In this review I tested the Arachnid broadhead from Black Widow Innovations.
Now, this is a really cool head!
So, let’s check out this Arachnid and then put it to the test.
I’m using Bowtech SR6 set at 72 pounds and I’m using Bishop FOC King Arrows for most of the tests. But, on the really hard impacts tests, I’m using the Bishop FAD Eliminator.
A close look at the Arachnid Broadhead from Black Widow Innovations
Below is a good look at the Arachnid. Now, it doesn’t make a really wide hole but I imagine it’s going to cut a lot of tissue and open up that 1″ hole fairly well in an animal.
This is a cool-looking head and it has got some really unique features. First of all, it’s 6 blades with a 1-inch cutting diameter, giving you a total cut of 3 inches. The blades are made out of stainless steel.
The tip is made out of A2 steel, which is much more resistant to impact than typical stainless steel, about double the resistance to impact. So that’s going to make that tip extra durable and strong.
Now, another neat thing about the Arachnid heads is that they come with 3 extra beefy chiseled tips that are made of A2 Tool Steel, just like the blades.
And they are really big!
The Arachnid comes with three heavier tips made of A2 tool steel. With these you can up the weight from 100 to 125 grains.
So, you can either shoot it in a 100-grain or in the 125-grain, just by unscrewing and screwing in the other beefy, chiseled tip.
So, I like that modularity, and I like that 125-grain head makes up that weight not just by adding a heavier washer, which really doesn’t do anything to strengthen the head or make it fly better.
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But, by adding an extra beefy tip, you’re making that head a lot more durable.
Also, you’re putting that weight all the way at the front which is going to increase your front of center just a little bit as opposed to putting the heavier washer back here.
The blades are relatively thin at 0.027″ thick. That’s probably due to having 6-blades and being able to make the weight.
The blades are also single bevel, on the front and the back of the head, which is really interesting. It’s probably done so that they don’t get too narrow, too thin. If they were double bevel at 0.027″ thick, they might be too thin.
Because the blades are sharpened on the back as well, if you are pulling out of a target, that will make it a little easier. And, if it’s backing out of an animal, it will be cutting tissue while it backs out of an animal.
The ferrule is made out of 7075 aluminum, so it’s a pretty short ferrule and it’s a pretty stout aluminum. So, I thought the durability would be relatively good.
Now, one thing I will say is, when you’re putting the head together or when you unscrew it from your arrow, those blades can fall out really easily; a lot more easily than a lot of different designs.
And so, you have to be extra careful. They come with bases that you can screw on when they’re not in the end of your shaft just to keep the blades in place.
And, you really want to use those because it is pretty frustrating trying to get them all lined up and get them snagged on your arrow.
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Black Widow Arachnid testing
I was really eager to put it them to the test and see how they performed.
Flight Forgiveness Test
I tested the Arachnid to see how the heads flew vs. a field point.
Initial Sharpness Test
The initial sharpness test result of the Arachnid was 150 on the Sharp electronic tester.
Penetration Test 1 (2/3″ rubber mat, 1/2″ MDF, FBI Gel)
The Arachnid penetrated into the rubber mat/MDF/ballistic gel 6-7/8″.
Edge Retention Test (sharpness after Penetration Test 1)
After the first penetration test, I re-tested the sharpness… 225.
Penetration Test 2 (layered cardboard)
The Arachnid penetrated through 57 layers of cardboard.
Angled Shot Test (1/4” MDF/Carpet)
Here’s a look at the angle shot test setup.
Durability Test (1/2″ MDF max shots)
The head was in perfect condition after the angled shot test and 3 shots through the MDF. Now, it’s on to the steel plate test…
Durability (22 ga steel plate max 2 shots)
Here’s the head after 2 shots through a .22 gauge steel plate.
It held all of its blades perfectly. None were lost. None were bent. The edges did get pretty mangled up as you can see. And, the tip got a little bit blunted. But again, they all held in place and they made really nice holes in the steel plate (that’s pretty cool hole with those 6 blades and a really round circular hole in the center!)
Concrete Test
In the final test, I shot the Arachnid into a concrete block. Below is the Arachnid after that test.
Now, at this point, it had already gone through the MDF 3 times and the 22 gauge steel plate twice. There was a bit of a wobble to it after the concrete test. The ferrule also got a little bit bent.
But, other than that, man, it held together very well in this zero penetration test.
Finally, I shot the head into a concrete block…. The tips got bent somewhat and it had a slight wobble in the spin test.
Final thoughts on the Arachnid Broadheads
So, that what do you think of the Arachnid?
Man, I have to say that it performed a lot better than I was expecting it to.
I didn’t think it would fly as well as it did or penetrated as deeply as it did or be as durable as it was. So, I was pretty impressed with it here.
Be sure to check out the total cumulative score and the corresponding Lusk grade! Happy bowhunting everyone!
