SLICK TRICK TORCH: Broadhead Test
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ย. 2022
- This is a test of the 100 gr Slick Trick Torch Mechanical broadhead.
Here is summary of my 2022 Testing Procedure & Scoring w/ the scores of the Torch posted in parentheses as well.
Total Torch Score: 87.40 = 9 Golden Arrows
1. Flight Forgiveness (20%, 20 pts)
This is not just a test of how heads fly out of my bow, as it was in the past. With a well tuned bow, properly built arrows & good form, almost every head flies well. That's why in the past most heads got a flight score of 9 or 10. But that doesn't help those who may not have perfectly tuned bows/arrows/good form. So now I am gauging Flight Forgiveness. This is based on how the head flies for me, how well it spins, how "sensitive" the flight is to imperfections, & the exposed surface area of the blades. The max score of a Mech is 10 (20 on 20 pt scale) & the max score of a Fixed is 8 (16 on 20 pt scale).
2. Cut Size (20%, 19 pts)
The more tissue being cut, the more lethal the head, all else equal. The entrance cut, total cut, & width of the cut (a crucial variable for bloodletting) are all scored:
The entrance cut size is compared to a standard of 2.5" then that fraction is weighted to 7% of the score. (2”+.32”/2.5 X7 = 6.5 pts)
The max cut size is compared to a standard of 2.5" as well, then that fraction is is weighted to 7% of the score. (2.32”/2.5 X7 = 6.5 pts)
The max cutting diameter is compared to a standard of 2.0", then that fraction is weighted to 6% of the score. (2/2 x 6 = 6 pts)
3. Blades (20%, 18.05 pts)
Initial sharpness (9%, 200 grams=10/10=9 pts ) & Edge Retention (9%, +75 grams=8.5/10=7.65 pts) are measured using the Edge On Up Sharpness Tester. The pressure needed for a blade to cut thru a copolymer wire is measured in grams.
Edge Retention is the loss of sharpness after the head is shot in Penetration Test 1, thru 1/2" MDF and 2/3" rubber foam mat & Clear Ballistics FBI gel. For every 50 "grams" of sharpness lost, 1 point is deducted from 10.
What are some sharpness scores for common edges?
A butter knife takes 2000 grams of pressure to break the co polymer wire.
A new high end cutlery edge: ~ 375 grams of pressure.
A utility razor blade: 200 grams.
Based on the many broadheads I have tested, here is my scoring scale:
Out of the Box Sharpness:
0-200 gr: 10
201-300 gr 9
301-400 gr: 8
401-500 gr: 7
501-600 gr: 6
601-700 gr: 5
701-800 gr: 4
801-900 gr: 3
901-1000 gr: 2
1001-1100 gr: 1
1101+ gr: 0
Ease to resharpen or replace blades is judged & given 2% of the score. (7/10=1.4 pts)
4. Penetration (20%, 15.85 pts)
There are 3 penetration tests:
Pen Test 1: 1/2" MDF, 2/3" rubber foam mat, Clear Ballistics FBI gel. Depth of penetration is compared to a standard of 9" & weighted to 9% of the score. (6.75" = 6.75 pts, but 1 pt will be deducted as the blades did not stay open in the gel).
Pen Test 2: Layered cardboard. # of layers penetrated is compared to a standard of 70 layers & weighted to 9% of the score.
(55 layers=7.1 pts)
Angled Penetration Test: How effectively does the head penetrate 1/4" MDF covered by carpet at a 45 degree angle. This accounts for 2% of the score. (2/2pts)
5. Durability (20%, 14.5 pts)
Each head is shot thru 1/2" MDF 3 times. Its condition is judged 1-10 after each shot & weighted to 12% of the score. (12/12 pts)
If a head survives that, it is then shot thru 22 ga steel plate twice. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 5% of the score. (5/10=2.5 pts)
If a head survives that, it is then shot into concrete once. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 3% of the score. (0/10=0 pts)
Steel plate & concrete are certainly not "realistic" mediums, but they do reveal the outer limits of a head's durability.
