This is a test of the 125 gr Hades 4 blade broadhead, by Grim Reaper.
Here is summary of my 2024 Testing Procedure & Scoring w/the scores of this head posted in parenthesis as well.
1. Flight Forgiveness (20%, 18 pts)
I’m using a Killer Instinct SWAT X1 crossbow, mounted to a BOG tripod, shooting a 670 gr Bishop Archery GOAT bolt (300 fps) at 30 yds. Field points consistently hit in the 10 ring & bullseye. I use the exact same bolt to shoot the broadhead. The only difference in the two shots is the broadhead’s flight forgiveness vs that of the field point. A bullseye gets a score of 11/10, or a perfect score of 20 + 1 Bonus Point. The 10 ring gets a 10/10, or 20 points; a 9 ring gets a 9/10 or 18 points…& so forth, with each wider ring being 1/2″ farther from the bullseye. Mechs are also given 1 Bonus Point for extra forgiveness.
2. Cut Size (20%, 16.86 pts)
The more tissue being cut, the more lethal the head, all else equal. The entrance cut, total cut, & width of the cut (a crucial variable for bloodletting) are all scored:
The entrance cut size is compared to a standard of 2.5″ then that fraction is weighted to 7% of the score. (2.375″ = 6.65 pts)
The max cut size is compared to a standard of 2.5″ as well, then that fraction is is weighted to 7% of the score. (2.375” = 6.65 pts)
The max cutting diameter is compared to a standard of 2.0″, then that fraction is weighted to 6% of the score. (1.19″ = 3.56 pts)
3. Blades (20%, 18.44 pts)
Initial sharpness (9%, 226 grams = 9.74/10 = 8.77 pts) & Edge Retention (9%, +34 grams = 9.32/10 = 8.39 pts) are measured using the Edge On Up Sharpness Tester. The pressure needed for a blade to cut thru a copolymer wire is measured in grams.
Edge Retention is the loss of sharpness after the head is shot in Penetration Test 1, thru 1/2″ MDF & 2/3″ rubber foam mat & Clear Ballistics FBI gel. For every 50 “grams” of sharpness lost, 1 point is deducted from 10.
What are some sharpness scores for common edges?
A butter knife takes 2000 grams of pressure to break the co polymer wire.
A new high end cutlery edge: ~ 375 grams of pressure.
A utility razor blade: 200 grams.
Based on the many broadheads I have tested, here is my scoring scale:
Out of the Box Sharpness:
0-200 gr: 10
201-300 gr 9
301-400 gr: 8
401-500 gr: 7
501-600 gr: 6
601-700 gr: 5
Ease to resharpen or replace blades is judged & given 2% of the score. (6/10=1.2 pts)
4. Penetration (20%, 17.30 pts)
There are 2 penetration tests:
Pen Test 1: 1/2″ MDF, 2/3″ rubber foam mat, Clear Ballistics FBI gel. Depth of penetration is compared to a standard of 9″ & weighted to 10% of the score. (8.5″ = 9.44 pts)
Pen Test 2: Layered cardboard. # of layers penetrated is compared to a standard of 70 layers & weighted to 10% of the score.
( 55 layers= 7.86 pts)
5. Durability (20%, 18.98 pts)
Each head is shot thru 1/2″ MDF 3 times. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 12% of the score. (10/10 = 12 pts)
If a head survives that, it is then shot thru 22 ga steel plate twice. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 5% of the score. (9.75/10 = 4.88 pts)
If a head survives that, it is then shot into concrete once. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 3% of the score. (7/10 = 2.1 pts).
Steel plate & concrete are certainly not “realistic” mediums, but they do reveal the outer limits of a head’s durability.
Additional BONUS: 0
TOTAL SCORE: 89.58 pts = 10 Golden Arrows
Price: $15/head
Special Notes:
Please check out my sponsor, Stay Sharp Guide. https://staysharpguide.com or @Innovative Outdoorsman They make excellent broadhead sharpeners. The support I receive from them has helped me improve my channel
I also have some Broadhead Discount Codes I can share:
Accubow: LUSK10 saves 10%
Afflictor: LUSK10 saves 10%
Accubow: LUSK10 saves 10%
Afflictor: LUSK10 saves 10%
Annihilator: LUSK10 saves 10%
Bishop Archery: LUSKFIVE saves $5 on any order
Contact-Archery.com (formerly Method & Vector): LUSK10 saves 10%
Crimson Talon: LUSK10 saves 10%
Easton Bowtruk 2: LUSK25 saves $25 and Free Shipping
Evolution Outdoors–Jekyll & Hyde heads: LUSK10 saves 10% on any order
Exact Archery: LUSK10 saves 10%
Kayuga Broadheads: LUSK10 saves 10% on any order.
