Athens Ridge 34 Compound Bow

Athens launched the Ridge 34 in 2019 at a $799 base MSRP - small-shop, direct pricing for a hand-built bow that shoots far above its cost. For that money the buyer gets a 34-inch, 335 IBO do-all whose real chronograph numbers hold up - 325 fps with a 350-grain arrow at a 70-pound setup - a smooth, classic-feeling draw into a generous valley, a machined grip shooters single out as the best part of the bow, and the twin rear-bar mounts and long riser that let it shoot 3D and spot as seriously as it hunts. The 2020 MT-cam version adds adjustable draw and let-off in the firmer 6.5-inch geometry, while the 2019 keeps the wider 25-to-32-inch draw range. What stays with me is how planted the hold feels - the length quietly steadies the pin in a way a shorter bow has to work for, which is why owners keep shooting it out to distances well past where a hunting bow usually stops. This is an excellent bow for the long-draw shooter or the hunter who wants one bow to hunt in the fall and shoot foam in the summer, particularly strong on a 3D stake or a spot line where the length and back-bar balance pay off. Buyers who want premium draw feel and tunability from a major brand should also look at the Elite Kure, while those wanting a forgiving major-brand hunter should also weigh the Bowtech Experience... read full review