Fixed Blade Broadhead Review
Iron Will S-Series Review
The benchmark every other fixed head gets measured against — nearly indestructible, surgically sharp, and priced like the heirloom it is.
How it scored
Scored on our fixed 5-part system — built from the consensus of field reports, video tests and hunter feedback. Each axis is an independent 0–10 score. How we score ↗
What we liked
- A2 tool steel at ~60 HRC is essentially bend-proof on heavy bone
- Shaving-sharp out of the package, every time
- Cryo-treated and triple-tempered edge holds for multiple animals
- Quiet, dart-like flight that stays true at long range
- Single OR double bevel plus an optional bleeder for more blood
- Back-beveled blades cut on the reverse stroke for extra wound channel
Where it falls short
- By far the most expensive head in the test (~$130/3-pack)
- Standard 1" cut is narrower than many competitors
- Bleeder blades add cost and a tuning variable
- Single-bevel rotation requires a well-tuned setup to shine
Flight & accuracy
The S-Series is one of the quietest, most planted-feeling fixed heads we have shot. Off a properly tuned bow it groups with field points well past 50 yards and the single-bevel grind produces a stabilizing rotation rather than the steering that plagues lesser two-blades.
The trade-off is that single bevel rewards a clean tune. Get the arrow flying straight and it is genuinely target-like; ignore tuning and the rotational forces will exaggerate any paper tear.
Penetration
This is the head's calling card. The A2 tool steel tip and narrow profile drive through hide, muscle and bone with minimal energy loss, and the beveled edge encourages the shaft to corkscrew through rather than stall. Hunters routinely report full pass-throughs on elk-class animals.
Because the geometry is so penetration-biased, the S is the head we would pick for marginal-angle shots or low-energy setups where you need every inch of bite.
Durability & edge retention
Nothing else in the group is in the same conversation. At roughly 60 HRC the blades take direct hits on shoulder blades and femurs and come out straight, and the cryo/triple-temper process means the edge survives multiple animals. We have seen credible reports of four deer killed on a single head with nothing more than a touch-up resharpen.
That durability is exactly what justifies the price over a lifetime of hunting — you are not replacing these every season.
Blood trail
With the base two-blade configuration the 1" cut throws a respectable but not dramatic trail; this is a head built to punch holes and exit, not to maximize surface bleeding. Add the bleeder blade and the blood improves markedly, putting it on par with wider heads.
For double-lung pass-throughs the exit hole low in the chest does most of the work, and that is where the S-Series consistently delivers.
Value & who it's for
At ~$130 for three this is a deliberate splurge, and the perennial archerytalk debate is whether any broadhead is worth that. Our take: for the hunter chasing big, tough animals or one who simply wants the last word in durability and reuses heads for years, the math works.
If you lose arrows often or hunt only soft-skinned whitetail at close range, a cheaper head will kill just as cleanly. The S-Series earns its keep on elk, bear and the shots that go wrong.
Specifications
| Brand | Iron Will |
|---|---|
| Type | Fixed Blade |
| Cutting diameter | 1" |
| Blades | 2 fixed, single or double bevel (bleeder optional) |
| Grain options | 100gr, 125gr, 150gr |
| Blade / steel | A2 tool steel, ~60 HRC |
| Ferrule | One-piece tool steel |
| Pack | 3-pack |
| Approx. price | ~$130 / 3-pack |
| Best for | Elk, Big game, Whitetail |
Specs and pricing are approximate and change frequently — confirm with the retailer before buying.
How it compares
FAQ
Is the Iron Will S-Series worth the price for whitetail?
It will absolutely kill whitetail cleanly, but you are paying for big-game durability you may not need. For deer-only hunters who recover most arrows, it is a luxury rather than a necessity.
Should I get the Iron Will S-Series in single or double bevel?
Single bevel offers the best bone-splitting and pass-through performance but demands a clean tune. Double bevel is more forgiving to tune and still extremely durable; pick double if you are unsure.
How many animals can you kill on one Iron Will S-Series?
Plenty of hunters report multiple deer on a single head with just a resharpen between uses. The A2 tool steel holds an edge far longer than typical stainless heads.
Do you need the bleeder blade on the Iron Will S-Series?
Not for penetration, but it noticeably improves blood trails. If your shots are well-placed pass-throughs you may not, but it is cheap insurance for tracking.
Sources
Sentiment for this review was aggregated from independent tests, hunting forums and retailer reviews, including:
