Hi, Excellent Review! Like your written reviews, very concise, to the point, uncomplicated and uncompromising. Some like to stretch out their reviews, some reviews leave a lot of question marks but your review is spot on. I liked how you went into the process of hardening the blades, explaining the quality, durability, rust resistance and why this broadhead may be worth it's higher cost.
Great review! I appreciate the time and effort that you put into this video. I thought it was well thought out and the perfect amount of time spent. When I see reviews that are too long or too short, I don't even waste my time.
Thanks Benjamin! Will aim at the same amount of time for the other reviews I have coming down the pipe. Really appreciate your thoughts, that's why I make these, to help other people out
Great review and it definitely worked for your elk! I’m prepping for my first elk hunt next year and have narrowed my BH selection down to the DS Evo, the Annihilator XL, and the VPA (all 125gr). My question is on strength and penetration if you come into contact with bone. Understanding there are tons of variables here but what is your opinion on the Evo design vs the other two when it comes to hitting and punching through bone?
Appreciate the comment! I've heard good things about all those heads and haven't done extensive strength/penetration testing so this is just an opinion: If you hit a big bone (femur, shoulder blade, etc) it won't really matter how strong your head is since it's not going through anyway. In my experience the D6 (shot another elk this year with it!) is strong enough to punch through light bones like ribs etc. The 2+2 design definitely will penetrate better than 3 blade designs and a 2 blade 1 1/16 design is plenty to kill an elk if you put it in the right place. I'm a bit wary of the marketing on the annihilator since that "expansion" design would certainly hurt penetration (small diameter arrows already punch a "hole for the arrow" since the insert is bigger than the shaft). Anyway, hope that helps and you'll be just fine with any of those options... broadhead tech has really come a long way.
@@baxterbowman5590 definitely appreciate your time and comments. I have to agree with your position on the Annihilator as I’ve worked to narrow this down further. I’m absolutely going with a two blade with bleeder style broadhead. Thanks again and that’s awesome that you tagged another elk!
While shooting these, have you ever had them randomly flair? I just have heard that sometimes with the single blades they will randomly flair if your bow it’s 100% tuned right.
Good question: I’ve seen fixed broadheads (even some mechanical) of all constructions veer off course with poorly tuned bows, and I don’t really think any design can avoid that. That said surface area of the blades = drag, and the more drag the worse they fly. Between the single blade and small diameter, these things have very little drag, so they’re about as forgiving/accurate as I’ve ever tested. However, you still have to tune your bow. I’ve got a step by step process up on the website if that helps!
Got here from the Sitka / Kuiu jacket comparison. I’m a little sad as I have the kelvin active hoody on the way right now. I’ll subscribe to see what’s coming. I’ll say this, I didnt stop shooting for these BS shutdown. My Governor can kiss my behind.
Thanks! Iron will is an awesome head. I tried a magnus, great head but a bit longer and more surface area, so not quite the accuracy or penetration of these. Much cheaper though
Hmmm I haven't seen that, but that's likely a sign of a bow tune issue (broadhead rotation happens to match the direction your arrow head is "off" coming out the bow) with this or any other head with solid tolerances. I have a "how to" article on tuning in the elk course at baxterbowman.com if that helps!
Mine did have some chipping after I shot my elk, but only where it hit the rock coming out the other side hahaha. I think reports you’re going to get about chipping are going to come from knife users which doesn’t really apply to archery IMO. You never hit anything truly hard and it’s easy to replace blades with a broadhead. I can say these are far more chip resistant than low quality steels on standard broadheads, but it’s not something I pay much attention to
@@michiganwoodsman2199 Probably! Also, I killed another bull with it last fall, giant 5x5. They clearly work. Only reason I wouldn't would be to test new stuff, that's why I do this website/channel
@@baxterbowman5590 Last thing here from me. I'm sure you know this but I can only find 3 videos from you on your channel in the last year. If you want that 1,000 subscribers which isn't alot nowadays you need to post that other bull you shot and do at least 2 videos per month. Just something to think about. Lusk archery dude is doing killer broadhead reviews. Check him out also. Good luck
Well fortunately I shot another elk with it this year and same result: zipped through without even stopping and buried in a tree on the other side. I don't think I've ever seen another head penetrate as well. Blood trails seem to be more related to shot placement IMO but I can definitively say a 1 1/16 inch head like this (or slick trick viper trick, which I killed two elk with) does all that is needed so I don't want to upsize and lose penetration/accuracy
I haven't unfortunately! I've had such great results with 1 1/16 inch heads (including another elk down last year with the D6) that I'd much rather stick with penetration/accuracy than get an extra 1/8 inch of cutting surface. Not saying they aren't a great choice though
Hi,
Excellent Review! Like your written reviews, very concise, to the point, uncomplicated and uncompromising. Some like to stretch out their reviews, some reviews leave a lot of question marks but your review is
spot on. I liked how you went into the process of hardening the blades, explaining the quality, durability, rust resistance and why this broadhead may be worth it's higher cost.
Thanks Terry! Glad to hear you liked it and they really are great heads. I'm all for paying the extra money if they're worth it and I think these are
Great review! I appreciate the time and effort that you put into this video. I thought it was well thought out and the perfect amount of time spent. When I see reviews that are too long or too short, I don't even waste my time.
Thanks Benjamin! Will aim at the same amount of time for the other reviews I have coming down the pipe. Really appreciate your thoughts, that's why I make these, to help other people out
Great review. It was the deciding factor and just ordered some for my elk trip this year.
