The mechanical Swhacker broad head won the mechanical blade test.
Every year brings a fresh crop of both fixed and mechanical heads. If whitetail deer were the ONLY game in town and one could always place their broadhed dead center on a double lung shot and avoid glancing blows, shoulder shots etc. we likely would not need to do any further looking. Both the Swhacker mechanical and the Redhead fixed blade will fill the bill rather nicely for most of us.
http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/whitetail-deer/bowhunting/2012/08/best-broadheads-mechanical-and-fixed-blade-?photo=6#node-1001357400
EXCERPT:
Best Broadheads: Mechanical and Fixed-Blade Broadheads Tested
We tested and ranked the 5 best mechanical broadheads and 5 best fixed-blade broadheads on the market.
#1 - RedHead Blackout
In recent product testing the editors at Outdoor Life have noticed an increase in great “store brand” products; that is, products that carry a retailer’s moniker. Bass Pro Shops’ RedHead Blackout is one of those outstanding products. In fact, the Blackout earned our Editor’s Choice Award in impressive fashion.
The Blackout was the sharpest broadhead we tested, and the German-made blades are so sticky-sharp it’s difficult to handle them without worrying about getting cut. We’re confident it is this sharpness that led to the top penetration mark—a whopping 10 ⅝ inches. The one-piece ferrule is strong, and the blade retention system works great.
The blades are 0.03-inch thick, so they’ll stand up to the beating animal bone may present on an off-kilter shot. Adding to the appeal of these heads is the fantastic price. ($30/3-pack; basspro.com)
Weight & Variance: 98.5 gr. (-1.5)
Cutting Diameter: 1 1/16”
Penetration: 10 ⅝”
Overall: * * * *
Quality: A-
Integrity: A+
Sharpness: A+
Price/ Value A+
#1 - Swhacker 100-Grain 1.75”
The Swhacker is one ugly duckling. However, it is as rugged a mechanical as you’ll find. Heavily muscled shoulders on the blades eliminate failures that are common with other mechanicals.
The Swhacker design is simple. A shrink collar hugs the blades in flight, eliminating the need for rubber bands or o-rings. The shrink collar conforms to the contour of the ferrule perfectly, minimizing in-flight aerodynamic drag.
Our Swhackers averaged 100.6 grains, providing proof of consistency in their manufacture. The 1 ¾-inch cutting diameter penetrated 7 1/16 inches (third best). The blades pivot on one screw, balancing the head nicely.
We like how the blades’ tips protrude from the ferrule about mid-body affording the blades time to open on impact. This feature eliminates veering off or jack-knifing on steep quartering shots. While this is one homely head, we found its simplicity and performance to be a thing of beauty. ($35/3-pack; swhacker.com)
Weight & Variance: 100.06 gr. (-.06)
Cutting Diameter: 1 ¾”
Penetration: 7 1/16”
Overall: * * * *
Quality: A-
Integrity: A+
Sharpness: A-
Price/Value: A
(MY INPUT)
These two seem to fill my needs and since I have yet to try a mechanical head, I will stick with the BlackOut set up till I percieve something better comes along. Your choice might well be different than mine and that is what makes free enterprise and America such a great place to live.
Dan