Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Shell on March 29, 2008, 12:18:00 AM
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....favorite!!
I got the luxury of viewing a collection of some profile pics of some of the most beautiful bear bows...I have always loved a one piece recurve the best and honestly think I have found the bow that suits me, I know shooting one that does shoot well for the individual matters in choice but...Although while gazing at this forum on some downtime, I really been dazzled by some beautiful vintage bows...and am hooked. When Frank brought that 59 home (I know Jeremy, your favorite :D ), I have to admit I was a bit envious. I am on the lookout for one now that I can shoot, something in shootable condition, does'nt need to be mint but to just shoot and look at, plus the history one may hold... am partial to the 60's also but that bow just took my breath away and love that slender grip(thanks so much Daryl (Trap)...any pics from others, or were they pretty much all the same?
Thanks in advance.....and thank you Daryl for the push over the edge..... :archer:
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Shell there is a great looking 1959 listed on freebay right now...it's listed as a 1960,but it's a 1959 with a late 1961 early 1962 Bear coin replaceing the original copper coin..check it out if you have time...pretty good looking bow.I would want to see close ups of the tip overlays before I paid to much for it myself..bowdoc
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Shell, sent you a PM.....
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What weight are you looking for Shell? I might have something for you that'll make Frank jealous :D
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Shell, that bow you drooled over is a 1956 Kodiak Special. 60" model. the 1956 kodiak was the double shelfer. Good luck in your search. Trap
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Thanks guys, I'm a greenhorn with these older models but know what I like when I see it...sorry if this sounded as if I was asking to purchase one on the forum, not that, I just wanted to see pics of any other 56 kodiak specials in strung profile and if they all came in the same woods etc...
and doc, please don't say that when Frank's around... shhhh but I was aware of it...
I too like that 59 but never thought I would like any of the 50's models until at that point when I seen that 56 strung.
Now I'm hopelessly hooked.... :help:
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Jeremy, You stirring that pot again? :saywhat: :D
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Me?? Not at all :D
But I do have something coming in the mail you just might like :D
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Here ya go Shell. Top is a '56 Kodiak Special, the bottom is a '57.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/More%20Bows/5657one.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/More%20Bows/DSCN1892.jpg)
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You REALLY don't make things easy on me Jeremy...
Now I'm loving both put together like that...
I can see this is gonna be nothing but trouble :goldtooth:
I did peek at the interview and am in awe of those bows in the collections of pics...
And I just wanted to pick/find a faorite "1"
to shoot not start thinking of more...
the 56 is the one for me...although.
oh, I should'nt even be on here. I got some work to be finishing on..
Thanks so much for the help guys, I appreciate it tremendously and you all are the best.
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Hey Shell,
Thought I'd join in. Heres another 56' Kodiak Special and I believe its all original down to the strike plate and rug. 68" 48@28, and a smooth smooth shooter.
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/992life/IMG_0449.jpg)
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/992life/IMG_0448.jpg)
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/992life/IMG_0447.jpg)
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Here's a shot of the sight window on a 1958 Kodiak Special I've been working on.....The purple heart trim really looks good with new finish.Rosewood with purple heart....hummmmm,bowdoc (http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii175/bowdocsarchery/57003.jpg)
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Doc your killing me,that is some pretty wood
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I wonder how a nice orange-barred feather rest would look on that fine weapon??
:bigsmyl:
Trap
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Wow doc, that baby looks wet. Hmmm, I have been wanting to get mine refinished......Tim
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Thanks guy's,nope she's actually dry(24hrs)Inbetween coats or cotes...I just done about 5 minutes ago,spraying it again.Still have about 3-4 more coats to go.Oh yes that 57-58 KS with the purple heart trim looks great...They shoot good and look good too,what more could a traditional archer want?????? bowdoc
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Here's a few more pics for ya Shell to :help: you out.
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa277/DUCK_TRAP/56KodiakSpecial007.jpg)
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa277/DUCK_TRAP/56KodiakSpecial011-1.jpg)
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa277/DUCK_TRAP/56KodiakSpecial001.jpg)
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Trap, that's a beauty! I've got a 1956 64" 45# Kodiak Special that came with an original scabbard quiver - both are in great shape. I also have a really mint 1956 64" 50# Kodiak Special that has lots of birdseye on the back side of the riser. Sorry, don't have pics of either available right now. Maybe I can get some going and add them to this thread over the weekend. CKruse :cool:
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I love the Kodiak Specials Cam. And I dig those old Bear Quivers also. I've bid on several of those 3 arrow scabbards but havent won one yet. The KSs are a heck of alot of bow for the money usually. I just recently received a 68" 45#er that needs a face lift. I cant wait to shoot it.
