Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads Review

First Impressions of the Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads

As an equipment specialist with over a decade of hands-on experience across diverse environments, I approach new gear with a blend of critical evaluation and practical curiosity. When I stumbled upon the Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads, my initial thought was a mixture of intrigue and skepticism. Cold Steel has a reputation for producing robust, no-nonsense tools, and these broadheads promised a particular kind of utility.

The need for this particular item arose from a specific scenario I encountered while field-dressing game. My usual broadheads, while effective, sometimes struggled with larger bone structures, necessitating a more specialized tool. I’d been searching for a serrated option that could offer a different cutting action, and these seemed to fit the bill without breaking the bank, priced at a mere $9.95 for a pack of three.

My first impression upon opening the simple, clear plastic packaging was one of straightforward functionality. The broadheads are compact, with a noticeable heft that suggests solid construction. The serrated edge, a key feature, looks aggressively designed, ready to bite into tougher materials.

I briefly considered other brands known for their broadheads, but none offered this specific bone-sawing serration at this price point. My primary interest was in how well this design would perform on bone compared to traditional fixed-blade or mechanical broadheads.

There was a definite sense of anticipation as I examined them; would they live up to the promise of their aggressive design, or would they prove to be just another inexpensive accessory?

Real-World Testing: Putting Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads to the Test

First Use Experience

My initial testing took place in a controlled environment, specifically my workshop, before any field application. I used a piece of dense hardwood to simulate bone structure, assessing the cutting and sawing action of the Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads. The serrations immediately engaged, creating a distinct rasping cut that felt efficient.

I then moved to field dressing a deer I harvested. The broadheads performed admirably when encountering rib cages and femurs, making cleaner cuts through bone than some of my more expensive, standard broadheads. This demonstrated their ability to excel in their intended, specialized role.

Ease of use was high; they are essentially a replacement part, designed to be affixed to an arrow shaft. There was no significant learning curve, just the straightforward process of nocking an arrow and executing a shot.

The only minor surprise was the amount of material that the serrations seemed to remove, more akin to a saw blade than a slicing edge. This wasn’t a negative, but a distinct characteristic to note for their intended purpose.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several weeks and multiple field uses, these serrated broadheads continued to impress. They have held up remarkably well, showing minimal signs of wear on the cutting edges despite direct contact with bone. The serrations remained sharp and functional, a testament to the steel used.

Durability has been a strong suit; there have been no cracks, no stiffness issues, and importantly, no performance drop in their cutting ability. They are designed to be a single-use item for optimal performance and ethical hunting, but their robustness suggests they could potentially be re-sharpened for lighter tasks if absolutely necessary, though I wouldn’t recommend it for hunting after any significant use.

Maintenance is effectively non-existent for their intended hunting purpose; once used, they are replaced. For workshop testing, a simple wipe-down was all that was needed to prevent corrosion. Compared to some premium broadheads that can be finicky to maintain or require specialized sharpening stones, these offer unparalleled simplicity.

They definitively outperform budget options that might dull quickly or fail under stress, and while they may not match the precision of some ultra-high-end, specialized broadheads, their specific functionality on bone is where they shine, offering an excellent balance of cost and capability.

Breaking Down the Features of Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads

Specifications

These Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads come as a pack of three. Each broadhead weighs in at 125 grains, a common and effective weight for many archery setups. The defining feature is the serrated edge, specifically engineered for bone cutting.

The manufacturer is Cold Steel, a name synonymous with durable outdoor and tactical gear. The quantity provided in a single purchase is one pack, containing these three units.

The 125-grain weight contributes to good arrow momentum, crucial for penetration. The serrated edge is the star here; unlike a clean slicing edge, it acts more like a saw, allowing for aggressive material removal and better performance when encountering dense bone. This makes them distinctly different from standard broadheads designed purely for tissue cutting.

Performance & Functionality

The primary job of the Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads is to cut through animal tissue and, crucially, bone. They perform this task exceptionally well, exceeding expectations for their price point. The serrations allow for a more aggressive sawing action, which I found particularly effective when breaking down larger bone structures during field dressing.

