Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Migra Bill on October 14, 2008, 11:09:00 PM
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I know we've done posts before on "what is the best shooting Bear Bow." This is a poll that has nothing to do with shootability. As we all know Fred didn't get into some of the extravagant striped bows and swirl patterns that others did - but he no doubt made some classic beauty's. I want to know what you think the best looking Bear bow ever made was.
You can post 1 winner and 2 honorable mentions.
Here is my input (2 out of the 3 I have in my collection)
Winner - 1968,69 Super Kodiak.
That Phenolic Black with those Rosewood tips. Just get's me.
Honorable Mention - 1959 Kodiak
Don't know if it's the mystique or just that it looked so much better than what came before it. Classic Beauty.
Honorable Mention- 1959,60 Kodiak Special.
Don't have one in my collection - but I love the blend of woods. Almost fancy to Fred's standards.
Tempted to add so many others (some mid 60's Kodiak - possible a late 60's Kodiak Magnum, or possibly an early 70's Kodiak Hunter, a zebrawood grizzly, Tamerlanes etc.) but I won't break my own rules and I'll just keep it to 3.
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59 Kodiak for me with honorable mention to 59&62 Grizzlies. Ken
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Winner: 1960 Kodiak Deluxe or Kodiak Special Deluxe
HM: 1959 Kodiak Special
HM: Mid 60s Tamer Lane
Trap
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The 59-60 kodiak special are right up there. 1963-64 Tamerlanes. 67-69 super Ks. Kodiak special deluxe. The 1961 kodiak special is nice too.
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BILL
Ya already broke your own rule. You said we could post one winner and two honerable mentions.
Ya posted two winners.
SORRY, but for violating the rules , your votes must be disqualified. That is like voting for McCain and Oboma...your votes cancel each other out. I guess your two honorable mentions can still count.
WINNER - 196? Polar with the zebra wood and bubinga riser.
HM1... Kodiak Special Delux with the crystiline glass.
HM2... 1968 Super Kodiak.
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winner - 1963 Dogleg spray painted hot pink.
Honorable mention 1960 Kodiak Deluxe
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For me it was the '74 Kodiak Hunter that my parents bought me for my birthday. No bow has ever meant as much to me as that one---hence it will always be the prettiest to me.
HM-any Grayling Super Kodiak
HM-late 60's Polar
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IMO..It has to be my 67 Polar. This bow falls under that category of "Bowner"
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn42/bearkeeper/polar.jpg)
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Winner: '60 Kodiak Special Deluxe
HM: '59-60 KSpecial
I'll have to think on the other honorable mention. Some of the '59-60 Kodiaks are gorgeous and the glass colors really set it off. Same with the 59-60 Grizz and Polar. But then many of the '66-67 bows have drop dead gorgeous woods. Then there are the Signature Series TD and the new Supreme TD. Too many choices!!
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64-65 KM
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MIKE
That bow is a strong competitor. I had never see one like that. The Polar I was referring to had the same wood in opposite positions witht he zebra wood at the hand grip and the bubinga on the outside. Yours is gorgeous. I might have to change my vote.
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I'd have to say the '68-'69 Super Kodiak as my winner, so not MigraBill's vote has been resurected (sp)! That is what got me interested in Bear bows. Just beautiful combination of colors and shape. Every bow that I really take a liking to seems to have that slim riser and horns on it. The new PA One one-piece recurve from Black Widow is like that.
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I think the best overall looking Bear bow is the 1960 Kodiak Deluxe (made in 3 different lengths),... the 1959 Kodiak Special is a close second (5 lengths)...
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/biggriz61/minnesota074-1.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/biggriz61/minnesota078-1.jpg)
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How can we forget the 1960 Kodiak Special Deluxe, basically a 1959 Kodiak Special with the 1960 Deluxe limbs and glass, (also made in 5 lengths.)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/biggriz61/minnesota109.jpg)
sorry for the poor pic...
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:biglaugh: ain't it sic!
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winner 68 sk
runner up 69 sk
3rd place truth 2 thats a joke
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Very nice, Have any of those been refinished by the Doc,?? Look all orignal.VERY VERY COOL, I had better go, not feel to well now myself, thx Alaska, might have to take tomorrow off,, Take care, CW
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Mr Shaw
Thanks for helping me pick the one bear I want for my collection! I was born in 67, folks have been teasing me that I'm half polar bear my whole life and that is a beautiful bow!
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Alaska bowhunter
Wow! all I can say is wow! You find yourself in the valley much? Want to have a coffee or do a hunt next time?
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Originally posted by Migra Bill:
I know we've done posts before on "what is the best shooting Bear Bow." This is a poll that has nothing to do with shootability. As we all know Fred didn't get into some of the extravagant striped bows and swirl patterns that others did - but he no doubt made some classic beauty's. I want to know what you think the best looking Bear bow ever made was."
I absolutely love many of the different wood variations, but my favorite "classic beauty" is my 65 Super Magnum 48" there's nothing like a mid 60's mirror finish jet black hot rod. (http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr72/gbsticknstring/avitar.jpg) HM #1 1960 Deluxe HM #2 My Kodiak Hunter 58" proto (shedua wood)
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My 1st serious target bow was a Kodiak Special Deluxe - 1960
(http://i33.tinypic.com/35kjvyd.jpg)
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2aklq46.jpg)
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CJ those were some real lookers right there.No doubt the KSD was one of the better looking bows ever built.bowdoc
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1963 tamerlane I have one with wood that is something!!
was it a 1967 kodiak special that is zebrawood and black phenolic. My wife shoots one its dam nice.
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Winner - The ultimate Classic Beauty of Bear Bows, and unquestionably the prettiest bow in my modest collection...
All original circa 1945 Fred Bear Snake Skin Back, Solid Osage, Take Down, Deerslayer, branded “Bear Products by Grumley”, in dead mint condition. Handcrafted by the Michelangelo of old time master bowyers, Nels Grumley. A true museum piece. No photograph could ever do this bow justice.
(http://members.cox.net/wadephillips/TG-GRUM2.JPG)
HM #1 Any 1959 or 1960 with the word Kodiak in its name (Kodiak, Kodiak Special, Kodiak DeLuxe, Kodiak Special DeLuxe)
HM #2 Fred Bear Signature Bow
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/SIGNAT.jpg)
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Superb!
Maybe Bill will post a picture of my old Tamerlane. Maybe not THE prettiest like those above but not hard to look at either.
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Richard - I think I was able to dig up a pic or 2 of that bow.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/migrabill/bows/66Tamerlane3.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/migrabill/bows/66Tamerlane6.jpg)
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(http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp123/marathonbob58/DSC00850.jpg) 1963 Tamerlane
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Ya got one outta the "spot", Bob.
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Bill,
It looks a lot better out in the daylight than it did in my basement. I forgot how pretty it is. Thanks.
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Wade that Grumley is truely amazing! That bow deserves a thread of its own (with closer pic's and the story behind it). WOW
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Greg - The Snake Skin Back Grumley is truly in a class by itself. I've owned very few bows in my life that would ever come close to it. There is a great story behind the bow, but I have not yet taken the time to write it up. I'll put that on my list of things to do, when I find that list...
Fortunately, Bear made thousands of great looking bows so we all have a chance to own some of them.
Jack - Where are the photographs of that Red Kodiak hiding ???
I'd like to see it.
I hate to post of the photographs of my Red Kodiak because everyone will be disappointed that is is a 1950s Bear Kodiak... No, I did not spray paint it, it was made RED.
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It's really hard for me to stay focused for 5 shots in a row. Seems there is always at least one flyer. 8^(
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My favorite riser wood is Zebrawood. So that makes my Kodiak Special my prettiest Bear Bow...
remember...beauty is in the eye of the beholder...Can someone help me with the date on this bow? Light green glass on back and belly,
Alum coin, sr# 29C161, 63"AMO, 40#'s.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/win1885-1/KS.jpg)
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/win1885-1/KS2.jpg)
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1961 Kodiak Special Tom and one fine fine looking bow.bowdoc
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What was the give-away clue, Don?
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Clues are evidence, green glass, angle of the grip in the riser, wood grain.
Tom - Is the bow refinished?
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SWEET '61 :thumbsup:
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Where do you guys find this stuff?
I would be embarrassed to put most of my meager collection on here!
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Tom I. - I only asked if the bow was refinished becasuse it is as clean as a hounds tooth. have never seen a 61 survive with such a light clean color.
Some bows do make it 40 or 50 or more years with a clear finish, mostly because they are in a case or closet.
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Originally posted by BobT:
Where do you guys find this stuff?
I would be embarrassed to put most of my meager collection on here!
Seriously...
Mine would total the equivelent of one of your guys' "junk drawers".. :eek:
I can't really vote on the best shooting bow,as I've only shot a 76er,a black bear,two grizzlys and a 57 kodiak.
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Bob - You would be surprised how quickly the stuff accumulates when you begin to actively look for it. You don't have to collect for a long time to stumble into some great stuff. I've seen many newer collectors make some of the greatest finds ever. Just keep looking. Don't get discouraged.
Many of the better items are passed down from one generation of collectors to the next. Some items in my collection have been passed down through two generations already.
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Thanks Wade, I have only been at this for about a year. My original goal was to get one of each model from 1958, I think I'm pretty well on my way, I still need a 56" Kodiak (I have yet to even see one) and all the Kodiak Specials but I have the rest covered. Now I find myself thinking about what I'm going to go after next. I have picked up some other good stuff along the way, a Western quiver a few nice old razor heads, great '58 catalog. I have many of the members here to thank for a lot of help. Heck the Kodiak 101 thread even has me looking for a beater '59 to refinish. But threads like this one really fan the flames!