What Is Mechanical Broadhead?

Mechanical Broadhead: definition

Also called: expandable broadhead, mechanical head, expanding broadhead, hybrid mechanical broadhead

A mechanical broadhead keeps its blades folded against the ferrule during flight and opens them on contact. Because the folded head is compact, it can fly closer to a field point than a fixed head, which is the main appeal. A retention method holds the blades closed, such as an O-ring or band, a collar or an internal spring clip.

The TenPoint Nemesis is a hybrid design with staged deployment: two front blades make a 2-inch cut and two rear blades add 1.75 inches, for a 3.75-inch total cut, with an O-Ring/Band lock. The Ravin R102 is a rear-deploying design with an internal spring clip and a 2-inch cutting diameter, rated up to 450 FPS.

Moving parts mean more to inspect. The lock, the pivots and the blades all matter, and the speed rating tells you what the maker has designed the head for. Like any broadhead, a mechanical head threads into the insert and should be verified against your practice setup.

Mechanical broadhead features compared

Why Mechanical Broadhead matters

The lock and the rating are the two features that decide whether a mechanical head suits your crossbow. A head rated below your speed is the wrong head, and a worn band or clip is a reason to replace the part before the next outing.

The other important consideration is retrieval. Heads with blades open in the target need more care to remove than a fixed head, so follow the maker instructions and handle them cautiously.

How to read it on a spec sheet

• Read the speed rating and compare it with your crossbow rated speed.
• Check the cutting diameter and whether it is a total across stages.
• Look at the lock system (band, collar or clip) and whether replacement parts are sold.
• Check weight, thread and the body material.
• Read the maker instructions for storage and cleaning.

Common mistakes

• Using a head not rated for your crossbow speed.
• Using worn or stretched retention bands.
• Forgetting that blades open in a target and need careful removal.
• Treating the cutting diameter as the only spec that matters.
• Skipping a field-point comparison.

Inspect a mechanical head

1. Look at the blades, pivots and ferrule for damage.
2. Check the lock (band, clip or collar) for wear and replace parts as instructed.
3. Close the blades by the maker procedure and confirm they stay closed.
4. Thread onto a test bolt and spin it for wobble.
5. Compare a head group with a field-point group at your distance.
6. Store the head with blades protected.

In my testing

In my Nemesis and R102 reviews I shot each head against field points at matched distances, checked that the lock held the blades closed through flight, and inspected the head after repeated impacts. How I test.

See it in our reviews

• TenPoint Nemesis Broadhead — rated 4.6/5
• Ravin R102 Broadhead — rated 4.4/5