Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: 2ndTimeShooter on August 07, 2016, 01:03:00 AM
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Hello Everyone. A little while back I got a 59 Kodiak, 60", rated at 30#. It had a tip overlay coming off so I sent it to Rick Rappe who made new phenolic tips that match the vintage look. When I got it back it measured 33# at my draw of 28.75". I love shooting this bow! Because of back problems sometimes I can only shoot light bows like this, so it gets a lot of use. Even at 33# it has the same springy or zippy feel of heavier 59 Kodiaks.
Now I'm wondering if there is an even lighter 59 Kodiak out there, or if anyone has seen or heard of one. I know the 56" model was made at 25#, but even if I could find one I can't shoot it since my draw is too long for it. I'm wondering if Bear ever made a custom 60" or 64" 59 Kodiak that was 25# or less than 30#. Or, if anyone has a bow rated 30#, if the actual weight is more like 29# or 28# at 28".
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I wonder if you can special order one from Bear.
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I saw a few years ago a 59 #17 go for $1200 on #bay.
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I have a RH 59' Kodiak the is marked 30# and I'm sure it's Less than that although I never checked it. My daughter used it quite a bit when she was 7-11 years old.
doug77
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Send Bear an email and ask them if they offer a light weight special order.
[email protected]
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Originally posted by 2ndTimeShooter:
I'm wondering if Bear ever made a custom 60" or 64" 59 Kodiak that was 25# or less than 30#. Or, if anyone has a bow rated 30#, if the actual weight is more like 29# or 28# at 28".
According to Jorge Coppen's book "Bear Archery Traditional Bows" the '59 Kodiak was available in AMO length of 56, 60, and 64" with draw weights from 30-65# (60") and 30-75# (64") so, no. Not in a 59 model, anyway.
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Thanks everyone for your answers. I used to get emails saying I had a reply to a post but not anymore, so I just looked at this page and saw them.
Yes, I could probably special order one but then it wouldn't be a vintage 59. Not sure if I made that clear or not, that I was looking for an actual 59 bow rather than a replica. But of course a replica would be nice also. And probably less than the $1200 one that sold at the auction place!
Doug 77, what's the length on your 30#er? Want to sell it?
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Finally a post that I can chime in on. A few years back I "very accidentally" came across a 59 x 56" that's 25# at 25". The leather handle is rough, but the bow is in really great condition for being 57 years old. Original feather rest and plate. A fellow brought me a bunch of " kid's" bows and just threw them down on the ground and said you can have these if you want them. All the other bows we're cheapo's except this one. I've been holding on to it for "emergency trading material", but so far no emergencies. :)
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A 1959 with a 56" length is worthy of photos. That is, if it is a Kodiak. If so, take a few pictures then lock the bow up for safekeeping. Trading material is a bit of a misnomer.
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2nd time sorry not for sale I've got some grandkids shooting it when they come over
doug77
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I finally got around to looking in the 1959 catalog. It shows the 59 Kodiak in 56" to be available starting at 25#. Sure wish that they had kept some records of how many of those actually went out the door. My guess is not many.
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Jack Shanks has a 60 inch that is 22 pounds...good luck getting him to sell that one
DDave
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I was incorrect...Jacks bow is 31 pounds as well...and it is actually a 1960 bow
DDave
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Does that mean he's any more likely to sell it? I could settle for a 60 31# Kodiak.
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Pretty sure that is the bow Jack calls the "Owl" bow...once they have a name I doubt he will sell them
DDave
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The Lightest Weight Kodiak at the Antique Archery Arsenal & Museum -
The "Little Rascal", the first ever documented/found by a collector, 56" 1959 Maple Sight Window, is 18#... the thinnest limbs I have ever seen on a Kodiak.
The thickest limbs I have ever seen on a Kodiak... are on "Brutus Maximus", a 1954, 68", 100# @ 27" here at the Arsenal.
It is likely that other examples exist which exceed these two extremes at opposite ends of the spectrum.
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Wade, thanks for sharing that. An 18# Kodiak! But I don't think I could shoot one of those even if I found one. Isn't the draw length of the 56" Kodiaks limited? What's the lightest 60" or 64" 59 Kodiak?
I have a 30# 60" 59 Kodiak that had a layer on the tip missing. I had new phenolic tips put on and now it's 32# at 28". 33# for me. That's pretty light but it still has that Kodiak feel just like the heavier ones. It shoots just as straight also and is lots of fun for shooting a lot of arrows. But it can still be a bit tiring after a while, for me. I have a 30# Cub and a 30# 61 63" KS that are both about the same draw weight for me as the Kodiak, but shooting the Kodiak is much more of a work out after shooting for a while. Maybe it's that unique 59 Kodiak springiness.
Anyway I am encouraged that I still might find an even lighter one to shoot on days when I need a lighter bow. Hopefully I'll still be alive when I find it!
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Shandor -
Most of the 59 Kodiaks that I own are hunting weight as I intended to use most of them. For the most part, I tried to stay away from the light weight Kodiaks and only acquired them as a last resort for a specific length, riser style, or wood type.
If you are looking for nice light weight vintage Bear bows, the 1959 and 1960 Kodiak Specials would be a great choice as they were target bows and generally lighter weights than the Kodiak, plus the Specials were made in five lengths, 62", 64", 66", 68" and 70". The Specials are also a little fancier/complex in riser design and woods. Plus they also shoot great. Glass color may not be as appealing. That feature may or may not be important to you.