Trad Gang

Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Ray Lyon on March 24, 2014, 02:30:00 PM

Title: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 24, 2014, 02:30:00 PM
Well, since I couldn't find the A handle I wanted from the 1970-72 era and Bear came out with the two tone riser for 2014, I went ahead and got myself a current version of history (thanks Big Jim Archery). On an interesting note, the serial number caught my eye!

Sorry about the overall picture quality, these were from my cell phone.

  (http:// [url=http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/shrewshooter/media/SerialnumberBearAhandletakedown2014_zps95ba4683.jpg.html] [img]http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg617/shrewshooter/SerialnumberBearAhandletakedown2014_zps95ba4683.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]

  (http:// [url=http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/shrewshooter/media/Bear2014Ahandletakedown_zpscc9949a6.jpg.html] [img]http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg617/shrewshooter/Bear2014Ahandletakedown_zpscc9949a6.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: eidsvolling on March 24, 2014, 07:06:00 PM
A true piece of art, in any era. What limb set(s) will you put on it?
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: vintage-bears on March 24, 2014, 07:25:00 PM
Enjoy!
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: smokin joe on March 24, 2014, 09:17:00 PM
That looks great. I am tempted to add one just like that to the collection. The new two-tone looks great.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 25, 2014, 08:26:00 AM
I'm starting out with a set of #1 limbs, 52# @ 28" making a 56" bow. I've got a few choices for turkeys this spring- this bow, a 56" Super Shrew Little Favorite, 56" Super Shrew Classic Hunter and a 60" 1971 Bear Super Kodiak.  Not to mention I've got a 60 inch 1958 Kodiak that's factory camo that would be ready made for the turkey woods.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Kelly on March 25, 2014, 10:41:00 AM
Mine is 01-010.  Absolutely a beautiful handle as well as my all Bubinga A handle.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 25, 2014, 11:13:00 AM
Kelly,

I liked those all Bubinga handles, but I was always intrigued by the two-tone riser. When I saw the first post of them being reintroduced on another thread a few months ago, I knew it was going to be added to the bow rack.  

Ray
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Owlgrowler on March 25, 2014, 12:55:00 PM
I got 01-002, how cool is that?

Haven't shot it much, but, I kind of look like a rookie with it because twice I've had the arrow fall off the shelf as I was drawing, haven't had that happen since I was 5!! And the coin fell out already, so I got to "personalize" it by reinstalling it at a slightly different position. Looks and feels great can't wait til fall.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 25, 2014, 02:01:00 PM
We've got 18 mph winds and snow falling!!!  Not exactly pleasant bow testing weather!!!   :banghead:
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: stagetek on March 25, 2014, 04:02:00 PM
I've always bought B handles. Never owned an A. Might just have to change that.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 25, 2014, 04:21:00 PM
Michael,
75% of the Bear Take-downs I've shot have been B handled. I did shoot an A handle from 1970 that was signed by Fred Bear (I watched him sign in 1980) and resides in a friends gun safe.  I also shot one of the first reintroduction A handles that came from 3 Rivers a few years back. The sight window is obviously shorter and this grip is a little more towards a medium than a low wrist of the B handles I've shot.  I don't mind the short sight window.  I was looking more for a 56 and a 60 inch bow combination than a 60 and 64 inch combination, thus the A handle.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: cmh on March 25, 2014, 06:31:00 PM
That's great looking.... Between this thread and the takedown thread above......  :)
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 26, 2014, 05:51:00 AM
Well I put a couple dozen arrows through the bow last night and was very impressed.  The bow was dead in  hand on the release as expected.  It really spit the arrows out--I was using some vintage Microflite #9 and some Sherwood tapered Douglas Fir arrows--both coming in at about rent grains per pound.  I didn't take time to do a nock point or put on silencers however the bow was surprisingly quiet without any.  I was using a 'whisper' string from Kustom King. I checked the brace before and after shooting and it was exactly 8 inches each time.  Even with other fast flight string materials I've had some stretching.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: stick33 on March 26, 2014, 01:20:00 PM
That's funny - I've got 01-003!    :)
   (http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y415/sticknstring33/2014_003_zps3aacc403.jpg)
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 26, 2014, 02:10:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by stick33:
That's funny - I've got 01-003!      :)  
   
That is funny. So it looks like all the cool people hang out here on Tradgang!    ;)
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: PrimitiveSniper66 on March 29, 2014, 09:16:00 AM
still waiting for my first A handle should be at the Footed shaft soon, I have 01-03 & 01-011 in the last years B model, already thinking about the the the B 2 tone so I have both the A & B , nice looking bows.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: damascusdave on March 30, 2014, 01:54:00 PM
I have 1960 Kodiaks with consecutive serial numbers that were bought new by the previous owner...just by luck I also know who has the next number to another 1960 Kodiak I own...you 3 should record each others information for future reference...who knows what might be collectable in the future

DDave
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: NIGEL01 on April 01, 2014, 01:45:00 PM
My new 2tone is a 01-013.
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Elmer Keith on April 16, 2014, 03:16:00 AM
Do these newly made handels accept the old limbs from the 70s?
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Ray Lyon on April 16, 2014, 08:47:00 AM
Elmer,

They're supposed to be universal, however I haven't tried an old set yet.  

Ray
Title: Re: My Bear A Handle replacement to history
Post by: Kelly on April 16, 2014, 10:42:00 AM
Yes, old sets of limbs work on mine.