So, I just bought some 200 grain VPA Penetrators from the classifieds. I was really excited to get them, but when I opened up the package, they were tiny. I've had the Tusker Aztec which are only 1/4" wider but seem to dwarf the penetrators.

What are you guys thoughts on the 2-blade VPA?

I am curious about this myself. I have been considering taking those heads to Africa.

I have 6 of the 175 grain Penetrators, they fly very well for me and take a great edge on my KME broadhead sharpener. I havent taken any game with them yet, but I believe the main purpose of these heads is to get two holes on large/dangerous game.

When I received my package of the 175's first thing I thought was man these are a smallhead. As stated above they do sharpen very well. I only shot one deer with them this year and had a complete pass through with the broadhead buried in the tree behind it. It was a good blood trail but it was a good shot, the deer only went 60yds and killed over. I do wish they were wider as well, but I think they are a quality head that will penetrate as good as any other head if sharp. That is my limited experience with them.

In short (pun intended)

They are stronger being shorter.

We'v done a bunch of broadhead testing on buffalo the last few years and found the Shorter - Smaller heads to be a lot more durable. Considerably less prone to tip curl.

The structural integrity deceases with length, and the increase in leverage in the long heads compared to the shorter heads, means they are simply much easier to bend which =(tip curl - snapping and adapter's bending)

"take a 30" arrow shaft and a 10" arrow shaft and see which bends the easiest"

The Guys at VPA recognized this before I could show it in testing, and already moved to making the Bigger heads "shorter". And now The original 300gr 2blade has been reduced to the length of the 250gr 2blade, the extra weight was made up by increasing blade thinness. Thank you VPA!

One concern and Idea that is common is that the Longer head penetrates much better then a shorter head due to its reduced angle and the difference in its mechanical advantage. However, this is Not the case in testing, there is at best a "marginal" increase in penetration at the best of times, BUT *here is the table turner*, that is only the case if the head does not bend "tip curl" you go from "marginal penetration gain to hugely reduce penetration" Enough to cost more then a few friends and clients there buffalo, with the longer heads on the market.

The fact is the strength gain and reduction of tip curl in the shorter heads, outweighs the marginal penetration gain a longer head may offer when it stays strait.

So use with Confidence Shane, they are bomb proof.

Iv been using the Tiny VPA 150gr 2blades on hogs out of the longbow and you should see those things Zip through big boars.

Good luck.

That's interesting Andy. I used a STOS on my Moose last year. Hit him thru chest 1st arrow. He ran a ways. I was able to get up on him again on my way out. (Was going to leave him a bit - he just turned from where I thot he went) Shot him again but hit the shoulder. He took a few steps and tipped over. After retrieving the broadheads both tips had curled and I had beveled them!
Back to 3 blades this year.

Andy is right on. I don't think there is anyway to curl these heads. I have only shot 1 animal with them. A good size Muley doe. She was slightly quartering to me at 20 yards. I hit her a bit forward and center punched her front leg bone. It isnt as heavy as a moose, but ive seen leg bones ruin plenty of heads. The arrow passed through leg bone and exited through the ribs. She didn't go far and the head was in perfect shape.

I have some and have not killed with them yet. I too wish they were wider, not necessarily much longer. As most know, a well shot whitetail will run 100 yards in seconds and with those narrow widths they might not put down enough blood. I plan to test them this fall and on hogs maybe this spring or summer. As Andy said they appear bombproof and super easy to sharpen.

Yeah, it's not so much that I'm worried they won't penetrate but more that the exit wound/blood trail will suck.

This is what most of the blood trail looked like with the deer i shot. Ive had more but Ive had less as well. Zipped right through it. This is my limited experience.

Andy has done a lot of testing with the heads. I have not shot any of their two blades but if they are half as good as the 3 blades you won't have any problems.

So are they about the same size as a Silver Flame now? Which is a proven killer

They are same size as a silverflame 150 and built like a tank!!!

This is the result of a 250 grain 2 blade VPA going length wise through a bison.  Sure, it looks better on snow, but I'm thinking I could have followed it on dry ground pretty easily.      

I haven't tried it, but the way these things are built I just imagine what it would take to curl the tip on one.  I doubt that a concrete block would do it!  They are an extremely well built head!

 

So the new head is still 1 1/8" wide?

QuoteOriginally posted by screamin:
So the new head is still 1 1/8" wide?

Yep 1-1/8"  

VPA two blade 200 grain broad head brought this guy down. 9 yard shot pass thru using a Toelke Super D. Went in behind his right ribcage, came out just behind left shoulder. A slight quartering away stance.

DO NOT POST IMAGES WIDER THAN 640!!!!

   [IMG]http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii498/tzolkosky/Super%20D/2012-10-13_09-46-31_983-1.jpg[/IMG]

Does anyone use the KME knife sharpener on these?

I use a file.  Wicked scary sharp.  But love the way they fly.

QuoteOriginally posted by wigeon:
Does anyone use the KME knife sharpener on these?

I use the KME broadhead sharpener, but I don't see why the knife sharpener wouldn't work fine as well.