Why are woodsman's so much smaller than Snuffers?

[upnorthbacon]

I was going to purchase some 125gr Woodsman's today and they looked really small compared to the Magnus Snuffers?  The pro shop employee said the Woodsman's are smaller this year?  I ended up buying the Snuffers, they were nearly twice the size.  I'm wondering are the Woodsman's smaller for more accuracy at longer distances?  I only shoot 20yds and the employee suggested the larger heads for my setup thinking the size won't be a factor at such close distances.  Any other reason for smaller heads, I'm thinking maybe better penetration for low powered bows or something?

[Ryan Rothhaar]

The original Snuffers, back in the day, were designed as a 1 1/2 inch cutting diameter (the largest size Magnus makes is still close to this) based upon testing during the time Dad was developing them.  He was hand building the heads back then (this would have been like the late 1960's) and made sizes from 1 inch to 2 inch diameter with several in between.  The heads were used on deer with accurate records of recovery distances, blood trail etc.  It turned out the 1 1/2 inch heads were the most efficient out of the sizes he made.  For years and years that was the only size manufactured.

When the business was sold to Delta, later to Magnus, the different sized heads were made to fulfill the market demand.  Frankly, to ME, a REAL Snuffer is the 1 1/2 inch head.  I don't recommend using the heads smaller than the 145 gr size due to the amount of metal taken off to reach the smaller sizes.

As far as the Woodsman goes - that head was marketed as a "3 to 1 ratio" 3-blade head in the beginning.  The idea is enhanced penetration.  Good for lighter weight bows, etc.  Both manufactured by the same folks now, so the quality should be comparable.

If your "pro staff" guy told you development of the head size had anything to do with accuracy at long range he needs to go back to "pro school"      


Ryan

[lpcjon2]

I see you have broadhead envy,Its not the size of your broadhead but what you can do with it that matters.                      

  I think Woodsman are longer by 1/4" and the Snuffer has a larger diameter at the rear giving it a bigger look.

[Bill Carlsen]

The Wensels designed the Woodsman as a 3 blade Hunter's Head. It's not any more complicated than that. I also believe Biggie had some say in that so it might be appropriate and more historically correct if he has something to add.

[dragonheart]

Originally posted by Ryan Rothhaar:
The original Snuffers, back in the day, were designed as a 1 1/2 inch cutting diameter (the largest size Magnus makes is still close to this) based upon testing during the time Dad was developing them.  He was hand building the heads back then (this would have been like the late 1960's) and made sizes from 1 inch to 2 inch diameter with several in between.  The heads were used on deer with accurate records of recovery distances, blood trail etc.  It turned out the 1 1/2 inch heads were the most efficient out of the sizes he made.  For years and years that was the only size manufactured.

When the business was sold to Delta, later to Magnus, the different sized heads were made to fulfill the market demand.  Frankly, to ME, a REAL Snuffer is the 1 1/2 inch head.  I don't recommend using the heads smaller than the 145 gr size due to the amount of metal taken off to reach the smaller sizes.

As far as the Woodsman goes - that head was marketed as a "3 to 1 ratio" 3-blade head in the beginning.  The idea is enhanced penetration.  Good for lighter weight bows, etc.  Both manufactured by the same folks now, so the quality should be comparable.

If your "pro staff" guy told you development of the head size had anything to do with accuracy at long range he needs to go back to "pro school"      


Ryan

Listen to this, this man knows.

[30coupe]

They both work. I've gotten pass-throughs with both. Both fly great...no difference I can see.

Two blade heads generally penetrate better than either one, but as long as they are sharp and put where they belong, the deer are dead in pretty short order.

Pick one you like, get it sharp and go hunting.

[cacciatore]

Both are good heads,since they are sharp and straight.

[joe skipp]

Flip a coin...both heads are deadly and will get the job done. I prefer the larger 160 gr Snuffer, my hunting buddy the Woodsman. Either of us have any problems with flight or sharpening them to a razor edge.

[olddogrib]

I'm more accurate with low profile heads, but not because of anything to do with the head design.  I do see the arrow in my peripheral vision and the smaller it is the less it will bias my target alignment.  I can shoot 2-blades, but I have to align them with sort of a 11-5 o'clock orientation along with my cant, so that they tend to disappear at full draw. Vertically or horizontally to my line of sight and I'll "see" and mentally compensate for the flat and won't be as accurate.  I realize I'm probably the only shooter in the world with this problem and this confession will get me eternally banned from the truly instinctive club.

[landman]

Ryan, I used to use your dad's Snuffers but like all trad hunters I switched around and around and around.   They are a great broadhead and Imho, they're down right scary sometimes when you see their effect.

Didn't he write a couple of books on hunting from the ground?   If he did, are they still available?

[Molson]

Any qualified pro shop employee knows Woodsmans are smaller cause they ain't been around as long as Snuffers.  We all get a little shorter and fatter with age.   :p

[Ssamac]

I use the Woodsman 125gr 3 blade from a 50# Red Wing Hunter. I can guarantee that if you keep the blades razor sharp and place the arrow well, the deer will not go too far from where it's hit.
I like the 125 because I shoot a relatively light bow and my field points are 125gr so my practice arrows shoot about the same as my broadheads

Good luck
sam

[buckeyebowhunter]

Guys from your experience do the bigger Snuffers leave better blood trials than the woodsmans? Also do you guys find it easier to sharpen the big Snuffers?

[Rik]

Snuffers do tend to leave decent blood trails.

Here's a photo from last year. There were five of these between where my arrow hit the bull and where he fell on his face a few seconds later.

 

[overbo]

Rik,
All I can say is OUCH!!love those snuffer

[Ken Taylor]

I like them both.

Snuffer: The 160 grain snuffer is absolutely my favorite black bear head.

Woodsman: I shot a severely quartering away caribou with an original woodsman several years ago and got the lungs by route of the outside front edge of the left ham.