Pictured above is the NAP Thunderhead Razor. First impression of the Razor is that is a cross between a Thunderhead and a Nightmare. It has a Thunderhead tip and ferrule with the Nightmare's angled blades held in the ferrule by small screws. The cutting diameter is a conservative 1 1/8".
I should let it be known that BT has handed over the reins to me for the broadhead tests. I now will conduct the tests, and BT is quality control ;D
My setup used for testing is 2012 Omen Pro set at 53lbs. I'm using Carbon Express Maxima Blue Streaks with blazer vanes. Total arrow weight 340grains, speed is 300fps, and 67 ft/lbs of KE.
My setup used for testing is 2012 Omen Pro set at 53lbs. I'm using Carbon Express Maxima Blue Streaks with blazer vanes. Total arrow weight 340grains, speed is 300fps, and 67 ft/lbs of KE.
Sharpness Test
First up was the test for blade sharpness out of the package.
Top picture is the rubber band grid that is used for this test.
This is the same design that Fred Bear showed BT back in the late seventies and the same design that he himself used to check blade sharpness when he was not in the field. Fred's belief was that arteries reacted just like rubber bands (which they do) and if a head could pass through this grid then it was satisfactory for hunting.
The bottom picture shows the bands cut after running the broadhead through the center.
The Razor cut all the rubber bands it came in contact with.
This is the best a three bladed head can do on the grid. It would take at least four blades to cut all rubber bands in the grid.
These heads are hunting sharp right out of the package.
Next up was the flight test
30 yard grouping with one arrow. A 3" group maximum is considered to be a passing grade for any broadhead that is tested here due to the fact that these shots are made without the use of a hooter shooter and people are imperfect.
3" is passing for any test done on this site with fixed broadheads.
I found no inconsistencies in flight with this head. It had the same point of impact as my field points. 'Nuff said.
Next up is the ferrule test
The top picture for this test is the board test head close up.
The blades showed no bending and the ferrule was in perfect condition.
If the ferrule cannot hold the blades or if the ferrule bends at all in this test it is a fail.
The Scapula Test
The scapula test is used to determine the quality of the blades and their ability to maintain a cutting edge after passing through bone. A loss of 33% of the cutting edge or less will receive a passing grade in these tests. Maintaining an edge means no roll over or erosion of the edge.
Shown below are the blades after going through the scapula.
I could find no chipping, bending, or waving of the blades. I shot the same head multiple times through the heavy ridge of the shoulder in an attempt to do something to the blades, but the Razor prevailed. Here is the Razor after being shot through a scapula some five times.
Overview
When NAP first came out with the Thunderhead Razor, there were complaints of blades breaking. NAP responded by redesigning the blades. And a fine design it is. Those blades are tough!
I love the ratio of the head. I wouldn't hesitate to use this head
in any but the lowest of KE setups. Hopefully, NAP will keep this Thunderhead around as long as the original.
More tests available at http://bowhunters.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=2013
Special Thanks to Geauga Outdoors Supply of Middlefield, Ohio
for providing the Rhinehart Target that was used in this test. Their prompt service and great pricing helped to get this test up and also helped to keep the overall cost of testing to a minimum.
http://www.geaugabow.com
