59 Kodiaks

[GregD]

This may be a dumb question but why are there so many 59 kodiaks that come up for sale on the big auction sights? It seems like there is another 59 every week but you never see a 60 or a 58. Were there that many more 59’s made?

[Drywood]

   I am guessing about 9,000 plus ,60" Kodiaks .

[TRAP]

Not sure why you don’t see more 58 Kodiaks, but perhaps the reason you don’t see as many 60 Kodiaks is because some of the “available” production time was used to manufacture 1960 Kodiak Deluxe and Kodiak Special Deluxe bows (new models for 1960)

Consider the radical change in design and use of exotic woods on the 59 Kodiak. Prior to 59 it was maple or maple for riser wood (boring).  59’s were great sellers and it’s apparent that archers of the day ordered a pile of them.  Knowing how similar the 60 was to the 59, Bear Archery probably stepped back production of the Kodiak and put that time in the new model KD and KSD. 

My question is, why didn’t they keep going with the Deluxe and Special Deluxe models which are among the most beautiful bows ever produced by Bear Archery.

[seboomook]

Wasn't there a problem with the clear glass separating and fogging on KD, and KSD limbs?
I know both of mine have this issue.
Maybe Bear discontinued due to many warranty claims.
You're right Trap, very beautiful bows!

[TRAP]

Oh yeah, there were definitely issues but many of those bows are still being shot today. Even if they had switched to a colored glass like the brown glass used on 64 Grizzlies I think they would have sold well.  The riser alone on the KD and KSD is pretty special. 

1960 was a great year for Bear bows.