Lathrop & Sons Synergy Footbeds: Lusk1000 saves $10 on any order
Ozcut Broadheads: LUSK10 saves 10%
QAD Exodus: LUSK10 saves 10%
SEVR: LUSKFIVE saves you $5 on any order & can be used on top of any online sales.
Terra Firma: LUSK5 saves 5% on any online sales
Tooth of the Arrow: LUSK19 saves 10%
Toulou: LUSK10 saves 10%
TRIFECTA: LUSK10 saves 10% on any order.
VPA: LUSK10 saves 10%
ZEUS & HERA Broadheads (New Era Archery): LUSKFIVE saves $5/pack
source
I enjoy getting the first like on John's videos haha. Great work always John.
Hey I like the grim reaper head BUT!! I like that ozcut hurricane little more. But I love watching all u show 😊
I haven't shot the regular Hades but I had the 4 blade Micro Hades last year and they flew amazing and were very sharp. I never ended up shooting an animal with them, but I imagine they'd perform well.
Wow! Really suprised on these results !
Why no Swhacker discount code?
👍
Quick math note: 226 initial sharpness – 251 after-shot sharpness = 25 grams difference, not 34 as stated.
When I make it on YouTube I'm going to push for serious discounts for Veterans. If we support our Veterans we should actually support them. Especially in Hunting and Fishing.
I didn't know they made fixed blade heads. Very durable ones to! I like that tip as well. Another great broadhead test.🏹
What’s also good about the micro hades is they also come in 150 grains and not many replacement heads do.
Used my TAC arrows. 368 grains TAW with 150 grain micro hades. Shot multiple pigs with them and had crazy good results for a light set up. Like sticking in the tree behind the pigs.
No way!!! I was looking for this yesterday on your channel lol
So many good broadheads so little time to shoot everything…..
Keyshawn Radial
251-226=25 not 34
Just picked up a pack of these! Been a fan of Grim Reaper for a long time.
i think if i wanted to shoot a 4 blade fixed, i would choose one of the slicktrick models over this one.
Always enjoy your test. In the accuracy shot-count where the point hits, not where a blade can extend a clip line
Thank you for the testing. I think they are a good fixed blade broadhead.
Looks similar to the Thunderhead 125. Does this have the replaceable razor sharp blades that the Thunderhead has?
Rocket meat seeker 2” 3blade ?
This is a really nice design that at 1st looks like a "me too" design, but upon further examination, it has unique features that all work to make it perform very well.
Which fixed blades have you tested with the best flight performance?
They have a niche that Muzzy
Used to own. I used the 125
Four blade Muzzys to take many Whitetail deer. Muzzy
No longer makes the 1#5 grain
4 bade. They fly great and are
Damned durable. This looks
Likes the one you need. I'll
Be looking to find some.
Whoa Nelly!!!!
That is definitely going in my arsenal
Klein Square
Not even kidding when i woke up this morning i looked in your channel for this exact head!😱
Good review as always John. I ordered a pack of these exact broadheads this year Grim Reaper 125 gr Pro Hades 4 blade. They flew well out of my setup. I shot a mature Ky buck opening evening, and the buck went 30 yards and died within seconds. Complete pass thru and I'm pulling 55lbs with a RX8, 470gr arrow. One of the blades did break off and the tip got an ever so slightly curl to it. I believe it caught part of the off-shoulder blade upon existing. They are an excellent broadhead.
I use the grim reaper micro hybrid and the grim reaper 3 blade 1 1/2 razor cut extra cut. But this year im using swackers fixed blade and the flying arrows toxic and trying to get my hands on thorns throrn crown 8 blade broadheads. I would love to see you do a test on the swacker fixed blade.
Been a long time fan-would love to see “out of the box” sharpness test before the flight test-thank you sir.
I shot my second woodland caribou last September with the 100 grain 3 blade Hades at 42 yards. The broadhead went through both lungs and broke his opposite leg! I was shocked about the damage it caused! I will continue to use them from now on.
4 blade penetrate 8 inches is bad ass
Just shot my bull at 8 yards frontal with this exact broadhead. Devastating power! Bull ran 20 yards and tipped over.
I used these for a couple years. Super Sharp and put deer down quick. Also flew well at hi speed. I used the 150 grain. Still not sure why I changed. I guess I just like to tinker.
My two cents on grim reaper heads. Their best is the micro hades. Their mechanicals are so-so, I like that 6:17 you get 4 but that’s clearly because one or two will have a significant wobble right out of the pack. Stick with their smaller blade lengths unless you are shooting a powerful set up.