What are the choices out there for Bear Reproductions?  

Which is your favorite?

Although it's not exact.....Holm-Made bows [Chad Holm] makes his River Runner with a Kodiak grip that is pretty nice. They perform well and fit and finish is excellent. It is a 60" bow.  

Vintage Works

X2 on the River Runner

I got the "vintage" bow look real bad a few months ago. After looking at various bow makers websites I opted for Vintage Works. This well may be my last custom recurve so I want it to look better than it shoots. Funny thing, I selected the options I want and the price is about a $100 more than the Bear repro. I was also able to send him some wood I want used in side plate and overlays.
No doubt there are others who make a good repro and I have seen a few here usually in classifieds. I emailed a few of Vintage Works customers for opinions as well. All had good things to say.

Got the Missus a 35 lb 59er last spring, after shooting it a bit myself, got the itch.
Got on Vintage Works waiting list, figured a 64" version oughta scratch that itch...

Big River '69 reproduction is the best I've tried.  Tried a Vintage Works and while absolutely gorgeous was probably the least smooth out of the 100 or so bows I've tried.  It was marked #52 and felt like I was pulling 70.

While being a drop down gorgeous bow; my experience with Vintage Works left me bowless and I will never order from them again.


Can't go wrong with Ed Holcomb.

My experience with Vintage Works is the same as joe vt.  I placed an order for a bow over 5 years ago with Scott and he stated I was on the waiting list. I have never heard back from him.  I moved on and got a Kota Killum.  I am glad I did.  Ken

My Kodiak River Runner is modeled after the 1962 Bear Kodiak, one of Fred's best shooting bows.  I have a lot of different looks I have made with this bow.  I have made it with Grayling Green glass and Bear brown back and burnt orange belly.  But mostly I have used clear glass with veneers.  I usually use an "I beam" riser construction because it just looks right.  Thanks,  Chad

Not sure if they are still made but I have a John McCullough Grayling Spirit that I assume is 59 copy with some limb refinements. Bow is a solid performer. I f I could find another one I would grab it.

x2 for Ed Holcomb. First class guy and does a first class job.

QuoteOriginally posted by LongStick64:
Not sure if they are still made but I have a John McCullough Grayling Spirit that I assume is 59 copy with some limb refinements. Bow is a solid performer. I f I could find another one I would grab it.

I believe the Grayling Spirit was made while John was building for Ron LaClair. Copied from a '59 Kodiak that Ron had. I remember seeing them on Ron's website. After John left he built the 59er along with his Griffins.

Might be out in left field with this one..
Javaman Assyrian.
Every once in awhile, gotta look that up online. Beautiful lines, something about that just draws the eye in.
Off topic, still in left field, Chad,s King Fisher is another one that intrigues me. Know it,s a long bow, apologies in advance..

You can't find originals?

Wheels, in my case I wanted options, wood and carbon, not available on Bear made bows. For about $100 more I Am getting those options. Originally I was looking at Rose Oak Creations  new Ace model but Brandon is not taking orders any more. I am not familiar with the other bowyers mentioned and have not seen their products.

X 3 on the Holcombs....perfect execution....Fast turnaround a really great guy. Too bad this site is not set up to accept pictures of our personal picture file....I have tried Photobucket half a dozen times and a complete failure. ??? I have three of Holcomb's bows......They are just great!

Hey jackdaw your IM mailbox is full.  Tried to get back to you and could not.  I'll post pics for ya if you would like.

Patrick.

Team fuzzy.

I like the Big River Bows. He makes different model Kodiaks.

I have also been pleased with trying out the Chad Holms bows and also Ed Holcums bows.

John McCullough's are nice but he retired from bow making.