by Dave Conrad

Golden Key Futura, long known for being a world leader in Arrow Rests has also designed a line of broadheads that is turning heads.  With the introduction of the Dead Head 125, GKF claims it to be the world's first tunable broadhead.  Tunable because the sharp blades can be set up for either right or left angles to coincide with the helical fletching of the arrow. Angled grooves running the entire length of the ferrule allow for the different blade setup.  These angles work in conjunction with your fletching to help stabilize the arrow more quickly as it leaves the Rest.  Broadhead groupings should shrink as the results of minimizing the planning effect.  I will test this as well as strength, penetration and accuracy to give you a good overall performance of the Dead Head 125. 

I will have to say what impresses me most about the broadhead is the "Insta-Cut" cut on impact tip.  The tips are machined from super strong 7075 aluminum and are unlike most on the market today.  The machining is performed so the tip has three steep cutting edges allowing for a true cut on impact head.  This results in better penetration combined with bone smashing strength.

I tested my theory on two pieces of wood.  The first was ¾" plywood from a distance of about 15 feet.  The bow was set at 65 pounds and the Dead Head was attached to an ACC arrow of 29.75 inches in length.  Arrow fletchings were either straight or had a slight offset.  Tests were performed against two other broadheads, one a fixed and the other a mechanical to give a good overall comparison.  At the conclusion I was convinced not only in the strength of the Dead Head but also the penetration.  The head blew almost completely through the plywood without any damage to the broadhead. The second test was performed on ½" pine board and this time the Dead Head passed completely through the board, smashing a chunk out the backside before being stopped by deep penetration into a broadhead target.  The Dead Head's penetration was unmatched by the other broadheads.  I believe because the angle of the blades worked in conjunction with the spin of the arrow resulting in less drag. 

The accuracy test was performed at 20 yards utilizing a standard dot broadhead target.  The Dead Heads were switched to different arrows between firings and spin tested for a thorough test to be completed.  All changes were minimal to the point of impact and measuring in human error the Dead Heads passed with flying colors. Each shot put the Dead Head on target that would equate to accurate hits shot after shot.

My final test was to see if the Dead Heads were, in fact, tunable.  Throughout the testing in addition to switching heads to different arrows, the angles of the blades were also changed.  This would give me a good sampling and enabled me to quickly determine the outcome of tunability.  Unfortunately multiple groupings determined to my dismay that the point of impact did not change.  Once again this test was performed on arrows with either straight or a slight offset of 1degree.  Would a hard helical benefit more?  In my opinion I believe it would have no effect.  Does this take anything away from the Dead Head?  I still believe it to be a very dependable broadhead capable of taking down the largest of North American game. 

Design - 3 of 5 
Unfortunately the tunable aspect advertised for the broadhead brings it's rating down, but it is a very solid broadhead.  The cut on impact head and angled blade design allows for deep penetration. Combined with the fact that the blades can be assembled onto the ferrule without the need of an arrow is well engineered.  Compare that to a number of broadheads on the market today, which must be screwed onto the arrow in order to secure the blades.  A true negative if you have to change broadheads on the side of a mountain in cold temperatures. 

Toughness - 4.5 of 5 
In tests on the ¾" plywood and ½" board the Dead Head had no problems.  A great test to compare against tough hide and bones. This toughness can be attributed to sharp blades are held securely in place on both ends.  On top by the screw in "Insta-cut" machined head and on the bottom by a brass fitted collar. 

Sharpness - 4 of 5 
The blades were given the shaving test on paper as well as hide and performed like a veteran barber.  Hair was shaved cleanly down to the hide and heavy paper was no match.  Penetration was exceptional on the 8-inch broadhead target with the shaft always buried almost to the fletchings.

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