Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: AlanF on June 01, 2013, 07:58:00 PM
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Several of us had the opportunity to shoot a few arrows through Bear's new model of the '59 Kodiak at the Baltimore Bowmen shoot and I wondered what you guys who have owned them for a while have to say about them one the "new" has worn off? Is the first impression a lasting impression? I'm thinking since I don't own a Bear I need to correct that...
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Love mine after four month, this is a keeper for me.
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iv'e seen a couple that now have drool over them ,but never shot one. they sure look and feel nice,gib
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I like mine, Its shoots smooth & quiet. I had some trouble with the top limb tip overlay coming apart on the first one I had but,Bear took care of me & sent me a replacement at no cost what so ever. I would suggest shooting one & handling one (if you can find one) because the grips & finish work does vary.
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I have no issues with the one I have other than the poorly installed leather grip. Other than that, the bow fit and finish is excellent, BUT the real plus is the way it shoots.
Folks are going to soon forget those high prices on those early '59 Kodiaks because this new one is superior.
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Like Lon I am not a fan of the grip; the fit and finish on mine is perfect and it shoots just like my original '59s do.
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I've shot mine off and on for 5 months now with my other bows in the "stable." I'm still impressed with the speed and quality of finish of the bow. Glad I purchased, I'd do it again.
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Really enjoy shooting mine very light in the hand and quiet I have no problem with the leather wrap as do some that posted earlier it is definitely a keeper.....stabow
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It's good to hear the positive reports.
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I shot one saturday and it was sweet!
Im a lonbow guy but i will own one in the near future.
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Good reports, had an order with 3rivers for two months now, went on **** the other nite low and behold there it was with free shipping. Hope I didn't make a mistake by canceling my order with 3rivers till this one showed up?!!!
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Man, I really need one of these... :archer:
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I loved it at Kalamazoo. One of the top 2 or 3 bows I shot. I would buy one in a heartbeat if it did not have a glossy finish and if I was not so enamored with my new Toelke Super D. Really smooth, fast, quite and easy to shoot but I am thinking it is time to clear the herd of some recurves since I am enjoying the D shaped bow so much.
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Originally posted by AlanF:
Man, I really need one of these... :archer:
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: Got my eye on one too, Alan. Shot one at Baltimore and just wanted to keep shooting it. Unfortunately it was a demo Bear at the Bear booth so not for sale. Had it been for sale I may have weakened on the spot!
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Love mine. Have had it for several months now and truly enjoy shooting it. My grip is fine. I was told by the Bear product manager at the Baltimore shoot that the early ones had cowhide grips. Then they switched to deerskin. Mine is skived on the top but not the bottom. Was also told the grips are skived on the original machine designed by Fred Bear.
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Waiting to find a 50# er then I am jumping ALL over it :) Especially after BlackHawk out his stamp of approval on it! Thanks Lon
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Lon,
If you wouldn't mind bring yours to the July Flinttip shoot (if you're going). I'd like to try one out.
Roger
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Dave if you would like the contact info for a dealer with a lefty 50@28 (real purty too) I'll be happy to help out :goldtooth: ...
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HA! Temptation, get thee behind me! :D Thanks but I would prefer to go a bit lower in weight--no more than 45#.
Heading to Cloverdale in a few minutes. Let you know how it goes when I get back.
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Roger that, Roger.
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For the guys in Michigan - Schubachs in Jackson has 2 a 40# and I think a 50# both righties. I was there yesterday.
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I have a 45# lefty but might pick up a 50# someday
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Also, for the guys in Michigan. Bear Archery is donating a new 59 Kodiak to the Michigan Traditional Bowhunters Jamboree on June 22, 23, in Grayling, MI. There will be a raffle to find its new owner. Winner has choice of Right or Left hand and Poundage.
Tom
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Alan, guess what I picked up at Cloverdale yesterday. :bigsmyl:
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David keep me in mind when you put it up for sale...... :)
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HA! HA! What do you mean "put it up for sale, Boyd????" :confused: You know I never sell anything.
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Dave, you've got to give more details...
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Well, if I must.....I figured no way would anybody at Cloverdale have a Kodiak that would fit me. Left handed and about 45#. So I walk into Lost Nation's booth and what to my wondering eyes should appear but a left handed Kodiak--with the prettiest rosewood in the riser that I have seen. Figured it would be the wrong weight--checked that and she's marked 50#. Well, not too bad, so I tell Larry, "You know if that was a 45#er I would probably be hooked." Old Larry says, "What if I told you that it is actually 47#?" Oh, man, right on the money.....so we string her up and she sure did feel like something I could manage so off to the try-out bales we go, and do you know what? That little bow flung arrows like there was no tomorrow. Out came the wallet and before I knew it we were strolling out of that tent hand-in-riser. :D Will this happy couple live happily ever after? We'll have to see about that, but I assure you this little bow is the equal to anything I have had in the recurve line over the years and that includes a bunch of top maker bows. Ahhhh.....life is good. Now Comptons is coming up this coming week and my bow budget is SHOT!