BONUS: Heads will be rewarded bonus points for special, intangible features such as: rotation, no O rings/clips for mechs, extra thickness, hole size, other unique designs, etc.
+1 no O rings
+1 locking blades
-1 blades didn’t lock in test mediums
-1 blades closed in gel
Total Bonus = 0
Price: $16.66/head
TOTAL Torch Score: 87.4= 9 Golden Arrows
Grading Scale:
90-100 10 Golden Arrows
85-90 9
80-85 8
70-80 7
60-70 6
Special Notes:
Please check out my sponsor, Stay Sharp Guide. staysharpguide.com or @Innovative Outdoorsman They make excellent broadhead sharpeners. The support I receive from them has helped me improve my channel
I also have some Broadhead Discount Codes I can share:
VECTOR CUSTOM SHOP: LUSK gives Free Shipping
Crimson Talon: LUSK15 saves 15%
SEVR: LUSKFIVE saves you $5 on any order & can be used on top of any online sales.
AFFLICTOR: LUSK10 saves 10%
Tooth of the Arrow: LUSK19 saves 15%
DEAD X BOWHUNTING Big Game Broadheads: LUSKFIVE saves $5 per pack.
ZEUS & HERA Broadheads (New Era Archery): LUSKFIVE saves $5/pack - กีฬา
Your channel has blown up! I'm sure it has an effect on how some of these broad heads sell. You're saving a bunch of people time and headaches trying to sort through the hype. Thanks and congrats on the growth.
Thank you!
Thank you for filling our guilty pleasure seeing these heads explode on concrete!! But keep it safe!! Great vids
Haha. Yeah, I was regretting doing that one :)
I just switched to grim reaper pro series this year. Had a complete pass through at 53 yards on a bull! And even found my arrow stuck into the deadfall. Thanks for sharing and stay blessed 🙏🏽🏹🥩👊🏽💯
Nice!
Hi John, thanks for another review. You are a testing warrior. I bought some of these to check out. I was rather surprised by your results on the blades closing after they open. After seeing your results, I had to test mine with things I had on hand. I shot three of the six I got. I shot mine through three different items. The first was a single side of a standard file folder. I taped all four sides to a frame I use for paper testing arrows. Opened perfectly on all three. The second test is 8 layers of 1” thick styrofoam insulation with a single piece of file folder on the face. I use the layers to see what a head does layer by layer. All three heads remained open throughout. Test three is a 10” thick stack of styrofoam plates with nothing covering the plates because the stack is fairly solid. I typically use this medium with single bevel heads. All three heads remained open throughout. I tried closing them by hand with downward pressure but no luck. With your results vs mine, I can’t help but wonder if there are subtle differences in the batches of these causing the variations in results.
Thanks for sharing that. I don't have a concern about them closing on an animal. But I just had to dock them a bit in the scoring cause they wouldn't have penetrated as well as they did if the blades had stayed open.
I’m glad to see this one reviewed. It looks like we may be seeing more of that spring mechanism in future mechanicals. I’m sure this will do just fine in the whitetail woods.
Agreed
VIP has been using springs in their heads for years.
That's gonna be a "Nope" from me
I will watch every test but if it is mechanical it will be a nope for me. Sevr for turkey maybe but nothing but fixed cut on contact heads for deer.
Thanks for watching
Same
I had high hopes for this head but see no reason to switch from sevr’s, great test John!
Yeah, I feel the same
@@LuskArcheryAdventures be careful saying that on AT though, you’ll have some fan boys crying about how your biased and bought buy sevr because their fav head that all the “rage” is about performed so poorly in your testing. Good honest testing, I always come here first before buying new heads!
Goodluck with sevr! 😂😂
@@austinphillips9966 have u had bad experiences with sevr?
I like sevr but archery shops cannot sell them which sucks. The only reason I dont shoot them is becuase I cant sell them
I agree on not shooting them into concrete when damaged. This one was Extremely dangerous to do so. I'm glad you were not injured.
