SWHACKER

This is a test of the 100 gr Shwacker 207, 2" Mechanical broadhead.
Here is summary of my 2023 Testing Procedure & Scoring w/the scores of this head posted in parenthesis as well.
Swhacker 207 Total Score: 84.78 = 9 Golden Arrows
1. Flight Forgiveness (20%, 20 pts)
This is not just a test of how heads fly out of my bow, as it was in the past. With a well tuned bow, properly built arrows & good form, almost every head flies well. That's why in the past most heads got a flight score of 9 or 10. But that doesn't help those who may not have perfectly tuned bows/arrows/good form. So now I am gauging Flight Forgiveness. This is based on how the head flies for me, how well it spins, how "sensitive" the flight is to imperfections, & the exposed surface area of the blades. The max score of a Mech is 20 & the max score of a Fixed is 16.
2. Cut Size (20%, 15.81 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. (1" + .255" = 1.255" = 3.5 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. (2.25" = 6.31 pts)
The max cutting diameter is compared to a standard of 2.0", then that fraction is weighted to 6% of the score. (2" = 6 pts)
3. Blades (20%, 17.85 pts)
Initial sharpness (9%, Mech: 200 grams; Fixed: 175 grams; 10/10 = 9 pts) & Edge Retention (9%, +75 gram = 8.5/10 = 7.65 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 and 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%, 16.05 pts)
There are 3 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 9% of the score. (7.25" = 7.25 pts)
Pen Test 2: Layered cardboard. # of layers penetrated is compared to a standard of 70 layers & weighted to 9% of the score.
(48 layers=6.17 pts)
Angled Penetration Test: How effectively does the head penetrate 1/4" MDF covered by carpet at a 45 degree angle. This accounts for 2% of the score. (10/10 = 2 pts)
5. Durability (20%, 14.2 pts)
Each head is shot thru 1/2" MDF 3 times. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 12% of the score. (9/10 = 10.8 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. (5/10 = 2.5 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. (5/10 = 1.5 pts)
Steel plate & concrete are certainly not "realistic" mediums, but they do reveal the outer limits of a head's durability.
BONUS:
+1 extra forgiving flight
+.5 virgin blade design
TOTAL SCORE: 84.78 pts = 9 Golden Arrows
Price: $14.65/head
Special Notes:
Please check out my sponsor, Stay Sharp Guide. 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:
TRIFECTA: LUSK10 saves 10% on any order.
SEVR: LUSKFIVE saves you $5 on any order & can be used on top of any online sales.
ZEUS & HERA Broadheads (New Era Archery): LUSKFIVE saves $5/pack
Vector Custom Shop: LUSK gives Free Shipping
AFFLICTOR: LUSK10 saves 10%
Tooth of the Arrow: LUSK19 saves 10%
DEAD X BOWHUNTING Big Game Broadheads: LUSKFIVE saves $5 per pack.
Crimson Talon: LUSK15 saves 15%.

[@ThumbsMcThumb]

This is one of those heads that have not gone through any huge redesigns over the years. They’re just a bowhunting workhorse.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Yep.

[@shaneg8531]

My daughter and I just used these 207 to harvest a big doe last night. I've always gone back to these heads over 10yrs. They fly so nice, quite, and animals don't go far ever. I once did a 12yd frontal shot a 4yr old buck. The shaft was buried to the fletchings out of a 60lb pse DNA and 27.5". Buck turned and ran steps them fell over.. Great video!!!! Keep them coming

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Nice. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@jolookstothestars6358]

The 1.75 Swacker is what I went with for the first time this year. I love the accuracy, the blades are hidden so they will stay sharp and how the blades open AFTER they pass ribs. Most guy get pass threws so the bloodtrail is really good.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Absolutely. Thanks for sharing that experience.

[@ozarkphoenix6615]

Swhackers #207 and #231 has never let me down. they're my main go to broadheads!

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Thanks for sharing that.

[@nadineherrell5426]

Good show and demo. Michael Herrell

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Thank you Michael

[@jayfry905]

I have always wondered if they did a entrance hole I’m glad they do I might try them now thanks for the review 👍

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

YeahC but just a 1” slit.

