Are the original woodsmans just as good as the elites? I understand that the elites are newer but is there really a benefit with the elites? Ill be shooting the 125 gr screw ins thanks!
I have killed a bunch of stuff with the originals, from bunnies to buffalo....and nothing with the newer ones...but the newer ones have truer bevels to start with and are stronger IMO.
I've used both, both are great heads but the Elites don't need as much attention out of the package as the originals. The originals that I had needed quite a bit of work with a file to get the edges true before they went on the stones. The Elites just need a touch up on the stones, they are really a nicely made head in my opinion.
The originals are great and easy to sharpen!
Victory....all the elites need is a diamond stone....the originals are easy, once you get the bevels true and I use a belt sander. I also use the sander to put the pyramid tip on it.
Like I said, the originals I don't fee come as sharp ready, nor are as strong as the elites....I do own some elites, but never killed anything with them...got too many originals mounted and ready.
I have used both and in my opinion for most game animals hunted here in North America your money is better spent on the originals unless you are sharpening challenged. I have shot quite a few whitetails and one hog with the originals and shot a fair number of whitetails with the elites. My feelings are that whitetails and most hogs don't have heavy enough bone or anything to require the extra strength of the elites. The only 2 originals I have ever bent were subject to a lot of impact force. One I shot at a deer and wasn't paying good enough attention to where the deer was and I hit my feeder leg with it, and the other one was one that I hit a metal post that I had running through an old make do target one time.