For the guys who used to use the old Bear Razorheads or still use them. Do you prefer them with or without the bleeder blades? I will either be using a 45# or 52# recurve this season. I am just contemplating on using the bleeder blades.

with ........ there is no logical reason to not use the bleeders

I also use them with the bleeder blades.

I used them for a lot of years,mostly on bows in the 50# plus range though my first hunting bow was 45#.I used them with bleeders for many years but later,shot them as 2 blades and definitely noticed more penetration and pass throughs.With bleeders,obviously,you will have a more open wound and there is more cutting.Without bleeders,on average,you should have more penetration,so take those factors into account,as you decide.

Fred used to chisel the tips for strength and I have had tips curl when I didn't.I wasn't wild about the chisel tip as I could no longer spin them on the tip to check alignment.If I were going to use them today,I would put a small tanto on that tip.

They are a great broadhead,easy to sharpen,good steel and you do have the option of running them as 2 or 4 blades.

I never thought the inserts felt that sharp so later on I shot them as two blades. I still have three or four dozen but I mostly shoot STOS, ACE or Grizzly.

I have hunted with them a number of times, but never shot anything but targets with them. I used them as a two blade broadhead without the bleeders. I rather like how easily they sharpen & didn't seem to dull worse than others when shot into my block target. I'd use them again I think they are a good broadhead.

Without, often I don't find my arrow until the next day, so I feel better gutting my Deer and knowing there is no sharp bleeders broke and in there to cut me.

I've used Bears since 1975,they were the first BH I ever shot and I love them to this day.

I only used the bleeders a couple of times early on and didn't like them so have just shot two blade ever since.

I've mostly shot light to medium weight bows and believe two blade heads gain me better penetration over any multi blade no matter how good they are said to be in the advertising.

These broadheads were shot by Fred Bear.

Say no more.

Jack.

With bleeders ALWAYS...since 1958! Big holes... Short copious blood trails ! No reason to NOT use the auxiliary blades!

Without

they are design to break when they hit bone!

I prefer them with! As said, they are designed to break or bend when they hit bone. Also they get plenty sharp with just a little gentle stone work.

On deer with the bleeders for the blood trail, for groundhogs without.

I've used them both ways with great results!!

Without

With

Without. Something less to mess with.

There is no right or wrong way, just different ways. For years I used them without and had great results. For the past half dozen or so I've used them with and had great results...including better blood trails in my opinion. Saw no difference in penetration between the two. Fred always said you got better penetration through a deer's vitals as the x cut allowed for better passage of the arrow. I can't argue with Fred.

I leave the bleeders in... especially on turkeys. Bad hit the other day but turkey did not go far.

I use them without as well. If you don't put the point in the vitals its a bad hit on a bird no matter what the extra bleeder might do? I cant see helping other than doing more meat damages with a bleeder that if it were a maginal hit with the 2 blade the intended kill might far better. Id rather have a cleaner knife cut then a jagged torn up meat that don't result in death is my thinking.

If I am using a 4 blade it won't be a Bear it would be a magnus or something else. I can get them sharp but they bust off anyways usally and slows the head down I feel.

I always use the Bleeders. Here's the way it was explained to me back in the early 70's by Vern Bowman of Gladwin MI, when he advised me to get rid of the heads I was using and switch to Bear Razors: The Bleeders main mission is to crosscut the Buckskin to allow for a better blood trail.

Always with and I take the time with the KME to get the main blade and the bleeder really really sharp!!!! I notice it in how far they go and how much red is on the ground that it makes it worthwhile to me to use the bleeders.

Without. If you get the head razor sharp, the need for a bleeder is gone. Also, no need to worry where the bleeder blade may be ... especially when gutting the animal!

Without.

Thanks for the responses guys. Seems like a mixed crowd. I did read a while back about a guy gluing the bleeders to the razorheads so they wouldn't come off so easy.

Yeah Roger...it's probably a "fowlisi" and an "old wives tail."

Yep, you gotta consider those "maginal" hits to, or is it "two", or "too".......Oh well, Hapie Eester.

Still use them and see no reason for using the bleeder blade,they fly great without them.

Depends on what I'm hunting, and, the weight of the bow at my length. Either way, one of the best heads ever, and if you do your job (hitting the boiler room ) it will do its job, bleeder or no.

Either. Great BH. Maybe TJK68 will post a pic Of the results of a 2 blade. I hunt without bleeders. No problems here.

I've always used them with.

I have used them on deer off and on since 1973, with and without the bleeder blades. I do think the bleeders normally put more blood on the ground. Several years ago I hit a big doe tight behind the shoulder. No blood at all. I luckily stumbled upon her in a reed mash. When I cleaned her I found out that the bleeder blade had hit something hard enough to break off one side and twist the other side 90 degrees, going sideways. No exit wound...no blood. A rare occurrence but it almost cost me a nice deer. Stopped using them and went to Zwickey Eskimo 4-blades.

With ,, they come w/em for a reason, & designed to break off ,, love em .....

On occasion if the main blade slides past an artery... the bleeder will slice it open ... extra insurance!

I'ved used them both ways, and used both the green and the SS. All did the job with right arrow placement.

you can sharpen the bleeders quite easily by holding them with a pair of pliers and stroking a ceramic rod !!!!

I have never shot a deer without the bleeders in. My first deer 47 years ago was a front angle shot, complete penetration shot with a 45# Grizzly. The image that has always stayed in my head was the 4 bladed hole through the middle of the heart when I dressed it.

I left a bleeder in the shoulder of a buck a long time ago. The arrow worked itself out and the deer lived on. Because of my screw up that buck may have had a long lasting problem. It has bothered me ever since.

I no longer use broadheads with flimsy removable blades or parts.

Mine always got pulled off the head before exiting . . . so I just started going without. Seems to kill as effectively without as with.

SB has got it right ! I always use the bleeder, penetration is not an issue on North American game with bleeder in or out, it just helps cut more, especially on marginal hits .Of all the heads that have been invented it is still one of the best. We've shot a lot of game with them and have only lost a couple of bleeders, I shot one large buck through both shoulder blades and the bleeder was still in the slot ......Tim

I've used the bleeders for the past half dozen years and find much better blood trails than without. I wish I would have started using them sooner as I had some very sparse trails to follow over the years.

Anyway, we all make a lousy shot once in awhile...can't blame the broadheads for that. So far I haven't lost an insert.

With

What George said

They killed good with or without.

Fred Bear stated that he designed the Bleeder blades on the original razorheads to be thin and brittle. They are meant to shear off upon striking bone so they will not hinder penetration. Their only purpose is to open the hide a little better to reduce drag on the arrow shaft as it passes through the animal.

This was recounted by Dr Ed Ashby, who was present when Fred Bear said this, and he quoted his comments in one of his many writings.

Ka-boom!

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