Nice, you’ll love them!
Thanks for the honest review.
Am getting some of these for sure.
You won't regret it! Shot a very big 5x5 this year (photos on instagram) and they zipped right through + he went 40 yards. Can't ask for more
Great review and it definitely worked for your elk! I’m prepping for my first elk hunt next year and have narrowed my BH selection down to the DS Evo, the Annihilator XL, and the VPA (all 125gr). My question is on strength and penetration if you come into contact with bone. Understanding there are tons of variables here but what is your opinion on the Evo design vs the other two when it comes to hitting and punching through bone?
Appreciate the comment! I've heard good things about all those heads and haven't done extensive strength/penetration testing so this is just an opinion: If you hit a big bone (femur, shoulder blade, etc) it won't really matter how strong your head is since it's not going through anyway. In my experience the D6 (shot another elk this year with it!) is strong enough to punch through light bones like ribs etc. The 2+2 design definitely will penetrate better than 3 blade designs and a 2 blade 1 1/16 design is plenty to kill an elk if you put it in the right place. I'm a bit wary of the marketing on the annihilator since that "expansion" design would certainly hurt penetration (small diameter arrows already punch a "hole for the arrow" since the insert is bigger than the shaft). Anyway, hope that helps and you'll be just fine with any of those options... broadhead tech has really come a long way.
@@baxterbowman5590 definitely appreciate your time and comments. I have to agree with your position on the Annihilator as I’ve worked to narrow this down further. I’m absolutely going with a two blade with bleeder style broadhead. Thanks again and that’s awesome that you tagged another elk!
While shooting these, have you ever had them randomly flair? I just have heard that sometimes with the single blades they will randomly flair if your bow it’s 100% tuned right.
Good question: I’ve seen fixed broadheads (even some mechanical) of all constructions veer off course with poorly tuned bows, and I don’t really think any design can avoid that. That said surface area of the blades = drag, and the more drag the worse they fly. Between the single blade and small diameter, these things have very little drag, so they’re about as forgiving/accurate as I’ve ever tested. However, you still have to tune your bow. I’ve got a step by step process up on the website if that helps!
Got here from the Sitka / Kuiu jacket comparison. I’m a little sad as I have the kelvin active hoody on the way right now. I’ll subscribe to see what’s coming.
I’ll say this, I didnt stop shooting for these BS shutdown. My Governor can kiss my behind.
Appreciate the comment! Still a great piece if it matches your style of hunting
Thanks
Would you use these for deer too?
Looking at these right now!
They're solid heads, you won't regret it
I'm kinda tossed up between these or iron will there both damn near the same
550 that’s heavy, am looking to add some weight to my arrows. What’s you arrow speed with that 550?
About 260ish, plenty to shoot out to 100+yds (for target) if you have a higher peep height. 29 1/8” draw, 345IBO, 67lbs
Thanks
I have the iron wills have you considered magnus yet? Btw liked and subbed
Thanks! Iron will is an awesome head. I tried a magnus, great head but a bit longer and more surface area, so not quite the accuracy or penetration of these. Much cheaper though
While shooting these, have you ever had them randomly flair?
Hmmm I haven't seen that, but that's likely a sign of a bow tune issue (broadhead rotation happens to match the direction your arrow head is "off" coming out the bow) with this or any other head with solid tolerances. I have a "how to" article on tuning in the elk course at baxterbowman.com if that helps!
How do the blades resist chipping? I see that s30v steel likes to chip?
Mine did have some chipping after I shot my elk, but only where it hit the rock coming out the other side hahaha. I think reports you’re going to get about chipping are going to come from knife users which doesn’t really apply to archery IMO. You never hit anything truly hard and it’s easy to replace blades with a broadhead. I can say these are far more chip resistant than low quality steels on standard broadheads, but it’s not something I pay much attention to
Excellent video
Thank you very much! Will work on doing more in the future
@@baxterbowman5590 are you going to use those again this fall???
@@michiganwoodsman2199 Probably! Also, I killed another bull with it last fall, giant 5x5. They clearly work. Only reason I wouldn't would be to test new stuff, that's why I do this website/channel
@@baxterbowman5590 Last thing here from me. I'm sure you know this but I can only find 3 videos from you on your channel in the last year. If you want that 1,000 subscribers which isn't alot nowadays you need to post that other bull you shot and do at least 2 videos per month. Just something to think about. Lusk archery dude is doing killer broadhead reviews. Check him out also. Good luck
how was the penetration and blood trail on the elk you shot?
He didn't reference the blood trail but said that the arrow passed through the elk and hit a rock and was still in great shape.
Well fortunately I shot another elk with it this year and same result: zipped through without even stopping and buried in a tree on the other side. I don't think I've ever seen another head penetrate as well. Blood trails seem to be more related to shot placement IMO but I can definitively say a 1 1/16 inch head like this (or slick trick viper trick, which I killed two elk with) does all that is needed so I don't want to upsize and lose penetration/accuracy
Have you tested the evo x? Was curious how they fly
I haven't unfortunately! I've had such great results with 1 1/16 inch heads (including another elk down last year with the D6) that I'd much rather stick with penetration/accuracy than get an extra 1/8 inch of cutting surface. Not saying they aren't a great choice though
@@baxterbowman5590 Thank you sir!! And congrats on your bull!