In this review, I tested a classic broadhead… the NAP Thunderhead!

These heads have been around for a long time. I actually like testing these older broadheads like this one, just to see if the newer designs have passed them by or if they really are still holding their own.

For these tests, I used my Bowtech SR6 set at 72 pounds, 27” draw. I’m using Bishop FOC King Arrows for most of the shots, but then the Bishop FAD Eliminators for the really hard impact ones.

So, let’s go through some of the design features and specifications and then put them to the test!

The NAP Thunderhead At First Glance

Let’s zoom in and check out the Thunderhead and then put it to the test.

The micro grooves in the ferrule are supposed to aid in flight as it carries the air around with it and it rotates, which is supposed to aid in penetration. This is similar to what the dimples on a golf ball do.

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Thunderhead Testing

So, I was really eager to put the Thunderhead to test and see how it would hold up, especially since it has been around so long and has such a loyal following. Let’s see how it did!

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Flight Forgiveness Test

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Initial Sharpness: 225

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Penetration Test #1

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Edge Retention Test

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Penetration Test 2 (layered cardboard):

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Angled Shot Test (1/4” MDF/Carpet)

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Durability Test #1 (1/2” MDF max 3 shots)

I also shot the head into 1/2″ MDF (3 shots).

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Durability Test #2 (Steel Plate)

The Thunderhead looked brand new after going through the MDF and the steel plate and it still held up really well. But, the blades got a bit nicked up (“edge chatter”).

And then you can see the hole. You can see how it looks like just a ferrule hole with 3 slits coming off of it.

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Durability Test (Concrete)

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And overall, after the concrete block test, it still spun decently, but it did just break in half. Now, that’s after going through the MDF 3 times and the steel plate twice. So overall, fairly impressive durability.

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Final thoughts on the NAP Thunderhead

So what do you think of the Thunderhead?

When my buddy told me he was going to send me a pack of these, I was intrigued. I like to test every head. But, at the same time, I thought, “They are so old school. The newer stuff is going to be blowing it away.”

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But, then when I started playing around with them and looking at them, I thought, “No, these are really well-made and well-constructed and designed.”

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And the tests just proved just that. I can see why they have such a loyal following and why they’ve taken so many animals over the years.

Now, I will say that I think there are other 3-bladed heads on the market that do better than this one. But then again, this is better than a lot of them that are on the market as well.

So check out the score sheet in the description box and see how it performed in the areas that matter to you the most and see if it might be a good fit for you.

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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.

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!

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.

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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.

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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

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Initial Sharpness Test

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Penetration Test 1 (2/3″ rubber mat, 1/2″ MDF, FBI Gel)

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Edge Retention Test (sharpness after Penetration Test 1)

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Penetration Test 2 (layered cardboard)

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Angled Shot Test (1/4” MDF/Carpet)

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Durability Test (1/2″ MDF max shots)

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Durability (22 ga steel plate max 2 shots)

Here’s the head after 2 shots through a .22 gauge steel plate.

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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.

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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!

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