Older "Vintage" Fred Bear Bows -vs- a new one?

[Iron Man2]

I have looked around the site to get the answers, however, did not find what I was looking for. Here is what I was researching: as a starter training bow, I was considering a Fred Bear recurve bow in a 45-50#. Mainly because of economics and lack of practice shooting a recurve. I settled on and plan to graduate or swap with either a new or gently used Black Widow KB maybe in the 45 to 50 #. The sports dept. stores sell the Fred Bear bows new. However, occasionally, I see the older ones being offered on this site and local lists, etc., very reasonably priced. So I ask the question??? Is there an advantage to buying a used older, “vintage” FB bow? Other than the aesthetics, strings capabilities, and ruling out the damaged or beat-up ones, is the older better than the new one? Or is it just plain preference and a subjective choice?

Please voice your opinions and preferences; however, I am looking for factual differences and real advantages of one versus the other.

Thanks in advance!

JL
   

[Hit-or-Miss]

I own both vintage and new Bears, and aside from the new ones being rated for fast flight string (which I don't care for anyhow, if I wanted speed I would shoot a compound!), I see no difference in preformance. Of course, if you like old stuff like many of us, the vintage Bears (and others) are cooler to shoot and hunt with. But either old or new bows will shoot just fine, IF tuned up properly and using the correct sized arrows. Plus, if you buy a vintage bow, you save enough $$ to cover the cost of some arrows.

[Bud B.]

I own both new and vintage. I like the finish on the older ones. But both are shooters.

[ron w]

The old ones just seem to have more appeal for me...but I will say I had 2 Montana's and they were both excellent shooter and really a bargain!

[Bishop]

Find a nice Kodiak Hunter, great bows that perform well. I have new and old Bears and have no problems with either.

[Iron Man2]

Thanks Guys for your remarks!

JL

   

[Hit-or-Miss]

PM sent.

[Widow's Son]

I have a couple of vintage Bear bows. Both are great shooters. You can get a good deal on a vintage bow on one of the on-line auction sites. I scored a fully restored (by Bowdoc) 1966 Kodiak for $200. Why buy a new\\reproduction when you can have the real thing from Grayling Michagan for less money. Just my two cents.

Ross

[Blackhawk]

My favorite beginner bow when considering price and function would be one of the older Bear Grizzlies (those with working recurve limbs).  These can be found from around $100-150 and can easily be re-sold with out losing any money.  

Other Bear bows (such as Kodiaks) may be highly collectible and prices will reflect this.  

I agree the newer ones shoot very well also, but the "coolness" factor works for me with the Grayling versions.

[59Alaskan]

Tend to agree with all the above comments, but don't own a new one.  I have only held them and shot a couple.

It would be incredibly hard to beat the overall value proposition of learning on an old Grizzly...especially a 62" model...which they no longer offer.  You could get a shooter quality 62" Grizzly and have a forgiving, quiet, and high quality bow for 2 bills or there abouts.

It's like a car...buy new and the day you take it out of the store you lost x% of your value.  Buy used and in a couple of years you'll likely sell it for what you paid give or take a few bucks depending on what you did to it and the used bow market at that moment.

Shot a Montana a bit and really liked it though.

[Jack Shanks]

I have a few of the vintage Grayling bows and they seem to hold their value well. The only thing that I can add to what has already been said is a slightly used Gainesville bow may be the best value out there. The Gainesville bows shoot every bit as well as the vintage bows and in many cases better. There are a couple of newer Super Kodiaks listed in the traditional classifieds on other sites right now for less than half of what they cost new. I have seen some newer Grizzlies listed at similar saving recently also. Myself, I wouldn't rush out and buy a brand new bow of either model but wouldn't hesitate to buy a used one.