Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Larry m on October 06, 2010, 03:20:00 PM
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Just curious and thought I would put this out here for comment. The Kodiak Hunter is put together nicely useing quality woods and has the reputation for being a good shooter but yet it is valued like some of Bear's lesser quality bows. It doesn't seem to get the respect as the Kodiak, Super Kodiak, Kodiak Special or the Kodiak Magnum. Why is that?? Any Thoughts?? (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/archery149-1-2-1.jpg) (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll292/toxo-collector/archery151-1.jpg)
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Some bows are just more collectable than others, really not a reason why I guess. I personally like the looks of the bows with the "horns" or "caps", that's all. I bought a '76 KH a few months ago that is the closest to a new bow I own (I'm not sure it had EVER been shot).
Anyhow, that bow is 50# and I can't shoot the 2216's I use in my Kodiaks (45#, 47#, & 53#)and Super K's (45# & 50#). I had to up to a little longer 2219 to get proper flight. It's the hardest shooting Bear I own.
It's struck my curiousity so much I've kicked around taking it to Black Widow just to compare it to my Widows on their chronograph.
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I own only a 67 and I don't like the huge grip in it.It is also only 45#,when most of my other Bear are 50# or over.I don't have arrow to cover thelow poundage right now.In the last few months i have seen a little resurrection of prices about them and a good one cost more than a KMag or a Grizzly of the sane time.
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I killed a deer two years ago with a '72 but it is not the performer the Kodiaks are. A pleasant solid shooter but not spectacular performance.
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I agree that the grip on the KH is not too appealing, but it is a good servicable bow for the price Bear was asking. Another factor is that the numbers produced of the KH was probably more than any other model (along with Kodiak Magnum). Personally, since it's introduction in 1967, my favorite Bears are the Super Kodiak, then the Grizzly, and next comes the KH.
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Good thoughts here, Thanks! My own feeling regarding the Kodiak Hunter is that when tuned and set up properly with the correct spined arrows it is a nice shooting bow at a bargain price. I myself like all the Bears from the 50's and 60's and in particular the 59-62 Kodiak Specials. ( Darn, only have one of those)
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one of my old hunting buddies who has since gone to hunt with Fred Glenn and the rest of the old boys shot a 1970 Kodiak Hunter marked 53# scaled dead nuts 55# however Greg was 6' 5" and had a 32" draw so you would need to add a few pounds to his bow it actualy scaled 66-67# at Greg's draw length.
My point is at 65-67#'s of pull I would put that KH against any bow pound for pound on the market today.I had him shooting through my chrony with some aluminum arrows 125 grian field tips and it was running about 197 ft per second the best shot was 202 fps believe me thats faster then a round wheel wheeler.KH's are one of the toughest bows ever built they are almost bomb proof and for the price they sell for today there is no way a guy can go wrong with a good solid Kodiak Hunter bd (http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii175/bowdocsarchery/kh004.jpg)
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Own two one 48# one 56# the 56 will be in the woods with me on the first day of season I own close to thirty bows with 6 being in 55-60 pound range the KH is the pick of the litter for fit,function and comfort of shooting in my case.To each their own,as long as they are only moderately popular I'll still be able to afford them so 3 cheers for the super-k and k-mag.
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Did you see the one that just sold on the auction site for $265. Someone still has some disposable income out there.
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Originally posted by Larry m:
Good thoughts here, Thanks! My own feeling regarding the Kodiak Hunter is that when tuned and set up properly with the correct spined arrows it is a nice shooting bow at a bargain price. I myself like all the Bears from the 50's and 60's and in particular the 59-62 Kodiak Specials. ( Darn, only have one of those)
And what exactly is there not to like about a 1963 Kodiak Special (I have one of those).
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I started in about 1963 with a Kodiak Hunter & still kind of like them even though I don't own one now.
Frank
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Frank V,
The Kodiak Hunter came out in 67. So either you or your bow were way ahead of the times.
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don't know why. just bought this bow on e bay, it's a kodiak hunter, nice bow isn't it? though I'm thinking selling it
(http://i1042.photobucket.com/albums/b421/oakdude/dscks.jpg)
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OD what's the draw weight on your KH ? and is it a 1976 ? blue and grenn riser overlays ? bd
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DamascusDave
Nothing wrong with any of the Kodiak Specials. Like I said, "I like all of the Bear's from the 50's and 60's but in particular the 59-62 Kodiak Specials". To me they just have GOOD Clean Lines. Doc, it looks like your getting ready to do a Black Widow limb test on that sucker!!!!!!!Point well taken.........
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Hey, Doc still has his hunting boots from this yr still on,, i cut those tracks a few times, Nice looking Bow Oak,
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Originally posted by Jack Shanks:
Frank V,
The Kodiak Hunter came out in 67. So either you or your bow were way ahead of the times.
