SLICK TRICK SS3 100 gr Broadhead Test
This is a test of the 100 gr Slick Trick SS3.
Here is summary of my 2024 Testing Procedure & Scoring w/the scores of this head posted in parenthesis as well.
1. Flight Forgiveness (20%, 20 pts)
I'm using a Killer Instinct SWAT X1 crossbow, mounted to a BOG tripod, shooting a 670 gr Bishop Archery GOAT bolt (300 fps) at 30 yds. Field points consistently hit in the 10 ring & bullseye. I use the exact same bolt to shoot the broadhead. The only difference in the two shots is the broadhead's flight forgiveness vs that of the field point. A bullseye gets a score of 11/10, or a perfect score of 20 + 1 Bonus Point. The 10 ring gets a 10/10, or 20 points; a 9 ring gets a 9/10 or 18 points...& so forth, with each wider ring being 1/2" farther from the bullseye. Mechs are also given 1 Bonus Point for extra forgiveness.
2. Cut Size (20%, 12.84 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. (1.69" = 4.73 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. (1.69” = 4.63 pts)
The max cutting diameter is compared to a standard of 2.0", then that fraction is weighted to 6% of the score. (1.125" = 3.38 pts)
3. Blades (20%, 17.45 pts)
Initial sharpness (9%, 341 grams = 8.59/10 = 7.73pts) & Edge Retention (9%, +71 grams = 8.59/10 = 7.72 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 & 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
Ease to resharpen or replace blades is judged & given 2% of the score. (10/10= 2 pts)
4. Penetration (20%, 18.14 pts)
There are 2 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 10% of the score. (9.25" = 10 pts + Bonus)
Pen Test 2: Layered cardboard. # of layers penetrated is compared to a standard of 70 layers & weighted to 10% of the score.
( 57 layers= 8.14 pts)
5. Durability (20%, 19.81 pts)
Each head is shot thru 1/2" MDF 3 times. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 12% of the score. (10/10 = 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. (9.75/10 = 4.88 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. (9.75/10 = 2.93 pts).
Steel plate & concrete are certainly not "realistic" mediums, but they do reveal the outer limits of a head's durability.
BONUS:
+.28 pts Pen 1 beyond baseline
TOTAL SCORE: 88.52 pts = 9 Golden Arrows
Price: $16.67/head
Special Notes:
Please check out my sponsor, Stay Sharp Guide. https://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:
Accubow: LUSK10 =10% off
Annihilator: LUSK10 =10% off
Beast Broadheads: LUSK10 =10% off
Bishop Archery: LUSK10 =10% off
Contact-Archery.com (formerly Method & Vector): LUSK10 =10% off
Easton Bowtruk 2: LUSK25 saves $25 & Free Shipping
EL&B Outdoors (Wedgehead): LUSK10 = 10% off
Evolution Outdoors--Jekyll & Hyde heads: LUSK10 =10% off
Exact Archery: LUSK10 =10% off
Iron Will: LUSKFREESHIP = Free Shipping
JBK Bowstrings (my favorite): LUSK10 =10% off (contact him @ JBKstrings.com to get special access code to order)
Kayuga Broadheads: LUSK10 =10% off
Lathrop & Sons Synergy Footbeds: Lusk1000 saves $10 on any order
Ozcut Broadheads: LUSK10 =10% off
QAD Exodus: LUSK10 =10% off @ QAD's website
REK: LUSK10 =10% off
SEVR: LUSKFIVE saves $5 on any order & can be used on top of any online sales.
Terra Firma: LUSK5 =5% off on any online sales
Tooth of the Arrow: LUSK19 =10% off
Toulou: LUSK10 =10% off
TRIFECTA: LUSK10 =10% off
VPA (Vantage Point Archery): LUSK10 =10% off