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Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: KawTrooper on October 19, 2008, 12:44:00 PM

Title: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: KawTrooper on October 19, 2008, 12:44:00 PM: Old Bear bows bring in the high prices. But why?

First, I have one Bear. I have owned five in my life. They are a good bow, no doubt about that.

Why are Bear's so collectable in the first place? Is it Fred? Is it because they are so abundant? Is it because you wanted one back in the '60's and could not afford one, until now?

I see people buying them off of **** for higher prices than I would ever pay, for a bow that might break at anytime.
I don't hang things on the wall to look at..they have to be useful. So excuse me please for not being a real admirer of objects.

There were many good to excellent bows made back in the 60's.
But the Bear Bows live a good life, still.

I would like to hear others comment as to why the old Bear's are the most sought after. Or other bows that are the real prize.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: d. ward on October 19, 2008, 12:55:00 PM: For me I just love em I guess.And yes I did want one when I was young,I just never had the dough.Now I've sence spent my life savings on them.Does seem weird now that you mentioned it...but like I said for me I just love em..bowdoc
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: TRAP on October 19, 2008, 01:22:00 PM: I'm kinda new at this collecting thing, only being at it for a couple of years, so I'll go first.

The reasons you brought up are all correct to some degree. It's because of Fred and the contributions he made to archery, and it's because of the abundance. Even the rarest bows pop up occasionally.

It's also because of function, I don't buy vintage bows to hang on the wall either. If I own one it's been shot and will be shot again. Some of them, many many times again. I have no use for a dog that won't hunt. That's just me.

I realize the fleabay prices look huge but in many cases, but for a fraction of a new bow cost you can buy a Vintage bow that shoots as well as most modern bows. If they are sound, they are no more likely to break than bows built today. Any bow from any manufacturer could break.

There are many other bows that are collected such as Howatts, Wings, Howards, Pearsons etc, etc. All have their own faithful followers.

Bottom line for me is, I like bows, especially 1-piece recurves. If I have $300.00 to spend on a bow, I'd rather buy a bow that has a little history attached to it. A bow built with real wood and built by craftsman. If I choose to sell it someday, I'll likely get my investment back for it. If I spend that same $300.00 for a modern recurve I'm not going to get much and 6 months from now I'll have even less.

For a quick comparison, take a look at a late 60s Super Kodiak (currently selling for $200-$350)laying beside a 2008 model of the same bow(currently selling for $449). The craftsmanship and materials difference is like night and day. In 5 years the 68-69 SK will still be worth $200.00 to $350.00. Who knows what the 2008 SK will be worth, but I'm betting it will be less than $200.

Trap
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Bjorn on October 19, 2008, 02:10:00 PM: I remember seeing a '59 Kodiak in '59 and there was no way that I could have gotten one-just didn't have the money, and my parents didn't either.
So I guess I have been making up for lost time, and as Trap said they are a pretty predictable investment too.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: The Great Jashu on October 19, 2008, 02:49:00 PM: For me its the tradition and what it meant to bowhunting in general. I am from Michigan, Born and raised here. Grayling is still a special place for me. I have a camp in the area that Fred hunted and feel like its important for me to hunt with a bow that was made here.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: reddogge on October 19, 2008, 03:47:00 PM: Compared to collecting guns they are still cheap.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Tradgal on October 19, 2008, 04:06:00 PM: My boyfriend (who hunts with a bow and is now teaching me how to shoot) says that you are just buying a name with a Bear Bow and that there are others out there just as good. He says you can put "Fred Bear, Happy Hunting" on a bow and it goes up $100.00. Fred Bear did do more for archery than anybody else so that is why they are so valuable, its all because of his name. His final note: they last 50 years so they must be good. He owns a 1951/52 Bear Grizzley Static and its in perfect shape.

He is looking for a 1958-62 inch Bear Kodiak if anyone has one.......for a deal.