When I received the 60" pictured above I was sure the grip had been reworked because it was so small. The leather grip had been replaced with a lace up job. When I took it off the original specs were written underneath.
Is it the '57 KS that has the tri-colored tips red, black and white? They are sweet. If so, show us those tips Doc. I bet they are stunning.
Daryl
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Here's a couple pics of my new (to me) 1955 Kodiak Special. It was the first year for Kodiak Specials and this one is a 57 pounder!
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/migrabill/bows/55kSp2.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/migrabill/bows/55kSp4.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/migrabill/bows/55kSp6.jpg)
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Oooooh, that 55 is nice. I want one of those. What is the I beam on that one, stained maple? or another wood?
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Diamond wood ibean for 1955...Neat bows...bowdoc
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Good stuff, thanks doc. I didn't know Bear used diamond wood that early on. I really gotta get the catalogs, theres so much to learn about these things.
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Daryl, That is the one! One beautiful bow and right on about the quiver aboard... quit teasing about the orange barred rest...right down to the string and colors...that is a set-up!
Doc is I'm afraid to look what you post in that I just can't believe how some of those bows look after you get one in posession to work on, the one you did up for Frank was unbelievable...
I really never took the time to look closely at these models but the woods are incredible and the lines are so nice, I loved that rosewood and strip of purpleheart together...good thing you took that pic down or I think I may have gone crazy.
Tim, thanks for your pics, you can really see the shape of the longer models and differences...the wood tones I think are what also drew me in...placement and color choices....(looking forward to seeing a pic of your when you re-finish it too) if you mean the one posted, that looks good as is to me anyway :)
I don't know what I like more in the woods but that 55 sure is a beautiful piece...wow!
This has really helped alot and so much appreciate the pics.
When I finish up on my stuff, I will be looking into things more as I can....again thanks for all the helpful ideas and pics.
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Yes I was deleteing some pics this morning and ended up doing what I always do when I push buttons without reading what it says...Like do you want to delete all these pics...I just click yes...I should be done maybe sunday and will have the new leather grip on the KS as well.I will load one more pic before it heads home..I really do like the way those specials shoot so smoooooooth...bowdoc
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I've always thought the 55-58 KS were the same bow, just different glass. Jeremy's pics of the '56 and '57 show there's clearly some different geometry going on there. Tim's and Trap's pics of their '55 and '56 models look amazingly like my 60" 1957 Kodiak. I've got a 1955 and 1956 KS in 64" and a 1957 in 66", along with that '57 Kodiak. While it's hard to compare features because the bows are different lengths, looking at them more closely now it seems like the 55/56 and the 57 Kodiak share some characteristics the 1957 KS doesn't have. Any experts here on the differences? For me the 55/56 KS and the 1957 Kodiak are very similar in how they shoot; much nicer shooting than that '57 KS.
Dave
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Dave, I can finally weigh in on one fo these questions! Though definitely not an expert.
I have the '56 and '57 KSpecial in 64" length, and also the '56 and '57 Kodiak both in 64". The risers on the KSpecials are longer and more massive and there is much less working recurve in both. There's also a whole lot less reflex in the KS compared to the Kodiak. The early draw weight in the Kodiaks is much more pronounced and they definitely have the edge in speed, though the lower riser mass makes 'em a bit touchier.
The '57 KS has a longer riser and shorter working limbs (but more working recurve) than the '56. The '56 seems smoother to draw out to my ~30" (lower string angle at the tips at full draw) than the '57, but I actually prefer the way the '57 shoots. Moving the working limb farther out from the handle seems to make it less touchy of followthrough since you're not fighting the bow as much. Not that with the mass in the riser of the '56 you're doing much of that anyway :)
It'll be a toss up as to which I take out hunting first... though when I get my 64" 1959 KSpecial back from droptine it's going to get real hard :bigsmyl:
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someone should post a pic of a 59 KS to really make Shell's choice more difficult :bigsmyl:
I would, but I dont have one :( yet :)
Trap
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You mean one of these (second in from the right)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Random/1959.jpg)
I like the '59s :D
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:biglaugh:
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like who....oh yeah her :scared:
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Jeremy, Those are beautiful :bigsmyl:
Rich, you plan on posting pics of the 58 when done? Not into the other screaming stuff but sure would like to see that bow...
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Oh Jeremy.....
:bigsmyl:
You are something special, you are!
Will be back later, time to go outside for awhile.
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Don't know what yer talkin' about Shell :D