Been eyeballing these heads for quite a while,and since the winter blues have set in I'm gonna order some equipment for this spring and fall to tinker with right now.I'm looking at the 160gr. to make up the 200grs. I need with an adapter. Anyways, if anybody has any experience or success pics. please share. Any suggestion concerning other heads in these weight and price range are welcome as well. But really interested in what some STOS users have to say.
Thanks,
Ethan
I used STOS last Fall for the first time. Sharpened with a file they left good blood trails. Easy to sharpen. Had a tip curl a bit on one when it shattered the off-leg bone of a deer that was quartering away. I suppose that could have happened with any head.
Oh, by the way, they fly real nice too.
I went with the same broadhead this past year...no success pics, but they do fly great.
It is the only head I use now-I have shot two goats and the hog in my avatar. No problems; the goats died within sight-the hog went 40 yards.
Should I attempt doing a tanto tip?
Any idea on when the single bevel will be out?
Here's some of mine:
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/14.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/DSCF0024.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/DSCF1333.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/38.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/Schafer%20Silvertip/MatarankaStationBoar004.jpg)
As good as tanto-tips are, I'm really happy with them as is.
Awesome pics. Ben!!!
Australia is definitely on my lifetime to-do list.
Thanks!!
A major reason for Tanto tips is to prevent bending and breaking of needle-point tips, which STOS heads cuttently have. Tanto also lowers the risk of "skipping" on angular bone shots. There is no down-side to them, except a few seconds to shape with a file. So yes, go Tanto. Also, file-sharpening is old technology in light of Doc Ashby's unimpeachable research -- invest in an electronic gram scale and you'll be amazed how much weight you remove with every single stroke -- and should be used only to touch up really dull or damaged blades. Otherwise, steels and/or stones are the way to go -- check out Sharpster's free video on the KME website. Since STOS ("Sharper Than Owl S--t," no kidding!) is very tuned-in to Ashby's research, I fully expect their new generation of heavy single-bevels, due out Soon I hope, will come with Tantos. Just because we can have success with a certain technology doesn't mean we can't improve success with improved (as opposed to "high") technology. I like STOS a lot, and I like their new carbon coating, which I've seen in action and which they claim is slicker and tougher than Teflon (which indeed easily wears off). Can't wait for their new offerings, which have been a LOng Time in coming. While AK Bowhunting's excellent "Ashby" head is currently closest to Ashby perfection, it's available now only in screw-in, while the STOS will be glue-on. Don't worry so much about blood trails. Worry about shot placement and attaining full pass-through penetration. Hope that helps. My 2 sents. dave
Yep, I like them too! ANY needle tipped BH should be bobbed off, Tantos are the only way to go...O.L.
I think Ben proved that they be just fine as is....
Thanks I'll go with the tanto, or maybe carry a few of both tip styles.
Already with you on the sharpener Dave. I love my KME. I figured it would have no difficulty getting those things scary sharp. Ron's
one of the good ones too.
Ben,
OUTSTANDING pics :thumbsup: Thanks for sharing.
There is no downside to a Tanto tip-no need to carry both styles IMHO.
I like the STOS heads and I love the Tanto-tip on all my broadheads BUT Brother Ben has killed a lot of animals and big, heavy-boned ones at that....IMHO this more than Qualifies him to have an opinion on the sharp tip on his STOS.....Killing experience counts for a lot.......Personally, tanto or bobbing the tip off makes me feel more confident in the Head....Great pics Ben!!!! We always love to see them and your hunting area......Take Care, Don and Skyler
Tanto it will be!
Now I'm looking forward to getting my hands on some of these.
Bravehearted Archery has them-they are a sponsor too.................others may have them too.
Great head, been using the 160's for 3 or 4 years now. Fly great and new heads have a modified tanto tip, not the original needle tip.
QuoteFly great and new heads have a modified tanto tip, not the original needle tip.
Mmmm I ordered some from 3Rivers a couple months ago an they have the needle tip. Maybe old stock still? I bob the tips off slightly on mine. It's my favorite head next to WW's.
I thought the new ones were suppose to be out late fall of 08. I'm waiting too.
???
Lone hunter is right, STOS took the "needle" off the tip almost 2 years ago. The newer ones have what I'd describe as a mini tanto, very similar to the Magnus "Diamond tip". They should perform very well with or without further modification.
I don't think you'll find a better flying head, and the factory grind is simply superb. :thumbsup:
Hi Tim,,
STOS took the "needle" off the tip almost 2 years ago. The newer ones have what I'd describe as a mini tanto, very similar to the Magnus "Diamond tip". They should perform very well with or without further modification.
I went to the Magnus site and couldn't find any reference to the new tip style, Do you have any pics? (of the Stos as well?),,
Thanks,,Frank
Frank, the Magnus Diamond tip was introduced 4 or 5 years ago. Basically they just took the needle off for durability, I wouldn't call it new. I'm surprised you didn't see anything on the site, I've got their 2009 catalog here and it still mentions it.
Here's a pic of a Magnus with a diamond tip. Not a close up but the best one I've got. The STOS is virtually identical out of the pack. All my close up STOS pictures I tanto tipped myself so they won't help you.
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/BraveheartArchery/MagnusPic5.jpg)
Thanks Tim,, I can see the difference,,Frank
Been using 160 grain stos for three or four years. So far have killed an elk and a nice whitetail with them. Very good head. I tanto the tips. As others have said, no down side to a tanto tip. I use True Angle hones to sharpen. They work very well. I'm also waiting for their new single bevel to come out.
I have been using STOS heads for three years. Have killed elk, whitetails, black bear and feral hog. I use a 160 gr. with a 100 grain steel adapter. File sharpened with a point. Have not bent one yet.