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David they are hard to put down once you pick one up......stabow
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Yeah, I know, that's why it followed me home. :biglaugh:
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Sounds like it was love at first sight :archer:
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That about describes it, Alan. I shot one at Baltimore and just kept wanting to shoot one more group before I returned it to the Bear booth.
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Dave, I'd be interested in hearing what you shotting out of your Kodiak. I've got my eye on a nice 40@28 Kodiak and I'm thinking about trying the Legacy 1916 shafts with a 125 or 145 head.
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That should work great. I'm shooting what I shoot out of everything I own--Gold Tip 3555 traditionals--175 grains out front. But I have no doubt this bow will shoot 2016s just as well--that's another shaft I have found shoots well out of any of my bows--I usually have 125 grains on them. Don't let that bow sit too long or someone else will snatch it up--they tend to go fast. Larry at Lost Nation had ordered this one last October and had it for only a couple or three weeks.
Ellen and I are headed to Indiana to visit our son and family tomorrow and stay through Fathers' Day. Plan is to sneak off Thursday AM for the Compton event in Mich. which is only about 2 hours from his house. He will be busy at his optometry practice since he and his wife are on a little vacation for just the two of them until tomorrow--Grand Cayman! The 8 year-old granddaughter is with us and her sister is with the other grandparents. We're having a ball! :D You just can let grandkids do stuff you never would allow your own kids to do--like make s'mores an hour before supper. :saywhat: :rolleyes: :D
I'll let you know how this event goes.......Dave
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Originally posted by David Mitchell:
Well, if I must.....I figured no way would anybody at Cloverdale have a Kodiak that would fit me. Left handed and about 45#. So I walk into Lost Nation's booth and what to my wondering eyes should appear but a left handed Kodiak--with the prettiest rosewood in the riser that I have seen. Figured it would be the wrong weight--checked that and she's marked 50#. Well, not too bad, so I tell Larry, "You know if that was a 45#er I would probably be hooked." Old Larry says, "What if I told you that it is actually 47#?" Oh, man, right on the money.....so we string her up and she sure did feel like something I could manage so off to the try-out bales we go, and do you know what? That little bow flung arrows like there was no tomorrow. Out came the wallet and before I knew it we were strolling out of that tent hand-in-riser. :D Will this happy couple live happily ever after? We'll have to see about that, but I assure you this little bow is the equal to anything I have had in the recurve line over the years and that includes a bunch of top maker bows. Ahhhh.....life is good. Now Comptons is coming up this coming week and my bow budget is SHOT!
:thumbsup:
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David Mitchell...that is a GREAT story...! A man who puts his money where his mouth is.....glad to hear it..! I have 3 Ed holcomb Bear 59' repros and want to shoot one of these new bears....sooo glad to see they actually listened to the public and brought this classic back out...!!! Really glad to see they are good performers....kudos to Bear Archery for doing it and guys like you for supporting it....jackdaw
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Jackdaw, I have a Talon Swift recurve that Dave Paxton built several years ago patterned after the '59 Kodiak as well. Extrmemly similar bows but the new Bear is a sweeter shooter in my opinion. I too am glad Bear has brought this one back. Talking with the Bear reps at Cloverdale I commented on the great finish on this bow. They told me that the finish takes 6 days to do--six separate coats with sanding in between. You can almost see your reflection in it. One of the best finishes I have seen on any bow. It sure is good to see Bear making a come back.
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Just got mine yesterday, been waiting on a backorder list since April, but diligently checked the internet daily till I found one. It's a beauty! If they put that finish on all their Grayling greenies and got rid of the quiver bushing they'd probably sell more IMO. If they ever put that finish on a take down I'd be putting in an order.
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I am taking mine to northern Michigan on vacation and the Michigan Traditional Bowhunters shoot in Grayling just happens to be the last weekend of our vacation (June 2-23). It just seems right to shoot it at the old Bear grounds at Hansen Hills.
Mine is 50# @ 28 and I draw just under 30. I shoot 30 1/8 inch 1918s with 145 grain heads or 2016s with 175 grain heads. I haven't made up any woodies for it yet.
D.P.
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Dave, Nice article in MTB magazine. If I see you over there with that bow, I might ask to fling an arrow. One of these bows is pretty high on my wish list. I took my 1971 Super K that I got last winter to Grayling last June to shoot the painted target course. It just seemed like the right thing to do.
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I shot one yesterday at the new Cabelas in Columbus. The only arrows they had available were too stiff and had pretty crappy vanes. I put em just outside the green dot on the target. She was a shooter and I left kicking myself for not buying one a few months ago when I had the jack. That is one heckuva shooter that has the good looks to go with it.
