Fixed Blade Broadhead Review
QAD Exodus Review
A short, stout, big-hole replaceable-blade head that flies like a Slick Trick and costs a fraction of the premium crowd.
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
- Outstanding value at ~$40 per three
- Thick blades and a short ferrule make it very strong
- 1 1/4" cut opens a bigger hole than most 3-blades
- Flies with field points and Slick Tricks once tuned
- Resharpens scary-sharp with the Stay Sharp guide
Where it falls short
- Some shooters report wind drift past 50 yards
- Swept blade may count as barbed/illegal in certain states
- Stainless edge holds well but trails premium tool steel
- Short ferrule design can be finicky to align on some inserts
Flight & accuracy
The compact, short-ferrule design keeps the Exodus stable, and most hunters get it shooting with field points without much fuss. It is one of the more forgiving fixed heads in this price class.
The caveat is wind: a handful of shooters note the head can drift at longer ranges in a crosswind, so confirm your dope past 50 before trusting it on a windy day.
Penetration
With its short ferrule placing the blades close to the shaft and a stout three-blade geometry, the Exodus penetrates well above its price. The thick blades resist deflection on angled bone hits.
It is a legitimate big-game head, not just a deer head — hunters take elk with it confidently when shot placement is good.
Durability & edge retention
The blades are notably thick for a replaceable-blade design, which is the main reason the Exodus survives hard hits that fold thinner heads. Bent blades are cheap and quick to swap.
Edge retention from the stainless is solid rather than spectacular; the standout feature is that it resharpens to a genuinely shaving edge with QAD's Stay Sharp guide.
Blood trail
The 1 1/4" three-blade cut throws a strong, consistent trail that beats most 1" compact heads. Three exit slits bleed reliably even on quartering shots.
It is not a wide-cut mechanical-style trail, but for a penetration-first fixed head the blood is more than adequate for quick recoveries.
Value & who it's for
This is the head we hand to anyone who wants premium-class performance without premium pricing. At roughly $40 it does almost everything the expensive heads do, and replacement blades keep running costs low.
Buy the full-blade version to stay legal everywhere; the swept blade adds a touch of cut but reads as barbed in some states, so check your regulations before choosing it.
Specifications
| Brand | QAD |
|---|---|
| Type | Fixed Blade |
| Cutting diameter | 1 1/4" |
| Blades | 3 fixed, replaceable (full or swept) |
| Grain options | 85gr, 100gr, 125gr |
| Blade / steel | Stainless |
| Ferrule | Short one-piece steel |
| Pack | 3-pack |
| Approx. price | ~$40 / 3-pack |
| Best for | Whitetail, Big game, Elk |
Specs and pricing are approximate and change frequently — confirm with the retailer before buying.
How it compares
FAQ
Is the QAD Exodus swept blade legal in my state?
It depends — the swept blade's rear hook reads as barbed under some state regulations, which prohibit barbed broadheads. The full blade is legal everywhere, so choose it if you are unsure.
Is the QAD Exodus good for elk?
Yes. Its short ferrule, thick blades and 1 1/4" cut penetrate well and hold up to bone, making it a confident elk choice with good shot placement.
Does the QAD Exodus fly like a field point?
For most shooters, yes, once tuned, though some report wind drift past 50 yards. Confirm your long-range groups before opening day.
Can you resharpen the QAD Exodus?
Absolutely — with QAD's Stay Sharp guide the stainless blades take a shaving edge again, extending the life of each blade.
Sources
Sentiment for this review was aggregated from independent tests, hunting forums and retailer reviews, including:
