I just thought I would open a discussion about what classic Bear bows are your favorites? If you like, list the bows in chronological order from most favorite to least and what years you feel were the best years of production from the Grayling, MI. years.
Any cool pictures would be fun too!
I have several Bear bows from the early 50's, but this is my favorite, early 50's , 64 ",66 lb Bear Polar longbow with vintage tape on Bear quiver. Classics never go out of style, and just keep on gettin it done. :archer:
(http://%20[url=http://imgbox.com/acuYT3Wu%5D%20%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://t.imgbox.com/acuYT3Wu.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
Awesome, moleman. Great pic!
The '59-'62 Bear Kodiaks are at the top of my list of best classic Bears. Putting in order from first to fourth is tough, but...
1. 1960 Kodiak (best looking and best performer)
2. 1962 Kodiak (great looker, smoother, very accurate and forgiving)
3. 1959 Kodiak (original classic with a history)
4. 1961 Kodiak (bubinga with green glass, rare, fine performer)
BTW, other models of Bears such as the Grizzly and Kodiak Special were also very special in looks and performance for those same years.
The old Grizzlies....62-75, Kodiak Hunters....just about any of them. I have a nice 67' that shoots great! I also have a Polar that I got for my wife, 35# and it shoots real well!
I love my 62 Kodiak. It shoots as good as most customs.
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/marcbishop/DSC02106.jpg) (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/marcbishop/media/DSC02106.jpg.html)
I also really like the green Kodiak Hunters.
My favorite's would be the 67.5, 68 and 69 Super K.'s. Any of the '70 and early '80's A or B wooden T/D's. The mid-sixties K. Mags had some pretty wood combo's as well.
Favorite shooter is a '64 Kodiak. Favorite looker is a '62 or '63 Kodiak.
My '69 phenolic Super Kodiak is my favorite. I passed up a super nice '59 Kodiak when I traded or the SK. While the '59 was super smooth, I felt that I would get more life out of the '69.
Let me pour a big drink and do some pre-posting finger exercises and I'll post some thoughts in about an hour or so. ;) :D
I am partial to the Kodiak Hunters. Its the only recurve I kept after making the switch to longbows.
I'm pretty young and don't have much experience with the classics but these two we just picked up are pretty nice! 59 Kodiak and 59 Kodiak Special.
(http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s574/caleb_campbell1/DSCN0041_zps19753270.jpg) (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/caleb_campbell1/media/DSCN0041_zps19753270.jpg.html)
PArcher,
Now go out and try to find another classic Bear that's better than those two. I believe it's going to be tough for you to beat.
Awesome pics and great input. Keep'em coming!
The '59 Kodiak was made in 56", 60" and 64". I've owned all three, but my preference is for the longer versions.
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d108/lwscott/kodiak-1.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/lwscott/media/kodiak-1.jpg.html)
All I can say, Lon, is WOW! :clapper:
I l0ve these 3. Theres a few more out there I would like to try.
since you said Chrono order:
1960 Kodiak:
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Bow%20Pictures/60k_zps6b44a779.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Bow%20Pictures/60k_zps6b44a779.jpg.html)
1965 Grizzly
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Bow%20Pictures/1340233102.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Bow%20Pictures/1340233102.jpg.html)
1968 Grizzly:
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/1333219939.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/1333219939.jpg.html)
Stunning, Charlie. That '61 K is a beauty!
I will never forget my first trad kill in 1976 a whitetail doe shot with my K-mag sitting on an oak tree limb afternoon hunt and recovered the next morning.The K mag is a classic in my ope
inion.Kip
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p191/Kip_album/DSCN1164.jpg) (http://s128.photobucket.com/user/Kip_album/media/DSCN1164.jpg.html)
Here is one of the unsung favorites of mine:
tiger-cat
><>>
Glenn
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb364/gabedard/bow%20and%20knife%20sale%204-28-13/015.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/gabedard/media/bow%20and%20knife%20sale%204-28-13/015.jpg.html)
1. 1962 Kodiak
2. 1969 Super Kodiak
3. 1959 Kodiak Special
Old Fred had his stuff together in the late 50's and Early 60's.
Charlie,
Are you sure that first pic is a '61 Kodiak?
64 kodiak, one day I will own a type 1 b riser though
Obviously, there are as many favorite vintage Bear bows as there are archers, hands and fingers. We often have our favorites for our own reasons.
That said, it's the "sleeper" Bears that should garner the most interest. Sure, we all know about the 1959 Kodiak, the 1962 Kodiak and '64 Kodiak. And in no way am I diminishing those bows, for they are highly desired classics for a reason, that being fantastic bows of any era and never going out of date and they shoot as well or better than any bows made today.
However, for the casual "collecter" who may not want to spend top dollar for a certain top dollar "year model" yet wants a great bow, there are some incredible vintage Bear bows that never got the limelight they deserve(d).
The great thing about collecting vintage Bear bows is that you can put the bows into a historical context, by year. They are hand held time machines you can still shoot daily and effectively hunt with, for years and years.
I may be showing my age, but I'm a huge Beatles fan and often compartmentize things by album era, and thus the creative vibe of the era and creative context of any given era. I also understand that the years of Bear bows don't correlate with my Beatle analogy years.
(I hope I'm not losing some here, but trust me on this.)
So if any of this makes sense, the bows you want to watch out for are as follows...
The 1954-57 Grizzly, 1956-57 Kodiak and 1956-57 Kodiak Special are like the "Hard Day's Night" to "Help!" era of the Beatles. Super great shooters, classic lines, yet more plain jane'ers, for lack of a better term.
Then things changed in 1958. 1958 was the "Rubber Soul" year for Bear bows. The '58 Kodiak, Grizzly and Kodiak Special are all-star bows. Anyone who shoots vintage bows should look to any of the mentioned '58's because they are spectacular in performance, yet mildly subdued in appearance at the same time. One could argue that the '58 Kodiak would be among the most desired vintage Kodiaks, but for the white glass.
Then of course came 1959, which in rock and roll terms was like the Beatles coming out with "Revolver".
Virtually everything changed.
The '59 Kodiak is known to all, but what less people know about is the '59 Grizzly, which is as fantastic of a bow that one will ever put their hands upon. (Same with 1960). The '59-'60 Grizzly is 62" of prefection.
Of course, then there is the 1959 Kodiak Special. One could also make the case, as I do regardless of length, that this was the finest bow to be boxed up and shipped from Grayling.
The '61-'62 Kodiaks are great, as many know, but for me they start stacking at 29".
But then comes the "Sgt. Pepper" era, that being the 1962 Kodiak Special, '62 Grizzly and '63 Kodiak and Grizzly. But for cosmetic issues, these bows are also arguably the best to come out of Graying.
If you want to listen along, here's the theme song of the '63 Kodiak...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCiG7xoEb2Y
The '62 Kodiak Special is an incredible shooter, fits the hand better than most any bow ever made, but the sea foam green glass spooks most hunters. The '62 Grizzly is, in my opinion, the best Grizzly ever made, but the white glass bothers some, if not most hunters. Finally, the 1963 Kodiak may be the best shooting 60" Kodiak ever made, but some are spooked by the design and fear that the bow may blow up.
Lastly, the 1967.5-1970 Super Kodiaks are the "White Album-Abbey Road" bows. By this point, the Kodiak Specials were not desired and the shorter. more plain Grizzly's, in my opinion, were a shadow of their past bows. Of course, many love this era of Grizzly bows.
I hope this helps if you you are trying to decide on a certain era of vintage Bear bows.
Igor,
I agree with you 100% ! I've got a '69 Tiger Cat and its my favorite Bear...one of my favorite bows period. It feels good in my hand, shoots where I point it, and its whisper quiet.
I've got a friend getting into traditional archery and I let him shoot it and he fell in love. I wouldn't price it to him but his girlfriend came and talked to me and I let her talk me out of it for him for his birthday present.
So my Tiger Cat will be gone in two weeks. I'm gonna miss it but for a good friend I don't care to let it go. Although I am gonna screw with him and tell him its on its way to Michigan or something next time he comes by to shoot it this weekend lol. It'll be a good joke and surprise.
