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Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: 69RECURVE on March 09, 2010, 04:53:00 PM

Title: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: 69RECURVE on March 09, 2010, 04:53:00 PM
Have you ever noticed when someone pipes up and says that they just got their hands on one of these Kodiaks no one ever says anything derogatory about the bow. I guess that is a testament to how well made these bows really are.
With that said in my opinion I do see a tendency to seeing 1960 62 & 64 as possibly being the best years.
Just would be curious to hear what you all think? The best thing about this is there are no losers.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: reddogge on March 09, 2010, 07:39:00 PM
I like them all but I have a couple of favorites among those I own. I find all of them shoot similarly so that is not a factor to me. I love the '62 because of it's sleek looks and lines and rosewood riser.  I love my '64 for it's thumping performance and bubinga wood.  I love my '65 due to it was made during a milestone in my life, my wedding year and I like the horns.  I love my '66 for it's mass and stability in shooting.

As far as the others I love them too but don't own them but I'd really like to.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: Jack Shanks on March 09, 2010, 07:46:00 PM
Wouldn't you know it the only ones in that lineup that I don't have are the 62 and 64. To be fair I guess I can't answer that question until I get them.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: macclare on March 09, 2010, 09:22:00 PM
They all are super shooters. My favorite is the 1959
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: Migra Bill on March 09, 2010, 09:37:00 PM
59 isn't between 60 - 66.

I own them all except the 60.

My 64 is the smoothest quitest and fastest.

My 63 dogleg is the one that I am the most accurate with.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: Wade Phillips on March 09, 2010, 11:28:00 PM
If you have seen this on my earlier thread, I apologize for posting it again....

In the past, there has been a lot of discussion about this sometimes very sensitive topic on many threads.

Finally there is a method to determine which bow that you subconsciously consider to be the Greatest Vintage Hunting Bow of All Time…

First, do the simple math below,

Then, scroll down to find your subliminal answer to the question…
               
It's crazy how accurate this really is!
       
1) Pick your favorite number between 1-8

2) Multiply by 3
               
3) Then add 3 to the number
               
4) Then again Multiply by 3 (I'll wait while you get the calculator.....)
               
5) You'll get a 2 digit number.....
               
6) Add the digits together
               
Using that number, find the bow that you subconsciously consider to be the Greatest Vintage Hunting Bow from the list below:
               
1.  Damon Howatt Super Diablo
2.  Ben Pearson Palomino
3.  Drake Hunter Flight
4.  Bear Kodiak Magnum
5.  Bear Super 48
6.  1967 Super Kodiak
7.  1970 Bear Take Down
8.  1959 Bear Kodiak
9.  1960 Bear Kodiak  
10. 1962 Bear Kodiak
11. 1964 Bear Kodiak
12. 1965 Bear Kodiak
13.  Other

I know... it’s hard to believe this is what you subconsciously believe, but it’s true.

P.S.  Stop picking different numbers!!  You know this is true!!!!!

Surprisingly, I got the same answer as you, but did not have to do the math.    :bigsmyl:  

Are you getting ready for the 50th Anniversary celebration of the 1960 Kodiak ???
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: Blackhawk on March 10, 2010, 12:29:00 AM
My 49# Kodiak of 1960 is the best of the lot.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: wasapt on March 10, 2010, 05:57:00 AM
common Wade, no posts of your favorite 1960 in your collection? We would love to see it! those numbers are amazing by the way...LOL
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: Wade Phillips on March 10, 2010, 11:07:00 AM
wasapt - Sorry about not posting any photographs.

Although I have my personal favorite shooter 1960 Kodiak, I'm not really sure that I could pick out a favorite of the ones in the collection. Several are a favorite for one reason or another.

Well, here are some in the collection, you can pick out your favorite... they range from 40# to 50# to 68# to 75# to 90#.

   (http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/60-KOD.jpg)
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: Bjorn on March 10, 2010, 06:38:00 PM
'62 has always been a fav.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: TRAP on March 10, 2010, 07:52:00 PM
Wade, that a funny looking one there on the far left end.  ;)  Tell us more about that bow.

Looks a little like a Maggie with autumn orange belly glass.  HMMMMMMM could it be?

Trap
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: Wade Phillips on March 10, 2010, 09:47:00 PM
Trap - Oh yes, the "funny looking one there on the far left" in the 1960 Kodiaks. You have a sharp eye.

It has...
1960 Kodiak autumn orange glass on the belly
1960 Kodiak brown glass on the back
1960 Kodiak black and white tip overlays

Sounds like a 1960 Kodiak so far. However...

It was never drilled for a coin. It is marked EXP, 68#, 52" but is actually a bit longer. Probably should be marked 53".

It has a noticeably different riser shape and a noticeably different limb profile than the 1961 Kodiak Magnum.

