New Archery Products Inc., has long been known for their line of extremely popular and effective Thunderhead line of broadheads. Later they came into the mechanical broadhead market with a versatile and lethal head called the Spitfire. With both heads doing quite well NAP wanted to bring on a new line of mechanical that would be more economical than the Spitfire without compromising functionality and performance in the field.The SHOCKWAVE is that head!
   
The SHOCKWAVE is a 3-blade mechanical head that comes in either 85 or 100 grains, with both sizes achieving 1 ¼" cutting diameters when fully deployed. From stem to stern the SHOCKWAVE seems put together well, and the price is within reach of all archers. Out in front, leading the way is the SHOCKWAVEs' new bone-splitting Tri-vex point, which is advertised to cut on contact for more penetrating power. The SHOCKWAVE features a ferrule built from solid aircraft aluminum for unyielding strength. The blades are very sharp, as you'd expect, with 0.030" thick stainless steel blades. Most mechanicals require o-rings and the SHOCKWAVE is no exception. NAP designed the o-ring installation at the back end the closed blades.

One of the greatest benefits of shooting the SHOCKWAVE would be what this method of o-ring installation gives a shooter. The design 
allows the blades to pivot so the leverage of the blades are maximized as they open with the resulting energy loss minimized. That is in contrast to most mechanical designs that have the o-rings much further forward. This forward installation of o-rings robs your projectile of heavy amounts of energy just to open the blades!

As for the testing and results in the field. First I must admit that I have not yet hunted with the SHOCKWAVE! I had no hunts scheduled at this time of year, so that wasn't an option. I did however receive several videos with the SHOCKWAVE used in various hunting situations. I watched it used on several animals on hunts in New Zealand and North America. I didn't witness a single pass-through, even though it was shot by a very competent hunter using high-end equipment! However, mechanicals have long been given the stigma of poor penetration. The nice thing was, all animals on these hunts were recovered and appeared to be go down quickly.

In my own testing I used my PSE Stingray set at a little over 70 pounds and pushing the Gold Tip Graphite shafts at over 270 fps. I experienced very good arrow flight, with no measurable deviation from my normal field tips. 

That is the main reason people shoot mechanicals in the first place! The SHOCKWAVE'S held up well and I experienced no failures. By that I mean a mechanical that doesn't open on contact with the intended target.

Design: 4 out of 5
This head is well built and effective although I do disagree with the 'cut-on-contact' sales line for the head though. The blades are well built and sharp, 
key for any good packaged head.

Ruggedness/Dependability: 4 out of 5
It held together and opened when it was supposed to.

Final Recommendation:
Cary Pickands from NAP informed me that the aim of this design "was to make a broadhead that not only had superior functionality, but also didn't need to be babied". Cary, I believe you have succeeded! In all honesty I have to be frank in stating that I have never been a fan of mechanical heads. However, I have no factual experience of my own to base this on.

I have now seen the effects, both positive and negative of this particular head both on film and in my own testing. In my opinion, if you shoot a high-energy bow that is efficient and you are hunting the right kinds of game, I recommend the NAP SHOCKWAVE.

NEW ARCHERY PRODUCTS (NAP)
7500 Industrial Drive
Forest Park, IL 60130
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708-488-2515 - Fax
www.NewArhery.com
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