My vote goes to the 59 and 60 Grizzlies and to the 57 Kodiak Special.
God bless, Steve
I have a 1966 kodiak that my dad gave me. Smooth shooter puts the arrow where I point it. Love that bow.
I have a 63 Grizzly that is a Great Shooter and it shoots with The best of them!! Shawn
For one reason or another I love most of the Bear bows made during the MI era.
My prefered for romance and flexibility are the Type 1-2 TDs,with the Super kodiak very close being stable and faster shooters than the TDs. But when I hunt I like to use some aftermarket limbs that really make the things different.
I like also the 59-60 and 62 for their timeless design and also if they are decent performers they can't be comparable with the top Customs carring the skinny ff strings,also if we all know that at hunting distances there are more important factors than the mere speed.
Mojo, Great Post! HAHA.
1962 Kodiak Magnum is my favorite so far. It's super quiet and spits an arrow out with an old b-50 endless string.
I've also got a 1971 Super Kodiak that's a smooth shooter and just finished restoring a 1957 64" Kodiak that I'm just getting to know.
Still looking for a 1959 Kodiak and one of the old wood handle takedowns for a reasonable price(I know, this is the needle in the haystack).
Thanks to all. I'm enjoying all your opinions and learning a ton!
I started Bowhunting in 1968. We didn't have the resources we have today in regard to archery and there weren't many other archers around, at least if you didn't know them personally you wouldn't know they were out there.
I lived by "The Archer's Bible". It was about the only real resource for good information. Also Fred Bear was on the American Sportsman, which also fired me up.
I just picked up some '59 Kodiaks and a '59 Kodiak Special. I have been a longbow shooter for a long time, but I intend on doing nothing but some retro Fred Bear spot and stalk hunting this year with one of the '59s. I also have a '57 64" Kodiak.
One of my favorites is the '67.5 Super Kodiak. I couldn't afford a Super Kodiak back then and settled for Kodiak Magnum. I just had a bunch of Super Ks from '67.5 to '69. Every once in a while I feel guilty having all these bows and sell them. Then I kick myself, because after I sell them I no longer have the bow or the money! That is what I did with my Super Ks.
I have the 1959 catalog and if you look at the profile of the bow, the limbs look almost like a semi static recurve, similar to Ben Graham's Hummingbird bows. They are great performers. The '59 feels just right in my hands.
I would like to get a '60 Kodiak next to give it a try. I would also like to get a type one B riser takedown but I could never afford one of them even today.
A friend sold me a '59 Kodiak 64" 65# in pristine original condition. He got it from the original owner that must have been over bowed and put it in a sleeve on a rack for many years. I will have to post pictures of this one, because I never saw one in this type of original condition.
I had a '62 and it seems in 1962 Bear used beautiful woods in their riser. My '62 had Brazilian Rosewood and was one of the nicest piece of woods on a bow riser I have seen.
This is a great idea for a thread. Wow. There are some wonderful bows that have been mentioned so far. Love them all. Old Bears are great. I have narrowed down my modest collection to Bear TDs but I really admire all classic Bears.
Oldschool,
I was hoping someone enjoyed it. ;)
When you line up the old Bears by year, you can see how they really changed with each year or two.
Some years had their own, unique character that is identifiable from the moment you see them and will likely never be duplicated, like a '62 Kodiak Special or the '63 doglegs. Is anybody ever going to make a bow with sea foam green glass again? Highly doubtful.
Have around 200 Bear bows so its hard to pick a favorite. Just like them all.
Of all my Bears ?????
1964 Kodiak 60" - 48#
1967 1/2 SK 64" - 45#
1959 Kodiak 60" - 48#
Just what shoots best for me.
doug77
I don't have a lot of knowledge about the classics but I love to shoot my 75 Kodiak Hunter - it just 'feels right' to me.
I've shot pretty much every Bear Kodiak model ever made 1950-1966.... hard to chose just one...
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/biggriz61/minnesota075.jpg) (http://s35.photobucket.com/user/biggriz61/media/minnesota075.jpg.html)
It's hard to beat a 1960 Kodiak...
