool steel. Lot of edge chatter on these Ironwill heads.

[@strixoutdoors]

Both of these had rough edges and the double bevel tip broke. It is pretty tough steel though, I think tougher than the GrizSticks. BUT, IW will send you a new blade if it gets damaged too badly which goes a long way. They do keep an edge really well. I'm going to keep using them.

[@TylerHunt556]

The only thing “better” would be a cutthroat. A solid piece of machined s7 steel. Better impact resistance but going to be more difficult to keep sharp. Kinda a toss up. You have trade offs on either

[@bobbycampbell175]

So if you had to make a choice to have to use ether one what would you go with

[@strixoutdoors]

I have both now. :) I'm going with the double bevel for my next hunt.

[@bobbycampbell175]

@@strixoutdoors yea I’ve got the s100 but also have a 95 grain inserts

[@johnhelbergreligionandarch3878]

Still Ashby broad heads better stronger and bleeders problem it stop rotation. With single bevel that Ashby broad heads WIL fly right through it tested by Dr Ed Ashby that's why he did not build it with bleeder blades.

[@yordumamanichare9661]

Aún sigues cazando cerdos?

[@strixoutdoors]

Si, pero tengo que buscar un terreno nuevo para seguir. Perdí el que tenía hace poco

[@Gibsonlife573]

Where the double level just straight threw

[@strixoutdoors]

Yes, it's hard to be exactly with this testing. Moral of the story: They are both tough heads and will both go through some serious bone. Can't go wrong with either. IW's are expensive but they stand behind their products, customer service is good.