Grizzly broadheads, redux

[David Petersen]

#4056

This is a “public service announcement” for the many folks out there curious about the rebirth of Grizzly broadheads under the new ownership of Zipper Bows and Bill Dunn. I’ve been corresponding with Bill and here’s the short story: The improvements over the old Grizzlies are far too numerous and complex to list here, but perhaps most significantly the bevel is now being precision ground by KME to make what was once a near-impossible sharpening challenge accessible to most everyone. There will be six weights available from 120 to 200 grains, glue-on only. Next week Bill plans to ship 160, 170 and 200 weights to his dealers, with the remaining three weights coming available through the summer. Considering all the work that’s gone into this new head, the price remains remarkably low by today’s single-bevel standards, starting at $33 per 6-pack. For customers wanting hunt-sharp heads out of the box, KME-sharpened heads will be available as an option. For more details check http://grizzlybroadheads.com/products.html

I for one am quite excited about all the great new heads, and improved old designs, that have been appearing in recent years, inspired by the Ashby study. For once, the industry is ahead of consumers. And to have a head the quality of the new Grizzly at an affordable price is particularly good news to many budget-minded traditionalists. If any significant new developments appear we’ll let you know, or you can let us know if you get there first. I’m anxious to hear from folks who have hand-sharpened these new heads. Let us know what you think–not theoretically, but after inspecting, sharpening and shooting them.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#26717

Good news. Looking forward to trying some 200 gr. Grizzlies as soon as they become available.

[Raymond Coffman]

#26776

Kudo’s to Zipper bows and Bill Dunn

I will buy some of the heavier heads as soon as they are available.

I think it is great, that a Tradional Bowhunting Icon [imho]is returning to the field —

Scout

[horserod]

#28684

I have a bunch of old Grizzly’s at different weights. I have never been able to really get them as sharp as I wanted to. Any “correct” procedures for getting the job done??? Thanks, Tom

[gigglemonk]

#28731

Anyone ever use the Lansky guided sharpeners for these? I use it on ym knife and get hair popping sharp edge on a regular basis.

[David Petersen]

#28854

The problem with the old Grizzlies was not only that they came very crudely ground with prominent tool marks, but also the bevel wasn’t what it should be for a single-bevel. Add to this a predictable inconsistency in steel hardness, and it was a mess. Lots of filing was required to correct the bevel to 25 degrees and get rid of the tooling marks, before you could even think about actually sharpening with a stone. In my own experience, across a couple dozen Grizzlies, I wound up with a huge discrepancy in weights due to the need to file more off some than others to get bevel and sharpness. And all that filing tended to make a very narrow head; too narrow for me. So, lots of work for an unpredictable and in my case generally unusable outcome. If you’re an incurable Grizzly fan and can afford $32-$34 bucks for a half dozen of the new Zipper heads, I’d use the old ones for rabbits and such. Two things are becoming fairly standard among the with-it single-bevel makers, and they are a 25-degree bevel, and hardness 52-54. I personally will no longer buy any heads beyond those specs, but then I guess I’m particularly picky that way. 8) Some folks say so.

[Todd Smith]

#42869

Yeah, the old Grizzlies were a pain to get to the flat side. The original ones from Harry were awesome. Could have them shaving hair in seconds with a smooth single cut file and a stropping material.

These new ones should be fantastic!! So looking forward to reports from the field.

Keep us posted y’all. 🙂

todd

[Fallguy]

#55587

Dave have you compared them to the Tuffheads? I am going to buy one other before this fall. I have shoot the old Grizzlies and to say getting them sharp and the same weight was frustrating is an under statement.

[David Petersen]

#56437

Fallguy — IMHO there is no broadhead currently available that compares to the Tuffhead. I am curious about the new Grizzlies and posted this thread to let folks know about them primarily as a “public service” because they promise to be a superior head at a bargain price, and lots of us need all the bargains we can find. But I’m sure I’ll be sticking with the Tuffhead … again, IMHO. Dave

[jmsmithy]

#56460

Hey Dave

Just out of curiosity, how do you compare Tuffheads to ABS Ashbys (taking price out of the conversation of course ❓ )

Just wondering…you know I’ve been an Ashby fan… 😀

[David Petersen]

#56681

I went throuhg an ABS Ashby phase and killed elk slick with ’em. But then so did I with Brown Bear, Tusker Concord, Tuffhead and others. Back when I used the ABS it came only in screw-in, so no way to increase weight with an adapter as you can with the Tuffhead. It was also very hard and the edges chipped on test shots through fresh elk scapula, though very minor. I used to say the BB was the best single-bevel head for the money because it was basically an ABS design (which, like the Tuffhead, is basically a Steel Force design but with much cleaner ferrule) but not so hard and much cheaper. But in the end I can only repeat what I said before here–that right now IMHO the Tuffhead is best and better than the ABS even if price isn’t considered (though the ABS is superb), and the redesigned Grizzly now promises to be the best single-bevel for the money. One thing to consider (among a million other things) is that the thicker heads–ABS, BB, Tuffhead, Steel Force) have a wider bevel shelf which provides more torque and bone-splitting power than does thinner blades like the Grizzly. This all of course is simply one man’s–not opinion, but in my somewhat extensive testing and elking experience. There are SO many excellent double-bevel heads available today, it gets really complicated.

[Raymond Coffman]

#56745

The Main difference between the others[sb-bh] Dave has mentioned and the tuffhead, [at least the ones I have handled]that I have noticed.

The Tuffhead has a thicker ferrule{main body] portion which extends almost all the way to the point. the point seems thicker than the others. Which should lend itself to less deformation on hard impacts, and more ability to split bone-

Scout.

[sapcut]

#13432

I can’t imagine a stronger better cutting tool on an arrow than a TuffHead….other than a larger TuffHead. One very key characteristic that makes the TuffHead the “cream of the broadhead crop” is that the construction is LAMINATED stainless steel, not solid. That is better than a solid piece like the ABS.

[Author]

Posts