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PSE X-Force Axe 6

By Bill Krenz

No one does fast quite like PSE.

Three years ago PSE rocked the archery world with the introduction of a revolutionary new bow, the PSE X-Force. The X-Force single-handedly launched a whole new era of compound bow performance that blended unprecedented arrow speed with a surpassingly quiet, shock-free and accurate shot. The PSE X-Force did that with a radical new slant on bow design that incorporated a long and only slightly reflexed (backset) riser coupled with shockingly short, massively preloaded limbs and oversized aggressive cams. The shape was that of a relatively narrow upright rectangle, and the resulting performance was nothing short of spectacular.

Since that time PSE has greatly expanded its X-Force bow lineup, capitalizing on the advantages of X-Force design technology to develop a warrior fleet of X-Force bow models for today’s broad range of archers.

Among the newest in that lineup is the 2010 PSE X-Force Axe 6.

The new PSE Axe 6 merges X-Force performance with extraordinary versatility. At the heart of the Axe 6 are all the design elements that we’ve come to value in an X-Force bow, like a long and forgiving riser, massively preloaded 12-inch split limbs, Slim Low-Torque Grip, Vibracheck backstop and premium America’s Best Bowstrings. On top of that, the new X-Force Axe 6 features an innovative new high-performance cam system that offers an amazing 6 inches of draw-length adjustability without modules. Just imagine the versatility in that system. A dealer with a sensible PSE X-Force Axe 6 inventory can perfectly fit any archer who walks in the door. All that dealer has to do is quickly adjust the bow’s revolutionary Axe Inner Cam System to the desired draw length. That adjustment is simple, fast and accomplished without a bow press.

Consumers will also appreciate and value that tremendous versatility. Draw length with the 2010 Axe 6 can be user-fine-tuned in half-inch increments for a truly custom fit and feel. That boosts shootability. But it does more. Down the road, when new PSE bows become available, the remarkable adjustability of the Axe 6 actually elevates the bow’s resale value because it can be quickly and easily custom-fitted to almost anyone. That short brother-in-law or that tall new friend all become potential buyers. In today’s frugal world, that can become yet another strong selling point for the 2010 PSE X-Force Axe 6.

Of course the biggest selling point for the new PSE X-Force Axe 6 is the bow’s performance. In typical X-Force style, the 2010 Axe 6 is very fast. But this new bow, and its ingenious Axe Hybrid Cam System, is also surprisingly smooth to draw for such a fast bow and delivers a wonderfully quiet and shock-free shot.

Superb performance and remarkable versatility make the 2010 PSE X-Force Axe 6 a bow to reckon with.

How It Shoots

Conventional archery wisdom suggests that the faster the bow, the harsher it will draw, the noisier it will shoot and the more critical it will be of even small shooting errors. But the new PSE X-Force Axe 6 is anything but conventional. Its X-Force technology and new Axe Hybrid Cam System seem to handily deal with all of those things.

I was surprised by how smoothly the new Axe 6 draws. Yes, the weight builds quickly, as it must with a fast bow, but the Axe 6 then transitions into letoff with a pleasing gentleness that makes drawing and letting down this new PSE bow much easier than with many fast bows.

Even with light arrows, the 2010 PSE Axe 6 is an amazingly quiet bow with very little hand shock. Chalk that up to X-Force technology, those massively preloaded, past-parallel limbs, a stiff riser and the new Axe Hybrid Cam System.

There are some who still claim that especially fast bows are never particularly accurate. I can only surmise that they haven’t yet shot the PSE X-Force bows. In my hands PSE X-Force bows have proved astonishingly accurate shooters. I think a good part of that is the reasonably forgiving nature of the X-Force risers. While plenty of bow companies utilize excessive reflex in their risers to coax additional speed from their bows, PSE’s X-Force risers feature relatively little reflex. Everything else being equal, a straighter riser generally feels more forgiving than a more reflexed riser. The straighter riser on the new PSE X-Force Axe 6 feels and shoots great. The new Axe 6 is one fast bow that delivers outstanding accuracy. Grouping hunting arrows at 60 yards and beyond on my test range proved no problem at all.

Key Features and Benefits

Axe Hybrid Cam System

Smoother to draw and more readily adjustable, the new Axe Hybrid Cam System on the Axe 6 feels and shoots extremely well. At the core of the new system is the Axe Inner Cam, a rotating-module arrangement that enables the bow’s draw length to be quickly and easily changed over a full 6-inch range in half-inch increments.

Massively Preloaded Limbs

The dramatically preloaded 12-inch split limbs on the new PSE Axe 6 boost bow performance while also effectively dampening every shot. Those past-parallel limbs actually cancel out residual bow jar and vibration with remarkable efficiency.

Mildly Reflexed Riser

Most fast bows sport more riser reflex than the PSE X-Force bows, including the new Axe 6. With less reflex, the Axe 6 aims more naturally and is less affected by grip torque, both of which contribute to increased forgiveness and accuracy.

Slim Low-Torque Grip

Along with less reflex, the Axe 6 riser features a Slim Low-Torque Grip. That grip, with its narrow throat and reassuring flat back, encourages consistent bow-hand placement, and that too boosts accuracy.

Vibracheck BackStop

The bow’s Vibracheck BackStop instantly terminates bowstring vibration during the shot, effectively dampening bowstring vibration and noise.

America’s Best Bowstrings

The Axe 6 is factory-equipped with premium America’s Best Bowstrings utilizing Equalized Strand Technology to ensure minimal shoot-in time and no peep rotation.