[@codysmith8042]

@@LuskArcheryAdventures Similar to a lot of 1" slits from a 2 blade single bevel that everyone seems to love.

[@robertlunnar8260]

Nice video

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Thank you

[@transgenderedmuhammad8817]

Do this with every freaking broadhead!!! The flight forgiveness test is the most underrated and best test you do!!!! It’s amazing to see which broadheads actually fly true to field points, please keep doing this!!! All of them!!

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Thank you. I have about 300 Broadhead Test videos on my channel...but am planning to keep going as long as I'm able :)

[@timbow50]

It must be understood a broadhead is an expendable item, as is the arrow. Especially when part of it is aluminum. IMO, theses are probably a one time hit head. I like the manner in which the blades are designed to deploy. Actually, two different cuts? My friend uses these but with a twist. He uses those little latex dental rubber bands and always has some great results. And , like John, has some awesome flight results. 👍👍👀

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Yep, some great strengths. I don’t worry so much about reusing a broadhead. But “one and done” concerns me cause when is the “done” taking place? If it bends terribly or breaks shortly after penetrating an animal, then I’m not getting optimal cutting all the way thru. But if a head makes it thru an animal unscathed, that means it cut effectively all the way thru.

[@timbow50]

@@LuskArcheryAdventures I mean I would consider it basically a one time use. If it wasn’t damaged that’s ok. But must be ready to throw it away if it’s not 100% good.

[@ozarkphoenix6615]

​@LuskArcheryAdventures I've gotten a Buck and a Doe with the same #207 before and it still spins true. It really depends on where it hits.

[@authorityfigure1630]

@@timbow50they make replacement blades. The head should be good for many hunts

[@justinjones2882]

Vented aluminum ferrule... that's a hard combo to get to hold up. Great test thanks

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Thank you

[@acanuck3267]

I'd like to see you 'review' a field point. Would be neat to see how a FP holds up as a comparative to BH. I think it would be interesting to see a line of which BH are worse and better performers compared to a FP.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Yeah, I keep meaning to do that.

[@vfonte218]

Great review as always John. I seem to notice that the broadhead companies have seemed to step up their sharpness on thir heads. What do you think?

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Oh yeah, they’re certainly trying to do that.

[@6saturdaysaweek]

One of the best mech out there.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

:)

[@yourmomma2995]

great test. this is the reason i shoot the 1.75" model, they are stronger in both the blade design and a shorter ferrule too for better durability. never had any damage going through deer or turkeys with the 1.75" they were all re-sharpened and are now back in my quiver.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@J_Staub]

Great review as always….same experience I had with them (they are far from durable and break / bend easily). I won’t use them again.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@ericbz1]

Nice I just bought a bunch!

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

:)

[@bobstoddard1796]

John, could you do a video that compares your test results for sharpness to items that we assume are sharp, i.e. razor blade, exacto knife, scalpel. Also, an explanation and comparison of Rockwell hardness to other items.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

I list those comparative sharpness scores in each video description. Rockwell is harder to give comparisons other than to other broadnheads. That because they not only have to be hard and sharp but also resistant to impact, which is measured by the Charpy V Notch scores.

[@CoastalHighCountry]

I've always liked Swackers. They aren't fancy but get the job done 98% of the time.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

:)

[@kenturmon3660]

Dam you really punish those things 😳

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Haha. I do! It’s interesting to see how the heads perform under extreme conditions.

[@deeacosta2734]

So good. What would you recommend for hunting the most dangerous game?

[@tray22]

Solid cut on contact head with some decent FOC. What I have seen with mechanicals is that it really scares the animal and that isn't good for dangerous game IMO. A solid cut on contact zips through so fast that the really aren't sure what happened. This leads to shorter track jobs, better blood trails because they aren't jumping and running as hard, and many times die in sight.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

It depends on which DG you're talking about. Cape Buffalo...Leopard...? I'd use different ones for each of those.

[@mikefromoh2925]

Hey John just curious, in what circumstances would you prefer an over the top vs rear deployed broadhead?