I really like the design of this one except of the aluminum part.
Thank you
Seems like a head w some cool features that need at little more work. A cool thing about this channel is your detailed description after watching enough of them you start to identify red flags, like titanium tip but aluminum ferrule. Great review thanks!
Thank you!
Interesting head. It scored higher than I would have expected. If opening properly wasn't a concern I'd probably jump on getting some of these. I like everything else about them.
Yep.
i am happy you did the block test anyway. that head got what was coming to it for bending on the steel plate😁. too many things i dont like about this one, aluminum ferrule, springs and fidgety parts inside. i actually much prefer the simplicity of easily replaceable/available rubber bands, orings, heat shrink to keep the blades closed in fight.
Yeah, there are some real strengths with bands-especially when they’re high quality ones.
I’d like to see MSRP included with your tests. I like the design of the head however, there is far more durable mechanicals available.
I always include the MSRP. It’s in the video description/score sheet.
Hit a javalina this last week w one. 575 total arrow weight. 70lb and 30inch draw length. It passed through but the javelina held onto to some of the arrow. Ran 40 yards. Lost the arrow about 10 yards into the run.
So it went through both sides. But did not blow through it like you would expect from such a large draw length and arrow setup (15 percent foc btw)
Head did lock as it should be the blades look pretty beat up. Still functions but it’s all chattered up on the blade edge.
FYI. Shot was 20 yards away
Interesting. Thanks for sharing that experience.
Shot 2 Nyala bulls here in South Africa with this broadhead recently, performed very well!
Good to hear.
Wouldn’t mine trying these possibly but they don’t offer them in 125 grain. As always great review John!
Thank you
Awesome review! Did the blades happen to lock on the 55 layers of cardboard?
They did not. But they did open up a lot more. However, even if they don't lock, then they function like any other gator style head.
looks like one of the best two bladed broadheads I think in mechanical that I have seen I like how it the blades lock open cuz a lot of these two blades have a tendency to want to shut and you're not getting the full cut with a pass through and on the review here you seen just about everything he shot was fully deployed on impact and that's what you want as the Broadhead is going through the animal that is a great entrance hole and that's what you need and if you watch the hunting review on this Broadhead that I have seen the blade stay open through the animals so you're going to get the best results
Thanks Don.
Hey do you think that Broadhead could be shot out of a crossbow I haven't seen any Crossbow reviews on this Broadhead but it looks really good to me
Good job
Thank you
We appreciate the concrete test...it's a mechanical with aluminum... none survive the concrete lol we just like seeing them blow up. Thanks John
:)
I will pass on this one. I don't trust "locking blades" that don't lock. Something tells me Gary would not approve of this particular head. great job as always
:) Thanks Chris
So I already have some of these and plan using them here in Iowa for whitetail opener. Would you use them on whitetails??
Sure. I'd rather use a Sevr, but these should do fine.
Someone send John the Deathswitch mechanical broadheads from Valkyrie so I don't have to. Edit: John have you ever considered getting with the Ashby Foundation since you do all this testing and have you ever stepped on a piece of broken broadhead with your barefeet?
If he can afford bishop arrows, he don't need any donations.
@@DIRTISTERRIBLE more like if he can afford cape buffalo bison ect he doesn't need donations
@@deadair5737 I love John and his channel, but I cringe when I see a $300 arrow getting slammed into concrete
@@DIRTISTERRIBLE He likely got those arrows from bishop for free or at a discount. He does a bunch of these videos and it is essentially an advertisement for them. Notice how he mentions the arrows every time, thats probably part of the deal. Not trying to knock him for it though.
@@archeryhunter86- of course not. I enjoy his channel
Once I saw that open spring in the back I pretty much figured where it was going to go. I'm not really a fan of mechanical broadheads. But that's just me. I know some of them are devastating. I've been impressed by the l wasp dead ringer and Zeus. I don't think they make the dead ringer anymore. I'd like to see some tests on the new Zeus heads you ever get a chance to get a hold of those.
