BEAR Bows - Gainesville vs Grayling

Hopewell Tom · January 18, 2015, 07:47:00 AM

The Bear Bow thing is proving to be a dilemma for me.
I have a couple of Graylings now and broke a beautiful '67 Super K mag at full draw a couple of years ago. My 2 Grizzlies fit beautifully, but one needs the Bow Hospital and the other is proving to be a bit too much weight-wise for my arthritic wrists. Graylings for sale are a concern sometimes every day shooter wise. What Drama!

So, I need some opinions on the Gainesville Bears. I've been to the website and am interested in the 59 Kodiak and the 67 Super K in the black phenolic version. One of each, in 40# and 45# respectively. And lefty. Just like Fred, himself...

I've seen some comments on the 59 having a poor fitting leather grip and I don't think the 67 is available until the Spring (?) Regardless, I feel the new Bears would be better suited to everyday work and my older models could be for "special occasions", but may see more work than that implies.

So, please no "lectures" about how well your Graylings work (about that, I have no doubt) just tell me how well I'll be served by the 'new" 59 and 67.

Cyclic-Rivers · January 18, 2015, 08:04:00 AM

I cannot speak for the new 67, but I shot the 59 and liked how it shot.

As far as the leather grip, it wasn't great but it was functional and it can be replaced.

As Far as shooting old bows vs. new bows..... All bows can go at any time. You can have a warranty with a new bow but you can also have 3 X the price.

One thing you may want to consider if buying new... is to buy from a vendor such as Big Jim.. I have seen several threads over the past year where someone ordered a bow from Bear and the woods used were not as desirable as they hoped. At least with Ordering from Jim, you have a person who can tell you what your bow looks like.

Its all about deciding what is important for you when you are ready to purchase.

Good luck Tom.

Sean B · January 18, 2015, 08:56:00 AM

Same here as Charlie, never shot the '67, ut shot the '59 and liked it. As a matter of fact its on my "Have to have" list.

Xs 2 everything else Charlie said. He's a wise man!!

cowpie · January 18, 2015, 09:12:00 AM

X2 I got a 59 from big Jim I had one on order from 3 rivers but canceled ( was on a wait list ) Big Jim had 3 bows in stock I talked with him over the phone he described them to me . The bow he sent was beautiful. The bow shoots great 50 @ 28 . I had chad from champion strings make a string and it shot even better seemed a litte quieter with his string. I don't have a problem with the leather handle you won't be disappointed with this bow my 2 cents, Big Jim had the bow a my door 5 days after talking to him!!!!

Hopewell Tom · January 18, 2015, 10:06:00 AM

Big Jim is exactly who I had in mind for the purchase. I've been looking at his site as well.
Thanks for the comments.

stagetek · January 18, 2015, 10:31:00 AM

Hopewell, I've read there is at least an 8 week wait on the new Super Kodiak. And, It's not a replica of the 67.5 That year was an all black phenolic handle. It's a replica of the 68 and 69. Those were black phenolic w/Rosewood caps. Hopefully at some point Bear will do a remake of "black beauty". I'll guarantee I will be on someone's waiting list if and when that happens.

Blackhawk · January 18, 2015, 01:01:00 PM

Grayling bows have that special attraction to many (including me), but the bows coming from Florida the past few years are great...probably even better than the old models. I have a couple of the new takedowns and the new '59, and really pleased.

BTW, if you get a '59 from Big Jim, I heard he will replace that flimsy leather grip with a better one...so there's little wonder the values on the older bows are getting stagnant.

JRY309 · January 18, 2015, 01:28:00 PM

I have a 2014 Bear Kodiak,I had to get me one after shooting a buddies new Kodiak.The complaint I heard about the leather grip was it would lift or come off.I haven't had any problems or my buddy with the leather grip on the Kodiak.The only thing was I think the string is overbuilt and loops too large.I mean a 16 strand D97 is way too much and the top loop was 4" and the bottom loop was 3".I made up a 8 strand Ultra Cam with the loops padded to 16 strands and made a 2.5" upper loop and lower a 2" loop.It fits the bow better with the smaller loops and quieter the the OEM string.I like the new Super Kodiak with the black phenolic but I heard there was a 9 month backlog on that model,maybe I'm wrong about that?I think my 2014 Kodiak is a great shooting bow,I like the looks and style of it.

Bryan Korte · January 18, 2015, 10:05:00 PM

I own a new 59 and can't be more pleased with it. Its like the Bear bows of yesteryears. I have not seen the satin finished one but love the super nice gloss finish on mine. Very pleased with how it shoots and the handle is fabulous. The leather on the handle isn't the greatest but its no big deal. The rest of the bow more than makes up for that. If the new Super Kodiak is as nice as this 59 is I'll own one in a heartbeat. The new Bears finally have me excited for a Gainesville Bear. I see a take down and a Super K in my future.

Michigan Mark · January 18, 2015, 10:20:00 PM

Have Gainesville SK and Ausable both shoot great and handle my long draw fine. I see and feel neglagable differences in the Grayling models . Some feel diferently in the way the grips feel to them as I have read (so that is hearsay until they chime in different). ...Mark

M60gunner · January 18, 2015, 10:33:00 PM

I have a 72 SK and a newer (2005) SK. With the fast flight string the newer bow shoots a little flatter. Remember, same forms through the years but newer materials. I really like the newest SK but I am on a tight leash for buying.

Michigan Mark · January 18, 2015, 10:42:00 PM

Few pics

myshootinstinks · January 19, 2015, 09:29:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Blackhawk:
the bows coming from Florida the past few years are great...probably even better than the old models.

Yep, I'd have to agree w/ Lon. I've spent hundreds on Grayling Bears over the years and have enjoyed them all. I now have two of the newer red-stripe TDs and one of the new '59s. These bows lack nothing compared to the older Bears. The craftsmanship is there and Bear customer service is great.

Hopewell Tom · January 19, 2015, 03:01:00 PM

Really encouraging comments, Thanks.
Glad to see that things are good overall with Bear Bows. Got a bow to sell and then on to a 59er, I think.

LostNation_Larry · January 19, 2015, 08:39:00 PM

I shot the new Super K at the ATA this year. It is a very nice bow but who knows when Bear will ship. I've also shot the '59 and love it. I am not a fan of super skinny strings but the comment on the loops being too big is spot on. However, bow we recently received here at Lost Nation Archery have had strings with much tighter loops. I haven't receive a '59 with the new strings yet but if they use this small loop style I expect people to be very happy with them.

BigJim · January 21, 2015, 09:59:00 PM

Yeah Larry, I have received a bunch of bows with the new strings...can't say I like them completely. They are an improvement over the old strings. The new ones are coming from Predator. The loops tighten up on the tips when strung. Not terrible and a definite improvement but room for improvement.

Yes, it is correct. If you purchase a '59 from us, I will replace the grip if you choose with one more fitting of such a nice bow (free). It will also come with a custom string from us and that too will be at no extra charge...In fact all non discounted Bear bows will come with a free custom string not to mention an inspection before shipping.
thanks, bigjim