[@yourmomma2995]

myself, i ALWAYS prefer over the top heads in every situation, no chance of the blades collapsing in, or closing up. i like to keep it simple as possible, and i don't try to fix something that has proven itself to work so well.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

I only prefer a front deploying mech if I’m trying to penetrate thru something really tough-like the tail quills on a turkey. On most game I don’t want to use them. I have, but it’s not my top choice. The reason is, if I don’t get a pass thru, then I only get one small hole at the entrance. And that doesn’t lend itself to a great blood trail. There may be great internal damage, but the animal may be tough to find. With a rear deploying mech I’m almost guaranteed at least one large entrance hole. If there is a pass thru, then it’s 2 big holes.

[@michaelcurtis8114]

I've noticed that if you put this head on a crossbow arrow, the wing blades hit the insert after deployment, stopping them from going all the way to the ferrule and give about another 2/16 of cutting diameter😅

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Oh that’s a good observation.

[@mrgabriale]

Just curious as to what broad heads you use/prefer? Do you have a list of what you use for each animals?

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

I use A LOT of different heads. If you look thru my Playlist of Bowhunts, you'll see which ones I've used on my hunts and how they've performed.

[@mrgabriale]

@@LuskArcheryAdventures any plans for an archery adventure in NZ John?

[@luger9857]

This blade deployment style is the only mechanical brodhead type I would trust with trad bow hunting. Still better to use single bevel brodhead.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Okay.

[@frankgulla8782]

Love the 207! Very accurate and extremely effective. Wouldn't want to hit major bones with it but if you pick your shots carefully it will put em down quick, thanks john.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Thank you

[@travisscott6257]

wish there was a way to test the pounds of pressure it takes each mechanical head to open? Something I've been interested in.

[@yourmomma2995]

i tested the heat shrink swhacker bands on my scale, it only took a few pounds of pressure to break the band. i bought a couple feet of heat shrink tubing and cut my own bands, you get about a million new bands out of a foot of tubing.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

There are a lot of those tests available. But what happens at high speed is very different than what happens when you push a broadhead thru by hand. The penetration tests will reveal any problems there are with momentum being lost due to opening.

[@bluelineoutdoors2726]

John, i have some Palmer extreme 4 blade cut on contact broadeheads , made for palmer by Muzzy. If you want to test them i can send you a pack? Todd

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Cool. I'd be happy to test those. My address is 2502 Sun Grove Road, Melissa, TX 75454 Thank you

[@officerfoxtrot3633]

Hey John, I think you got the slow lo concrete test vid mixed up… On the front facing camera, you can see a piece of green head come off the arrow shaft and land on the box. On the side view there’s no piece coming off and the head on the arrow is a 3 blade front deploying Broadhead, not a schwacker. Looks like an NAP or something similiar. I don’t believe you did this on purpose. If you had a bias, we would have seen it by now. But you might want to check your recordings and videos cause you got them mixed up.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Yeah, I accidentally inserted the wrong footage of the side view of the concrete shot. Another viewer pointed that out as well. Thanks. Sorry about that.

[@PersonalBestOutdoors]

They make good turkey heads

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Yes indeed

[@seldomseen_outdoors]

So after I shoot 1 ... what do I use to hold the blades back closed to shoot it again.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

They come with extra shrink wrap rings. Or you can order even more.

[@seldomseen_outdoors]

@@LuskArcheryAdventures I just bought some and it didn't come with the practice head either. Annoying

[@stevebrown6793]

Do you have a score page for all the heads you tested ?

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

I put one out in the last vid of each year. You can find them for the last two years in those final videos.

[@buckfever4721]

John I don't have your new address to send some broadheads for testing. How do I get it?

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

My address is 2502 Sun Grove Road, Melissa, TX 75454 Thank you

[@tripplebeards3427]

I know there is a cult following on this head but ill never use it because it makes a small entry. If you don't get a pass through your going to have little to no blood to follow. A rear deploy is designed to open instant so there is a huge entry hole. That way a least you will have one big hole for a good blood trail ( proving you made heart and or lung shot placement). Also I've experienced shot defection( and prematurely opening in flight) with front deploying but never rear deploying heads. Imo they should offer a titanium version. Imo probably an awesome head... IF....you get a large exit wound. They have a great tip like a muzzy...but the rest of the head is super weak.