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/biggriz61/minnesota074.jpg) (http://s35.photobucket.com/user/biggriz61/media/minnesota074.jpg.html)
the 1959 has a great grip....
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/biggriz61/minnesota106.jpg) (http://s35.photobucket.com/user/biggriz61/media/minnesota106.jpg.html)
I like take downs personally the best...
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/biggriz61/ABADisplay005.jpg) (http://s35.photobucket.com/user/biggriz61/media/ABADisplay005.jpg.html)
Good heavens, Alaska. You have an amazing collection of classic Bear recurves. Well done! :clapper:
Limited experience with the early to mid sixties classics or anything earlier but the Kodiak Hunter is my pick.
My favourites begin and end with my 1960 Kodiaks...only since I sold my 1964 Kodiak of course
DDave
Alaskanbowhunter, they are all beauties!! I really have never got into the Bear bows but if someone had a 64 Kodiak I would love to own one. That was the year I was born and want to kill a deer with one from my birth year! Shawn
I am getting old, in '64 I was in 4th grade!
I would love to see some pictures of a '60 Kodiak Deluxe with Crystalite Bearglas. I can't say I have ever seen one.
Gil, go to history and collecting. I recently posted about one I got last week I believe. Pictures are there. Shane
Here you go Gil
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/biggriz61/minnesota074-1.jpg) (http://s35.photobucket.com/user/biggriz61/media/minnesota074-1.jpg.html)
Shane I checked out the pictures very nice. I wish Fred did that on the Kodiaks too.
Thanks Chuck for your pictures too.
Was there a problem with the Crystalite Bearglas when it came out? I am surprised they didn't do that on more bows.
Thanks again
Gil
QuoteOriginally posted by Blackhawk:
Charlie,
Are you sure that first pic is a '61 Kodiak?
No, I had a typo, its a 60. Post edited to show. I still love it, now that its "older" I like it more lol.
Here it is, Its had a lot of mileage and still running strong. Gosh i like this bow.
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Bow%20Pictures/1350431290.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Bow%20Pictures/1350431290.jpg.html)
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/Bow%20Pictures/1350431295.jpg) (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/cjohntalk/media/Bow%20Pictures/1350431295.jpg.html)
I'm a 67-69 Super Kodiak guy.
My favorite Bear was this '67 Grizzly I took my first deer with in '69. I don't own it anymore though.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/reddogge/Archery/APG5pt1969-1.jpg)
My favorite Bear now is a '62 Kodiak, warts and all. The finish is crazed and flaked off the handle in an early season snow storm and the patch refinish job is dark but what the heck, it's just an old bow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/reddogge/Archery/IMG_0910.jpg)
I am going to mention my favorite Bear bow just because no one else ever does. My favorite is the Bear supermag !
I only have a 26 inch drawlength so the supermag is perfect for me, very short maneuverable bow for brush hunting. Now you guys with the 28 & 29 inch drawlengths might not care for them but that just means less competition for me when I'm out buying them !
Here is my 1968 & a pair of 1970 supermags.
(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t76/dan-45/Hunting/photo.jpg) (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/dan-45/media/Hunting/photo.jpg.html)
66 Kodiak for me.
Hey David, Thanks for digging this up!
Nice bow you have :thumbsup:
1- Bear take down
2- 1960 Kodiak
3- The new 59 Kodiak reintroduction
My preference
It's hard to beat a '69 Super Kodiak!
Bernie
I like the 1962 Kodiak, and the 1961, 62 and 68 Kodiak Special. 61 probably the best.
I have a '57 Kodiak, '66 Kodiak, '70 Super Kodiak and a mid-80s Takedown.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/76eee4a9-b57a-405e-864e-3b567cc73532.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/76eee4a9-b57a-405e-864e-3b567cc73532.jpg.html)
I'd say my favorite to shoot and hunt with is the '66. Although, I have a green stripe take down on the way for turkeys. We shall see :)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/Thanksgivingbuck013.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/Thanksgivingbuck013.jpg.html)
I have owned dozens of Grizzlys and really enjoy them. I have owned Kodiaks, Kodiak Specials, Polars, Super Kodiaks. They have all come, many have gone. These 4 beauties are here and likely always will be. You can say they look beat up. Maybe you can say they are cheap. These are used. They were used to do what they do, and boy do they shoot well! They were loved and they still are.