Cool little bow regardless of what you want to call it. I've always been a sucker for that autumn orange belly glass.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: 4runr on March 10, 2010, 09:58:00 PM
What a beautiful collection Wade. The third from the right gets my vote for prettiest site window. They all are very nice.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: Wade Phillips on March 10, 2010, 10:19:00 PM
Kenny - Fifth from the left gets my vote for "best in show" sight window, because it is light colored sap wood, and was signed by Fred Bear...
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: pato on March 10, 2010, 10:27:00 PM
But for just sheer beauty how about this one:

 (http://ponart.com/kodiak/kodiak_files/image014.jpg)

 (http://ponart.com/kodiak/kodiak_files/image022.jpg)

I can't say how it shoots as I never have but I'm tempted to end the 40+ year break it has been on.  

Pat O
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: Wade Phillips on March 10, 2010, 10:57:00 PM
Pat - The Kodiak DeLuxe shoots great.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: pato on March 11, 2010, 12:15:00 AM
I just rediscovered this bow in my garage last week. Twenty five years ago my Mom gave it to me and I have never used it and had forgot about it. My Dad won it in a contest in 1960 and it only got light target use those first few years. The more I research it and touch it the more it is appealing to me to shoot it. I have zero experience but I see I'm only 3 miles away from a place called Bob Frommes Performance Archery with lessons available and a range. Who knows... I might get the bug!
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: reddogge on March 12, 2010, 01:32:00 PM
That's shear beauty for sure.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: jackdaw on March 13, 2010, 02:48:00 PM
That's an awesome collection of Bears'! I personally like the 4th from the left....thanks for sharing!!
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: hayslope on March 16, 2010, 11:06:00 AM
Hard to pick between the '62 and '64, but the '62 is near and dear to my heart since I owned and hunted one exclusively for about 20 years.

Stupidest thing I every did was sell it (well, maybe the second stupidest thing....next to selling a pristine 1959 sunburst Gibson Les Paul in 1982 for $30K).  I could buy a huge house with what that thing is worth today.  Hey...ya gotta live and learn!
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: SlowBowinMO on October 30, 2010, 01:19:00 PM
ttt
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: wasapt on October 31, 2010, 02:07:00 PM
I think there is a world of improvement in the years after 1959. I love my 2 1962's and my 1963. I don't have a '60, 61, 64, or 65. I am curious how the new Bear Super Kodiak will perform compared to the Bear bow's of the 60's. I am told the new bow is like the '65 design.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: Hud on October 31, 2010, 04:50:00 PM
Great years and great bows, thanks for the pictures.   :thumbsup:  It would be hard to pick just one, but it would certainly be a 59, 60, 62, 64, or 65. Kinda reminds me of a song by Johnny Cash.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: OldSkoolArcher on October 31, 2010, 07:52:00 PM
I have a '62 48#, '63 50#, and '64 48#. It would be hard for me to pick a favorite outta the three. I will have to say that the '64 has a leg up in the speed/power department though.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: C Kerley on November 01, 2010, 12:04:00 PM
I don't remember who posted it or the title, but someone put up the speeds comparing the years a few months ago.  And if I remember right there wasn't but about 1-2 fps difference between the "horn" bows he tested ('64, '65, '66).  I don't remember how the '62 and older bows did, but they were very near the same.      

It kind of surprized me, after all I'd read I expected the '64 to be 10 fps or more faster.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: mnbwhtr on November 01, 2010, 12:21:00 PM
I've always been partial to 66's as my first one was bought new in 66. 2 years ago I picked up a 64" 66 55@28 and it certaintly didn't let me down, took it out and shot a deer with it the first day hunting.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: cacciatore on November 01, 2010, 02:38:00 PM
Now I remember well ,he was TimberlineX that made a very detailed comparison in this forum,thanks Bill.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: SlowBowinMO on November 01, 2010, 05:13:00 PM
Here's a link to that thread, good stuff.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=003496;p=1
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: Wade Phillips on November 02, 2010, 08:39:00 AM
Everyone should have a couple of Kodiaks from each of the years 1959 to 1966 so they can do their own comparisons.

Bill's comparison was right on the mark. His performance data for 45# bows with carbon arrows shows there wasn't much difference in speed...

1961 Bear Kodiak - 188.3 fps

1967-1/2 Super Kodiak - 187.5 fps

1969 Bear Super Kodiak - 185.2 fps

1964 Bear Kodiak - 184.3 fps

It is just a shame that he did not nave a 1960 Kodiak of the same 45# weight to use for his comparisons with the other 4 bows...
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: LPN on November 02, 2010, 12:51:00 PM
I've had a '66 and two 64's. the '66 was a good shooter but I really didn't care for the grip. Of the two '64's I liked the wider grip better. I had a chance to shoot a '59 Kodiak a couple of weeks ago, it's my favorite now. Hopefully I'll be able to pick one at some point.
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: Horney Toad on November 03, 2010, 10:30:00 PM
That is  pretty one Pat!
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: damascusdave on November 15, 2010, 08:32:00 AM
These two get my vote for 1960 as a pretty good year.
DDave (http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab54/damascusdave_2009/006-2.jpg)
Title: Re: 1960-1966 Kodiaks Is there a best year?
Post by: Ralphie on November 30, 2010, 11:51:00 AM
The '62 Kodiak gets my vote for best looking
R