CJW:
Thank you for the " kick in the butt." I had been messing with my " Ultimate Steels," but had got off on some other projects and was behind time determining if I was going to get the broadheads to work and did they pass (my) quality test. Your thread gave me the boost I needed and I just completed the task.
Although you did not say you are considering using the " Ultimate Steels," and that you were wanting input from those who have used the heads; although I have not yet used the heads under actual field conditions, I will relate to you what I have determined, and has convinced me that I will be using the head this season.
ROCKET ULTIMATE STEEL 125 Gr. 3-blade
I determined what quality the head appears to be by a simple, and definitely unscientific, experiment. What I did does not determine " shock" force, just load pressure. However, I believe it gives a fairly good idea of how the head will likely perform on " headlfirst" (frontal) impact.
1. I solved the problem with the length of the ferrule post by using an insert with a thinner collar. Now engages well enough to hold the head, especially after the post is treated with " LocTite. #243."
I secure the posts of my heads in the insert using the " LocTite -#243." I also used to use the #243 in the blade channel, but this year I am going to use the " LocTite Instant Adhesive 410 Gap Filling" for the blade channel. Doing this makes for a very secure head. When I want to change the ferrule or the blades, I just soak the entire head in a can of " Acetone" until the adhesives dissolve.
2. Determining how secure the blades are in the ferrule.
a. After tightening head in the insert, I did not detect any degree of side-wobble or forward and backward movement within the channel.
b. Suspended 13.01 pounds from the blade and let hang for 1 hour. Blade did not move or disengage.
c. Without retightening the head, I suspended 29.04 pounds from the blade and let hang for 1 hour. Blade did not move or disengage.
d. Without retightening the head, I suspended 42.05 pounds from the blade and let hang for 1 hour. Blade did not move or disengage.
2. Determining strength of blade when pressure applied to side of blade.
a. Suspended 13.01 pounds off blade sitting a 90-degree angle. Blade did not bend or break
b. Suspended 29.04 pounds off blade sitting a 90-degree angle. Blade did not bend or break because insert turned within shaft. Because the insert turned, the weight was not on the blade at 90-degrees but briefly. Even so, the blade did not snap. However, when the insert/broadhead turned, the sudden dropping of the weight (29.04) still did not disengage the blade from the ferrule.
3. Rough idea of penetration capabilities.
a. Using a " leathered" and stiff (sinewy) deer hide from last season, and a 12" (cut) section of a 2315 aluminum shaft, from 6 feet from the hide I threw the shaft section mounted with the broadhead, at the hide as you would throw a knife. Broadhead easily and cleanly penetrated the hide for approx. 4" past the back of the head.
I have no idea what speed was developed by hand-throwing from 6 feet, or what the KE was, but I don' t have to tell you that I am sure neither registered on the scale in comparison to being shot from a bow.
I am not impressed with the company' s (Rocket) service, but I am impressed with my findings. I am fairly excited about using this head this season. Not (mainly) because of the obvious durability and penetration capability, but because the low-profile will probably perform near to a fieldpoint in flight, and the low profile may allow me to reduce my fletch size from 5" to 4 " . That means improved fletch clearance.
If you want to see some photos of the experiment, just click on the below listed link and click on a pic to enlarge.
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/bc/c90...c=ph%26.view=t