Yes they are cutting as they are opening. Rage and Snypers, Snypers being the first are the only head that open in this style. On impact the blades are at their widest and are cutting, thus the only explanation for the devistating entrance holes. The ONLY reason I tried Snypers to begin with after what has to be 15 years of using Muzzy's was 5Shots testing on the head. He rated the head every bit as high as Muzzy and previously I would have argued against mechanicals.

In the past I was in some elaborate debates against mechanicals so I think I speak with a certain amount of experience on fixed blade heads. In 15 years of taking game with Muzzy, sure blood trails are blood trails with the placement but that's not the point we're making. The what if shots that DO happen is where the huge holes come into play, for me. I've had whitetails fall within seconds of the shot with Muzzy as well as Snypers. The bull elk I shot with Muzzy went down in less than 10 seconds and had a blood trail that looked like an 18 wheeler blew a hydralic hose. Incredible....

In all those years using Muzzy, I have never seen the holes in animals like I have seen in the last 7 deer I've taken with Snypers. That personal experience for me speaks volumes.

There is nothing wrong with fixed blade heads, they have been doing the job for an incredible amount of years and will continue to do the job for an incredible amount of years to come.

That being said, if the Rage or Snyper went away, I'm strictly back to a fixed blade head exclusively and without getting into it, I'm not a fan of the jackknife heads that open through the impact.