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Sure thing Ray, but I am a lefty. My brother and I will be there early on Saturday. We usually shoot the 2D first and then move to the 3D.
Thanks on the article. I just got back from Manitoba and have more material!
D.P.
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Just placed an order with ******** (the company in PA) for a '59 Kodiak. I ordered from them in part due to their very tangible help and support for a Navy family who's son is battling cancer. Kudos to those guys.
My bow should be here...maybe Friday.
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Congratulations. You'll love it.
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Dave, from one lefty to another .... nice !!!
Pics mate ... we need pics !
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As someone with a longer DL, I wish they would bring out a new 64" '59. I have a '59 Kodiak Special in a 64" length, and I really like it.
Anyone have a 60" with a 31" DL ? Comments ?
Thanks
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(http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h474/nigelkylatrista/image_zps13acfcec.jpg) (http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h474/nigelkylatrista/image_zps06fa8027.jpg)
I think Bear Archery is back!
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Stopped at my local archery shop on Monday and while speaking with the owner (knows I'm trad) told me he had just gotten in two Kodiak '59's. The first one was 45lbs and he said in lasted an hour in the shop. The second one was still in the back room as he had been sick and the box had not been opened. He said it was a 50lb. Just what I was looking for. He went into the back room and brought it out. We opened the box together. A beauty. SOLD. Didn't last 60 secs. Right now I am getting the string stretched out. Can't wait to fling some arrows out of her. He has had them on order since October.
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Does anybody in North Carolina sell them? I'd like to shoot a 35#. Has anybody tried one that low poundage? I guess it'd be about 40# at my draw. That's about what I'm shooting these days.
Thanks for all your reviews!
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Nigel there is only one thing to say - WOW! Congrats on a true beauty.
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Nigel
That one is almost as pretty as mine :bigsmyl: .....stabow
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The Bear is on top the Fox on the bottom
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f60/stabow/null-471.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/stabow/media/null-471.jpg.html)
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Can anyone tell me if these are going to be built for awhile or is it a limited time build like the anniversary Super-K & K-Mag models were ?
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I saw and shot a few at Cloverdale. I told the boys at the Bear booth that they had hit a home run. The bow is as beautifully crafted as anything I've ever seen come out of any factory, Bear or otherwise.
But for my 29+" draw, the 60 incher got a bit uncomfortable on that last inch of draw. It also had what I perceived as a bit of hand shock. OTOH....I shoot Widows. Big heavy riser Widows and the hand shock may not be noticeable to those who shoot small riser bows.
Still....it's drop frickin dead gorgeous.
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Well guys the UPS man delivered two boxes this evening from the guys in PA. I only got one opened - a beautiful 59 Kodiak. So far I've shot about 18 arrows through it and I'm impressed with the whole deal. I'll try to get a picture up tomorrow.
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Christmas in June aren't they nice..... :)
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OK, Alan, what is the other one? Don't keep us in suspense! :nono: I think you're going to really be pleased with that Kodiak.
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Sorry about that...the other box contained the Easton Legacy shafts, nocks, and inserts I had ordered. I'm amazed how quick this bow is.
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Well here's a few pictures of my '59 Kodiak. She even shoots better than she looks!
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/calhoonfan/GEDC2562.jpg) (http://s299.photobucket.com/user/calhoonfan/media/GEDC2562.jpg.html)
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/calhoonfan/GEDC2556.jpg) (http://s299.photobucket.com/user/calhoonfan/media/GEDC2556.jpg.html)
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/calhoonfan/GEDC2554.jpg) (http://s299.photobucket.com/user/calhoonfan/media/GEDC2554.jpg.html)
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I was out shooting mine this afternoon--funny how addictive that little bow is--always have to shoot "just one more" round before I quit. :)
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The 59 Kodiak is on my got to have list. I have shot on a little at a 3d shoot . The question I have is how is the draw weight at 28"? Is it normally right at stated weight, or a little high or low? The reason I ask is I normally shoot 50 @.28 and don't want to go any higher than 50 . But I really don't want to drop to 45 either.
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For those who normally shoot low off the shelf, are you sticking with using the feather rest on these????
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I normally shoot low off the shelf, and have found higher shelves or rests have me shooting about 4" high. I kept the feather rest on mine and the adjustment has been minimal.
My bow is marked 45# and was kind of hoping for a scaled 48#, but it came in at 44#. I would say the 59 is coming in close to marked weight or right on.
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Mine is marked 50@28 but scaled 47--actually just right for me. I am sticking with the feather rest--no adjustment issues at all.
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Just in case any one is looking, I have two Rh 30lb 59's and one Lh 30 and a Lh 35 59' in stock waiting to ship.
thanks, bigjim
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I've been shooting off the shelf of longbows since starting in 2008 and find the feather rest on the '59 Kodiak a real nice experience. Will not be changing it.