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Tru-Fire has been making quality archery releases for twenty-six years. In 1984, the husband and wife team of Lynn and Judi Tentler took their passion for archery and turned it into the Tru-Fire Release Company. After running the day to day operations since 1999, Lynn and Judi’s son Steve and his wife Cheri purchased the company turning it into a second generation company. Since 1984, over 4 million releases have been manufactured and sold by the family-owned business! Year after year, Tru-Fire produces and sells more releases than any other company in the world. (For more go to: Tru-Fire release)
I should note that I have used Tru-Fire releases throughout my bowhunting life, so I was eager to try one of their new products…the Edge Forward Trigger release with a foldback buckle strap. In this evaluation, we’ll examine the new features and evaluate its performance.
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| The trigger is moved 1/2 inch forward to maximize draw length. |
Initial Inspection:
Upon initial inspection out of the package, I found no visible defects in workmanship or finish. The Edge Forward Trigger features a trigger that is moved forward by 1/2 inch to maximize draw length by eliminating space between the string and the trigger at full draw. The Edge also features a spring-loaded trigger, which opens the jaws when the trigger is depressed, closing them when the trigger is released. This makes for quick and easy attachment to the string or D-loop.
The Edge features an adjustable foldback buckle wrist strap which fits both right and left hand shooters, and is adjustable for both length (3/4″ adjustment by rotating the adjustment sleeve) and trigger travel by using a small set screw under the trigger (see Figure 2). The foldback buckle wrist strap has an elastic strap at the end of the leather strap to make it easier to get the Edge release over heavy hunting gloves. This elastic portion of the strap secures to a clip attached to the leather portion of the wrist strap. The release folds back out of the way to enable you to use your binos or range finder, climb into your stand, or rattle a buck in without interference from your release. The head on the Edge release rotates a full 360 degrees behind the trigger and independently of the adjustment sleeve. Once you adjust the length of your release to fit your hand and trigger finger, you can lock it into place by tightening a set screw located on the adjustment sleeve (see Figure 3).
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| Quick trigger travel adjustment using set screw. |
The first thing I noticed when I tried the Edge Forward Trigger on for the first time was just how comfortable this release is once you adjust the length and trigger travel to your liking. I normally use a Tru-Fire Judge release with the curved trigger and 360 degree head rotation, so the Edge felt very comparable in my hand. The linear motion bearing that Tru-Fire uses provides a very smooth trigger, and I found this true of the new Edge as well.
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| Length adjustment system extends 3/4″ and locks in place with set screw. Foldback design gets release out of the way to glass, climb, or rattle. |
Testing:
I evaluated the Edge release for comfort and function (performance). As stated earlier, the Edge release has adjustments for the buckle wrist strap, the length of the trigger from the strap, and the travel distance of the trigger. Evaluating the comfort of a release is purely subjective to what the evaluator feels when trying the release as compared to other releases on the market. In this case, because I already use a Tru-Fire Judge with a buckle strap, I found the Edge to be extremely comfortable. The buckle wrist strap has a soft inner liner that is comfortable against the skin during those long summer practice sessions. The wrist strap has 10 holes and ample adjustments to fit any wrist with or without hunting clothing on. The length adjustment system for this release does not require tools, as you simply rotate the adjustment sleeve to lengthen and the opposite direction to shorten the release head from the body of the wrist strap. After adjusting the trigger travel and length, I had no trouble finding my “sweet spot” with the Edge release, and it fit my hand and trigger finger perfectly.
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| Scaled down body and jaws…comfortable in my hand. |
The next part of my evaluation of the Edge release was to consider the function/performance of the release. The jaws of the release attached to my D loop effortlessly thanks to the design of the jaws and the spring loaded trigger mechanism. I appreciated the smaller release head design as I shot my Elite Judge bow with it. I tried several types of bowstring draws, from quickly jerking the string to smooth draw, and the Edge performed perfectly each time.
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| Shooting the Edge was the icing on the cake. Smooth, crisp and positive. |
The jaws held the string securely during each draw and release of the bowstring. To evaluate the sensitivity of the trigger, I fired 30 arrows from my Elite Judge bowhunting rig using each of the following releases: Tru-Fire Judge release, another competitor’s release, and the Edge release. My Judge release has a trigger sensitivity adjustment that was set for the most sensitive setting. The competitor’s release did not have a trigger sensitivity adjustment. The Edge was, by far, the most sensitive trigger release of the three tested. The Judge was a close second, and the competitor’s release had a more difficult trigger release. I like a sensitive trigger…one that almost surprises me as I release the arrow. I shoot more accurately when I am floating the pin to center on the target, not having to think about the trigger release when I release the arrow. A sensitive trigger accomplishes this for me and improves my accuracy a great deal. The Edge Forward Trigger release was smooth and very comfortable in my hand. My accuracy was on par using this release, and it took no time at all to adjust to the feeling of the forward trigger.
Conclusion:
Two thumbs up! The Edge Forward Trigger release from Tru-Fire is another in a long line of great archery releases. I think I’ll retire my Tru-Fire Judge in lieu of using the new Edge Forward Trigger.
Specifications as Tested:
- Strap Material: leather Evolution buckle – adjustable with 10 holes
- Strap Camo: Advantage
- Release Head Material: steel and aluminum
- Right or Left handed
- Length adjustment: ¾ inch (locking)
- Retail Price: $79.99
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime (1 year on straps)
Pros: Forward trigger (true draw length), super smooth, compact design, foldback release, comfort
Cons: None found
For more go to: Tru-Fire releases
