For all of you Bear lover's .why is it that everyone is trying to find a 59 ? Is this year the best shooting kodiak ? Thank's for your input
Troy Spear
It may be the second best shooter, and waay the sexiest!!
I don't know... I am partial to the '57 Special... but I guess I have not shot the '59 so my opinion may not be worth a hill of beans :)
I guess I'll have to get my hands on a '59 for comparison, it all in the name of Science... do you think that will work on the wife :D
They are sweet bows...smooth as butter and quick as greased lightning. They feel good in your hand, and they are one of the nicest looking recurves aver made. Other than that, nothing special.
I'm trying to shoot as many as possible. You really cant get Ideal inless you own them for a while it seem like ??
Bjorn what is your first best?
Do you have one George ?? Or still looking ?
I just got a 57 from a fellow tradganger and was really surprized at the speed from such a skinny little bow. mine is 48# and has quickly become my favorite
Look at the Kodiaks before 59. I am not saying they are not great shooters. But they all had that Michigan hard rock maple. No fancy wood. When 59 came and that Kodiak was introduced everyboby back then thought it was the cats meow. It was so much different than every Kodiak that came before it. The old timers remember it, and the lore stuck.
I have a 59 that I thought I'd stolen on ****, but turned out to be a wall hanger.
I've owned a 54 Compass Kodiak II and a 57 Kodiak Special. It's hard for me to believe that the 59 could shoot any better, but they are pretty.
The 59s and 60s are nice......but my true love is the 62 Kodiak.....It was my first bow and I doubt that I'll ever find or shoot anything nicer. Still, you gotta love the way the 59 looks and shoots....its the current price that gets me every time....considering what they went for back in the 60s.
I love the 1955, 1957. Both bows came from Tradgang members and or sponsors, but there are a number of years between 1955 and 19691/2 that I would pick over some of the newer models.
I'd like one myself to try sometime.Just not for what I've seen people ask for them. :saywhat:
I just wanted to know alittle more about them. I was fortune enought to pick one up. She is very pretty and pull's smooth. Im thinking of having her refinshed, What do you guy's think refinsh or old retro look wall hanger ? I know afew that refinsh's them . Who's is the Best. I.Y.O Thank's for your thought's and post's Troy Spear
The 59 Kodiak is one of the all time classic's. They are ultra smooth on the draw and really launch an arrow! They are slim and light in the hand. I just recently sold a 59 Kodiak and I have a gut feeling I'm going to regret letting it go.
I have several other vintage Kodiaks also, 1961,64 and 65. Starting in 61, the Kodiak got beefed up a bit more (limbs are wider/riser is beefer). The grip on my 61 fills my larger hands to a "T".
Got to love them vintage Bears!
Isn't it funny that we live in a world that needs an answer now. Don't have time to shoot one, tell me why it's so desired. Well...you just can't.
The only way you will tell is to shoot one. Also, you can get a reproduction model from Holcomb or Big River, and they are just as nice.
You just have to shoot one to know.
Next year there will be a lot of guys trying to find a 1960 so they can hunt with a 50 year old bow.
If you are going to use her in all types of weather you might want to give refinishing some consideration. Occasional use on blue bird days,keep an eye on the tips and have at it.
First year of exotic woods in the riser, fine light narrow limbs, wonderful grip shape, shoot as well as any ever made, lovely overall lines... as George said, "Nothing much other than that."
It isn't time that keeps me from trying one out it is the fact that I don't know anyone around here that has one. I wasn't the one to start this post but I've had the same interest recently. If that lumps me in to the "Gotta know it Right Now" catagory, big deal. A question was asked and most were genuinely contributing to the conversation.
The closest I've come to shooting a vintage bow is my Dad's 1960 Herters recurve. It is a tall bow at 68" and the riser is a true 24" long. This 44#@28" bow is smoother than all the few traditional bows I've the opportunity to shoot. But it doesn't look that much like a 59 Kodiak so I suspect it may not shoot the same. One of these days if I ever get the chance to try out a 59 model I will get to see. Until then, thank you fellas for filling in the gaps for this have to have it now baby boomer.
JL I seen the one you sold. That was a nice one . George your wise took your advise. Im going to shoot it instead of looking at it. Who's the Master of the refinsh ?? Anyone have an Opinon. If you dont want to drop a name please PM me Thank you Troy
I will reccommend to refinish is Rich Lopez (Droptine 59) or Bowdoc (Don Ward). They are the best. Rich has my 69 Super Kodiak right now to refinish. Mike in Ohio
Bjorn, if the 59 may be the 2nd best, then which is the best. Jim
I vote for the '64 as best shooter.
The 59's are so smooth and fast. I wish everyone could own one. They are worth the money.
I shot one for the first time earlier this year. No nock on the string and shot it split to hold the arrow. I shoot 3 under. Every arrow hit where I was looking. It was a 64" 59 special. I found it extremely easy to shoot, The grip was perfect. I fell in love right then and there.
Don't know if anyone's mentioned it yet, but the 59 style recurve is depicted in many of the classic hunt photos you have seen over the years, such as the famous Little Delta Hunts when Fred and Glenn St. Charles hunted Alaska together. Here's a heads up for all you 1950 Bear bow fans; I recently shot a photo for Traditional Bowhunter Magazine that features a 1956 Kodiak Special. It's titled "Old Kentucky Hunter's Camp" and is on the Feb/Mar TBM cover.
Thank's everyone who made a reply on this post make's me feel a little better about the money I spent on my 59 kodiak. Now I think I'm going to set away a little cash away every now @ than to refinsh her. Trad shooter's are a different Breed. Are strandard's are above all !! Thank's Troy Spear --58--
The Traditional Bowhunter Magazine had an interview with Al Reader.He collected Bear bows and memorabilia for decades,and had over 1000 bows in his collecton at one time.It is good reading,especially for you Bear bow collectors.