Thank you. I did test the Zeus a while back.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures there are new heads out
So I can’t get an answer from anyone on this. The blades have that nice spring inside but they don’t push against it when going between bone and then spring back open? They actually lock in place?
Yep.
So.....ANOTHER head from Slick Trick where the consumer CAN'T replace the blades or did I see a slotted screw head?
What keeps the blades closed in flight?
They are locked closed in flight and can only deploy with pressure on those front wing blades.
The locking mechanism is interesting. Not sure on the ruggedness of such a design. The hollowed out aluminum ferrule isn't good enough though. Interesting head none the less.
Thanks for the comment.
Wow. I'm Very impressed with the durability. They resemble a sevr. I'm lury of the blades closing back though. That's weird
Yeah.
I really like Slick Trick broadheads ,fixed & macanicals but as you state concrete is not a deer and just by looking at your test i,d give it a ( video test of 10)
Thanks for sharing that.
You know I did a test on this Broadhead shooting the red dice looking foam Target out of my mission crossbow and I had a perfect wide open shot when it hit the front part of the target the blade stayed open with a full 2 in cut and they were open when I pulled the blades back out I don't know how they would shut going through a box because mine once I hit it opened and locked into position they stayed locked they were locked in position when I had to pull it out of the target
Sometimes that happens, for some reason, when there is a vacuum of medium-like the empty space in a box. I’ve seen it with other similar designs too. Probably not an issue in an animal.
I seen these at Cabelas today...i am like should i or should i not?
I killed several bucks and does with the ole Rocky Mountain Gators.. these are interesting forsure... anyway i got my eyes on the new NAP Verdict very nice mechanical as well and Stainless steel to boot...they are like the gators style heads. With a huge 2 in hole.
Glad i saw this test..still thinking though
They are decent heads...but no where near as good as Sevrs--and very similar designs.
I think with a little work on the locking system of the blades and a little more durability and maybe a 125 gr version these heads could be really really good.
:)
The closing has me concerned!!!! A locking blade should lock unless there is a failure somewhere????? Thanks John and as always Great job!!!!!
Well, it can also be the mediums I am using. I'm pretty sure they will lock open on an animal...but even if not, then they will be like every other gator style head.
I smashed a doe with these on opening day at 47. They decent but nothing like the sevr
Thanks for sharing your experience.
John, I've reached out to slicktrick engineering. I'd really like an explanation as to why the blades arent able to lock open especially going through MDF. I can maybe understand cardboard but not MDF. If "tension" is what keeps most mechanical blades open, why isnt "tension" locking them open? I just dont understand. It's not just the Torch. It's the Trypan as well as the Beast. Can you give ANY clarity on why this happens? I mean if leather (animal hide) doesnt fully lock the blades open, what will?
The MDF tends to “crush” a bit upon impact, rather than creating the same tension that hide does. At least that’s been my experience. Some heads still do fine with it, but when they don’t, I add the leather stretched tightly with tape.
Gotcha. Thanks for this!@@LuskArcheryAdventures
I was really considering to give them a try. But wanted to see reviews or testing first. Thanks for the testing on the torch. You save me money... Im gonna pass.
:)
Sevr 1.5s. Nothing out there seems to be able to out perform them as far as mechs go.
:)
The concept is great, but it lacked in performance. I was really disappointed in the blade performance. I really like the concept of locking blades, but their design kept closing.
Yeah, at least in the materials I was using. But the thing is, all gator heads do that. At least the “locking ones” have a chance at locking. The non locking ones don’t even try :)
@@LuskArcheryAdventures Maybe it’s not a fair comparison, but I have to compare all gator style heads to the performance of sevrs.
Well that was a shrapnel session.
:)
HAVE U EVER HEARD OF OR CHECKED OUT THE (BI-POLAR) BROADHEADS MADE IN GEORGIA ???
I have, but I have not tested them.
I had higher hopes for this head, but am a bit disappointed. Slick Trick stated they will not offer replacement blades, no 125 grain version, and that ferrule is just too weak.
