VPA Wow!!!!

[Adam S. Daugherty]

I just wanted to give a big thumbs up to VPA 3 blade heads.  This thread is not to take away anything from any other of the heads out there, but these things are awesome, and I was highly impressed when I recieved a pack of the 175 grain 3 blade heads this past friday.  I have shot origianl woodsmans for years since they came out and harvested many critters with them, they were I thought the ultimate head at the time.  I had started classifying broadheads into 2 categories.  the 6 heads for a little over $30 club and the 3 heads for over $40 club.  I was hesitant to change clubs.  I have yet to put one of these through any hide yet, deer season opened in TN this past sat and with early am committments and temps rising quickly I passed on several shots sat and sunday morning on does and young bucks, but there is no doubt that these heads have to be tough.  From package to the sharpest I have ever gotten a 3 blade head or any head for that matter was less than 5 minutes per head going from flat file, to diamond stone, to ceramic sticks.  Absoulutely scary sharp.  They fly great with absolutely no noise.  They all spin tested perfect and the diamond tip on them looks to be flawless (much better than what the ones I used to make on WW looked like).  So if you were like me and used to be a breadhead builder gluing inserts into heads to get the weight up, altering needle points to chisel points, etc and your breadhead inventory is getting low I highly recommend that you check out some of the broadheads in the 3 for over 40 club.  Looks like WW elites are very similar to these heads as well.  Also the old school Zwickey green paint on the 175 grain head just looks cool too.  Not that it really matters but just for kicks I thought I would weigh the heads, most of the time a 6 pack of heads would have some slight variation in weights 3 to 4 grains here and there.  All three of these were 175 grains on the money on a digital scale out of the package.

[Tim]

I'm also impressed!  The steel used in the broadhead holds and incredible edge.  I took one out of the packet and have shot it at least 25 times into a foam block target and the head still retained enough sharpeness to shave my arm!  

Sharpening is done with a file and a couple swipes with a cermic rod....NICE!

[Adam S. Daugherty]

Yep Tim, most 3 blade heads I have used in past took some time on a file to get I guess truely "flat" with no voids between blade and sharpening medium.  These things are precisely flat out of the package (probly one of the things that leads to ease of sharpening) along with the type of metal used.  I used to pride myself in how sharp I could get a original WW after some time.  I can get these VPA's maybe sharper with minimal effort.  Been a season of some change for me.  Ended up putting on one of those skinny strings on my silvertip, now new broadheads, I better slow down or I will be tempted to give the Windaeurs a call for a new bow.

[Bowwild]

I've been using 2-blade single bevel Helix broadheads since my returnj to recurves in 2010. Four deer have been allergic to them. I have no complaints.

However, I bought a package of the 175 grain VPAs out of curiosity a few months ago. I too like their apparent toughness, I can sharpen them well, and the extra blade, if it doesn't impede penetration (?) might come in handy?

I'm going to make one of these VPA-tipped arrows my next shot this season.

[JamesKerr]

VPA's are the best 3 blades period.

[Chain2]

I used the VPA 250 gr. three blade on a bull elk last week, it is the only BH I will ever buy. Fantastic piece of equipment.

[Jim Rocole]

NEVER BEEN A FAN OF 3 BLADES. TRIED THE WENSEL SOODSMAN AND JUST DIDN'T CARE FOR THEM. TONITE i USED A VPA ON A MATURE DOE AND BY GOLLY I AM A BELIEVER. THE BLOOD TRAIL WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE. I DECIDED TO TRY THEM BECAUSE OF ALL THE POSITIVE THING I HAVE HEARD ON THE TRADGANG.

[Breakfast Boy]

Best heads on the market in my opinion.

[Mike Bolin]

Only heads that I use now. Have taken 2 deer and a pig with the 250 gr. 3 blade and have no reason to complain! IF I ever get to moose hunt, I may go two blade, but I believe I would choose the two blade VPA. Solid, well made heads with excellent customer service!

[magnus]

How are you guys sharpening these things? I can't get a good edge on them and have watched all the video's in the How To Section and i just can't get it sharp enough.    

[Mike Bolin]

magnus-the problem that I, and most other folks have with sharpening three blades it that we tend to use too much pressure.
I hold the head by one blade, between my thumb and forefinger and starting at the rear of the blade, make a light, sweeping stroke with a diamond file across two blades. Usually 12 strokes or less with the medium diamond file rotating the head until I've hit all three sides. I do this three to four times, decreasing the number of strokes by three to four strokes on each rotation of the head. I then go thru the same process with a fine diamond file. Takes longer for me to type it than it does for me to do it!
You can get similar results using whetstones from medium to fine, but you stroke the head on the flat stone. I truly believe that using TOO MUCH pressure is where most folks have trouble. I know that once I lightened up the pressure I got sharper heads in about half the time I was used to.
IF you are sharpending the older (non vpa) woodsman type heads, it will take some heavier pressure with a file to get the heads flat across the V. Same goes for Snuffers....at least it goes for the older Snuffers that I used to shoot.
I will be touching up my VPAs tomorrow for this coming week's deer opener and can try to take some photos of how I do it if you would like. Just let me know.
Mike

[raghorns]

For the 2 blade guys...I just started shooting the VPA 300 grainers...I too have ended my search for the right broadhead. Truly a WOW!

[Rob W.]

My favorite! Shooting 250gr. regular and 1.25" can't wait til Monday morning.


Magnus Pm sent.

[Guru]

Glad to see so many guys giving the VPA's a try.

I've been using them exclusively for 3 yrs. now and have had nothing but phenomenal results!


Three blade or two, they are top notch!

Quality thru and thru....    

[champ38]

I am very impressed with how easy the VPAs sharpen !!! I just finished my 175 gns...took about 5 min a peice. Using nothing but a bastard file, and lighter strokes with each pass. Im able to shave the hair on my arm with no pressure, just the wt of the BH.

[magnus]

I think I got it. Thanks guys and a BIG thank you to Rob W.!!! Appreciate it buddy

[razorsharptokill]

I used a a japanese water stone. 600 and 1200 grit. VERY light pressure then used the inside of a cereal box to strop them.