I've wondered about this same topic myself. I think you are correct in that the state thinks this type of broadhead does have a barbed characteristic to it. In being far more effective than a three or four blade fixed I would think that in cutting efficiency they would be the same. If you compare a fixed with a retractable in the same cutting Dia. say 1.5 then the cutting Dia. is the same. So if they both have the same cutting Dia. what would make the retractable better in that respect. In your next statement you say you have heard many, many accounts of deer falling where the arrow hit them.How would a retractable drop an animal in it's tracks anymore than a fixed. That is purely shot placement nothing else.In your next statement you say The retractables leave major blood trails. If we are still compareing these two styles of broadheads as the same weight and cutting Dia. which you would have to if you wan't properly compare the two. So in reply to leaving major blood trails. If the cutting Dia. is the same and the animal was shot in the same place what would make the retractables leave a better blood trail or more blood. Cutting surface is cutting surface it has nothing to do with the blade being fixed or retractable it has to do with the amount of cutting surface. In your next statement you say that retractables fly like field points and are inherently more accurate than standard broadheads. This statement I would agree with but only for someone who's bow is not properly tuned and or the draw weight and spine of the arrow and broadhead weight are not all properly matched. Therefore giving that particular arrow more forgivenes in it's flight. The only thing I see better about these retractable broadheads is what I stated above in giving more foregiving flight to the arrow with a bow that is not properly tuned or tuned to the best of that persons abillity to do so. So since I would think that the retractables would be more foregiving with a bow that is not properly tuned or tuned to the best of that persons abillity makeing the arrow more accurate then I would be all for it. I think we owe it to the game we pursue to make the best shot placement we can on that animal. Which this is what it all boils down to SHOT PLACEMENT !!!