There are a lot of people wishing Sevr would offer a non-pivoting model.
Yeah, I've asked Sevr about that.
Looks like Slick Trick needs to stick to fixed blades.
:) At least this one did a lot better than their other mechs.
Guess I'm sticking with the Raptor
:) These definitely have their strengths; I think they would do well on an animal.
Closing inside the gel is quite concerning
Well, that often happens with gator style heads and gel.
Yup I'm one of those that say why you don't shoot it into the concrete lol
Thank you
Would be just fine for deer, but I’m gonna stick with sevr
:)
I'll stick with SWHACKER
Swhackers are good, for a front deploying head.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures I watch all your videos, and you do amazing tests, and give great information. Keep up the great work.
Country of manufacture should Be included.
I’ve considered doing that. But it gets a lot more complicated than you may think. There are many heads that are said to be made in America, but still use Blades from China. I would have to see all the shipping invoices of every part before I could really make that conclusion. Reading the packaging does not tell the whole story.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures ahhh we’ll the backs of these say made in china on the box I got. They are sharp.
The blade closed into the gel was enough for me . No thank you on this one.
Well, that can happen with gator style heads and gel.
Shoot a NEW one into concrete. Or did you?
Nope. I never do. My durability tests are in a knock out round format. They have to make it thru the MDF to get to the Steel. And they have to make it thru the Steel to get to the Concrete. I don’t have enough heads to shoot new ones into everything, and I want to test the outer limits of a heads durability that comes from all that abuse.
I'll never understand why people use mechanical, why even have the room for error when it's not needed. Especially on a live animal
Well, the flight is a definite benefit--especially for super long shots or windy shots or nervous shots. And then the size of the cut is also a big benefit. Everything is a trade off. As much as I love fixed blade heads, I almost always have some mechs in my quiver as well.
I will take my SevR's all day over these
:)
Aluminum ferrules, bend like butter, blades suck, won't lock how designed. Better choices in an absolutely flooded market.
:)
Well the only way to find out if it locks through an animal is field test it on a filmed hog hunt John. Lol .
:)
Why not shoot a fresh head into concrete if it’s already bent. Give it the best shot. I want to know how a fresh head does on concert not an already compromised one.
I usually run out of heads. And I want to see the cumulative damage of all the durability tests. But in 2023 I started shooting even damaged heads into the cinder blocks as well
No way , as with almost all mechanical broadheads I don’t feel comfortable using them hunting deer size animals. If life has shown me anything it “ what can go wrong will go wrong” and most of the time right when it matters most. I will still hunt with fixed blades.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Patrick.
Illegal in NY
Why is that?
Yet another mechanical that can’t make it all the way to the last test. Plus it closed up on 2-3 penetration tests after impact. I’ll stick with my Simmons shark fixed blades.
Yep. Not many mechs do make it all the way-but then some do. Many fixed don’t either.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures this is true as well, but it seems that more 1 piece fixed blades like the Simmons or the solid steel 3 blade heads do. I personally (in my own experiences) do not care for a mechanical. I’ve used them and I’ve had them not open, blades break, ferrels bend etc. My logic personally, we use a mechanical bow & a mechanical release. Now we are trusting a mechanical head to do the job flawlessly 100% of the time? Mechanical things will fail. Do I want it to be the “trophy of a lifetime” when that happens? My answer is “no”. I want that animal to perish fast, and as humanely as possible.
On a different note, if you can find them, I’ve been trying. I’d like to see the “atom” broadhead tested. I own 1 of these heads and thought they were a gimmick when it was given to me. Would love for you to put them to the test. I personally don’t think they’d make it out of the 1st shot through the rubber mat. When you see one, you will understand.
Another garbage mechanical head for the pile
:) It did better than most mechs. There are a lot of fixed blade heads that can’t make it thru the steel plate 2 times.
Garbage?? Because it broke on concrete? This head will kill deer with ease.
Looked at first to be an impressive design, but a hard pass for me.
:)