Their main strength is undeniably their effectiveness on bone. They make cleaner, more decisive cuts through dense material where a standard slicing edge might snag or struggle. A slight weakness, if one can call it that, is that the aggressive serrations might cause slightly more tissue damage than a surgically sharp, non-serrated blade, but this is a trade-off that is entirely acceptable given their intended application.

Overall, they meet and exceed expectations for their specific niche. They provide a level of bone-cutting capability that is often reserved for more expensive, specialized tools, making them a highly functional choice for their intended purpose.

Design & Ergonomics

The design of these broadheads is focused on aggressive function. The materials used appear to be robust steel, designed to withstand the rigors of impact with bone. The finish is practical, not ornamental, and they possess a solid feel in the hand, suggesting they are built to endure.

Ergonomically, they are designed to be attached to an arrow shaft. Once mounted, their “ergonomics” translate to how well they fly and penetrate. Their compact size and weight distribution contribute to stable flight, and the sharp, serrated edges ensure they engage their target effectively.

The serrated edge is the most prominent design element, and it’s executed with clear intent. There are no extraneous features, just a purpose-built design for maximum cutting efficiency on bone. The absence of complex mechanisms means there’s less to go wrong, which is a significant advantage in the field.

Durability & Maintenance

For their intended use as hunting broadheads, the Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads are effectively single-use items. However, their build quality suggests they could survive multiple impacts with bone without catastrophic failure. This is important for hunters who might encounter unexpected angles or resistance.

Maintenance is virtually non-existent for their primary role. After a successful hunt, they are typically discarded due to ethical considerations and the desire for a perfectly sharp edge for the next engagement. If used for non-hunting, practice purposes or workshop testing, a light oiling would suffice to prevent rust on the steel.

The potential failure point, as with any broadhead, is impact with extremely hard, unforeseen objects or repeated use that dulls the cutting edge. However, within the context of game dressing, their durability is more than sufficient.

Accessories and Customization Options

These broadheads come as a pack of three, and no additional accessories are included. They are designed to be a direct replacement for standard field points or other broadheads on an arrow shaft.

There are no inherent customization options for the broadheads themselves, beyond the fact that they are a serrated design. Their compatibility is with standard arrow shafts and nocks. While you can’t change their material or edge type, their true “customization” comes from their specific application – being chosen for tasks where a bone-cutting edge is paramount.

Pros and Cons of Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads

Who Should Buy Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads?

These Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads are ideal for hunters who frequently process game with dense bone structures, such as deer, hogs, or larger animals where breaking down the skeleton is a common part of field dressing. They are also a fantastic option for anyone on a tight budget who still needs a reliable broadhead for difficult cutting tasks. Archery enthusiasts looking to add a specialized tool to their arsenal for specific hunting scenarios would also benefit greatly from this pack.

Conversely, serious ethical hunters who demand absolute pristine tissue damage for maximum preservation of meat might prefer a non-serrated, ultra-sharp slicing broadhead for their initial shot, using these more as a specialized tool for post-shot processing. Those who are not involved in field dressing or hunting larger game with significant bone would likely find these overkill for their needs.

For those who purchase them, consider pairing them with a good arrow rest and sight system, as with any broadhead, to ensure accuracy. They are ready to use straight out of the package, requiring no special accessories beyond standard arrow components.

Conclusion on Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads

The Cold Steel Cheap Shot Bone Serrated Saw Broadheads are a remarkably effective and incredibly well-priced tool for their specific niche. They deliver on their promise of enhanced bone-cutting capability, turning what can sometimes be a struggle into a more manageable task. The Cold Steel build quality ensures they are not flimsy despite their low cost.

For the price of $9.95 for a pack of three, the value proposition is outstanding. They offer functionality that rivals much more expensive, specialized broadheads, making them an accessible option for a wide range of hunters and bowfishing enthusiasts.

I would absolutely recommend these broadheads, but with a clear understanding of their intended purpose. If you’re involved in field dressing game, especially larger animals with significant bone, these are a smart addition to your gear. For those primarily concerned with the absolute cleanest tissue damage on the initial impact, a different style might be preferred, but for tackling bone, these are tough to beat for the price.