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa337/ceme24/null_zps8e3e7c94.jpg)
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa337/ceme24/null_zps6db3e505.jpg)
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa337/ceme24/null_zps3b4fb461.jpg)
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa337/ceme24/null_zps9e5aaec2.jpg)
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa337/ceme24/null_zps6e6884e4.jpg)
I could do just fine on any shooting I need with these 4 1959/1960 Alaskans
PS - you can really see the difference between the 1959 slim grips and 1960 fat grip that permeated all models between those years.
Not much experience with others but I like the 56" Grizzly
(http://i.imgur.com/hDq5tYk.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/chaiELx.jpg)
All I can say, guys, is WOW!
I bought a LH'66 Grizzly in January and really like that bow. It's 58" 52#@28". Really has me fired up to find a LH 56". I was told they only came out from 1968-70.
I had a beautiful '67 Super KMag, but I broke it. Kind of spooked me off the old Bears, but I'm back at it. Always wanted a few Grayling Bears.
Really like that 56" Grizzly you have, David. And that slide-on Selway quiver is the one I have in mind for mine.
My favorite is my 71 a kodiak Hunter. Just picked it up from Dad yesterday. Remember him shooting it when I was a kid and when I was big enough I shot it for years. Needs cleaned up and the coin replaced but hopefully it will still shoot ;)
I like most of the Bears. I've shot the Supermag, Magnum, Hunter, Grizzly, the Black Panther, & the Super K.
All of them are fun. probably my favorite is the Kodiak Hunter, that's the bow I started with in the mid 60s.
The Super K is a very good bow, & I may own another some day.
Nice thread, thanks for starting it. :clapper:
My favorite is the 57 Kodiak, 60" I have three, 47#, 54#,60#
Also like:
64-66 Kodiaks
66-67 Grizzlys
66-67 Kodiak Magnum
(//%5Burl=http://s1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag252/caputo_art/?action=view¤t=1f17732570ef52734fd4cca4c7db7c46_zpsd5fad0ac.jpg%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag252/caputo_art/th_1f17732570ef52734fd4cca4c7db7c46_zpsd5fad0ac.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
My favorite is the 57 Kodiak, 60" I have three, 47#, 54#,60#
Also like:
64-66 Kodiaks
66-67 Grizzlys
66-67 Kodiak Magnum
(//%5Burl=http://s1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag252/caputo_art/?action=view¤t=1f17732570ef52734fd4cca4c7db7c46_zpsd5fad0ac.jpg%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag252/caputo_art/th_1f17732570ef52734fd4cca4c7db7c46_zpsd5fad0ac.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
Hey thanks Tom, really like that bow. If I could find another 56" as nice I'd snatch it up :thumbsup:
dan d,
I like it when a guy knows what he likes and doesn't care what others think, if its good for you its good for you. Nice looking bows!
I recently acquired a fabulous '57 Kodiak from Bearbowman, 64" and 37lbs@30", that may well have beaten out all other Bear bows except for the dead tie with the '59 Kodiak Special that's 66" and 35lbs@28". Meanwhile, a '58 Kodiak, 64" and marked 44lbs@28" but draws more like 40@@28 is moving up in the outside lane. ;)
QuoteOriginally posted by dhermon85:
Not much experience with others but I like the 56" Grizzly
(http://i.imgur.com/hDq5tYk.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/chaiELx.jpg)
Those arrows match that Grizzly very well David
I kinda like my white glass 57
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa277/DUCK_TRAP/57KodiakWhiteGlass094.jpg) (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/DUCK_TRAP/media/57KodiakWhiteGlass094.jpg.html)
I think so too Trap! Thought they came from you, sure do like those. Love the white glass.
56 Kodiak
59 Kodiak
68 Super Kodiak
60 Kodiak Special