Shoot as I get older my mind goes south. Maybe it was a Grizzly? Anyway it was a Bear! & I still like them.
Frank
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Frank,
I was just messing with you. My long term memory is still pretty good it's the short term I have trouble with.
Now, what were we talking about?
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My collection isn't as extensive as most, but out of all my bows, I find myself going back and forth between my 1964 Zebrawood grizzley and my 1970 (green glass/raised coin/60 inch) Kodiak Hunter.
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Originally posted by the real bowdoc:
OD what's the draw weight on your KH ? and is it a 1976 ? blue and grenn riser overlays ? bd
Sorry for the delay. I don't know what year is this bow, the serial is KH-02998. Yes it's a blue line and green riser.
50#
the pic again:
(http://i1042.photobucket.com/albums/b421/oakdude/dscks.jpg)
(http://i1042.photobucket.com/albums/b421/oakdude/DSC03544.jpg)
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I like my '71. The green Futurewood is a little "70ish". I have a 30" draw and a friend (with a 27" draw) that was a Martin dealer used to say it was disgusting how I got speed out of a Bear.
Smooth, reliable, and cheap (I paid $60 for mine back in the 90's). I see a lot of them as bowfishing rigs.
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I like the beefy and stable riser. They aren't as collectible as the kodiaks since they aren't as old, but they are a good solid shooting bow.
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Say, there's one out there currently on "The Bay" that somebody sure expects respect for. He's started it off at $325.00! But it does come with a bow quiver. I guess the market for them sure must be picking up big-time! :thumbsup:
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Originally posted by Jack Shanks:
Frank,
I was just messing with you. My long term memory is still pretty good it's the short term I have trouble with.
Now, what were we talking about?
Uhhhh let's see it was bows? :campfire:
I really do like the Hunter.
Frank
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Originally posted by Jack Shanks:
Frank,
I was just messing with you. My long term memory is still pretty good it's the short term I have trouble with.
Now, what were we talking about?
Uhhhh let's see it was bows? :campfire:
I really do like the Kodiak Hunter.
Frank
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I still think it's a bargain shooter for the money. The later years of production were certainly the nicer looking and can still be found at reasonable prices!
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I picked one up on an auction site that had been refinished and whoever did the job did it well I paid $199.00 its 48# and 58 AMO I enjoy shooting a lot it shoots straight and hits hard. I draw 29 inches so I get a little more out of her.
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Morning all
I have a LH 1969 Kodiak Hunter which on my scale registers 64# @ 28"
I have also owned a 1954 Kodiak (73#), a 1956 Grizzly(60+#), a 1957 Polar(63#), and a 1957 Kodiak( 60+#) ...(( I listed these because they are all somewhat comparable in poundage))
I also have a Grizzly and a Super Kodiak of comparable year manufacture(but lesser poundage).
My feeling is compared to the other 60+ poundage bows, the Kodiak Hunter seems to be more a "Brutish" shooter( it just seems to have a harder punch. Kind of like a "heavy" thug brawler compared to the finesse and graceful lightness of the others).
Compared to the Grizzly and Super Kodiak of comparable yr, The Kodiak Hunter does not feel as light in my grip or seem as fast as the Grizzly. And it does not even come close to the smoothness and shooting pleasure of the Super Kodiak.
As for shape; the Kodiak Hunter also lacks the smooth trim graceful shape of many of the other Bear bow lines, but to me there is a certain seductiveness to its shape. A feeling of how comfortingly purposeful the KH sits in my hand, as if it belongs there, coiled ready to strike.... never at rest.
All that being said; people who know nothing of bows, when looking at mine, often will point to the Kodiak Hunter and ask "whats that??"...
And my final thoughts; the #1 bow I liked taking to the woods is the Kodiak Hunter, and #2 was the 1957 Kodiak(which is also one of the few bows I regret selling).
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Pack animal you say the Kodiak Hunter seems to have a harder punch and then say the Grizzly is faster...I often hear or see in print things like that and just cannot get my scientist brain around it...the simple fact is that the same weight arrow at higher velocity will have great energy or "punch"...shoot a comparable draw weight 64 inch 1960 Kodiak, either the regular one or the Deluxe, and you will soon lose interest in those other Bears
DDave
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punch=handshock?
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Dave; I believe what your "scientist brain" has to say. I have not clocked either bow's arrow speed, so my assessment is based simply on my perception at the time. It would be fun some time to do a little more side-by-side scientific analysis(as we know sometimes perception is nowhere close to reality...)
Robert; The Kodiak Hunter never seems too "shocky" to me.... But then again I shoot a .44 Mag revolver one handed and don't complain about the punch on my wrist from it...:-)
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Dad shut the doors on the family archery shop in 68. I got home from the Marines in 69 and my welcome gift was a 68 Kodiak Hunter. That will always be my favorite bow.