which are better-grizzlystiks or ad hammerheads?

[Smallwood]

Who has had experience with BOTH of these shafts that can give me an opinion on which is better and why.
I would be using them in a 55# longbow.
thanks,
sammy

[Paul Mattson]

This is a personal preference thing.  You are going to find people liking one over the other.  I have shot both.  They both have the same basic design.  That being both are a tapered shaft.  That is where the similarities stop.  The Hammerheads are one of the heaviest carbon shafts made.  They have a lot of carbon on the first 11" which aids in a higher FOC.  The Grz Stiks have a carbon weave design which helps making them a tough arrow.  The G stiks come standard with a Brass insert, the AD has an aluminum but a Brass insert is available.  As far as looks go.  The AD's have a Wood Grain look and the GrizStiks have a high gloss poly finish.  Grizzly Stiks are made in China and the HammerHeads are made in the USA.

[Shinken]

Greetings Sammy!

I have and have shot both AD Hammerheads and GrizzlyStik Alaskans (as well as AD Traditionals) out of several 55-60# longbows that I have in order to answer the very same question you are asking.

However, I have not shot a game animal with either the Hammerhead or the Alaskan.

I found that the Hammerheads tuned  a little bit easier than the Alaskans.  I also found that the finish on the Hammerheads (which is also less reflective than on the GrizzlyStiks) allows them to be extracted from the targets that I am shooting a little bit easier.

However, what I like about the Alaskans is the narrower overall taper of the shaft than the Hammerhead shafts.  I believe that on game one would be more likely to have a penetration advantage with the Alaskan over the Hammerhead when shooting a 2 blade broadhead.  Having said that, with a 3 blade broadhead I believe that both shafts would perform equally well.

I hope that information is helpful.

What will I be hunting with in 2009?  Most likely nock-tapered 11/32 hickory shafts with Grizzly El Grandes or possibly some Griz El Grande-tipped Whispering Wind hexpine arrows made by Bob B. that I got from Walt Francis not too long ago - both arrow types fly well from my bow and are *heavy*....

Shoot straight, Shinken

[Gray Buffalo]

I had a chance to shoot the Hammerhead last weekend and was liking it a lot. I will be getting some as soon as I get the $ together

[heydeerman]

Where can a fella get some of these Hammerheads???

[Daddy Bear]

AD Trad Lites, AD Trads, Hammerheads, and the new Raptor Signature Parallels are product lines of Arrow Dynamics.

AD Trad Lites are tapered shafts that are 9.5gpi.

AD Trads are tapered shafts that are 11 gpi.

Hammerheads are heavier tapered shafts that have a beefed up front end for durability and for built-in EFOC.

Raptor Signatures are 5/16" parallel shafts that are 8.75 gpi without internal foot. They have a carbon /fiberglass rod to use as an internal footing that is 20 grains per inch.

I personally would select the ADs over the GrizzlyStiks as I'm of the opinion that they are more forgiving and are just as durable when using a footed brass insert along with the aluminum nock adapter. ADs are very easy to tune and shoot exceedingly well out of a hunting stickbow.

Best,
DB

[Paul Mattson]

I have the Hammerheads in stock.  I don't have them loaded on my website yet.

[Tilzbow]

Does anyone know the weight of the Hammerhead full length shaft and the spine?

[Smallwood]

Since both these shafts are tapered, how do you go about cutting them to say 27" and still have a good fit for the insert?

With a 55#@26" shrew longbow and cut to 27" with a brass insert and 125grn point, which shaft would I need? the hammerhead lites?

These shafts would be for hunting, but also for stump shooting , which in fact, I break alot more shafts stumping than I ever have shooting thru an animal.

[Paul Mattson]

The Hammerheads come in one spine only.  There is no Hammerhead Lite.  If you want to go with a 27" arrow, you may want to go with the AD Traditional Lites.  If you are going to use them for stump shooting you can add the collar to the point for added arrow protection.

[onewhohasfun]

3Rivers shows hammerheads and hammerhead lite. What gives?

[Paul Mattson]

First I ever heard of the AD HammerHead lites, I will be calling Arrow Dynamics and getting more info.  I stand corrected, thanks.

[Terry Green]

From what I understand...the Hammer heads are just a beefier up front version of the AD Trad Heavies....that being....they are not just tapered...but parallel....tapered ...and parallel.

The outside is thicker on the Hammers..but the inside diameter is consistent to the taper....and the last few inches of the shaft are also consistent...so, you can cut them from the front one inch or 4 and they will take the same insert.

I do have and have shot the Hammers...but not taken game with them yet....as I have too many AD trad heavies made up at the moment...and don't have time to set up the Hammers as the ones I have shot are just being toyed with at the moment.

The Hammer's advantage is more weight up front, and tuffer up front.  Not like the regular AD Trad Heavies aint tuff up front though...if they weren't, I sure wouldn't have been using them exclusively for the last 7 years.

Don't know much about the Grizzlies as I've never had a reason to change shafts....but I'm sure they are a great shaft as a lot of folks like them as well.

[dino]

The Hammerhead lite is the newest shaft from Arrow Dynamics.  It has the same deflection as a Arrow Dynamics Traditional Lite shaft but also the heavy FOC that the Traditional Hammerhead shaft has.  Made for those shooting lighter bows but still want the FOC the Hammerhead offers. dino

[Daddy Bear]

If this helps, from 3R reference the different shafts:

Traditional Lite Shaft Specs
Spine: 35-55# @ 28"
Overall weight: 307 gr ± 5 grains, no GPI due to taper design.

Traditional Shaft Specs
Spine: 55-70# @ 28"
Overall weight: 355 gr ± 5 grains, no GPI due to taper design.

Hammer Head Lite Specs
Spine: 35-55# @ 28"
Overall weight 385gr ± 5gr, no GPI due to taper design.

Hammer Head Specs
Spine: 55-70# @ 28"
Overall weight 390gr ± 10gr, no GPI due to taper design.

I do not have the specs on the new Signature shafts as they are exclusive to Ted Fry.

Best,
DB

[hunt it]

Unless there is something new out there is no such thing as a hammerhead light.

Trad light
Trad
Hammerhead
Raptor Signiture shaft

[Paul Mattson]

They are new.  Just got off the phone with AD, I will have some in stock early next week.  I will also be carrying the AD parallel shafts.

[The Whittler]

Why make the HH lite when they are only 5gr diff. or am I missing something.

[Tilzbow]

Whittler,

From the spec's on the post above the spine on the HH lite is what's lite not the arrow weight.