[@PersonalBestOutdoors]

My thoughts exactly on these "over the top" style heads. I've never understood why someone would choose them over a rear deploying style head. I get the initial penetration beyond ribs, and letting the head open inside the lungs... that's the biggest argument I get with shooters that use these style of heads. But when the head opens before impact, there goes your argument. This Swacker 207 has one difference, though. The wing tips themselves are sharpened, so you're still getting 1 inch of cut through hide. In my opinion, this would be an excellent head on turkey... and it is. I've used it for that purpose, and only that purpose. Get in behind those feathers, and cut the bird up on the inside. If a guy is dead set on shooting a mechanical, there are so many other well- designed and better performing heads. Just my $0.02

[@jerrodladner3019]

It makes a 1.25 hole going in. How is that small. That's as big or bigger than most fixed blade heads.

[@PersonalBestOutdoors]

@@jerrodladner3019 I mentioned the undeployed cut going in the hide in my previous comment. And it's only 1 inch. Not 1.25. The only fixed blade heads I am aware of that have that small of a cut are far and few, and typically in the 85 grain weight class. If a fixed blade was that small, I wouldn't be using it either.

[@yourmomma2995]

its a minimum of a 1 inch entry hole, i in no way want to WASTE any energy on a big entry hole through the high side, hide and ribs that isn't going to bleed out any way. these conserve all that energy to make sure you get a low side exit hole that WILL bleed out, and if you make a proper hit, there will also be a lot of blood coming out of the deers mouth as well. i have never needed a blood trail with a swhacker because nothing i have shot with one has ever made it out of my eye sight, but there always has been a blood trail starting at the point of impact.

[@PersonalBestOutdoors]

@yourmomma2995 Any expandable requires energy to open... by doing so, they all "waste" energy to fully deploy. And they are only 1 inch entry holes, friend. You use what you like. It's obviously served you well. In my experience, they have done great on turkey. Even then, I've had them deploy before impact 5 years ago on a doe. For that reason, I won't use them on large game anymore. I prefer fixed blades. Simply because I don't have to worry about them not opening, or opening too soon. I do carry mechanicals in my quiver. Sevr 1.5 for long follow up shots (60+ yards) if I get an opportunity to put a second arrow in an animal. Or on exceedingly windy days, or a treed cougar. They definitely have a place in my quiver. At the end of the day, our opinions (mine included) are anecdotal. Facts are not up for debate. Use what you're comfortable and confident in. If it puts meat in the freezer, it's done it's job. Happy hunting.

[@tylerplatts4151]

Ten point evo x center punch?

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

If someone donates a pack, I'll test them :)

[@ArtemisPrime-dh2tn]

Tried these one time several years ago on a crossbow hunt after hearing a lot of praise about them, and was very disappointed by the performance. On a slightly quartering away 20 yard shot, the very tip of the ferrule barely penetrated in to the offside shoulder blade, after passing through the near side ribs. Both blades were badly bent and nicked. It remains the only shot with a bow or crossbow I’ve had that failed to achieve a full pass through, and the most damage a broadhead has taken.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Thanks for sharing that experience.

[@melvinsacromentoe]

Personally I would worry about the minimal entrance hole with that big of a cut. It’s like your getting the worst of both worlds

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

That is the drawback of a front deploying mech.

[@ilyathomas8813]

I had very poor experience with these heads and will never use them again.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Thanks for sharing that.

[@jameswilson5562]

I think i would pass on those great video

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Thank you

[@mikeguy9668]

All mechanicals are absolute trash. Paper thin blades that are butter knife sharp as soon as they get through the hyde.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Well thank you for sharing your thoughts, but that's just not accurate. I just tested a mech with .070" thick blades. I've shot the Sevr into cinder block 3 times with no damage and thru dried elk scapula 11 times...check out my tests of Sevrs. They're more durable than many fixed blade heads.

[@bfittock]

wow that's one broadhead. that is unacceptable. in my books you can never beat a soiled two or three blade broadhead from a soiled piece of harden steel material i know you guys over in the states normally shoot thin skin deer like white tails but over here in Australia we prefer soiled two or three blade broadheads for the durability on our big game animals

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Thanks for the comment