I personally am enjoying and learning to shoot my yard sale bow.....
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: TRAP on October 19, 2008, 04:59:00 PM: With the contributions Fred made to archery I think it's fitting that his "name" adds value to a bow. You can pay big money for alot of modern recurves because there is a "Name" attached to it as well. Watch how fast they depreciate after they have been sent to you.

The classifieds are full of bows that are less than a year old that folks are offerring for 2/3 of the price they paid for them. Occasionally you'll see a Bear bow listed for 5-10 times it's original purchase price. The Bears usually move pretty fast.

Says something about that "name" attached to the bow.

Trap
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Tradgal on October 19, 2008, 05:11:00 PM: My boyfriend says he prefers the shooting qualities of the Browning series 2 bows over bear bows including his kodiaks and super kodiaks.He especially likes the browning Explorer 2.He also says the best shooting bears are the 62"ones but they are more rare.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: portugeejn on October 19, 2008, 05:20:00 PM: My wife grew up 20 miles from Grayling back in the day when Fred was still there. I also have a few old Ben Pearson bows from the same era (50s & 60s). I enjoy the history. I like cool old stuff!

RonP
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: PAPALAPIN on October 19, 2008, 05:56:00 PM: Different strokes for different folks. Some buy Bears because of the name and the legacy, some buy them because they are damned good solid shooters that have stood the test of time. For us old farts, a lot of it is nostalgia. I like bears...but I also like Howatts, Howards Hoyts, Hits, Telums, Brownings, Tice & Watts, Pearsons, and many other brands from thr '60's. In my opinion the '60's was the golden decade of recurves and I will put any from my collection agains recurves made today.

Another reason to collect bows is for investment. Bear bows hold their value and in some cases appreciate in value. They are probably the best know brand name in vintage bows. Most collectibles are held for resale at a later date. So, from an investment perspective, buy the bows that will increase in value..."BEARS".

No one can say you or tradgal's boyfriend are wrong. We all have our favories for our own reasons.

Also, the reason Bows go for high prices on e8ay is because at least two people are willing to pay that much for them. A bow is worth what someone will pay...no more, no less.

Whatever flips your switch.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: TonyW on October 19, 2008, 06:06:00 PM: The oldest Bear I have is a 1959 Griz. There it was, hanging on the wall, waiting for me. So after reading these posts, I took it outside. Quiet as a mouse walking on tiptoes and zipped the arrows like it was made yesterday.

Now that I was back in the mode, I took a 63 dogleg Kodiak out back for a turn. Nice.

Why collect 'em?

So I can go back inside, string a '64, and take it out back for more fun.

Might they break at anytime? Yeah, around 2059 I will begin to worry.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: alaskabowhunter on October 20, 2008, 01:56:00 AM: Born and raised shooting Bear bows, go with what you know. Name recognition has something to do with the collectiblity of Bear bows. This is due to the popularity of Fred Bear, who was on the cutting edge of marketing archery to the masses.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Blackhawk on October 20, 2008, 11:36:00 AM: My first store-bought bow was a used Ben Pearson recurve my dad bought me in the early 60's. However, the best-looking, best-shooting bows for me turned out to Bears.

I doubt that having Fred on TV on many Sunday afternoons shooting big game with a Kodiak had anything to do with my decision.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: PAPALAPIN on October 20, 2008, 01:45:00 PM: Fred made good bows...but his biggest talent was marketing. The videos and magazine write-ups of his hunting exploits, his sponsorship of top tournament shooters, and his general promotion ofthe sport, did a lot to make Bear bows the choice of the time. Although Ben Pearsons are solid shooters, they are not in the same class as Bears by most standards. However, although they were not as well know at the time, Damon Howatt, Hoyt, and Black Widow bows were of far better quality than Bears. Now I have to qualify that with "in my opinion". I am sure that Ben Pearson, Earl Hoyt, Damon Howatt, and the Wilson Brothers had nothing but warm fuzzy feelings for what Fred did to popularize the sport, and the effect that had on their sales.

