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You have to pick one. Go.
Haha, can’t wait for the very predictable responses from the usual few.
But My answer is, I’m going to buy a half dozen Trypans sometime this winter.
Oh god let me see Chinese crap or American made and steel version tough choice!
I read somewhere that Vortex will outperform all others.
I looked at both late last summer and going only by looks. The Vortex look much better built. Looks like they would hold up to bone better. So if I have a bow held to my head. Vortex
Zwickey has ALWAYS held up.
Don’t get me wrong, because I’m no fan of Chinese produced goods, for political reasons.
But having dealt with OEM vs aftermarket metal parts in the industrial market for many years, I can tell you this:
If you tell a Chinese factory to build you a hundred widgets for one hundred dollars, you’ll get one hundred widgets worth a buck each.
If you tell a Chinese factory to build you one hundred widgets to your exact specs , then that’s what you’ll get at the price they quote you.
Blame the company placing the order not the manufacturer. Walmart is your typical example.
Rage are garbage can’t even replace the blades kit is worthless.
I have been shooting Vortex for 25+ years, so the answer is easy for me.
Vortex, tough, accurate simple design.. Don't be shy, give em a try..
Are all Rage made in China, or only the knockoffs on ebay? I have tried Rage and have a few laying in a drawer. Given the choices I have laid out, I would give Vortex a try
Like many, I bought a half dozen Rage when they first came out, however many years ago that was. Blades were constantly flopping around and that turned me off. I decided to just use them up on bears. One of the bears was a prefect hit on a broadside animal, but I couldn’t find that bugger. I found the arrow hanging in the thick willows just behind where the bear was standing with both blades missing. I found the bear (Under a huge lug) about an hour later after doing tracks cuts in the snow and determining he hadn’t left the small area. Things is that skinning revealed two completely deployed blades on entry and on exit, so they broke after the pass through.
I have the last one of that original half dozen leaning against the wall of my blind right now, incase a coyote comes by. I’ve had a strong negative mental block against them all these years but after testimony from so many absolute killers, I’m going to overcome my anti-Rage bias and try some Trypans.
But man that is a dumb sounding name. Sounds like a Walmart kitchen gadget.
If you watch Lusk outdoors broadhead tests he states that the Rage is among the worst performer on his test. He gives the Sevr great reviews. I know the tests aren’t the end all be all but the Rage holds up the worst in regards to durability.
"If you watch Lusk outdoors broadhead tests he states that the Rage is among the worst performer on his test. He gives the Sevr great reviews. I know the tests aren’t the end all be all but the Rage holds up the worst in regards to durability."
That is interesting, because anecdotally I have read quite a few more negative experiences on game with Sevr from a smaller group of users than I have with Rage.
I haven’t shot 10 with each more in the 4ish with each. At this point I prefer Rage. Getting the Vortex are a pain for me because of international shipping and exchange etc.
Performance-wise I also prefer the Rage because of the entrance hole. I don’t like that the Vortex aren’t fully deployed right away on impact. I shoot way too many quartering away animals where I seem to always anchor in the offside shoulder. It’s mentally I guess where I always aim. But it has taught me that you’re only truly guaranteed one hole. I know guys say “Better off with two holes than one” but I flat out disagree half the time and the other half you don’t get two holes. I’d take one rage hole to two fixed blade inch to inch an eighth holes any day of the week. I’ve shot enough deer with fixed heads to know what the blood trails look like. Yes sometimes you get some great ones. Often they’re mediocre.
I’ve also shot a NUMBER of animals full pass-through double lung snd liver shots with nearly no blood. I now prefer a big entrance hole.
As far as hitting major bone you ask? Well, there’s a very small margin of bone that you’d get through with a fixed blade that you won’t with a Rage. We’re talking fractions of an inch with of placement. There’s a giant sized guts “everything else” that I’d rather have the big head.
Vortex are great, I haven’t lost an animal with them. No slouch of a head. But mostly because of the entrance I’d rather have a rage, but 2nd they’re a pain to get for me. Also more expensive when it’s said and done. I shot my buck with a Trypan, but I think my next pack might be 1.5” Rage with the steeper angle. Best of both worlds I think.
Sevr heads have a match grain weight issue from what I’ve seen. Some as many as 5 grain difference.
As for Lusk testing, I disregarded when his flight test was done without a a hooter shooter machine.
Plus comparing a sponsor and small business to the conglomerate that sells rage. I’d lean towards Vortex just for that.
I don’t put too much into Lusks broadhead test. No offense but the test doesn’t always translate to real world hunting. Just like how he says the sevr was so awesome
I used the Ulmer edge (basically the same as sevr) years back and had some really bad experiences with them. I wouldn’t recommend using them personally.
Not sure what you mean, Spike.....................................I replaced the blades on 3 of my Trypans a couple weeks ago. Good as new!
Rut Nut's Link
I'm definitely a Trypan fan.............................. IMHO they improved the broadhead when they came out with the Hypodermic.........................then perfected things when they came out with the Trypan. I will probably be shooting these for years!
Here is the blood trail from my 2020 buck....................................I think Stevie Wonder could have followed this! ;-)
I had been bowhunting for 25 years. I always use Muzzy or Thunderheads Never use Vortex or Rage
Rut Nut maybe they have built them better now.
I have no experience with Rage, but really like the Vortex so far. Bought the 2" steel 125 grain heads for black bear this spring, but then Covid ruined that hunt. Have shot 3 whitetails this fall with the Vortex. 2 does only went 40 yards after double lung hits. Buck went quite a bit further than that, but shot was a liver hit, so was to be expected. I also shoot Slick Trick viper tricks, but wanted the larger cutting diameter of the Vortex on the bear. Hope i get to find out next spring on the bear.
"Rage or Vortex?"
That's like asking "Kale or Cauliflower?"
;-)
Matt
In a pasta salad with some Mediterranean dressing, Ill take the Kale every time :)
Happy Thanksgiving Matt!
Cauliflower over kale. Shred it and bake it in cheese.
I’ve killed a bunch of stuff with both, but will no longer use Rage. Vortex has never failed me...
I've shot probably 50 deer and bear with the snyper broadhead, it was a pre rage until they sold out, I have total confidence in this bh, its more like one of the low ke models, better blade angle and uses a rubber band for blade retention, which is way better. I will run out one day and have to choose another mech. I love mechs, got a chance to shoot my bow that I tuned over a month ago, sight is on, no need to check the tune again, just hunt, the mech will hit the spot!
Vortex 125 grain steel for me.
I currently use Iron Will solid 125. But pointed my archery beginner son in law to buy the Vortex stainless BH. They are very impressive next to the cheap looking Trypans. American made small business. What’s not to love.
I did a huge test about 5 years ago and actually NAP spitfires were the worst durability on the mechanical side. Did not use vortex at that time. Still using the 2nd place head out of the whole test. Magnus black hornet ser-razor. Rages actually held up better than schwackers, spitfires, not as good as the ulmer edge though.
I'm shooting low poundage, less than 60 pounds now. So I'm choosing a smaller diameter head which Vortex doesn't offer. So I'll choose the Rage +P model. I'd also choose Rage because if I only get one hole, I want it to be bigger. But truth be told, if I had to shoot a mechanical, I'd shoot some of the many Steelheads I still have in my archery box.
I guess I don't get the "cheap looking Trypans" comment. Both broadheads seem to be machined and well built with tight tolerances. Both spin true. I own both (stole Ermine's pic).