NAP Killzone Broadhead Review

You might encounter bowhunters who swear by a particular broadhead, but as any seasoned archer knows, loyalty can waver after a few less-than-ideal shots. Traditional broadheads often carry a certain reputation, especially those large fixed-blade ones that tend to create drag during flight.

To combat this drag, fixed broadheads typically opt for smaller blades, which, unfortunately, sacrifices the cutting diameter.

Now, the cutting diameter is crucial when you’ve found yourself tracking a blood trail for hundreds of yards – a scenario I’ve personally experienced, and it can be incredibly frustrating.

Our team member, Josh Boyd, has achieved positive outcomes using various Rage Broadhead models, including the Standard 2-Blade, Chisel-Tip, and Hypodermic. You can find detailed information about his experiences in this article.

Mechanical broadheads emerge as fantastic alternatives to fixed-blades. They offer excellent field accuracy, create expansive blood trails, and are quite affordable.

If you’ve ever found yourself cursing your fixed-blade broadhead, as I once did, it’s time to give a mechanical broadhead a shot. With a plethora of options available, be sure to conduct your research.

In this article, I’ll review a popular choice – the NAP Killzone Broadhead – to help kickstart your journey.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Choice of ultra-sharp cut-on-contact razor tip or trophy tip for extra toughness
• Spring clip design, no O-rings or rubber bands
• Two-inch cutting diameter for optimal cutting and blood trails
• Available in 100 grain or 125 grain
• Rear-deploying blades

Cons:

• Aluminum ferrule doesn’t hold up as well as steel
• Blade durability
• Purchase excludes practice head

NAP is renowned for crafting broadheads that create substantial entry and exit points, leaving prominent blood trails. Overall, the Killzone Broadhead enjoys positive reviews.

One primary concern centers around the long aluminum ferrule, which can bend after impact and compromise durability.

First Impression

NAP’s products are famous in part because of the razor-sharpness of their tips. The cut-on-contact tip will easily slice your finger if you’re not careful handling it. Even the trophy tip will draw blood if you press your finger firmly against it.

Sharp blades are critical for putting down game animals as quickly as possible. The Killzone blades are manufactured for maximum knockdown power.

The spring-clip design doesn’t require excessive pressure to deploy the blades, so be cautious not to test them with your hands – a lesson learned from my experience with fixed-blade Thunderhead Broadheads.

The aluminum ferrule, however, doesn’t instill the same level of confidence as steel or titanium constructions. Therefore, it’s essential to keep an eye out for any bending during practice shooting sessions.

Design and Performance

NAP’s spring-clip design is a welcome feature, ensuring that the blades remain closed during flight and while in your quiver. This eliminates the need for worrying about O-rings or rubber bands, which is an added benefit.

This mechanical broadhead can endure tossing and jostling during long hikes over rough terrain. The arrows can take a beating and won’t open prematurely, allowing you to carry them.

Upon unboxing, you’ll quickly appreciate the effectiveness and stability of the spring-clip design.

A two-blade design aids in retrieval and the two-inch cutting diameter more than stands up against three and four-blade competitors.

NAP designed the Killzone mechanical broadhead for extreme knockdown power on big game animals.

The two-inch cutting diameter creates a massive entry and exit wound, providing you a better blood trail. It also affords you a quicker recovery as a result.

Weight Considerations and Blade Quality

Killzone broadheads are offered in both 100-grain and 125-grain. The blade weights differ slightly between the two models.

The 100-grain blades measure .035” thick, and the heavier 125-grain blades measure at .039” thick.

There have been some reports of these broadheads being slightly off from their advertised grain weight, a detail I’ve encountered as well. The practice heads of the models also vary in weight.

This isn’t a big knock but can pose issues for bowhunters attempting to tune their bows correctly.

For the most part, reviews about the Killzone’s blade quality are encouraging. There are little to no complaints about sharpness, and the blades sharpen easily using a KME knife sharpener or related tool.

This is extremely helpful considering these arrows will smoothly run through bone, exit the body, and contact other hard surfaces in flight.

The blades conveniently slide out, and replacement blades easily slide back in leaving the tip and body of the broadhead in one piece.

These blades are sharp enough to take ultra-fine shavings off your fingernail’s surface or cause tiny cuts on your skin, so use caution when working with them.

Killzone blades generally have little to no problem breaking through cartilage and bones. These arrows routinely shatter strong bones of the ribs and shoulders.

In my own experience, I’ve come across reviews where some individuals have expressed concerns about the durability of the blades. There have been instances where users reported issues of blades breaking or bending.

It’s also worth noting that some customers have issues removing and replacing these heads. The distress concerning this issue revolves around the tiny nut, bolt, and tensioner piece manufactured with the Killzone broadhead.

The small parts make for tedious repair and replacement.

Replacement blades and practice heads are available for purchase. If you’re going to test these broadheads out before a hunt, it would be wise to purchase both.

Before you go..

The NAP Killzone boasts a proven track record but doesn’t enjoy the same level of popularity as other mechanical broadheads like the Rage Hypodermic or even NAP’s own Spitfire model – a matter of personal preference among hunters.

Some hunters prefer over-the-top broadheads versus rear-deploying. Others are partial to chisel tips, which aren’t offered with the NAP Killzone line.

If you’re interested in exploring the Killzone further, it’s worth mentioning this arrow has two additional models in the family.

The Killzone Maxx features NAP’s largest cutting diameter, which measures a devastating 2-⅜ inches.

The Maxx is equipped with all the original Killzone’s great features and an added cutting diameter that will help you retrieve.

The Killzone Swingfire is the first-ever broadhead that reduces friction and drag by independently shifting four different cutting surfaces. The Swingfire’s blades generate less resistance, improve penetration, and create momentum.

You can also purchase the full Killzone broadhead line in crossbow models.

Ultimately, there’s no denying that the NAP Killzone is a lethal mechanical broadhead.

Its ability to create a large entry and exit point, deep wound channel, and noticeable blood trail is noteworthy. An affordable price point adds to the appeal.