Bear bows,however,seem to capture the nostalgia of the '60's moreso than any other brand. This may be called the "nostalgia factor", but this coupled with being first rate bows that have stood the test of time are what makes bears so desirable today.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Grant Young on October 20, 2008, 06:10:00 PM: There may be quite a bit to the question "was it because when you were a kid, you couldn't afford one?" I sure lusted after them- I would kill twenty minutes of paper route time about twice a week in front of the archery department of the local hardware store thinking about how great it would be to be able to just walk in and buy a $79.99 Kodiak.I have owned lots of bows, Bears and others, but I've only hunted seriously with Bears and they have worked real well for me. I just love them, but there are lots of great bows out there and a bunch of them get and deserve the same regard from their fans. I am just really glad that mine have held up so well that I can still use them and not feel under-equipped.
G.Y.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: KawTrooper on October 20, 2008, 06:41:00 PM: My first laminated bow was a Bear Alaskan. Orange and black glass, semi recurve and double (R&L) shelf. Bought used in about 1961.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Mike Shaw on October 20, 2008, 06:50:00 PM: Looks like it has all been said..So I will say ....There is just something about a Bear! :archer:
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: PAPALAPIN on October 20, 2008, 07:02:00 PM: Back when I was a teenager I bought a Red Wing hunter '63 for $32.50, and later a '64 Kodiak for $50.00. That was stretching my budget. In '67 I bought a Tamerlane HC 30 for $175.00. Like all of us Ilusted over the Jack Howard Gamemaster and the Hoyt Pro Medalists but could not afford them, nor justify buying any more bows when I had decent bows for what I was doing.

Now, in my old age I can afford to collect some of those I could not afford back ten. I just picked up an execellent '69 Hoyt Pro Medalist 6PM for $83.00 delivered. Now that is less than it sold for brand new in '69. On the other hand I paid $500 for a 55# '64 Kodiak in near mint condition. If you bring inflation into play from 1964 to the present, that might be a break even deal although you don't see too many '64 Kodiaks going that high.

The point is nostalgia and being able to afford them now has a lot to do with what I collect. I have over 80 recurves and look on them as somewhat of an investment if the economy will ever turn around.

If you are interested in building a collectionm now is the best buying time there is. Money is tight and the bow market is soft. Buy 'em up now while ya can get 'em cheap.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Chuck_Delsandro on October 20, 2008, 09:34:00 PM: Up until earlier this summer I had never owned or shot a Bear bow. I decided that I would like to have one to hang on the wall, and maybe dabble with in the backyard. So I bought a 45lb 66 Kodiak off a fellow tradganger. I was impressed with it's performance both for its age and weight. I talked with a collector and he suggested I try a 65 Kodiak in a bit heavier weight. So I got myself a 54# 65 Kodiak. Dang fine shooting bow! Quiet, smooth and without hand shock. It was all down hill from that point. I don't consider myself a collector, but it is fun searhing for these bows on the internet, yard sales, etc.

BTW how many Bear bows do you have to own to be considered a collector:)
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Blackhawk on October 20, 2008, 09:45:00 PM: Good question Chuck.

According to my wife, "If you have more than one bow, you're a collector...people only need one bow".

Women are way too practical most of the time, so it's a good thing they understand men.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: TRAP on October 21, 2008, 12:44:00 AM: Chuck, the answer is 3 I think.

In practical terms you have a Shooter, a backup bow, and everything else is a collection.

