Slick Trick ViperTrick Broadhead Review (Pro SS 125gr)

Want a great elk hunting broadhead that doesn’t break the bank?  The Slick Trick ViperTrick is one of the mass market leaders for elk hunting with a solid reputation… but does it live up to the hype?  Read on.

When I first started shooting fixed blade broadheads I tested a lot of heads.  When I first shot the ViperTrick I was astounded at how accurate it was but have to admit it’s tiny size had me wondering if it worked for elk.  After two seasons (and two elk hit), here’s how it worked for me.  First, some specs:

Overview & specs

The Slick Trick ViperTrick (yeah it’s a tongue twister) is one of many Slick Trick broadheads, so it often slips under the radar.  While their other options focus on maximizing cutting area, and are usually a true four blade design, the ViperTrick has different specs:

• Slick Trick ViperTrick
  • Two options:
    • Standard ViperTrick ($42.99 MSRP, 4 pack, Black coated steel ferrule)
    • Pro SS Vipertrick ($47.99 MSRP, 3 Pack, Stainless steel ferrule)
  • “Cut on contact” design, relaxed blade angle for penetration
  • 1 1/16” wide main blade
  • 7/8” bleeder blade
  • 100 or 125gr
  • $26.99 MSRP for set of 4 replacement blades

The cut on contact design, the two blade + bleeder layout, and s narrower 1 1/16” width mean serious penetration.  The design works so well that far more expensive broadheads like the Iron Will v125 or Day Six Evo have the same basic layout.  

This review is for the “Pro SS” version which is exactly the same as the standard version except for the rust proof stainless steel ferrule.  That’s a nice detail for backcountry hunting in the rain and snow but you could certainly get the standard version if you want 4 heads instead of 3.  

My Slick Trick ViperTrick Review (Pros & Cons)

After two seasons, one elk, and several axis deer, I’ve certainly put the ViperTrick through its paces.  Here are my thoughts:

Pro: Crazy accurate

I’ve tested far too many fixed blade broadheads.  Fortunately it’s easy to sell used versions or my wife might catch on (shhhh!).  I’ve never tested a more accurate broadhead than the ViperTrick, which is saying something.  I’m not alone here: I’ve seen a few broadhead tests that have it as their most accurate head.

Pro: Impressive penetration

When I shot my elk the arrow went through so fast it knocked a branch off a dead tree on the opposite side (see picture). While that isn’t a scientific test, they’ve zipped through a few animals now at reckless speeds. These penetrate so well they’d be a good choice even for someone with a low energy setup.

The only thing that could be better is a slightly narrower or more relaxed bleeder blade angle.  However, you get some serious cutting diameter (⅞”) and they clearly still penetrate well, so that’s a minor quibble.

Pro: Great tolerances

The tolerances on the Slick Trick ViperTrick rival some of the most expensive heads I’ve tested.  They’re almost always at 124.5gr, but none is more than 0.5 grains away from that point.  That’s impressive consistency in a mass market head.  They also spin very well although I did find one that needed to be “tuned” (bent gently) from the factory. Keep in mind I’ve gone through 15+ of these heads, so that’s a great track record.

Pro: Easy to resharpen + sharp out of the box

What? Resharpen replaceable blades?  Yeah, it’s actually possible.  As I mentioned in the broadhead gear guide the ability to resharpen your broadhead on the arrow is really important.  The straight blades and 2+2 design made it easy to strop these back to razor sharp after some pre hunt practice.  It’s easy to swap the blades for high volume practice sessions as well.

These come scary sharp and every one I’ve recovered has still been sharp enough to be dangerous.  The steel in the blades isn’t the same quality as some ultra expensive heads, but it seems to be a cut above other options I’ve tested.

Pro: Stout and strong

That compact head design doesn’t just mean good accuracy: it also means these are strong heads, especially for their price point.  The stainless steel ferrule runs the entire length of the head and is actually the first part of the head to impact a target.  I’ve plowed these into a few rocks (and unfortunately, one breast bone) and they’ve always held their own.

As an aside, that design also means that the 125gr head is stronger than the 100gr version.  While that’s great, there is one drawback…

Con: Easy to bend tips

Since the ferrule is the first thing to touch a target, that means it’s pretty easy to bend if your broadhead goes through a target too fast or you miss.  I’ve ruined a few heads that hit hard objects after zipping through animals, which is a nice problem to have.  You could always use a file to touch them up, but at $13 for a head I just replace them.  However, that design flaw is a drawback if you’re somewhere in the backcountry where you can’t just swap it out.

Con: Standard vented “hiss”

Any vented head is going to make a “hissing” noise as it flies and these are no exception.  That’s the tradeoff for great accuracy and it doesn’t really matter for elk hunting unless an animal is already spooked.  I have noticed Axis deer (the twitchiest big game animal on the planet) were able to detect the head before it got to them.  Again, don’t over analyze this, but it is there if you’re looking for a dead silent option.

Tips & tricks

A blister pack of 4 replacement blades is small enough to throw in your backpack in case you want backups.  You can even put in a ferrule (with no blades) in as well if you truly want another option.

Spend six bucks to get a MTM broadhead case for these guys since they don’t come in a reusable box.  It’s well worth the investment to protect your blade edges.

Alternatives

So many options.  In this price range, the closest heads I’ve tested to these are the QAD Exodus.  While they’re even stouter, I never found them to be quite as accurate as the ViperTricks even with the swept version of the blades  (i.e. illegal in some states) .  They’re still a top pick if you want something with more cutting area, ultra strong construction, and slightly quieter flight.

If you have a truly low powered setup and want even more penetration, the RMS Cutthroat is one of the best true two blades I’ve tested.  Be aware they do rust and they’re fairly difficult to resharpen.  However, they’re accurate and very quiet.

In my opinion, you’re going to go to a really expensive head like the Iron Will or the Day Six Evo to get a better performing head than these. Is that worth the cost? It’s up to you.

Summary: Slick Trick ViperTrick

If you’re looking for the best value broadhead in elk hunting, the Slick Trick ViperTrick is my top pick for a reason (see the broadhead gear guide).  They’re extremely accurate, penetrate very well, and are built with precision.  Yes, they do make the standard vented “hiss” and their design makes it easy to bend the tip of the ferrule, but those are small concessions for the cost.

Would I buy them?  Yup, I own plenty and use them when I’m not testing other options.  I’d happily shoot these at any animal in North America and recommend them to everyone I know.  There are other options that are wider or have more blades, but if you’re looking for reliable penetration at a fair price, these are the heads to beat.