Aside from the size, are there differences between the 3D and the original?  Is one better than the other on  certain bows, or are there other factors that would make one better than the other in a given situation?

Too much of a hassle is relative. It takes just a few seconds to wrap the thread around the arrow and the orange would show up great in the snow to retrieve your first arrow or the game. If you had to have a quick follow up shot just don't tie it on and you won't be any worse off than you were Before you used it.
A great idea in my opinion(using it in the snow)

I also "tanto" 3-blade heads to beef up the point for bone penetration.  A faster way to both sharpen and tanto the tip is with a stationary belt sander (or clamp down a hand belt sander).  After laying down the BH flat on the moving belt for sharpening, slightly tilt up its butt end to best tanto angle the tip - do this for all 3 sides of the BH.

I'd look at the broadhead before getting carried away building arrows. It's simple to test. Take a piece of medium thick leather and push your single bevel stinger thru by hand on an arrow and see how much force it takes. Do the same with a double bevel cut on contact head. If the single bevel more blunt head is lots harder to push thru then there's your answer.

When I was a kid Dad had guys do this at archery shows using a piece of deer leather and a pyramid type replaceable blade head. Then he'd give them a sharp Snuffer. That simple test sold lots of heads for him.

R

I found a bowyer who only offers this as a snakeskin option he said it was cloth but he had no pics,, im pretty sure its the stuff 3 rivers sells that you glue on with tight bond,,, anyone have any pics or opinions on these fake skins over real?

Just a thought but if a fella was to keep a count of how many twists he puts in the string while building the first loop I'd bet money it will be a pretty good number to use for how many back twists are needed on the second loop.   Makes sense to me.

Ripper stuff mate.... Good eating right there.

This proposed arrow should be close:

BE Carnivore 400...29.5"s
75 gn Brass insert
250 gn point
4" fletch
28% FOC
545 gn Total
11.7 gpp

Does anybody here have both a Northern Mist Classic and a Bivouac Hill Jack?
I am wondering how the grips compare to each other?

Well it will make a great story to tell your grandchildren. Sounds like an interesting time.