Trap
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Chuck_Delsandro on October 21, 2008, 04:59:00 AM: Blackhawk according to your wife I am a collector! Trap you need to take that picture off your avatar! It makes me light headed!
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: TRAP on October 21, 2008, 05:59:00 AM: :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: PAPALAPIN on October 22, 2008, 10:31:00 AM: It's those feather rests that make you woozey
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: AALLFAB on January 09, 2010, 07:46:00 PM: Many bow lovers collect Bear bows just because they can. There are so many of them anyone can get in on the fun. Jim
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: jrbows on January 10, 2010, 12:43:00 AM: Not so much a bear collector as an archery collector,not even much of an archery collector more of a scrounger, I buy the wooden arrows and old bows at yard sales, auctions and flea markets when I see them, quivers too usually,if it happens to be a bear product mores' the better.That being said,I think we as a community owe a lot if not most of the freedom,enjoyment we get and adventerous ideas we have to Fred the man who had the spirit and guts to make his passion his business.That's why I'll always own a hunting weight bear bow that's why I'll shoot bear arrows and razor-heads out of it,and that's why I'm looking for a bear back quiver now,I'm not an exclusive bear collector but I do feel Mr.Bear is owed a lot,and it may sound corny but I feel I do him some honor using his equipment for it's intended purpose.They're cool and shoot good too.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: BobT on January 10, 2010, 11:29:00 AM: I like Bears because my first store bought bow was a "Red Bear". There are also plenty of accessories still around to go with the bows. When I started my tiny collection it was with an idea of duplicating the 1958 Bear catalog in my "man room", then I find out there were at least 2 1958 catalogs and one of them had 2 variations. Who knows where it will end, there is just so much stuff with so many variations.

Quote
Originally posted by Tradgal:

He is looking for a 1958-62 inch Bear Kodiak if anyone has one.......for a deal.
1958 Kodiaks were only listed in 3 lengths, 56", 60" and 64" no 62" model as far as I know.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: myshootinstinks on January 10, 2010, 11:36:00 AM: I think there is a lot of influence from us "baby-boomers". As a kid in the '60s the higher end Bears were what most of us wanted to own but few of us could afford.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Big Bird on January 10, 2010, 01:57:00 PM: I didn't start out collecting. buy one see another one could not live with out.and now up to 23 recurves.all bears but 5 shakespeare necedah's love them to.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Jack Shanks on January 10, 2010, 02:30:00 PM: Must be some kind of sickness that is going around. I bought five so far this week and this week isn't quite over yet.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: 450 marlin on January 10, 2010, 03:39:00 PM: Did you see the wood on that Kodiak Magnum just listed,,,that is why collectors are drawn to Fred's bows
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Frank V on January 14, 2010, 11:18:00 AM: I like them because they were one of the better bows that people were using in the early 60s when I started shooting a bow.
Frank
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: reddogge on January 14, 2010, 12:12:00 PM: Quote
I think there is a lot of influence from us "baby-boomers". As a kid in the '60s the higher end Bears were what most of us wanted to own but few of us could afford.
You got that one correct. My first hunting bow was a '67 Grizzly for that exact same reason. I envied my friend who actually owned a Kodiak back then.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: TonyW on March 19, 2014, 10:57:00 AM: Looking back at my thoughts 6 years ago, and then looking at the '59 Grizzly hanging in my son's room. He was 12, the Griz was already 49 back then. A lot of arrows bit the dust, but the bow is going strong at 55.

Why collect Bear bows?
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 19, 2014, 11:26:00 AM: Nostalgia is one reason.

Probably the other is what has been written about collecting Bear bows and how to identify Bear bows makes it appealing to the 'common' folk. I don't recall ever seeing an article about collecting and identifying Brownings, Black Widows, ect. It has nothing to do with the quality of those others, just the marketing, both past and current. Look at the posts here alone on Tradgang about 'what year is this Bear bow?'. That kind of secondary marketing drives the interest.

Fred Bear's personality and persona is probably the final big factor. He was probably the most recognized personality and that translates to his bows.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Babbling Bob on March 19, 2014, 10:41:00 PM: Like many of us older shooters, I bought new Bear bows in the early sixties because they were the best looking bows out there. The widows then, which were popular at the field archery tournaments, had black painted risers, skinny limbs and were not good looking bows in my opinion. An older couple, one of which had two NFAA National instinctive division (bare bow) titles, both shot widows so I could of easily been influenced, but I just liked the Bears. Coming back to archery over 50 years later and looking around, studying new bows, meeting people in archery, and participating in local shoots, the three 55 to 53 year old Bear bows I acquired recently still are the best looking bows around. I really like the classic look of my Bear bows and can just study the rosewood patterns in those old bows endlessly. Have to remember that rosewood itself became scarce by the mid sixties and by 1963, it was evident that the rose wood in the '59 to early '63 bows was much finer in grain and deeper in color than the rosewood I observed at tournaments in late 1963 through 1965. My old Bears are still great shooters too, but this is sort of icing on the cake. Just proud of'em.

