A blade system for a projectile includes a body having a front portion and a rear portion and an axis extending axially from the front portion to the rear portion. At least one blade is pivotably secured to the body. The blade includes an outer cutting edge and an inner cutting edge. The blade also includes a lever proximate a rear portion of the blade. An application of a force to the lever, for example as the lever contacts the skin, hide, or bone of an animal, pivots the blade from a closed position toward an open position. The lever has an unsharpened leading edge to prevent cutting of the target animal tissue to help ensure pivoting of the blade.