Tough broadheads with an attitude always leave an impression on me and the new Razortip did just that. These heads were put through a rigorous set of tests and came out completely unharmed and operational!

First, the basics. The Grim Reaper Razortip is an open-on-impact head with mechanical blades that fold open from the front to a 1 3/8" cutting diameter. It is available in either 85 or 100/125-grain variations. Weighted collars convert the 100-grain heads to 125 grains and are included with each pack. The entire trocar tip, AKA Trocrazor, is replaceable and contains three removable/replaceable .015" thick 440c stainless steel blades. 

This unique tip starts cutting immediately and according to Grim Reaper is one of the major advantages the Razortip has over conventional mechanical heads with what they call the "butter-knife effect". This is the name they give to heads that do not have cutting blades until the base of the head is reached. 

The edges of the Trocrazor tip are in line with the tip blades, which are also in line with the .030" thick mechanical blades. The mechanical blades are slightly "dog-legged" to ensure consistent deployment. 

The LockNotch blade retention system uses no o-rings or rubber bands of any kind. This unique system contains the pivot ring, notch ring, spring, washer and of course the blades. The pivot ring passes through a small hole in each of the blades and is held in place once pushed up into the ferrule's circular groove. The blades are held in the closed position when the spring forces the notch ring into the blade notches. This happens when you screw the head onto your arrow. All of this is held by a containment washer that fits into the circular groove found in the aluminum ferrule. 

The spring cushions the blades on arrow release keeping them from opening prematurely. The spring then compresses on impact allowing the blades to rotate out of the closed position blade notch and fully deploy. Once the blades are opened they are held in position by a second blade notch. Wow, what a mouthful - now you can see why I consider this to be a complex head!

Ah yes, now onto my favorite part of the review - the testing. The Razortip was put through testing for true spin, tuning, penetration, toughness, accuracy/grouping, deflection, and mechanical operation.

To start I simply removed eight heads from their containers and placed them on my arrows. Each Razortip spun true indicating a straight ferrule and correct alignment with the arrow shaft. No adjustments were needed on my rig, a Darton Magnum 33 pushing arrows out at 265 fps, for proper tuning of all eight heads. Three more arrows were tipped with field points and shot at a foam target and then became the target themselves! I had to stop after two broadhead tipped arrows because of the loss of one arrow, one nock and a few fletchings. Bottom line - they fly exactly like my field points and group with the best of them! Average group size, four arrows per group, was 1.1". Next up I shot all eight arrows from 20 paces into unused portions of my American Whitetail Foam Broadhead Target and measured the penetration from the back. The average penetration of all eight heads was 3.56". The target model I have is 12" thick for a grand average of 15.56". This is average penetration compared to all of the broadhead testing I have done in the past. A ¾" pine board was the next victim and the average penetration from the back of the board was 2.25". The impressive part about this test was the fact that the blades were completely opened as measured at the back of the board and not one blade was bent, chipped, or even "used" looking. That includes the tip blades! The Razortip is one tough broadhead.

One of the major concerns expressed by some bowhunters concerning expandable heads is the claim that they "kick-out" if shot at sharp angles thereby significantly reducing penetration. To test the Razortip, as I have other mechanicals, for possible "kicking" I shot all eight heads several times at various targets including a McKenzie 3D Deer, American Whitetail broadhead and Cube targets, and a homemade bag target covered with deer hide - all at extremely steep angles. 

Great results again. Not one arrow kicked with approximately 56% of the entrance holes showing a distinct "one-blade" first cut! This positive showing by the Razortip can be attributed to the extended tip which is a full ½" from the first blade. 

One note on mechanical operation: One blade on one head failed to open during the foam penetration test. After inspecting the head and flipping the spring around the head performed flawlessly. I recommend you test each head by gently pulling the blades away from the ferrule. The force needed should be firm and quick, not hard. This should be done each time you remove and reattach a head onto your Arrow. 

Design: 4 of 5
The design, while complex, is incredibly sturdy. Features abound and all are useful. One that deserves mentioning is the ease of blade changing (QuickAssemble) - no tools needed!

Durability: 4.9 of 5
This is one of the toughest heads I have tested in recent memory. Don't change a thing!

Flight: 4.5 of 5
Testing proved the Razortip will fly like most other mechanicals - like a dart.

For more information on this or other Grim Reaper products visit www.grimreaperbroadheads.com or contact:

Grim Reaper Broadheads
1250 North 1750 West
Provo, UT 84604-2955
(801) 377-6199
http://www.grimreaperbroadheads.com