While there are fantastic custom bows being made now in regard to smoothness, good performing limb veneers and great shooters, the old Bears may not ever be beat for that classic look. Thats why there has been three bow manufacturers who have used the old Bear bows for design and why Bear themselves now makes reproductions.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: TonyW on June 10, 2014, 01:20:00 PM: (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z117/katswal/fredbearad_zps8738153a.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/katswal/media/fredbearad_zps8738153a.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Shane Reed on June 10, 2014, 04:35:00 PM: Great post Tony!
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Phil Magistro on July 02, 2014, 09:00:00 AM: I used to have that underwear. Wonder what a set would go for today? :)
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Robert Marvin on July 02, 2014, 09:56:00 AM: I have a pair of Fred Bear's used underwear.I tried to clone the streak and got Fred-dy Kruger. :scared:
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: theviennneau on September 13, 2014, 06:45:00 AM: If Fred Bear was named Fred Lamb would Lamb bows be collector bows?
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Blackhawk on September 13, 2014, 12:24:00 PM: ...or Ernie Root... :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: TonyW on September 13, 2014, 12:43:00 PM: Bear "Lambinated" bows are probably hard to find.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Pack animal on September 22, 2014, 03:01:00 PM: Afternoon all;
I have read this post a couple of times and whimsically thought of all the reasons I collect these old "sticks".......
This past weekend I mounted the new bow racks on the wall, and standing back the same questions rattled around again.... (https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/yourphotos?pid=6061952547527507538&oid=113005199050191273596) (https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/yourphotos?pid=6061952650899188226&oid=113005199050191273596) (https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/yourphotos?pid=6061952724381680674&oid=113005199050191273596)
Why does anyone collect... and why one thing over an other???
The answer: "purely for the enjoyment of it"
Again looking at the racks, do I "prefer" to collect Bear bows? I wouldn't say so, I buy whatever catches my eye at the time. I do happen to have more Bears, because I generally enjoy shooting bear bows over most others, and so keep them longer(though my favorite longbow is a Martin).
Most of these I shoot, and have fun doing so. Some I will never string up,but I enjoy them none the less...
Some I hunt with, others will never see the field and will only get strung up on a warm sunny day. Some I will keep to pass down to my kids and Grandchildren, others I may trade off tomorrow. Some I will refinish, others I won't even consider touching.....
Do I have enough?...."Yup".... until the next one catches my fancy.
Is it a sickness? probably.... But I hope there isn't a cure...
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: reddogge on September 22, 2014, 05:05:00 PM: I don't collect Bears bows but do own 5 of them counting a Little Bear grandkids' bow. I take them down once in a while and fling some arrows with them and they all shoot nice (or I wouldn't own them). I don't have the heart to part with them though.
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: Pack animal on September 23, 2014, 10:44:00 AM: Oooopppps....
I failed on the pictures. Here we will try again
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/packanimal1/20140921_131813_zpscff9e035.jpg) (http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/packanimal1/media/20140921_131813_zpscff9e035.jpg.html) (http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/packanimal1/20140921_131730_zps55f0e0ed.jpg) (http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/packanimal1/media/20140921_131730_zps55f0e0ed.jpg.html) (http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/packanimal1/20140921_131755_zps52f3460a.jpg) (http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/packanimal1/media/20140921_131755_zps52f3460a.jpg.html) (http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag392/packanimal1/20140921_131802_zps47b1e043.jpg) (http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/packanimal1/media/20140921_131802_zps47b1e043.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Collecting Bows, Why Bear?
Post by: eidsvolling on September 23, 2014, 11:48:00 AM: That's not a collection, that's a museum! What are your hours?

:clapper: