Bear Bow Question

[FBB]

All right Bear experts. I just received a Super Kodiak that purchased SN: KZ5065 the K almost looks like it could be an R though I don't know if that makes a difference. Anyway was curious when it was made. Thanks

[seboomook]

I believe the K series started in 1970, dont know when it discontinued. Maybe after the Gainesville move in '78
I'm still learning too, someone more knowledgable will be along.

[Grant Young]

FBB- If you could show a picture it would help. Your bow was built after 1970 and probably before '78. What color are the limb tips, accent stripe, and is the Bear Medalion flat or raised? Let us know,                     Grant

[FBB]

Grant- Limb tips are white, acccent stripe Rosewood? It's a dark redish brown wood, & the Medalion is Gold & flat. Also I know this doesn't have anything to with collecting but... most bows I file down the shelf a bit to get the arrow closer to my hand I've done it on a few Bear takedowns & some custom ones I have. But this bow needs about a half of an inch removed does anyone think this is too much meat to remove?

[Grant Young]

This is odd FBB- all my bows are cut sown at the shelf so that the arrow passes over my index finger between the big and middle knuckle. These Supers- yours is a '71 most likely- require quite a bit of reducing but I love them; largely because the impregnated wood used in the '70 and up models is so durable so the risk of breakage is far less than in earlier models when you reduce the mass of the riser in any way. I think you have a very nice bow. The shooting qualities of these bows tend to vary greatly from bow to bow and I wish you the best of luck. I'll include a couple of pictures of my '70 and you'll see that the shelf line is at least an inch lower than it was originally. Bowdoc also lowered the handle to a medium low wrist and   took a bunch of palm swell out of it for me.   Obviously, the black riser is a '69- just showing the shelf. GY

[Novaln1975]

FBB

If the bow has a KZ serial number and no stabilizer bushing, it’s most likely a 1970 SK. The bushing started in 1971. There is a chance that the bow was special ordered with the bushing though. I think that the 1970 bow had the Super Kodiak silkscreen on the belly. The silk screen was put on the back from 1971 onwards. The flat coin ended in late 1972. Hope this helps.

I have 2 SKs with the Bushing, flat coin and silkscreens on the back. I just have no idea how to tell if it’s a 1971 or early 1972.

-Simon

[FBB]

It doesn't have a bushing & the silk screen is on the belly. As always Thanks for all of the help!

[cacciatore]

Grant, can you please post the pics of your Bear TD? Felix

[Grant Young]

Sure Felix. I'll post pictures of each- the 1971, style2 riser is pretty much original except for the cut down shelf. The style I that I use the most is considerably altered from the original. Remember, these are two of my primary hunting bows and have been for years and they are more valuable to "me" this way though not to anyone else.   [IMG]http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff82/ygrant87 detailed pics to my photo bucket acct-I'm still in my office now.

[Grant Young]

and this is the head-on view of my shelf and grip on the style I.

[Grant Young]

[cacciatore]

thank you, I really love those bows!!!Felix

[gaitero]

WAOWW,
You have really nices bows Grant. Now, I'm thinking to modify one of mines.
Can you tell me the best way to do that ??
Thanks,

[Grant Young]

Hello Richard- thanks for the compliment. Rather than hijack this thread I'll PM you about lowering the shelf.           Grant

[FBB]

Actually I started this thread & I would like to hear how to do it too.